Outfits Of The Days (Three Pretty Pantalones)

Like a lot of women out there, I have a difficult time finding pants that both fit correctly and fit well.  I’m short but also like to occasionally wear heels (which means I can flip-flop back and forth between petite and regular inseams), and I’m also an apple shape (which means I have a  bit of a buddha-belly but oddly scrawny thighs and a butt so flat its the rival of many, um…pancakes).

It never fails–as soon as I find a pair that fits in the waist, it’s much too big in the thighs and butt.  And if it fits in the thighs and butt, it’s (of course!) way too small in the waist.  Throw in my old pal Mister Stew Pidloopus ((and the beautiful fact that I fluctuate up and down a good 15 pounds at any given time) and oh lordy–finding perfectly-fitting pants can be bit of a ridiculous little nightmare for me.

Grrrr-uuumph.

If you have read my blog for any length of time you likely already know that I am  a huge, dweeby fan of ASOS. And if you are not yet familiar with this UK-based retailer, let me introduce you: they carry everything from high-end designer brands, to little obscure european brands, to their own delightfully affordable house brand. Throw in free shipping aND free returns to the United States and I am a completely smitten kitten.
 
So when ASOS contacted me and kindly offered to send a few things my way to review on this blog, decided to take them up on their offer and  try the one thing I had yet to still try from them: PANTS!  While I have personally purchased a merry assortment of blouses, dresses, and jackets from them in the past, I decided that this would be the perfect opportunity to branch out and try something new.
Here are a few things you need to know about me, first: I am 5’2″ tall. I have a 29.5″ inseam.  I typically wear a size 2 in J Crew pants and denim.  I am a Libra.  I enjoy watching a various assortment of cheesy reality TV shows. I burp when I hiccup, I sometimes worry that I am slightly cross-eyed and no one has yet had the heart yet to break the devastating news to me, and my favorite morning breakfast cereal is Funfetti cake mix. Good?

And here are a few things you need to know about ASOS: I have been a customer with them for quite some time now and I’ve always experienced great customer service.  While they are based in the UK, they do have a US-based warehouse for US residents, meaning no duty taxes or customs fees!  Quality can sometimes be an issue, although everything that I have purchased from them in the past has always been made well (for the price point, keep that in mind) with little to no issues.  Sizing can also be difficult to figure out, as it isn’t very consistent  and varies between the ASOS house label and the other designers/brands they carry.  They offer free shipping and returns, so if you are unsure about your correct size it’s always best to order two and return the one that doesn’t work.  I do it often and my returns have always processed in a satisfactory amount of time–within a few weeks.  Items and sizes do tend to sell out fast on the website, so keep that in mind, and some banks  will also charge an “international processing fee” of a few extra dollars on top of your order price.  It will show up later on your bank or credit card statement, so it is always best to check with your bank to find out their policies before placing your order.

1. ASOS Jet Pocket Slim Cropped Pants

  • Fit: Slim with slight pleating, a cuffed leg, and a mid-to-higher rise.
  • What I’m Wearing: A size US4 (UK8) in black.
  • Other details you need to know: While I normally wear petite inseams with skinny pants, I decided to try these due to the length description on the website (26.75″).  They also come in five different colors and are machine washable! 
The good: In spite of these not being a petite inseam, the length was exactly what I was looking for and true to the 26.75 inches listed on the website. While they might not be as cropped on me as they are on the model, they are easy to cuff up for anyone who wants a shorter length. The fabric is of a  nice, medium weight; they have just enough stretch in them to be comfortable while still holding their shape; and the tailoring makes them incredibly easy to dress up (but they also work well when paired with casual tops, too!). I have been on the hunt for dressier cropped  pants that weren’t super skinny (but weren’t baggy or frumpy either), and these hit the mark beautifully.
The bad: Nothing that I can think of at the moment–I love these and want to have them in all four colors, please!
My outfit: I think that the Prabal Gurung for J Crew Exploding Bow Top has to be one of my favorite J Crew pieces of all time.  While it is no longer available to purchase online, I did try to include some links  to some similar-style tops below!

