TRENDING

SHARE:

STAY UP TO DATE

Receive daily posts by e-mail and sign up for the newsletter.

Three Simple Pants Outfits

Apr 2, 2025

Once upon a time, there was a woman who wore only skirts and dresses. Her pants collected dust in the back of a closet. Her jeans were only worn in Montana. And she was happy, until one day the woman gave birth to a tiny princess and learned that chasing a toddler across an elevated play structure required pants, and she never wore a dress again. The End.

But in all seriousness, I now wear pants almost every day, much to my chagrin. But just because I wear pants doesn’t mean I can’t look cute.

One. Cardigan / Top / Pants / Shoes / Bag / Necklace

Baby blue looks incredible with a dark olive green. This fresh and easy spring color combination brings a lightness to an outfit that’s perfect for chilly spring days.

These curved utility pants from Pistola are a great choice for spring. They’re on trend with that 90s cargo pants vibe that we all lived through the first time. For a pair in the under $100 range that come in petite, plus, and tall, Land’s End has you covered.

The eyelet top lightens the pants with a pretty, feminine accent. This top from Wit & Wisdom is a mid-price must have that will blend seamlessly into any wardrobe. Gap Factory has a similar lace-accented cotton top for summer. I also love the scallop trim on this top from Chico’s (also in plus size).

The airiness of this Everlane pointelle sweater makes it the perfect thing for spring. I love the way the stitching feels super light and breezy. Also in this fabulous baby blue color is this boxy fisherman cardigan from Quince. And I love this bubble sleeve cardigan in a slightly cropped style from Frank & Oak.

To finish off the look, I wanted a flat shoe with some pizzazz, so I chose this woven mule from Banana Republic (also in black). It gives the outfit a summery feel in a shoe that can still be worn to work. I added the simple dog tag necklace from Gorjana because I love the details on the chain, and you could take this to any jewelry store to be engraved with initials or a meaningful symbol. Lastly, can we have a moment of silence to marvel at this absolutely stunning Madewell woven bag. I’ve cut back on my impulse buying, but I didn’t even try to fight the desire to add this one to the cart.

Styling for this would be hair in a half-up/half-down style likely using a clip. I’d also grab a tinted lip oil to add color to the lips. This Merit product looks like a gloss but feels light like a chapstick on the lip.

Two. Blouse / Jeans / Earrings / Sandals / Bag

I’m going to break with tradition and start with the sandals. These suede Madewell sandals with a gold accent are the epitome of chic. They’re the must-have sandal for all my White Lotus girlies. And they are absolutely going to sell out, so grab them now if you need them. Also in black.

With the sandals, I decided that a wide leg white denim was the way to go. I chose this pair from Madewell because I love the wider waist band and slightly high rise. I also like this pair from Banana Republic for a <$75 option. And if you need a plus-size option, Eloquii has you covered.

For the blouse, this lace inset blouse from Madewell has a fantastic vintage feel. I love this with the white jeans. I would also wear it with black shorts. And I think it would be perfect tucked into the olive cargos in the first outfit.

To finish the look, I chose these gorgeous hoop earrings from Monica Vinader. They’re a bit bigger than the ones I typically wear, but they’re perfect for an elegant summer look. For something smaller and more affordable, these Saint + Sofia earrings are worth a look. And lastly, this affordable dumpling clutch is a fun option. It holds a bit more than a box clutch, and comes in a gold colorway that’s perfect for summer weddings.

Styling this look would likely include hair worn down and bouncy. I would also recommend a bit of poppy blush to add some color to the cheeks.

Three. Sweater / Tank / Pants / Bag / Shoes / Earrings

Do you struggle with casual pants? Don’t want to wear sweats but leggings are also out of the question? How about a pair of cool track pants? I know, I know. This isn’t a Run DMC video, but track pants are on trend this season, and they’re comfortable and stylish when paired with the correct separates. Here, I picked a cool navy pair with a berry-hued stripe from Land’s End. They look relaxed but chic.

Add in this airy Varley zip up (layers perfectly over summer tops on chilly mornings) for a look that can be worn to your daughter’s soccer practice or on a plane. Frankly, this outfit is perfect for any weekend activity. And wear it over a wider strap tank for those days when you might need to ditch the cardigan because you got sweaty chasing a toddler.

To accessorize this look, I chose some blue suede shoes (which also look perfect with jeans) to lengthen the leg line. I like this MZ Wallace crossbody better than the Lululemon because it’s bigger and more fashion forward. And I finished the look with these Mejuri dome huggies. If you’re looking for a cheaper version, Pavoi has what you need.

To style this look, I would wear my hair in a high bun or high bouncy ponytail. I would also wear a little bit of makeup and make sure I got a good coat of mascara on those lashes.

{this post contains affiliate links that may generate commission for the author}

COMMENTS

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Amanda says:

    Brava. Love the styling on all of these outfits!

  2. Rachel says:

    Amazing. Thank you!!

  3. Nancy B says:

    Your outfit posts continue to be sooo good, thank you! And even when they don’t apply directly to my current needs, I read every word for the fun of your writing!🌟

  4. Jennifer says:

    You’ve been killing it with your posts lately. These are fantastic options. Also loved the Nordstrom Rack post because I’m getting ready to go to a few conferences. Thinking maybe I can modify some of these and/or the Rack post and be set up. Would love to see a post on what to wear to conferences these days. Acknowledging that sometimes we walk miles a day at one.

  5. Shannon says:

    Same. It wasn’t my kids who got me to quit wearing dresses, it was Covid. I used to wear tights with knee-high boots all winter. Now, I can only bring myself to wear a dress if it’s warm enough to go bare-legged. Thanks for all of the great pant recommendations.

things that caught my eye

AS FEATURED IN