Pix-Elated

50 Comments

• Joy replied 10 years ago

  Not sure about length and such, but these look fab on you.

• Makrame replied 10 years ago
  Wow, these pants and t-shirts do look great!  I know what you mean about the lining, though, I bought a lined linen blazer last spring and it did not see as much wear as I had hoped because it was too warm.
• Caro in Oz replied 10 years ago
  I think they look great & I hesitate to advise you on whether to K/R because we are all so different (not to mention our climates). Personally I wouldn't keep them because they would be too hot for our summers.
  
  I love the t-shirts & bag:)
  
  
• Peri replied 10 years ago

  They wouldn't work where I live...lined linen defeats the purpose. But they look good on you and if they fit your climate I'd say keep. Can't advise on length cause I'm too clueless.

  I ordered these in the brown color:

  http://www.loft.com/loft/produ.....Color=2255

  Cotton linen blend, keeping my fingers crossed.

  But...I bought that BR top in black polka dots and green silk. The green silk might go back...sheer/needs a cami might be too hot for sleeveless weather for me. But, happy happy! I guess I've met one style goal...I'm dressing like Suz!! :)

• Sarah A replied 10 years ago
  I love seeing your new wedge sandals getting a host of outfit options :) The pants look quite nice on you, however I know lined pants would be too hot to feasibly wear here in the summer. I think the blue and striped top look great, not too bare at the neck/clavicle to my eye. The green sleeveless is one of my fav cuts for a summer top as well.
  
• Peri replied 10 years ago

  PS...don't get the worries about the tees being not covered?

  I'd consider that a high neck...like too high for me. I'm all about the V neck (lovely linebacker remember).

  But even if you wouldn't do V neck, how could those be considered too low?

• Jan replied 10 years ago

  I think that those beautiful pants fit you perfectly! I think that you would wear them in the cooler evening temperatures and to air conditioned restaurants. I'm a crop school dropout, and my style sense would fit into one of Angie's smallest clutch, but to my eye, with your heels they look the perfect length. Plus hubby likes them? Keep!

• Sveta replied 10 years ago
  I think they are fab, Suz. What is lining made of - poly or something breathable?
  You can remove lining yourself and save the cost for the alterations. I think if you want to wear these pants in a high heat wrinkling is the least of your problems comparing to a hot lining.:-)
  Also you can always sew pockets shut and remove the lining if it shows through...
• Joy replied 10 years ago

  I forgot to comment about your tops, distracted by the fab Marissas. The BR top is perfect! It goes so well with white bottoms. Any top that Hubs loves should be a keeper. The necklines look about as good as it gets for a summer top. What is the fabric? If they breathe, keep.

• Suz replied 10 years ago
  Thank you, all! 
  
  Joy, the tees are rayon...so yes, breathable. And machine washable in cold. Or so they say. I don't anticipate they will wear super well....but I got a massive discount on them so if they last for one season looking fresh, I will feel fine about the purchase. 
  
  Peri, that neckline would be very covered for most. But it is a question of proportions. With my long neck, square jaw, big head, and small bust/ bony chest, exposing much in that area is a figure flattery mistake. On the plus side, a long neck means I can wear my beloved turtlenecks, high shirt collars, and other high necks with impunity, where others need to think twice about those.
  
  Sveta, the lining is some kind of stupid poly. (I will have to look.) Admittedly, it feels great right now, but in the heat? I doubt it. They would be very see-through without lining, however, and might not drape as nicely. Angie said she much prefers the white to the taupe in these pants. Well, guess what? The taupe are not lined. I'll be it subtly affects the drape. 
  
  Jan,Sarah, Caro, Makrame thank you for weighing in. It is a real conundrum for me at the moment about the lining. . 
  
  
  
• Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago
  Wow Suz - I love the look of EVERY ITEM here! The trousers are simply gorgeous on you - love the fit and drape. I defer to Angie when it comes to PPL for them.
  
  All the tops are keepers in my opinion. They all look fab on you and will work in your wardrobe both for casual wear and even for dressier.
  
  The lining issue....yeah, that is a conundrum all right. On the one hand, it keeps the pants from being see-through and also helps with drape. But on the other hand, it will add to the heat factor when real summer arrives. 
  
