What to buy now.
No matter what we look like from the waist down, there’s a pair of black pants that will make us look firmer, flatter, and thinner. This is exactly why our attachment causes us to overload our closets with them. This spring the stores are alive with patterns and the printed is a remarkably wearable trend for Spring 2012.
Prints can create a number of illusions especially when worn below the waist. Printed pants can make us look twice our size or half our size depending on the print, the fit, and what we wear with them.
The Elizabeth & James pant, even though it’s in a busy print, can still minimize because it’s in a soft flowing fabric and has a wide leg. The wide leg is slimming if the fit is right. The pant should fall from hip to hem without touching the body. If it’s too tight anywhere the minimizing properties are instantly reversed. This style will work if you’re 5’4” or taller.
When wearing a wide leg pant chose a solid color top that is not tucked in. It should fit close to the body and hit between the top of the hip and mid hip. Pants this full usually work best with some heel height: consider a high heeled sandal or wedge heel.
The Diane Von Furstenberg pant is higher waisted and tapered at the ankle so it’s going to work best if you’re on the taller side. Tucking in your shirt will show off your waist and camouflage any tummy. Wear with either a flat or heeled sandal.
The Talbot’s paisley print has a lot of good things going for it. The monochromatic print with a lot of dark color will minimize hips. The ankle length works for any height. If you’re petite, this is a good way to wear a printed pant without looking like the print is wearing you. The ankle length will work for any height and with any casual shoe regardless of the heel height. Tuck in a crisp white shirt or throw on a white linen tunic.
Bottoms Up!
