Top: Banana Republic Outlet
Blazer: Radcliffe (Tiffany's blog sale)
Pants: Express
Shoes: Target
Necklace: Towne and Reese
Blazer: Radcliffe (Tiffany's blog sale)
Pants: Express
Shoes: Target
Necklace: Towne and Reese
In college, I had an obsession with the Express Editor pant (as well as the Limited Drew pant, which were pretty much the same thing) and I had snapped up a pair of flared capris that may have been cute back then, but questionable now.
A few summers ago, I had worn these once without my husband seeing them, so he had no idea that I owned a pair of capris, because he only knew of the regular length Editors that I owned which were the exact same color and fabric. He was folding the laundry, and all the sudden, he held these up with a horrified expression on his face. "Um, Kimmie? I'm so sorry... I think I accidentally shrunk your pants." It was hilarious and endearing at the same time, because he was genuinely sorry that he ruined a pair of my favorite pants. I tried to make him feel guilty as long as possible, but I was cracking up way too hard.
Back to the pants, the flare on the capris was horrible and leg-shortening, but I'm glad I didn't throw them out when I should have, because I busted out my sewing machine last month and slimmed the legs down. New skinny pants for free!
Such a huge difference. I can't believe any of us ever thought that look was flattering. What were we thinking?
ReplyDeleteOh man, I am totally impressed with your seamstressing skills. The pants look GREAT! And they fit you like a glove. But the first thing that caught my eye (and now I must have) is that blazer!! So. Cute. I would wear that every day that it's cool enough (which, around here is everyday).
ReplyDeleteLOL - great story and isn't it funny how styles and tastes change? I'm sure I had some capris just like those :)
ReplyDeleteI had those exact pair of capris (in black and khaki) a ways back. I donated them after getting over my "flared capri" phase. I kind of wish I would have held onto them, now that I know how to sew. Your alterations make such an amazing difference!
ReplyDeleteWow! I'm impressed with your skills! I, too, was a big fan of the Editor pants. I loved them because they were near impossible to wrinkle in that stretch fabric. I just recently gave my last pair to Goodwill, but that says a lot about the longevity of those pants. You made a great update to yours!
ReplyDeleteSo clever of you - they look great now.
ReplyDeleteI loved the editor pant too. And I found it very fitting that I bought my first pair (a splurge at that point...) when I was starting my first internship - as an editorial assistant.
wow, great alteration job!! i have some flared crops like that too from years ago. need to do some hemming work!
ReplyDeletecute & little
Etta Grace giveaway!
Hahaha awww poor husband. Your new skinny capris look AWESOME, Kimmie. I love this outfit. What a great blazer.
ReplyDeleteI was also a huge fan of Express pants but I've since made the switch to skirts and dresses for work. I still love their jeans though. And from the look of those pants, you're one talented lady! The slimmed pants look amazing on you.
ReplyDeleteYour hubby sounds sweet :) Very flattering new length! Also, so glad to see you are enjoying your T&R necklace :)
ReplyDeleteNice work! I wanted to get a pair of JCrew Minnies as they were touted as pants that look good on everyone but they were a no-go on me! I love this look for summer.
ReplyDeleteThey look so much better!
ReplyDeletePerfect! You did an awesome job.
ReplyDeleteYou did a FANTASTIC job taking these in! They are ultra flattering, and really adorable with this outfit. Want to tailor my pants for me? (j/k, but only a little)
ReplyDeletejenny
http://goldnturquoise.blogspot.com/
I'm so impressed. I wish I could do this. I really need to take a sewing class.
ReplyDeleteThat's too cute! And I love the new look of the pants -- I am not a big fan of that flared cropped look ..
ReplyDeleteThat is such a genius idea! I am regretting donating so many pairs of shrunken pants right now, you have no idea! They look FABULOUS!
ReplyDeleteHahaha I can't stop laughing at the shrunken pants story! I wouldn't have been able to keep a straight face for long either :)
ReplyDeleteAmazing job with the DIY sewing job. The after fits and flatters you so well. I used to love Express Editors too back in college, but now I don't have much need to dress up for work, so they're just sitting in my closet. Hmm... perhaps it's time to bust them out and dress up for the heck of it again.