  How did the taupe ones feel on? I know Angie's pick was for the white, but if you're really concerned about the warmth of the lining, could the taupe work for you instead?
• Nicole D replied 10 years ago
  THe lining makes sense to me, since without it you might get show through of underpants, no?  THe length, I think they are  a bit short so getting them  taken up a bit more would make sense too, like to a 7/8 length?  But then they are not too tapered.  I think I need to defer to those more expert than I, like your husband.  They are a very nice pair of pants!
• katy replied 10 years ago

  The trousers look great but I really have to wonder how practical they'd be in the mugginess of of a southern Ontario summer. The thought of wearing a lined garment on a July day here nearly makes me weep.

  So frustrating, because they DO look fab.

• Glory replied 10 years ago
  I think you have made some great purchases and look fab. My 2 cents on the pants: they are a great fit and style for you. But, speaking from 2 hours up the road the lining will not work as soon as the heat hits. Would they be too sheer without the lining?
• Jaime replied 10 years ago
  The linen trousers are tricky. They look great but I do tend to think you would want to remove the lining because otherwise they will stick to your legs in the summer and be very unpleasant - the opposite of what linen should be. Love the top - I like the high neck. Love the cobalt bag also. Hope you keep everything actually!
• Thistle replied 10 years ago

  Suz, I think you said you don't have AC at home and you work from home. For me, that would mean I would never wear lined linen. I would wear regular linen and not care about wrinkles. :).

  But, I don't know how hot it gets by you or your tolerance for heat.

  They do look fab, but only if you wear them. :)

• Suz replied 10 years ago
  Sigh. Alas...I know. If the lining were cotton, well, maybe. 
  
  I just checked online and they don't have these in petite in my size (which would at least subvert the need for alterations). Nor do they have the taupe ones in my size online, although they did have them at the store the other day. Unfortunately, I am not going to Yorkdale in the near future (and can't). 
  
  Hmmm. This is really a tough one. They'd be really see-through without that lining. 
  
  I really appreciate your thoughts on all this, and I am very glad that the tops are getting some love. 
• rae replied 10 years ago
  I know I'd never be able to stand lined linen in the heat... but then you know my weirdness with linings. Would you wear a lined linen *jacket* in the heat?
• Suz replied 10 years ago
  That is a good question, Rae. I probably wouldn't even wear a jacket, period! I guess that gives me my answer. 
  
  Well, I'm hoping that K Can Shop and Angie will weigh in on this. K Can already owns and loves these babies. And they are an Angie pick and she's had clients in them. But both are in the Pacific Northwest where lined linen is probably the only kind worth wearing! Still, they might  have some worthwhile observations on this. 
• kellygirl replied 10 years ago
  Everything is smashing on you, Suz! I can see why DH loves the pants on you. They are so flattering and stylish. I don't know about the lining though. I assumed they were unlined when I saw them. Not sure how that will affect comfort. Wish I could be more helpful. LOVE all of the toppers too.
• Elizabeth P replied 10 years ago

  Suz, I bought a pair of lined white pants last summer, and I found them to be an excellent bridging piece. I wore them a lot in may, June and sept. when i wanted to feel summery but the heat hadn't arrived. I rarely wear full length pants in July and August, even though I know our summers aren't as hot as yours. I say they look so great, make them work :).

• Freckles replied 10 years ago
  Suz would you have looked at the pants in white if you thought they were a bridging piece and not an all summer wear item
  
  Love the blouse, it is stunning on you.  What gorgeous colours!
  
  The t-shirts seem like such nice basic pieces but I am sorry I do not remember from last summer if your favourites had necklines you liked that covered all of your collar bone.  That is the way you like to wear them is it not...
  The neckline on the striped one is not as wide as the royal even though the royal is hubs favourite.  I like them both but it is not a sensitive area for me.
• Beth Ann replied 10 years ago
  I think all the tops work well, Suz, and I love the pants (although I'm hopeless on cropped lengths).  I run quite warm, and on the hottest days would only be in long pants in A/C (which is ubiquitous here).  I would think the lining would keep the linen from the ridiculous bagging that you sometimes get with the fiber -- that would be a plus.
  
  P.S.  You look radiant!
  
• CocoLion replied 10 years ago
  If Mr. Suz loves them on you, can you keep them as a going out pair of pants?  I love them for smart casual wear, especially with the BR top in #1 and 2.  But I don't think they are good for casual SAH/WFH (stay at home/work from home) purposes.  You have said you don't have a/c in your house, that's why.  Now an unlined pair of white trousers that are also washable, why yes!
  
