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Windowpane Pants

Greetings on this dreary Monday morning! Even on gloomy days like today, I can’t help but love a Monday. I know we’re supposed to hate Mondays, but I love the feeling of a fresh start and a whole week ahead. Since I work from home, I can ease into my Mondays… I try to keep my calendar open so I can have a 2nd cup of coffee okay, so maybe a 3rd cup of coffee, and I usually stay in my pajamas a little bit longer before I go for my run and get myself ready for the day.

Today is Day 8 of 25 Days of Fall Fashion, and I have another work wear look. I’m more happy with this one, although I know it needs a completer piece to pull it together and give it a focal point. But I do like the fit of the sweater and the pants and the overall balance and proportion of the outfit, so that’s progress!

I used to wear pants like this with a simple sweater on top to church all the time, but my current church is much more casual so I’ve taken to wearing jeans more often than not. I kind of miss having a reason to dress up.

These are the Ryan straight fit pants from Banana Republic, but they’re longer than my black ones for some reason. I find this full-length style to be much more elongating and slimming, but it does require heels (or hemming) so that’s something to consider.

Subtle plaids and houndstooth patterns are trending this fall, and I love how these pants are both classic and trendy. They’re also on sale today!

For size reference, I’m wearing a size 6, so I’d say they run true to size. While they definitely fit in the waist and hips, they’re a straight cut so they’re pretty wide through the legs. I think they’re nice for work wear and other conservative venues, but I can see how a slimmer cut would be more flattering.

I paired these pants with a simple v-neck sweater. This is a tried-and-true outfit formula for me. I know it’s basic, but it works. Being an hourglass shape (#shortwaistedcurvy for those AYW grads), I need something more fitted on top to offset the volume in the pants, and a v-neck is always my most flattering neckline.

This sweater is a silk/cashmere blend so it’s lightweight and very soft against the skin. The varsity-inspired wide-knit collar is a subtle detail that takes it up a notch, and I appreciate the traditional shoulder seams; they’re so much more flattering than a drop shoulder.

For size reference, I’m wearing a small, and this sweater is on sale for $47, which is a really good price for the quality. It also comes in a TON of colors to choose from.

I wish I’d brought a necklace for this outfit — it really needs something. It’s hard to think of everything when I’m packing up 5 or 6 outfits at once to take to a photo shoot; invariably I forget accessories for at least one of them.

And I’m sure a completer piece such as a blazer or moto jacket would be nice to finish off the look, but personally I would be more comfortable just like this. I used to do temp work so I worked in a variety of offices, and I would have taken off any layering pieces for the work day, but I suppose that depends on how formal your dress code is.

Finally, I’m wearing black leather pumps, but I think a grey suede pump would be so much nicer with this. I was debating ordering these from Ann Taylor, but I’ve never worn her shoes. Does anyone have any experience with them they can share?

varsity v-neck sweater // windowpane pants // pumps // bag // similar earrings

photo credit: Alison Cornell

Be sure to visit Cyndi to see the fall outfit she’s styling today!

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37 Responses

  1. Nice look!  Polished and put together.  I think these pants are much more flattering than the skinny paid pants you styled recently.

  2. I like the outfit on you! I have a pair of Ann Taylor block heel pumps from many years ago that I still wear. They are comfortable.

  3. This would be fine without a completer piece for my office! I think a necklace might help it look more finished though. But I love the pants and sweater 🙂

  4. Very flattering look! All you need is a cute necklace to complete. Perfect for work, church, and many social activities.

  5. LOVE plaid, so Love the pants! I have been looking for a pair for fall, and these might work. 🙂 I have lots of navy and burgundy to go with these. Great look Jo-lynne! Thanks for going out of your comfort zone!

  6. I LOVE Ann Taylor shoes. They are really comfortable and great quality. I buy a few pair a year. They are reasonable so I don’t mind getting some that are a bit trendy.

  7. Love the pants and the colours of fall. I do think a more cropped look even for wider leg dress pants is the style these days instead of the long sweeping-the-toe look. Don’t see it on any pants that are styled. I would definitely add these to my shopping list but wear them shorter. Enjoy your Monday!

    1. You are probably right about the trend of shorter pants, but I still like them long on me.☺️ I have ordered the Sloan fit to try next — it’s a skinnier fit than the Ryan but still pants and not leggings.

  8. I’m so used to seeing you in jeans that I had to look at this outfit twice. I really love the pants on you and agree that a grey suede pump would look great. I have purchased shoes at Ann Taylor but in my opinion they are overpriced and you can do better at trusty Nordies. Their quality does not merit the cost. By the way, be happy you can just go out and buy shoes. I had a bad accident on my left ankle and heel a year and a half ago and now I permanently wear a size 5 and a 6. I probably have 300 pair of designer shoes and heels that I will never be able to wear. Anyway, I think I would like a more streamlined top, as you say. But add an accessory and the outfit will be great!  You always look wonderful. 