    Top: Prabal Gurung for J Crew Exploding Bow Top (similar style here by Erin Fetherston) (and here by French Connection) (and here) (and here on sale!)
    Belt: J Crew (similar style here)
    Pants: Gifted from ASOS (buy them here)
    Shoes: J Crew (similar style here) (and here)
    Cardigan: Urban Outfitters (buy it here)

    • Fit: Wide-leg with a high rise
    • What I’m wearing: A size US4 (UK8) in “chestnut” in a regular inseam.
    • Other details you need to know: These come in four colors, are machine washable or dry cleanable, and also come in petite inseams! 
    The good: In spite of being available in a shorter length, I decided to try these in a regular inseam.  Wide-legged bottoms can be incredibly hard to pull off when you’re petite, and so I find that I almost always need a regular-inseam and a high heel to give myself extra height and not make myself look like a little teapot, short and stout. I really like these pants–the high-rise is surprisingly flattering to my booty thanks to two jet pockets on the back and the wide legs have just the right amount volume to look flattering and not ridiculous.     

    And keep in mind: The “chestnut” color is very true to what you see on the ASOS website and they are definitely a rusty-orangey-red with almost no brown. They’re a great color if you’ve been wanting to try a pair of red pants but want a color that is a bit softer and more neutral.  They are also made of linen, so wrinkle-phobes might want to steer clear, and I found these to fit tighter in the  waist and extreme-upper-thigh area, so that might be something to keep in mind when ordering.

    My outfit: Oh, shoes that oddly match my bra (for the win!) and a messy red lip to match my messy braid. Whenever I wear lipstick (or any lip color, really) I always think  that I look like a 4-year old that’s accidentally gotten into her mom’s make-up drawer.  Just me? 


      Top: Urban Outfitters Kimchi Blue Swiss Dot Lace Inset Blouse (buy it here) (similar style here in mauve + black) (and an option at Forever 21, too!)

      Cardigan: GAP (buy it here)
      Pants: Gifted from ASOS (buy them here)
      Shoes: Miu Miu Lace-up Oxfords (buy them here) (similar style here) (and here by Rag & Bone)
      Bag: Lanvin Sweet Dora Crossbody (buy it here) (similar style here at ALDO) (and similar style here at ASOS)

      • Fit: Baggy with a high-rise and a double-layer skinny belt. 
      • What I’m Wearing: A size US4 (UK8) in “purple” in a regular inseam 
      • Other Details You Need to Know: These shorts come in four fun colors and are also available in a petite inseam. They are machine washable and made of a light, whisper-thin modal/poly blend.
      The good: I love the bold, vibrant color of these shorts!  I also love the higher rise, as I have short legs (but a long torso) and high-waisted bottoms can help fake a waistline where a waistline doesn’t currently exist and give the illusion of  having longer legs. I am also a general fan of anything with pleats and shape, which these shorts definitely have.
      The bad: These shorts were the only item I was a little disappointed with.  When I ordered them, the petite-inseamed version wasn’t yet on the site, and if I had to do it over I would definitely grab the petite inseam. The website says the regular shorts have an inseam of 3″ (plenty short, yes?), but that combined with the “loose cut legs” means there’s an odd amount of extra room towards the bottom of the short–more than there needs to be, especially since I like things to be  more tailored and fitted. I did also order these in a size US4 and could have easily done a US2 (if it had been available)- these seem to run at least one full size larger than the previous two items  I reviewed above.  In spite of the extra volume to work with, these shorts are still darling and the included wrap belt means that the waist can be easily tightened up, too.
      The outfit:  While I almost always tuck blouses and tops into high-waisted bottoms, I decided that these looked kind of fun layered under a tiered strapless top for a more casual, beachy vibe. The kids at school used to always make fun of me for my underpants-showing-face–so weird, huh?

      Top: Anthropologie Floreat Eyeleted Corseted Top (buy it here) (a pretty option from Nanette Lepore here) (and here at Urban Outfitters)
      Shorts: Gifted from ASOS (buy them here) (another option here) (and here from French Connection)
      Shoes: Christian Louboutin Greissimo Pumps (buy them here) (similar style by Steve Madden here) (and a fun option under $100 here)
      Bag: Rebecca Minkoff (similar style here) (and an option for under $100 here)
      Sunglasses: Rayban Plastic Aviators in  Tortoise (buy them here) (similar style for $32 here)
      Lipstick: Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte in Rose Paris (buy it at Sephora)

      Have you found a brand retailer that sells perfectly-fitting pants? If so, share in the comments! 
      (And another big thanks to ASOS for being so lovely and kind, too- you’ll definitely be seeing these bottoms more on my blog soon! ♥)

      Jun 14
      chloe June 14th, 2011 34 Comments Outfit Of The Day