  I am confused about the length.  In the pictures, the right leg looks a little shorter than the left.  Is this the way they came?  Or have you pinned one leg shorter than the other?
  
  I prefer them a little shorter, where you can see more ankle, on the right leg.  They look more intentional that way.
  
  Good going on all of the tops -- definite keepers.
• Ingunn replied 10 years ago
  Oh, Suz, you look adorable in everything! I love the tops on you. Definite keepers, all of them. The bag is also very pretty - is it BR?
  
  Lined linen pants sounds very troublesome when the heat sets in, but you know that better than me. I liked Denise's suggestion, though. are evening just as hot? What about a/c environments - are you giving presentations and such during summer, too? There could be a room for these if you have a few events in your life for them, despite the heat. I'm also thinking that if you like them enough, and think they will be workhorses with another lining, you could consider having the lining replaced by one in thin cotton voile or something (like the lining in my linen dress). That would be a lot more comfortable. After all, these look amazing on you. 
• krishnidoux replied 10 years ago
  Suz, apparently we are in for a super hot summer this year. So, unless you are planning to spend a lot of time in A/C, maybe you should return.
  OTHO they do fit nicely other than the length. Ultimately it's your call: if you don't feel 100%, then return. Who knows, by keeping them anyway they might prevent you from finding THE pair. 
• Mona replied 10 years ago
  Some great suggestions above. I love the tops on you especially the cobalt one. I am not crazy about the pants but that is only because I don't like linen. They fit you great, though. OH and the handbag is simply gorgeous. 
• replied 10 years ago
  I love all the tops AND the cobalt purse.
  
  The pants are very cute, but unfortunately I think they're a no. The poly lining defeats the purpose of linen, and the sheerness makes them unwearable w/o a lining. Ingunn's idea of having the lining replaced is interesting, but of course that would increase the total cost...
• Deborah replied 10 years ago
  Suz, the pants look nice, however  I am not liking their natural length (but that is just my personal preference).  Only you know how the lining will work for you.  Here, as Caro said, it would be too hot.  I don't wear linen so I am probably not one to give advice here but I struggle with the wrinkling and creasing.  I would start the day feeling crisp and fresh and end it feeling crumpled and unfab.
• Suz replied 10 years ago
  Thanks, everyone. Some really good suggestions and thoughts. 
  
  Deb, I am "at peace with the crease" as Angie says, and do wear linen quite happily if it has a good weight and drape. This linen is quite thin and would not drape as well unlined...which is part of the problem, I suspect. The length would have to be adjusted as they are supposed to be a cropped pant. It is just that they are so slouchy on me and I am short, so they are betwixt and between. 
  
  Thank you, Amanda and Mona. 
  
  Krish, that is a good warning. In a super-hot summer they would certainly get less wear. 
  
  Ingunn, for approximately two months, evenings typically stay quite warm. Warm enough that I don't wear a topper at all. Unless I am going somewhere air conditioned, and even then I probably wouldn't bother except at a movie or someplace like that, where they always have it on so high. 
  
  It is worth considering another lining, although I think it would add so much to the cost that it would no longer be worth it. These were not an expensive item to begin with and I got them at 45% off. 
  
  Denise, my thoughts exactly -- they're not good for wearing at home in the heat. I will give some thought as to whether there'd be enough occasions for me to wear. Re the length: it is probably just the way I am standing. They are quite slouchy and might be dropping more on one hip than the other. 
  
  Beth Ann, thank you - and you make an excellent point about the bagging. I suspect you are completely right about that. 
  
  Freckles, thank you - and nice to see you pop up. I didn't buy any tees last summer at all. (I bought some woven tops). So I was in the market for a couple. I do prefer a higher or more covered neckline for figure flattery, but I am less particular on this than Angie, who has a very strict guideline for neck/ shoulder point coverage for herself. My neck is a little shorter and thicker than hers and my shoulder line is less delicate, so I sort of take it on a case by case basis -- a lot depends on the other proportions of the top and entire outfit. But I sometimes need other eyes to help me see whether it works. Wide Vs or wide scoops are definite "do not" unless I plan to layer a camisole underneath. But other necklines are all possible, depending. 
  
  Elizabeth, that is a really good point - they could be a bridging piece. The only issue is that in May/ September I might reach for my white jeans instead (which are warmer). So that would only leave part of June (until the heat hits). 
  
