Greetings, friends! I’m back with a new 5 Ways to Wear post, this time featuring crop utility pants in a classic olive green.
When I think of fall fashion, olive pants are definitely one of my most loved wardrobe essentials. They’re a nice closet basic to wear year-round, but I find myself gravitating to them more in the fall. They pair so well with earth tones, as well as black and denim.
These pants are the Caslon brand from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Caslon is one of the Nordstrom made brands that I depend on for casual basics at a moderate price points. And of course, it’s even better when they’re on sale!
I always say you get a lot of bang for your buck with Nordstrom made brands because you’re getting a good quality product without the markup that comes with some of the big-name designers.
The tee I’m wearing is also by Caslon. They carry this tee year-round, and they’re always coming out with different colors and patterns.
The black and white stripe that I’m wearing here is currently sold out, but you may have something like it in your closet. Also, watch for restocks. I expect to see a lot of fluctuation in the anniversary sale inventory over the next couple of weeks.
While I like the simplicity of this first look, I’m looking forward to being able to throw a cardigan on top. A layering piece has a way of really completing an outfit.
This open front pocket cardigan is by Halogen, and it’s super soft and flowy. It makes such a nice topper for mild fall days.
It definitely t runs big; I’m in the small, and I would probably prefer the fit of an XS.
The rust color is so pretty with the olive pants, but the pink compact and red pomegranate colors would also complement these pants. And if you love the idea of rust with olive, this BP. cardigan comes in a slightly different shade of rust.
Also, take a look at the details on these booties. They’re a great low-heeled option for those who need that, and I love the flattering notch on the outside of the shaft, and the edgy vibe from the tiny dome studs tracing the counter.
Then they have that angular, stacked heel and slightly squared-off toe — so modern and fun. FYI, I recommend sizing down half in this boot.
My third look features a black cardigan by Nordstrom Signature — Nordstrom’s line of elevated luxury essentials.
This sweater is a little bit shorter than the one above, and it’s also a heavier sweater that’s more appropriate for winter. In fact, I showed it recently with boyfriend jeans and a leopard tee.
I love a neutral look; and this combination of black, olive, and white is such a classic. FYI, I sized down to an XS in this sweater.
Rather than bookending the look with black shoes, I wore taupe booties this time. I like how they extend the line of the leg and make me look long and lean, but either works.
My fourth look is a bit lighter — definitely more fall than winter. This time I swapped out the stripe tee for the leopard version, and I wore a denim jacket and taupe suede mules.
This has been my go-to denim jacket for years. It’s nice and stretchy, with the perfect medium blue denim wash, and a flattering silhouette.
It washes up nicely (I always hang it to dry) and has held up well over the years. It runs true to size; I have the small.
These mules were another #NSale purchase, and they’re perfect for transition season. They stay on my feet well and are very easy to walk in.
I love this color for late summer and fall, but it is currently sold out. Here’s another option in a deeper camel color that’s really pretty.
FYI, the website recommends sizing up in the Steve Madden mules, but I went with my usual size 8.
My 5th and final outfit features a chunky ivory cardigan and light grey booties. I really like how these light neutrals keep the look light and cozy at the same time.
These booties are another one of my favorite #NSale purchases. They’re so gorgeous and comfortable, and I can’t believe how well they’re priced.
This cloud suede makes a nice addition to my fall and winter wardrobe, but they also come in a really cool python print as well as cognac suede and a solid black leather — all good choices.
Finally, this sweater is thick and soft and cozy, but it runs big. I recommend sizing down. I’m in the small, but I’m hoping to exchange for an XS.
I also have my eye on the charcoal heather version… it’s fully stocked, and such a nice shade of grey.
I hope this post gives you some casual outfit inspiration as we head into fall!
A lot of these items are still in stock, and of course with Nordstrom you get free shipping and free returns. They also offer curbside pickup and BOPUS (Buy Online, Pick Up in Store). And if you’re not already a member of The Nordy Club, it’s free to join, and you can earn points toward Nordstrom Notes as well as lots of other fun benefits.
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photos: Alison Cornell
30 Responses
I like each look! Great variations and ideas for olive-in any pair of pants/jeans.
I especially like the Spanx pull on pants you featured yesterday, that little notch at the bottom is such a cute detail.
Thank you, Jo-Lynne! Have a good weekend….gray and drizzley here in Lewes this morning g
This is another post that I need, and I’m so happy you read my mind from afar. So, thank you! I like all of the looks (ideas). I have a question: Since I had to order the Treasure and Bond cardigan in the heather grey, do you think I could wear it with my olive green utility pants? We are enjoying highs in the 80’s right now, but the humidity is still on the high side. The named storms in the tropics can’t seem to make up their minds where they are going to make landfall in the US. Keeping everyone that is on alert in my prayers.
