The day after Thanksgiving I woke up late and leisurely went to the local mall. I’m not big on the Black Friday craziness, but I did enjoy reading about many of your finds via blogger and twitter! The mall by my parents’ house is pretty mundane…I got bored quick but did find the following at Forever 21:
– Knit cable tights in charcoal, sz SM (comes in 4 colors) which I now love – they’re really warm and look cute under shorts or skirts. I had been eying a pair at H&M;, but those cost a crazy $14.95! See these here on me.
– Satin bow headbands (3 colors) for $1.50 each. I don’t really do headbands, but at this price I’ll give it a shot! See here on me.
– More $3.50 nylon tights in charcoal, gray, and olive. These are opaque and one size fits all.
I then braved the crowd at LOFT to see if they had Kelly’s wool trousers in my size. The item locator online said sold out, but lo and behold this store had tons in stock … don’t trust the item locater! LOFT was having 40% off so the pants came out to $42 (from $80), which is not exactly cheap for me, but I wanted to purchase first and decide later.
Belt: Ann Taylor Perfect Patent Skinny Belt in Granite, sz S (buy here)
Shoes: Ann Taylor Perfect Suede Pumps sz 5
Floral pin and earrings: J.Crew outlet
These pants come cuffed but the length was too long on me to achieve a cropped, slouchy look. Thus I gave them another generous cuff. Refer to Kelly’s two posts to see how these pants look on her originally and with the cuff rolled up. After seeing these photos, I need to roll up my cuff a little more tightly and neatly like she did.
Likes: If you like the menswear look then I would highly recommend these pants. The speckled gray texture is fabulous in person and the material is very warm (though take note they are only lined on the upper-half). Fit-wise, these are some of the smaller fitting LOFT pants I’ve tried on to date (tag says Marissa cut). I needed a little help with a belt but otherwise the fit around the waist/hips of a 00P is decent and doesn’t need alterations, woohoo.
Dislikes: I wish these pants were a tad slimmer along the thighs, so the silhouette wouldn’t be so peg-legged or carrot-like. Also, I’m not sure where the best length is for my body type.
Verdict: I don’t have anything cute and cuffed, so I’m leaning towards keep!
This silk/chiffon blouse in women’s 0 was a random find at a J.Crew store. It was about $20 after their discounts so although it was huge (see before alterations photo here), it only needed an easy alteration. I sewed in the sides myself (took about 5 minutes, otherwise I have no patience for DIY alterations).
There were some dissenting opinions when Kelly first revealed these pants. I think the key is getting them to be the right length for your legs, and wearing them with a shoe that elongates the leg (the shoes that the LOFT model has on are atrocious with these pants).
Readers – Would you keep or return these pants (for $42)?
did you end up keeping them? hope you did! I love them on you!
Yup, they have size 5.5 there =]
Thank you everyone for your honest feedback and suggestions!! I'm debating waiting for these to go on additional sale, then taking them to the tailors to get the thigh slimmed.
@PetiteXXS I think we are spoiled by their really really good sales. This will probably go down to $20 or so in two months and I'm really tempted to wait it out.
@Cee Aren't the tights great? I always rip mine or get holes so at the $3.50 price it is much less heartache. I used to think the H&M; ones were cheap but not anymore compared to F21.
@Michelle thanks! You should try these on…with your taller build they won't need to be rolled up and will probably be a lot more flattering on you.
@Liana @R.L. Yes this was at my parents' house…it's very big and cold there lol, the total opposite of my apartment : ) RL you are right…I wonder how'd these look higher waisted!
@Anonymous Thanks for the tip…will dig it out of my suitcase and try on with my came and nude pumps! And I agree that money is better than iffy things, but after blogging I have second thoughts on almost everything because nothing fits "perfectly" anymore when viewed critically.
@AubreyOhDang! Aubrey you can fit their other Marissa pants? But you're so tiny!
@Sara Thank you and Anh for the suggestion…I wish I could do more DIY alterations to save on the tailoring bill!
@Gracie Whoops that's my fault lol. The cuff isn't normally so chunky, I just hastily rolled it up : ) Will have to try Kelly's thin cuffs.