  Well...luckily I do not have to make this decision for 57 days!! 
• lyn67 replied 10 years ago
  Suz, am late here to say the pants are looking fab on you, and actually I like their original length but not with these platform wedges which are too high here, rather with a ballet flat, or smaller wedge/flat sandal!
  If I were you, I would trust Mr. Suz's eyes, and would keep them for sure, lined or not, there  sure will rise up  an occasion where they will earn their money!
  What about an early spring outfit, when not that big heat, or a cloudy chillier late summer day/evening, Or a dressier  occasion, where you wouldn't like to show wrinkles, but  could  still bare with the lining.
  I do have some lined white pants for summer and would keep them for those fewer dressier occasions.
  
• Angie replied 10 years ago
  Before I go on and on about how killer these trousers will be after length alteration (high five, Mr. Suz!), you need to make a decision about the lining (whether it's good or bad). You are a much better judge than me about how hot you run Suz, and what the Summer is like in your neck of the woods. 
• Angie replied 10 years ago
  And high five! I love linen too. So at peace with that particular crease. 
• Suz replied 10 years ago
  It is SOOOO tough to say, Angie! Right now, of course, they feel super-fab. But it is still freezing outside! We got SNOW yesterday. (Obviously, I could not wear these outdoors in this weather.) 
  
  But when I say they feel super-fab, I mean they are comfortable and nicely draping. I suspect in mid-summer during the day they would be intolerable for me unless I were in an air conditioned environment. In air conditioning, they would be totally fine. But...how much time do I spend in air conditioned environments? Answer: not much. 
  
  Hubs has a pair of linen pants that are lined to the knee only. He does not find them too hot in our summers. 
  
  The aspect of the pants that makes the situation even more confusing is that they really are slouchy and baggy on me. What this means is that they barely touch me except for at the waist/ hip area. That might make them more do-able, at least for summer evenings. The worst thing about lining is when it sticks to your skin. 
• Sona replied 10 years ago
  I am not  a fan of the pants ( Sorry Suz and Angie): I think they would need a lot of alterations to be Suz-worhty. The BR top is stunning and the loft tops are good basics that fit you well and mesh with your current lifestyle.
• replied 10 years ago
  SUZ! Sorry for shouting! I was at the mall yesterday trying on these pants in both colors. Did you know that the taupe ones (Tropical Teak) are UNLINED?
  The fabric may or may not be a bit more substantial, but they are opaque and felt just lovely on. They didn't have my size in the store, but I ordered a pair. 
  
  Yep. I had the same feelings as you about the icky lining in the white pair. The white linen they used is VERY transparent. Even with the lining, I could see my printed blouse through (that I had tucked in). So I immediately crossed those off my list. 
  
  As for length, I have a standard inseam and they hit a few inches above my ankle (shorter than yours). I think shortening them like Angie suggested would  improve your proportions.
  
  I'm drooling over your delicious rayon tops! What a score on those. You look fabulous and ready for summer!
  
   
• replied 10 years ago
  I should have read your other post first, sorry! I think they are still running the Friends and Family discount today if you want to order the taupe pair online.
• Vix replied 10 years ago

  Since we already own the same bold silk blue/grey leopard print shirt, I'm not sure if I should be scared or smiling that you and I own that same blue/green top *and* that my new work bag is cobalt. [I've worn my top open like a vest and with the collar turned back to make a V.] The top looks great on you with the white pants!

  Re the Ts -- perfect neckline on you, especially for summer. You don't want a crew strangling you when it's hot hot hot out.

• Suz replied 10 years ago
  VIx - that is fabulous!! I am  thrilled to know that we are now also summer top twins. I was thinking this top would work really well on Claire, too, hint hint, Claire...look for a discount at BR!! (I got mine on substantial sale.)  Vix, I really like your options for wearing the top as well...I had tried with the collar turned back but hadn't thought to wear it like a vest -- great idea!! 
  
  Claire, I can't order the pants because they don't have my size online now (at least on the Canadian shopping portal) and also, I would have to endure the dread Fifty-One, which is how they do their shipping. Meaning lots of extra charges and a much higher rate than what I paid. Alas....
  