    1. Oh, Debbie, that sounds dreadful! The year I was recovering from running injuries, I thought I’d never wear pretty shoes again, and it was so sad. I mean, I know we are talking about #firstworldproblems here, but still. No fun.

  9. Love Ann Taylor shoes the quality and fit are excellent. Styles are always on trend but not so much so that they you can’t wear them year after year. The only thing is I think they are a bit pricey so I usually wait for a sale otherwise they are great!

  10. Hey Jolynne! I Love this Outfit. Looks Great on You!! My favorite so far! I too wear a lot if pants to Church. This would be perfect. We’re in North Carolina. Expecting a lot of rain. Have a Great week!! Linda–

  11. I love this look on you! Easy but pulled together. I recently bought the silk cashmere blend sweater and I love it! I think it’s better quality than the Marino wool that BR also sells, it retains it’s shape and wears better. I resisted buying it in multiple colors! I’m short so I have a hard time with the trouser pants or even bootcut, I always have to hem. They look perfect on you 🙂 

  12. I’m such a denim person and don’t have many pants that aren’t, but I think these plaid pants are fun! I like the sweater you styled with them.  I’m curious – you said you’d add a necklace, but would you choose a long one or short one?  I’m always on the fence with v-necks.  Enjoy your Monday.  I feel the same about it being a fresh start!

    1. I am the same… I like the idea of a long pendant to break up the solid burgundy, but with the v-neck, I probably would have gone with something shorter. That said, I don’t really have the right thing. I need to find a few shorter necklaces that aren’t too bulky, but have more visual weight than a simple pendant.

      1. Thanks!  That’s a good thought.   My shorter necklaces are mostly all pendants, too.  I haven’t branched out to the bigger pieces much.  Might be time!

      2. What about a pearl type necklace that would fill the neckline.  I wear my pearls, or a pearl & stone or a gold kind of leaf design necklace (no pendant) with necklines like this.

  13. I love your blog and read it every day! I’m in love with these pants but do you think the plaid is too large for a petite lady? For reference I’m 5′ and 112. I wear a 4P in Banana pants. In answer to your question regarding Ann Taylor shoes, I find that they run large. I would size down 1/2 size. I rarely order her shoes b/c I wear a size 5 so there is no smaller size for me! My foot is also on the narrow side.

    1. Hey Kathy, it’s hard to say without seeing them on. I’m tempted to say no, it’s not too big, but not being petite, I may not be sensitive to such things as scale of pattern. I’m sure that’s something worth considering. And good to know about AT shoe sizing!

  14. Jo-Lynne, you look so pretty in this outfit. My church is same as your current church and I miss dressier Sundays too. I have the perfect necklace but I bought it at the Atlanta wholesale mart. It is a bolder tortoise shell about 14 inches. Not over the top but would fill the neckline so nicely. I think tortoise shell would look great with these colors and I think tortoise shell is on trend?? Thanks for the sweater link. I really have had good luck at Banana R. 

  15. Hi Jo-Lynne! I love this beautiful work outfit. You look smashing…and super professional. I have a pair of Ann Taylor pumps and love them. In fact, I’m featuring them on my blog today. I’m 5’8″, so I usually opt for lower heels when I can. So I have the Eryn suede pump. They are amazingly comfortable. I have the toasted sesame, but they do come in gray.

    Have a great week!

  16. Oh Jo-Lynne, what a nice outfit!  And I agree that this combo is an improvement over the previous time when you styled the window pane pants.  You look very nice!  Good luck with the photo shoot tomorrow.  I’d welcome some rain here!  With the sun shining on our front porch now (4:22p.m.) it is 96!  YUCK!  

  17. It’s so weird to see other comments by women named “Heather!” I have always been the only one in all my social circles for my whole life! 
    Love this look on you and btw your legs look sooooo long in these pants! This is exactly what I’d wear to work in the winter except with a kitten heel (I’m on my feet all day). I need a pair of pearl stud earrings! 

  18. This outfit is perfect for work or church. I agree that it needs a necklace. I always struggle with having the right necklace. I have tons of long pendants but would wear a shorter one with the v neck. I need some shorter neckaces that have a little weight to them and aren’t too delicate.

  19. Hi Jo-Lynne! I love your workwear posts!  This is a great look and perfect for my work environment. Boo- it looks like your sweater has already sold out but I am looking at the other colors.  I do have a question for you though – I love the look of the high heels but there is no way I could walk on concrete all day in anything more than a 2 inch heel.  Do you ever see anything that looks professional  in a 2 inch heel that would work for dresses and trousers?  Sometimes I can find a 2 inch heel pump style that looks pretty good with pants but then it looks a little frumpy with a dress.   Does that make sense?

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