@aquav87 Wow what a steal on both pairs! Does the factory sizing go down to 5.5 (since in stores only goes down to 6)?? I checked them out in person once and the quality wasn't as good as the regular perfect pumps, but at that price I'd take it!! I hope they restock the gray pumps for you as I highly recommend them : )
@Elle Ha ha ha that would be the day. Now why can't their petite 0's fit like this?
@WOLFa "But we have what we have." …I like that! I never exact "perfect" fit off the rack…just decent.
@Canadianpetite Thank you Canadian petite : ) I wish I had Kelly's post up while getting dressed. She made the cuffs look 10x better.
@Haodi Have you gotten the free tailoring done there before? Is it just hemming (like banana republic) or is it more? Please share : )
@Annapurna Kelly and I have very different body proportions and it's becoming more and more evident as pants and skirts look great on her! I did contemplate traveling outdoors in cuffed pants…either ankles will have to freeze or I'll have to time the MBTA perfectly. What a bummer.
@f.chiang @Ramnik More Aritzia lovers! Ramnik – I totally agree with you, the regular ole straight skinny pant look is nice but I'm intriqued by these slouchier above the ankle ones. A nice change : )
@Anonymous Thank you for reading! : )
@The Little Dust Princess Yes they are quite comfy and a good price too! Too bad no AT / LOFT in canada.
Keep! Love them!
If you ever come to vancouver bc, or canada in general. You must visit Aritzia. It's a clothing store that i go to and it has sizes as small as XXS. I'm 5'2 and 90ish pounds and theres plenty of clothes that fit my nicely. They even have business peices lk blazers. Just wanted to let you know 🙂
Love your blog! 🙂 Gives me some ideas since I am the exact same body type as you. Keep up the great work.
i love the look without the cardigan. you look so sweet. this is a hint of older woman though, but i really like the pants with those shoes from behind. personally it's not as versatile as other pants
I really REALLY like these wool pants on you! It looks very sophisticated and really nice on you. It pairs so beautifully with the top (which is gorgeous!) and the olive cardi. I absolutely love the combination. KEEP! 🙂
its a keeper…you look great in them
Looks great on top but the bottom to me is meh. Something about the proportion just doesn't work for me. They make your legs seem short.I want you to roll them down. I didn't feel that way about Kelly's though – don't know why. Maybe it is just a matter of taste.
My vote is return, but for the following reason: I couldn't get over the fact that you live in Boston and will only wear wool pants in the winter and therefore will need to roll them down to commute and roll them up at work (and probably won't have tons of time to make sure you cuff it perfectly when you are changing shoes).
On a related note, this book might inspire you to do your own alterations
http://www.amazon.com/Sewing-Revised-Updated-Knitting-Magazine/dp/1933027002
KEEP!! I think the pants look great on you, especially with the tuxedo shell and the pin. BTW, I just bought pants from J Crew, they are the City Style and 100% wool for $60-ish. A bit pricey, but defintely worth it for the quality material and free tailoring if you have a J Crew card.
The pants look so stylish on you. Once you get those properly cuffed, it might look better – not so peg-leg. I totally love the top and cardi.
Beautiful outfit, and I think they look good on you…but I'm not sure if they're good enough to keep for that price. Knowing Loft and the sales they always have, maybe you should wait a bit longer for a greater markdown?
Btw, I'm so jealous of those gray pumps! I actually saw one pair left in 5.5 at AT.com for about $55 after all the discounts, and of course I ordered them immediately…only to receive an email a day later saying that they have to refund my money due to insufficient inventory. Very sad. But hey, I got a beautiful pair of peeptoe patent black AT pumps for a crazy price of $15 at ATFactory along w/ the patent black perfect pumps for $35 during Black Friday. So, that eased the pain quite a bit!
The loose thigh and chunky cuff I think is a little off putting, especially for $42. I think it would be nicer if the cuffs were smaller and the length a bit shorter to balance the transition from the wide pants to your smaller ankles.
I do like the ensemble though. The jcrew shirt looks fabulous after the alteration and works really well with the color and texture of the pants.
I would keep them but then get the pant hemmed so the cuff was higher. When they're rolled up again, it looks too thick at the cuff. But they're unique pants and likely not easy to find again, so if you're willing to slightly alter, then keep! 🙂
i really love this outfit on you and the lil pin flower is so cute! I would definitely keep the outfit!
