I think I can safely say that most of us have at least one pair of cropped pants in the closet these days. Far be it for me to give you a formula on styling them. How-ev-er, I want to share some DO’s and DON’Ts I arrived upon while observing street style during New York Fashion Week. I mean, some ways just seem to work better aesthetically than others.
1 – DO
WEAR CROPPED TROUSERS WITH OXFORD SHOES.
It’s a great way to give your look character with a nod to menswear. I recommend pointy toes if you want slimmer-looking legs. Letting ankles show is also a great way to put oversized clothing into perspective: preventing your body from looking several sizes larger.
2 – DO
GO ALL BLACK IF YOU MUST WEAR SOCKS WITH YOUR BOOTIES.
Showing a little skin is a lot sexier. But then who wants to freeze to death? We may be inching toward spring, but it’s still downright frigid in some areas. While wearing all black, socks blend nicely with the rest of the look.
3 – DO
WEAR CROPPED PANTS WITH MID- TO HIGH-HEELED SHOES.
That is, if you don’t mind cooler ankles. It’s even more fun with fishnet anklets. There’s no better way of making the look more elegant and lengthening the legs.
4 – DON’T
MIX MULTI-COLORED, OVERSIZED LAYERS AND BOOTIES.
Balance is pleasing to the eye. And so, if certain aspects of an outfit widen the look – such as multiple colors that cut up the silhouette horizontally – it helps to counter that with a fitted garment and/or by leaving a narrower part of the body exposed.
5 – DO
WEAR WIDE-LEGGED, CROPPED PANTS WITH A HIGH-CINCHED WAISTBAND.
A high, cinched waistline visually elongates the legs. And so do pointy-toed, high block-heeled boots.
6 – DON’T
EXPECT TO LOOK THIS GOOD WITH WIDE SNEAKERS AND WIDE-LEGGED, CROPPED PANTS.
I did see several women during NYFW who weren’t as successful at pairing wide-legged, cropped pants with wide-toed sneakers. It is quite a feat if you are not stick-thin to begin with.
Wide cropped pants have the potential of making our legs look stubby. As you’ve just seen, however, there are several tricks to avoid this: wearing them with a mid- to high-heel, a higher waistline, and pointy-toed shoes, for example.
Have you any DO’s or DON’Ts to add to the list?
XO, Janea
26 Responses
I love cropped pants and these are great tips!
So glad you like the tips, Nancy! xo
Classy!
Yes. I love these looks too, David!
Thank you for sharing dear, it’s always a delight to read your blog!!! 🙂
Much love,
Hadasah Love || http://www.styletolove.com
I’m so glad you enjoy it, Hadasah! xx
Cropped pant are my fave, especially with a cinched-in waist. Great tips, hun. xx
http://www.thatnewdress.com
Me too, Dominique. A cinched, high waistband is my favorite! Glad you like the tips! xx
Great tips babe, I love cropped pants!
Kisses, Paola.
Expressyourself
Great post, I like it 🙂
new post
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So glad, Ilijac! 🙂
Thanks, Paola. Kisses to you! xx
Amazing tips! Great info and style!
Thanks, Nina. These ladies do have amazing style! 🙂
Great Do’s and Don’ts for wearing cropped trousers! I agree they can look amazing when worn with oxford shoes or high heels. Also, I understand what you mean about not pairing them with oversized layers AND ankle boots; it can be overkill otherwise! Have a lovely week. 🙂
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Happy Monday beauty!
Kisses, Paola.
Expressyourself
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Thanks, Paola. Happy Monday to you! xx
Thank you, Gabrielle. Hope you have a lovely week! 🙂
Such a cute article, you rounded up some great ways to wear cropped pants!
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Thanks, Jessica. xo
I love these outfits. Stunning.
Glad you like them, Stuart!
Hi, nice outfits and ideas, especially the ever overlooked socks to keep ankle warm in winter, which are at the same time a very nice seasonal stylistic element.
Can they be worn with flats and classic heels, given the socks hem is covered by the pants, maybe calf and knee socks?
Hi there! Wow, it has been a while since I have blogged. I am by no means the authority on this. My tips are just things that I have noticed and concluded. I would be careful with socks and wide-legged cropped pants though. It can be more flattering to go with no socks or something ultra thin since this style often tends to (with most women, I think) make the legs look wider and shorter. Pointy flats and heels always help with leg-lengthening and slimming. Another nice option is boots that taper at the ankle.
Thanks, well even it seemed like yesterday I typed this comment, while it’s already a month, but glad to find you back, yeah time flies sometimes. Aw, I get what you mean, though it would turn handy because socks keep it comfy and warm :D, while all for bare ankles and feet ftw approaching spring and beyond till next winter!
Yeah, so with pointy flats and heels, possibly block or wedges, much comfier, balance out a lot the risk of such pants making legs shorter, even with socks. I meant mostly dark and uniform colors, black, dark navy blue, deep purple, not too thick, which define the ankle and are knee length or even tights, so the top is covered by where the pants reach, so it’s a most just a bit less slimming than the bare ankle I thought, dunno :). Maybe matching the sock and shoe color, like it’s often suggested to men to elongate the legs when visible. I think fashion can be fantasy and creativity so I like to receive different tips from different people, I don’t believe in authority in general, not about you, I like your style.
Yes. I have also come to the realization since I stopped contributing regularly that I could have couched a lot of my suggestions in a big preface that I am by no means an authority. I have ideas that I feel work for me. If I had to do it over again, I would make sure that that message is clear. Anyway, I like your idea of darker colored socks, and I think that it works (for me) much better to match the tone of pants, socks, and shoes if I want the look of longer legs.