Yes, for sure. I actually love grey and olive together. Here’s an old post I did with 5 ways to wear olive pants, and one has a grey tee with olive pants. https://jolynneshane.com/5-ways-to-wear-olive-pants.html
Thank you!!
My second favorite pants for fall (behind jeans!) is olive green cargo/utility pants! I have loved wearing them with pinks and corals this summer, but the rust is perfect for fall. And my favorite look was with the denim jacket. Always works!! Having dinner at Longwood Gardens today for our anniversary. Will enjoy the hot, humid weather and summer flowers. Enjoy your pool this weekend!!
That sounds lovely. (Well, except for the humidity, lol. It is thick out there.) Enjoy!
I’ve been waiting to see posts like this one to give me some inspiration for transitioning my sage green utility pants to fall, so thank you! I don’t typically wear cardigans because they tend to overwhelm my short frame, but I love the color and bootie ideas I see here.
Honestly, I don’t wear them as much as denim and moto jackets. I prefer some structure. but they are cozy and nice for a change sometimes.
I bought the Caslon pants at the N sale last year. They were very tight but they were my goal for taking off a few pounds. I still haven’t worn them but now I can. This post cane at the perfect time! (They do run small. )
Perfect timing for this post! I bought olive utility pants yesterday. I needed some different ideas, and you gave me that. Thank you!
Olive pants are a fave of mine too! I got the AG Caden pair in the NAS–super soft & stretchy, TTS or size down. Question: how would you compare the rust Halogen sweater you feature with the Leith Cozy Long Cardigan?
I haven’t seen this year’s Leith, but typically they are fairly comparable. Halogen may be slightly higher quality.
These options are great for olive pants. I just purchased some so I’ll be referring to this post. It’s still hot temperatures here and today is in the high 80’s… so it’s hard to think fall:)
Same here. I’m still in full-on summer mode… except on the blog. 🙂
I have the cargo pants from last year. Love the t-shirt but could not find the colors you are wearing. Instead, I purchased the lavender tie dye shirt. Hopefully, this will look okay with the cargo pants and mules with a denim jacket. Please tell me if it will not work! I love your suggestions/advice!
That would look great. Yes, the prints I have sold out. 🙁 Olive and denim are neutrals so pretty much anything goes.
Thank you for this post! I have been looking at my olive green jeans for awhile now and trying to figure out what to wear with them. Black is always a fall back, but I need to remember other colors as well as stripes and prints. That animal print is so cute with yours. I need to get into my closet and just start trying things!
Just snagged the leopard tee in small, must have been returned or restocked and also got those Spanx black pants in petite 😃
Both should be staple items I’ll wear a lot this fall. I feel better now that I got something from the NSale, even if all my wish list items were sold out. Thanks!
So glad you found a couple of good pieces!
The Caslon tee came in stock briefly this afternoon. As I was trying to decide between small or medium, it was gone. I tried to find your size suggestions but ran out of time. How does it run? (I did get the pink one in small.)
I have the small; it runs a little big.
Oh my gosh, this is such a creative post. I haven’t bought olive pants in a while because I always get stuck in a rut of wearing them with a white tee. The stripes and light background animal print looks great and then I loved the rust sweater with the black and white tee too. I’d probably go with my white denim jacket in place of the off white cardigan and I’ve got a black sweater blazer for the black cardigan. Thanks for all the fun outfit ideas!
I love the idea of a white denim jacket with that look. I didn’t even think about that.
Another great informative post. I would be interested in a post showing how long pants should be when wearing mules, booties with shorter and higher shafts. To cuff or not. How much skin to show.
Yes, I’m getting a lot of requests for that. I’ll work on it!
Thank you so much for this post! I love each outfit!! Did you purchase the rust open front pocket cardigan by Halogen in the store or on Nordstrom’s website? I did not see the rust color on line. Maybe the rust color is sold out. Thank you!!
Yes, it was in store. I think it sold fast.
I love all the outfits, but I just cannot get into the booties with cropped pants. I always feel weird when so much skin shows. Lots of ideas here as I have a pair of skinny sage jeans from last year. I love when I can shop my closet for ideas from you.
Hi Jo-Lynne,
Can you please send me your link for your favorite strapless bra? Thanks!
Julie Marshall
Sure, it’s this one: https://shopstyle.it/l/blZ2s