Oooh, $40+ for a pair of pants that you're on the fence about? That sounds like a Return to me.
However, if you do end up keeping them, I'd listen to how Kelly cuffed it and do it like that.
Marissa cut is my favorite! Straight and narrow b/c I have no hips. 😐 haha.
Miss my morning coffee! Spelling error…
STABLE not Staple. Sorry.
Trust your instinct! If you have second thought regarding a purchase, money is always better than thing.
keep! i think it looks very flattering on you ^^
I agreed with Anh's comment to alter the cuff. Personally, I am not thrilled with side slash pockets and low rise pant in general. This seems to be a staple design on LOFT pants. Unless I have miles long leg or a short torso like Alteration Needed and Anh, slash pockets & low rise cropped pant only shorten my leg and widen my hip.
Try pairing the pant with nude/camel color shoe to create an illusion of longer leg.
You look very lovely.
ohh, KEEP! so cute! great color for fall. 🙂
I love the way you paired the trousers with such a feminine top, flower and pumps. Gorgeous looking. But I'd not keep the trousers, I don't like the pockets myself and the lenght and fit seem a bit awkward.
You look great in those cropped pants. I don't think I'd be able to carry them off. Have a good week!
Hey Jean! Looks like I've missed quite a bit while I was away on vacation. I lovelovelove those trousers and for $42, I say keep! The fit is amazing and they look incredible on you. Like, I-want-to-buy-them incredible haha. I love the entire outfit. Is that J. Crew top a recent purchase? I love the pleats! Btw, since you've been wearing that faux fur collar from H&M; all over your blog, I finally went and picked it up. I'm wearing it in my most recent outfit post, with credit to you of course 😉
xo
http://www.lemodedujour.com
Sigh. I want these trousers so badly now that I've seen it on you and they look amazing! I've been looking for trousers like these for a long while now. I realized that right now CYBER MONDAY has actually started and LOFT is featuring the 40% off PLUS free shipping!! Unfortunately though I live in Canada and despite having a US address to ship to, LOFT doesn't except out of state billing addresses for my credit card. Sigh.. this makes me terribly sad.
If they're a bit too expensive for you, I'd return them. I agree with the previous speaker, higher waist – and the pants could look much better! But we have what we have. Although I like high heels + open ankle, like here.
BTW, nice blouse!
I say don't keep. They are very "balloonish" in the thigh area and the cuffs are too prominent/thick for my liking. Too reminiscent of parachute pants. Perhaps if the pants were more high-waisted it could offset this?? I do however love the texture of the pants.
I also adore your J. Crew top and how you styled it with that rose pin. Such a lovely orange color! And are you in your parents' house? It looks like something right out of a catalog!
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These pants do look really nice on you, but I agree that they are a little too wide in the thigh area. It's not too bad if you're going for a slouchy look though and I think a slimmer cuff might help the shape look a bit more defined. The pants also pair perfectly with those grey suede pumps!
The J.Crew top is gorgeous and nice work on making it slimmer! Great find!
cuteandlittle.com
Aww you look so cute in that outfit. 😀 I'm not a fan of the pants and probably wouldn't have paid $42 for them. I think the shape is awkward, but I think it's because I'm so used to seeing you in slimmer pants and skirts. I'm not sure what length would flatter your (our?) body type, but it looks perfectly fine in your first three photos. : ) I love the pumps btw! They're the perfect height. Are they comfortable?
xx The Little Dust Princess
Funny you meantioned menswear, but it looks so feminine on you. I like the comfy slouchy style, very chic. But I prefer alter the cuff since it's already a cuffed style. BTW, Incredible finding from Jcrew, You are so talented!
I like the pants, but if you're on the fence about something and it wasn't at much of a discount, I'd say return it. I agree with others who say it is a little too slouchy in the thigh and butt area. To me, $42 is too much for something you're ambivalent about…which is why I am also returning my LOFT mixed media tweed jacket.
I think you pretty know this is a keeper because your "likes" outwieght the "dislikes" ;). These pants are gorgeous and look good on you. I love the color and texture. That top is super cute with a floral pin. Great photos too!