  I'll bet these pants look fantastic on you. Oh, for the extra inches in my legs! 
• Vix replied 10 years ago
  Hi again Suz --
  
  Yep, discounts/coupon stacking galore happened on my end too. I really had to extend my SP/SU work capsule in a hurry (eventually I might get it together enough to share) and am pleased how things have come together. Now I just need to stop looking. ;)
  
  I actually thought of all you Taupers because after hunting, trying, buying, and even returning some white blazers in a variety of styles I had the epiphany that a taupe jacket would work with 95% of my warmer-weather stuff -- shoes, accessories, tops, skirts. So many of my tops have dark brown and taupe mixed in with color-color and get worn with dark brown when it's cooler...why I was fixated on white vs LIGHT for summer I don't know. [Duh!]
  
  Unfortunately the blue/green top looks better with white...but I'll survive, ha. 
• Suz replied 10 years ago
  What did you get for a taupe jacket? Curious minds want to know!! 
• Vix replied 10 years ago
  Hi Suz --
  
  The jacket's not terribly exciting and probably too classic for you, but I tried on more "exciting" shapes in white and wasn't thrilled with how the proportions were working on me. 
  
  Benefits of this one (aside from color, which is definitely more of a grey-brown vs brown-grey shade of taupe) were:
  
  * $70 price -- as I did get it for 40% off the sale price despite online saying one can't 
  
  * extremely light weight, unlike many of the white ones I tried (poly/rayon, so not tropical wool but at least semi-breathable thanks to the rayon)
  
  * matte texture (I wear a lot of silk shells in the summer and didn't want a shiny silk blazer or a stiff slub silk)
  
  * ability to get a little back from the consignment shop if I find something better a few seasons down the line ;)
  
  http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/c.....dId=301092
  
  
  1 2
• Suz replied 10 years ago
  I like it, Vix, and I'll bet it looks superb on you. The little back detail is nice. Thank you for coming back and letting me know! 
• Karie replied 10 years ago
  I think the pants will be perfect once shortened, but lined linen would be too hot for me for everyday-type wear in the summer. However, our evenings can get very cool (assuming yours do too), so I would keep these as evening-going-out pants. 
  
  In fact, DH and I spend many weekends in the summer in Sackets Harbor, a small town on Lake Ontario in NY - I might have to run out to The Loft and try a pair of those pants for myself!
• replied 10 years ago
  Oh, too bad. I actually like where they hit at your ankle, and the rear view is superb, something I hope I can achieve. Thanks to your thread(s) and all of the comments, I re-ordered in the next size down as well. I tried the white on for size, but the unlined taupe might feel a bit larger/bag out since they don't have the lining. The last thing I need is too-big linen pants that fall off, since there aren't any belt loops. 
• rae replied 10 years ago
  Suz, you're a writer and work from home, yes? So you probably spend lots of time typing and sitting at the computer? The lining would definitely touch your skin and stick if you perspire. 
• Suz replied 10 years ago
  Good point, Rae. Oh dear. Still debating. Claire raises and excellent point - - there are no belt loops so stretching out could be fatal! 
• Laura replied 10 years ago
  Suz, you've probably already made a decision, but I wonder if it's worth it to keep them since the price is right. You can consider it an experiment in pants linings. They look so good on you and clearly go with so many items in your wardrobe that it seems to me to be worth a try!
• Eliza replied 10 years ago

  Suz- sorry for being late to this discussion, but wanted share these thoughts:

  1- You wear so many clothes so well, that it is worth noting your ambivalence. You can be very happy with the right pair of linen pants,
  2. I like most views of you in those pants, but something about the front view is not as fab to my eye as the other views.
  3. I have a lined white linen jacket that I bought a couple of years ago. It fits perfectly and I had high hopes. I have not worn it once. The linen makes me refrain until a warmer season and then we go straight to humid hot weather. It has not worked for me. YMMV.

  You may want to try them at a great price point. I have to get more selective about how I use the real estate in my large closet. Two years and never on me is something I need to figure out.

  I always enjoy your posts.

• texstyle replied 10 years ago
  I think you look great in all of these - esp. that cobalt blue (yes, I know late to the discussion) but I will say that with so much trepidation about whether the pants will/won't work, for me this alone would mean they would not work. I just can't stand when I am really undecided about something like that and usually opt to return.  But DH loving them adds a lot of pull I realize. Still, that said, has he loved other items you ended up not loving so much? Does DH understand the lining issue too? 
  
  I also must say that the pants are okay, but to me they are not necessarily "stellar" in that I can see the pockets so easily through the thin fabric and the fit needs to be altered, meaning an investment into them.
  
  I guess it depends on how badly you want linen pants and how hard you've searched already for the right pair.