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.
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Brava. Love the styling on all of these outfits!
Amazing. Thank you!!
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!🌟
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.
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.