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5 Ways to Style Black Cigarette Pants Redux

Happy Monday, friends! I’m back with another 5 Ways To Wear redux, and today I’m updating outfits with black cigarette pants.

5 ways to wear black pants (1)

It was two years ago when I first posted 5 Ways to Style Black Cigarette Pants, and I also did a post back in August of 2020 with 5 Ways to Wear the Spanx Perfect Black Pants with more warm weather looks. For the purposes of this post, I’m going to recreate the looks from the original post, since they were more seasonally appropriate.

5 Ways to Style Black Cigarette Pants Redux

I styled the Vince Crop Leggings for most of these outfits, and I highly recommend these pants if they fit your budget. I also have and recommend the Spanx Perfect Black Back Seam Skinny Pants, or you can recreate these outfits with any black pants in your closet. I like this cigarette style, but wear whatever looks best on you.

For those who may be wondering, cigarette pants are slim-cut pants with a flat front and side or back zipper that end at or just above the ankle. They rose to popularity back in the 50’s — think Mary Tyler Moore, Audrey Hepburn, and Sandra Dee — and have since become a classic women’s wardrobe staple that can easily be dressed up or down.

Outfit #1: Desk to Dinner

This was a desk to dinner look with a leopard print sweater and black pumps.

BR Devon ankle pants (6) // leopard teddie sweater (S; similar) // Marc Fisher pumps (8) // earrings (option) // satchel

I added a leather jacket to take this conservative work wear look out to dinner, and I also swapped the pumps for stretch booties. As I said at the time, the leather jacket adds an edgy vibe, and the boots are a little more modern and fun than the pumps, but either works. I actually think the pumps look a little more date night, but whatever! Both are good options.

Outfit #1 Update:

I don’t have a leopard sweater in my closet at the moment, but I styled one from Talbots last spring. Unfortunately, it is no longer available, but the idea here is to pair black cigarette pants with a printed sweater that can be the focal point of the outfit.

Spanx Perfect Black Back Seam Skinny Pants (M) // Talbots animal print sweater (S; option/option) // KUT from the Kloth faux suede moto jacket (S) // similar mules // AllSaints shoulder bag

If you’re looking for something like this, J.Crew Factory has a cheetah print sweater that could work, and Macy’s has this cashmere option that’s fully stocked and on a really good sale.

While the stretch boots I wore in the original look are certainly still in style, mules are a nice option for those in warmer climates. Mine sold out, but these are similar.

Outfit #2: Casual Mom About Town

Next, I styled a casual look with a denim jacket and white sneakers. I wore long sleeve white tee and threw a gray cashmere scarf on top.

BR Devon ankle pants (6) //  Vince Camuto denim jacket (S) // Caslon tee (S) // Veja Esplar sneakers (39) // similar grey scarf // similar earrings // similar bracelet // sunnies

Outfit #2 Update:

Even though this was two years ago, I still have most of these pieces. In fact, I just donated the long sleeve white tee because I never wear it, so for this updated look I replaced it with a crewneck sweater in a light oatmeal color. And while I still have that denim jacket, those shoes, and that scarf, I changed it up just a bit with a camel colored scarf.

Vince Crop Leggings (M) // Vince sweater (S) // KUT from the Kloth denim jacket (S) // Veja Esplar (39) // similar scarf here and here // similar earrings

I grabbed this scarf in the Cashew when it was on sale a few weeks ago because I’ve been wanting to add a camel scarf to my collection. The Nordstrom Cashmere Rib Scarf comes in Cashew as well, and if you prefer a cooler shade of camel, I really like the J.Crew Ribbed Cashmere Scarf.

I hadn’t tried these Vince Crop Leggings with sneakers yet, and I’m really pleased with the pairing. They work great together! I wore my Vejas with the black logo for this updated look. I like how that ties into the black pants and black bag.

And I ordered this denim jacket when they discontinued the Vince Camuto one I’ve been wearing for years. I like that it’s a little longer and not quite as fitted; it seems more current, although I’m holding onto my other one for a while to see if I like it better with certain outfits.

Outfit #3: Winter Work Wear

This was a work wear look with a long camel cardigan and snake print pumps. As you can see, I really like wearing camel and black together. It always looks elegant and luxe, and there are so many possibilities, it never gets boring.

BR Devon ankle pants (6) // ivory tank (S) // camel cardigan (S) // snake print pumps (8) // similar necklace // earrings

Outfit #3 Updates:

I don’t wear a lot of cardigans these days, but I recently styled my Vince Crop Leggings with the same snake print pumps and a camel turtleneck for a conservative work wear look. I threw my black wool reefer on top, but of course, I would take that off inside.

Vince Crop Leggings (M) // camel turtleneck (M) // wool reefer (4) // snake print pumps // crossbody

For a cardigan option, this grey Everyday Open Front Cardigan is really pretty for spring. It has a hint of periwinkle to it, which is trending this season.

Vince Crop Leggings (M) // Halogen raw edge tank (S) // cardigan (S) // Marc Fisher pumps (8)

Outfit #4: Girls’ Lunch Out

I called this a girls’ lunch out look. The denim jacket takes it down a level from my typical date night looks, but the pointed toe boots and silky tank are dressier than what I usually wear to run errands around town.

BR Devon ankle pants // raw edge tank (S) //  Vince Camuto denim jacket (S) // boots // bag // necklace // earrings

Outfit #4 Update:

I still have that tank and jacket, but I don’t love that outfit. There’s nothing really wrong with it, but here’s one with a leather moto jacket that’s more in line with what I would wear today. I also shared this outfit last week in my 5 Ways to Style a Moto Jacket Redux.