TO KEEP!!!! LOL… I can't emphasize that enough… those are gorgeous on u!! & oh those pumps are to die for!! you are so luck to have found those & for them to look so good on u… I'm so jealous….
I say keep – you can really pull it off despite the supposedly odd silhouette, plus it looks super cute with the J Crew find. So that's the secret to wearing J Crew – alterations! I never was able to fit into the xs and their catalog is filled with super tall model-types. *sigh*
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving Jean 🙂
If you're anything like me (which you by your size lol!), the slim/skinny pants look is probably getting tired and old, so I say keep just to freshen it up a bit and they actually look great on you and the looser leg is okay too.
I wanted to say — in Canada we have a store called Aritzia and Ithink all you petites would LOVE it so check it out if you can find one near you (I know there are some in the states I just don't know where) They make sizes that would fit you no problem and they have great clothing in terms of styles + material
I vote keep too, they look great on you! But I think I am most impressed by how you altered the J. Crew top, it looks AMAZING now. I was about to say, wow J. Crew has small enough tops for you now but then quickly found out that you had to alter it…still, a terrific job! Love the entire ensemble.
I vote for KEEP! The color is really nice. I'm thinking of getting some for myself and trying them out 🙂
I agree with the above opinions that the pants seem to be a little too wide for you. But the way you paired them with top and shoes is fantastic. If you decided to not keep them, would you mind selling them to me? I have been eying with these pants for a while, but I live In Canada where there are no LOFT stores and nor does LOFT ship over the border. I am happy to take these pants off your hands at the price you paid, plus shipping cost and little extra for you. Please let me know if you are interested.
Thanks,
Jasmin
Keep! =D
I had to play with the cuff too. Do this…fold the cuff smaller, but fold it one more time. I had to fold the cuff twice, but keep it small so it didn't look disheveled. I think the slouchy fit combined with the cuff is really cute. I like that top too! Darn it! My J.Crew had nothing that cute on sale.
I think they look great and I actually like the roomier look for these pants!
http://www.pearlsandgreentea.blogspot.com
I bought 4 pairs of tights from F21 in the past week. Eek! So far I've only worn two, but they are comfy and definitely worth the cheap price tag 🙂
I'm not usually a fan of pants that hit around the ankles, but you make it work with the cuffed hem and tuxedo-style top. I think it's great to try on different styles, but I wonder if you'll get a lot of uses out of the pants? If so, I'll say they're definitely a keeper!
I cuffed the LOFT rider pants as well, it just looks better in my opinion! I really like the material on those pants and I say keep! I kind of like the looseness in the thigh area, it looks more masculine and bold. =0D
i think those look really great on you and would be cute dressed up or down! btw is that your house? it looks really nice!
Fashion Bag 411
You look amazing in this entire outfit!! I know the fit is not the most slimming, but petites can get away with that. I think the way you styled these pants is great…feminine tucked in shirt and heels.
I say yes to the pants! Proper-fitting pants are so darn difficult to find! Both you and Kelly look great in them.
This needs to be said again…you look amazing! Those colors are so flattering on you!
Actually – I like them on you! It's great to see a different silhouette on you! But I think it would be a good idea to have the cuff altered. With it folded it doesn't look as polished.
To be honest, I don't love them… I do really like the color/texture of the pants, but the shape seems awkward. The thighs are too loose and it's emphasized by how the pants taper to such narrow openings. Combined with the low-rise, they just seem to be shortening you (I think they look a bit different on Kelly because she's shorter-waisted). If you love them though, maybe wait for further sale? 😛
The tuxedo blouse is really cute and I see that your hair is growing out! 🙂
I LOVE the blouse and pin combo – gorgeous! I like the color of the pants but don't love the leg fit. I think I would return, but that's just my opinion. If you love them, keep them – if not, don't. 🙂
Love your outfit!
The pants look nice on you, but I feel like they are a bit loose on you. However, it looks really comfortable!
P.S. Love the blouse and the earrings!! =]
Jean– i like the idea of these pants…grey, wool & cuffed. i think you have better looking pants than these. i agree with you that they are too loose in the thigh area and the length is a bit awkward. i do love your blouse!! it such a pretty color and love the tuxedo look. hope you had a nice weekend!