You Have, You Need: Black Trousers

Let me set the scene…

It’s 6:04PM on a Thursday night.  You have a holiday party in 56-minutes.  You’re standing in your closet thinking, “Why didn’t I buy a new dress for this?  I don’t have anything that I haven’t worn 10 times.”  Then, you reach into the back of the closet, pull out the trusty dress/jeans/blouse that you wear when you get into this situation, throw up your hands to the sky and say, “It’s fine, I look fine.”  But who wants to look ‘fine’ for a special occasion?  No one.  That’s who.

‘You Have, You Need…’ is a series dedicated to making the most of the pieces you already own.  In our first post, we cover what to add to create a stylish holiday look when you already own black trousers.

Black Pants. A wardrobe essential that even a dedicated proponent of skirts and dresses, like myself, needs.  This gorgeous pair is Armani, but since that is out of the question for most of us, here are some more affordable alternatives.  My current favorite pants are the Ann Taylor All Season Trousers ($98).  The Limited also has great choices like their Drew Bootcut Pants ($79) and their Ponte Straight Leg Pants ($69).

Both The Limited and Ann Taylor carry petite and tall sizes.  For plus-size wearers, try these Sejour Ela Suit Pants ($89) or these Talbot’s Lindsey Pants ($79).

Outfit No. One. The first outfit is an ivory, off-the-shoulder sweater with two crystal brooches.  The pins allow you to add a bit of sparkle without altering the neckline of the sweater.  I chose two Starburst brooches from Banana Republic ($28).  I also like this Cluster Brooch Set ($69) or this feather-shaped Eglantine Brooch ($22).

This ivory Cupcakes and Cashmere Sweater ($100) is a great choice for an elegant holiday look.  This Bardot Jumper ($44) gives a similar look for less.  Want a different color?  This Le Ciel Bleu sweater ($155) comes in a pretty eggplant color.  I also like this grey Do & Be Sweater ($54).

For this look, I would wear my hair up, but down and wavy is another great option.  Given that it’s the holidays, I would wear a winged, black eyeliner and a bright red lip.

Outfit No. Two. Lace tops are perfect for the holidays because they can be worn with anything.  Pair them easily with trousers, skirts, and jeans.  Or, if you can, remove the liner and wear it over a sleeveless dress.

This DvF Yeva Top ($328) has a slight crop look that makes it a bit more modern.  This Free People Kiss & Bell Top ($100) has an on-trend bell sleeve and a thick lace.  The geometric pattern in this lace BCBG top ($148) is very unique.  For something under-$50, try this $34 H&M top with a mock-neckline.

These large tassel drop earrings from Baublebar ($36) are perfect for holiday gatherings.  I also love this sparkly pair in shades of blue ($36). They bring a lot of impact to even the simplest outfit.  For a slightly more subtle version, these AQUA Leslie drops ($22) have a timeless gold and black palette.

Both of these outfits utilize pieces that are both classic and trendy.  All of these pieces could be brought into any wardrobe to create elegant outfits.  The ivory top would also look lovely with a pencil skirt and simple boots.  And the lace blouse could be paired with skinny jeans and a fun shoe.