Vince Crop Leggings (M) // AllSaints moto jacket (8; similar options here and here) // similar grey turtleneck (options here and here) // Paige booties (option) // Yurman earrings // R Minkoff hobo

This jacket is a 2020 #NSale purchase, and it’s no longer available. I linked two similar options above, but moto jackets seem to be in short supply right now, especially colors other than black. But maybe you have something like this in your closet, and any color would work. A blazer would also work with this outfit, but it would be a more conservative vibe.

I like how these pants pair with these booties, but they’re also sold out. I also really like the Frame Le Lexington Chelsea Boots for this look. Pairing black pants with black boots creates a long, lean leg line that is very flattering.

Outfit #5: Spring Work Wear

I wrapped up that original series with two spring work wear looks featuring the 1901 4-way stretch skinny ankle pants.

1901 ankle skinny pants (8) // stripe sweater (S) // Marc Fisher pumps (8) // Yurman earrings

These pants have also been discontinued, but I had them until just a few months ago. Once I added the Vince Crop Leggings to my closet, I decided I didn’t need the 1901 pair anymore because they look similar but the Vince pants are nicer. They also don’t make them anymore, so I can’t link them when I feature them. #occupationalhazards

Anyway, this is the second look. Halogen has carried this blouse for years, and they still have some sizes and prints. It’s really nice for work wear.

1901 ankle skinny pants (8) // Halogen blouse (S; more prints here and here) // Stuart Weitzman sandals (8) // Yurman earrings

Outfit #5 Update:

To recreate these looks, I’m going to throw back to this outfit I wore a few times this past summer with the Banana Republic dolman top. In fact, I was wearing those same 1901 pants here. I still have the sandals that I’m wearing above, but and they would work with this look as well, but I also love these Bella Vita sandals. They’re very comfortable and also flattering.

1901 ankle skinny pants // Banana Republic Dolman Top // Bella Vita sandals // Kendra Scott earrings // layer coin necklace

To make this outfit work for colder weather, I would throw my J.Crew Going Out Blazer or that KUT from the Kloth Quinn Faux Suede Moto Jacket on top, and I’d swap the sandals for the Marc Fisher Zala Pumps.

For even more outfit inspiration, check out all of my 5 Ways to Wear posts, and you may also like my Winter Wardrobe Essentials.

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23 Responses

  1. These outfits are ones that I would wear in regular rotation. A camel turtleneck is a hole in my wardrobe right now. Does the Bloomingdales one that you are styling trend cool or warm? My biggest issue with camel is that I need it to have cool undertones rather than warm.

  2. I have slim black pants, but have never thought to wear them for casual outfits. They just hang in my closet! I love all of the looks in this post. Thanks for the inspo!

    I live in Ohio and we got smacked by the storm too. After working the weekend, I am off today! So happy I get to stay home!

  3. I had to return the Vince black pant because it was just too big on me and didn’t look flattering on me. For the price, I wanted to look as good as you do in them, but it wasn’t to be. In the meantime, I had bought a second Spanx pair, in addition to the one you are showing in your past iterations. The second one is a straight leg, and works well with a Chelsea style boot, or a lower shaft too. I also purchased a Nic & Zoe black pant that I like really well, so I can still recreate your outfits. I really like the 5 Way to Wear series! And a lot of these outfits would look great with a black denim pant, too!

  4. I got the vince pants this fall/winter. I’m so glad I got them. They fit great and I’ve worn them multiple times.

  5. Black Cigarette pants have always been a staple of my work wardrobe. A pull on pant or a side zip has always been the most flattering look on me. The more I see the Vincent pants, the more I know I would wear them until they literally fall apart but since I’m still 100% WFH I’m going to hope they eventually go on sale or that I can find them on Poshmark or ThreadUp.

  6. Love these type posts! It’s so helpful to see the slight variations in fit and cut as trends change. Also I love “outfit inspiration” type posts that I can recreate from my closet without buying something new! (Although I’m probably off to buy those camel snake print heels now!). Also I love your hair in the pic with the periwinkle sweater, the curls frame your face well.

  7. Great post! I have a mental block about black pants, thinking they are always dressy – even my black jeans – but I love the combo with the denim jacket and sneakers. I have all of those in my closet in some form or another and could replicate that for a casual look. Thanks!

  8. I love this type of post to learn how to update outfits. Thanks for providing us with so many great learning opportunities! I noticed you wore animal print pumps in one of the outfits. Are they still a current/wise purchase going forward? I am wearing an aubergine classic style dress for a wedding in early March in the upper midwest. I usually wear a nude pump to elongate my short 5’2″ frame (booties do not work with my thick calfs). Thinking about a snake print pump to add some interest. Thoughts?

  9. I have the black spanx pants you recommended and I still haven’t worn them. Had planned too for Christmas at my daughters. I was going to wear them with a white blouse and green crew neck sweater over it with leopard block lower heel pumps Cyndi posted from Nordtrom rack but we all got up and stayed in our Christmas Pjs. lol. Go figure. lol. My son got me matching PJs to all my grandkids and some of my kids had same ones too. Fun. This post is great. Gives me ideas how to put together more casual outfits to get more use out of my black pants. Love sneakers with them. Please let us know if the Vince black pants go on a sale. I got my spank on a sale. Are the Vince longer than the spanx?

    1. I will definitely shout it from the rooftops when those Vince pants go on sale again. 🙂 They are pretty much the same. According to the website, the Vince are 1/2″ longer, and the rise is 1 1/2″ lower. They also have a wider leg opening by 5″.

  10. “Happy Monday, friends! I’m black with another 5 Ways To Wear redux, and today I’m updating outfits with black cigarette pants.”

    Please change from “I’m black…” to “I’m back…”

    That typo is funny, but off-putting

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