Ah the patterned pant. I’ve had such mixed feelings about it’s comeback because they don’t do a whole lot to flatter the figure, especially when you’re curvier on the bottom like I am. Instead they can make you look wider. The eyes of onlookers are swimming in a sea of prints and colors searching for the outline of your body and just can’t find it. Blech. But I started to buy into this trend when I found a cut and type of pattern that I think can work.
The key is to find a pair with a dark background and with a waist band that falls at the right place. A dark background is always more slimming because darker colors detract light and look smaller to the eye. It helps to make the pattern pop, too. When I say the ‘right place’ for the waist band, in this case I actually mean below your belly button, not at your narrowest part (mine is above my belly button). If you have a waistband – especially an elastic one – that is pulled up to your narrowest part, the pattern will expand over your butt and will give it a widening, rounding effect. Not good. A waist band that sits a bit lower and flat like this one is better to keep the lines straight. A slight flared leg is better than a tapered hem, too. Again, clean lines, not round ones. I’d also recommend a slight heel to add height. In other words, you want to choose patterned pants with the right elements to combat the illusion of extra width.
So where did I find these amazing patterned patns? At one of my go-to stores, LOFT. They are called the Full Bloom Trouser and are on sale for under $50! I chose the matching top because I feel like the matching set gives a jumpsuit effect without being a jumpsuit (very hard to use the bathroom in, people!). But I’ll also wear these with a light-colored top or a navy top all summer long. I also like that the pattern is a floral. It gives the eye something pleasing and spring-like to look at rather than a geometric pattern (again, widening). It’s also well-spaced so the dark background shows through (again, slimming). The rest of the details are further below!!
Patterned Pants and top: LOFT // Shoes: CL by Laundry // Sunglasses: LOFT // Bag: Jack Germain // Jewelry: Charming Charlie and Alexis Bittar
HAPPY THURSDAY! IT’S ALMOST FRIDAY!!