Ugh, I know. But I also recall thinking that skinny legged pants were atrocious back then. Maybe the flared capri will come back in style in 10 years when people want to look short and stubby. You never know :)
ReplyDeleteHaha, yes, I'm pretty good at sewing in a straight line :)
ReplyDeleteI really love this blazer, too! I never realized how perfect blazers are for Seattle weather.. but you probably won't be needing them once you move down south!
Totally! Now I regret throwing out the other pairs of flared capris I owned. I wonder how anyone ever thought those were flattering!
ReplyDeleteHaha! The editors were THE BOMB (lol) back then. I may have had a pair of khaki ones too, but those are long gone :(
ReplyDeleteHaha! I think I still have a few pairs left, but mostly dress pants that I never wear and I don't think will go out of style. I loved that stretchy fabric!
ReplyDeleteOoh, so fitting! And I know.. they used to be like $50 (actually $49.50 I think haha), which was super expensive for a college student. A huge splurge!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kileen! Slimming of pant legs is so easy, basically just sewing in a straight line. The bottom hem is the most annoying part, but overall, super easy. I'm sure you or your mom could do it! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Audrey!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jenn! I still have a bunch of Express and The Limited dress pants that I never wear anymore because I prefer skirts now too. Hopefully I can find a way to refashion them or wear them again because I do like how they fit!
ReplyDeleteHahah, thanks! and I love my T&R necklace so much! I'm so happy with it. Thanks again for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteME TOO!!! I really wanted the minnies too but I really didn't like the flat front part. Not flattering at all! they just looked like a pair of twill leggings with belt loops. I'd never be able to wear them as pants, haha! :(
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rose! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Holly!
ReplyDeleteHAHA, SURE!! But I suck at sewing. You should see the inside of the crotch part of the pants. it's just a mess of overlapping stitches. haha at least it looks decent from the outside, right? :)
ReplyDeleteIt's sewing in a straight line! I don't think you'd need a class for that. Maybe a class for teaching you how to prevent poking yourself with the pins when trying on the pants though.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kari! Yeah, me neither. I used to like them though just a few years ago, which makes me amazed at how fast styles change from year to year.
ReplyDeleteI know, I donated so many things that I really regret now (specifically a pair of red pants and my white jean jacket) Oh well :(
ReplyDeleteHaha yeah because they were flared so they totally looked like my pants... but shorter :)
ReplyDeleteYou should totally bust out all your Editors. Give me some inspiration! :)
amazing job!! I think I need to get cracking on my sewing skills because I have kept a few questionable pieces that I would like to begin wearing again.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I LOVE that necklace.
It took me forever to get on board with the skinny legged jeans. I just had bad memories of tapered leg jeans from middle school. But those were a completely different animal.
ReplyDeleteMe too! I didn't start wearing skinny jeans on their own until November of last year (I know, because I blogged about it, haha) Before then, they were always tucked into boots. It felt so unbalanced, but now after almost a year, I rarely wear my normal boot-leg jeans anymore.
ReplyDeleteI hate that those ugly pleated and tapered pants are coming back in style. So unflattering.. and you and I both know a few bloggers who like to wear them :)
I'm giggling at your hubby thinking in shrunk your pants! Admittedly though, I can see why he thought so when I saw the "before" picture! Holy cow, what a difference the alterations made!
ReplyDeletegood job kimmie!I was looking for a capri since one month (I think it will be so useful for the first days of autumn) and I actually bought a similar pair from TOPSHOP!I wouldn't have minded making it out of old pants ;) if only I knew how to use a sewing machine of course, which I don't!so, great job!:)
ReplyDeletePenny from stripedsocksplaypingpong.blogspot.com
You did such a great job! I am thoroughly impressed. They fit you like a dream!
ReplyDeleteIt’s my first time to read like this article.hdh
ReplyDelete