WIW Ankle bone length pants + boxy over boxy

So...these jeans are my J. Crew toothpicks. I sized up for a bit of slouch. They are supposed to be ankle length -- on the models they hit way above the ankle. But on me, they hit and just cover the ankle bone. This footwear is a bit of a problem with them -- they want to catch where the neoprene ends on these Zara booties. Otherwise, I really don't mind them at this length. They work a bit more easily with my other booties and I also wear them with a pair of leopard wedge heeled pumps sometimes (in different weather).  In that case I guess I am bending Angie's guideline because the pumps are not toned to the pants. But the dark spots in the leopard refer to the pants and the lighter background complements my hair, so (to my eye) that seems to work. I like them less with some of my other footwear like sandals, white sneakers, etc. 

Also trying boxy over boxy again. This is a very natural feeling trend for me. I am wearing the Amber Sun colour block "sweater" (waving at Thistle, who will snort with me on that one) along with a Brooks Brothers shirt that ClearlyClaire sent me. 

How do I love this shirt? Let me count the ways. It is not a super crisp fabrication, but softer, a sort of brushed herringbone. It is looser in fit than my other Brooks Brothers shirt. It is soft white vs. optic white. I can see why Claire may have given it up -- it would probably feel too warm in the Arizona climate a lot of the year, and for me it is definitely a fall/ winter shirt. But Claire, if you are reading, thank you again -- it has become a quiet wardrobe staple, always there when I need it. 

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42 Comments

  • replied 10 years ago

    Suz, these jeans look just fantastic on you. The length looks fine from the pictures and maybe you could roll them a notch or two with sandals if they seem too long in Spring. I could see how your leopard pumps would work with them because of the dark spots. And you have the Okalas too, right? Which color did you get? (Or maybe that's what you're referring to.)

    I'm so happy that the BB shirt is working for you. I loved it, but it was just a little too short on me and the french cuffs were difficult to roll up and down with the temperature fluctuations during the day. I have since gone to BB to try to find another( longer) but the fabric was not nearly so soft and fine as that one, cementing my feeling that it was one of their premium shirts (and lucky for me the Ebay seller didn't know). Enjoy it; it's perfect on you, and makes a great ingredient in your boxy+boxy formula. :D

  • karymk replied 10 years ago

    Aww, you look so cute. I love the tops combo and it looks slimming because of the vertical line down the sweater and also because of the nice tapered shirt tail sticking out.  I just think you have to have the right shirt and right sweater for this boxy over boxy thing to work. 

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Claire -  I can see that about the length, which is what makes it perfect for me. I lucked out and am truly the beneficiary of your generosity. Thank you so much, again! 

    I do have the Okalas. Still WAY too cold to wear them here. I got the pony ones and might get a nude pair, too, I like them so much!! My leopard pumps are round toed Vince Camutos. 

    Good idea about rolling these pants -- I hadn't tried that yet. 

    They're actually starting to show their wear. I've had them a year and the overdye is beginning to fade out on the knees, especially. But I probably wore them at least 100 times in the year, so they have earned their CPW even if I demote them. 

  • MsMary replied 10 years ago

    This is just perfect!  And so "Suz!"  :)

  • AviaMariah replied 10 years ago

    I have jeans (ankle on average people) that I wear at the same length with my Zara booties.  To me it works.  Isn't it great that the ankle pant trend can sometimes be a bonus for us shorties.  :)

  • E replied 10 years ago

    You look so good! And so Suz, as MaryK said. :) I love hearing about your shirt & that Claire sent it to you. YLF is such a wonderful place.

    Angie's post has me wanting to pull out a ruler and see whether I'm naturally rolling my trousers to 3-4" above my ankle or not. It's also reminded me that I need to see about tapering a couple pairs that just aren't quite fitted enough towards the ankle.

  • Beth Ann replied 10 years ago

    Two post links in one!  Wowza!

    This length is perfect.  Skinnies with scrunch are wonderful too, but they can be a bit messier and tricky with booties.

    The layering is fab, too.  I like you in high-buttoned collars, and the white brightens the face.

  • CocoLion replied 10 years ago

    Gorgeous smart casual outfit, you got all of the proportions right!

  • Lisa replied 10 years ago

    A lovely casual look.  I'm surprised the sweater is warm enough, I'm wearing my Cuddl Duds fleece with a blazer today! :)

  • Nicole D replied 10 years ago

    Thanks for posting those pics.  First off, I love those colours on you and with each other.  Love the shirttails peeking out, retro and also current look!
    I have a bone to pick with those toothpicks on me though, even their tall length is pathetically short - like a 32 inch inseam, in whose book is that a tall inseam?  Unless I am missing the point and they are meant to be ankle bone length?  Because on you, I would say they are just long enough, not ankle length.

  • celia replied 10 years ago

    Perfect outfit!Actually you consistently come up with perfect outfits within your own interpretation of style even when you are trying something new.
    Consider me impressed :)

  • rae replied 10 years ago

    It does look natural and effortless on you! Hard to see where the jeans hit in the pics, but seems just fine from what is visible. 

    I know what you mean about ankle pants on models vs. real life... a lot of women who come into the store avoid the rack of ankle pants because they don't want a cropped length... but when I pull them out and hold them up to my legs, it's a no-hemming-needed revelation! 

  • Gracie replied 10 years ago

    Terrific two-fer outfit – I love the shirt and sweater combo (I'm enamored of that sweater in fact). Jeans look great but to my eye they look regular length even with a little scrunch, but it's probably because they are touching/blending with the booties.

  • rabbit replied 10 years ago

    beautiful, the colors work so well on you.  I love the white and wine/cranberry together.

  • replied 10 years ago

    Oh, I see Suz, you've had the jeans for a while. I read too quickly and thought you were showing them to us for the first time,lol! Well they look almost brand new if that's any consolation. So the pony Okalas are the black and white with the nude strap? I'm asking because my leopard ones are done in a pony (calf hair) as well. 

  • Alassë replied 10 years ago

    You look great - very Suz.

  • replied 10 years ago

    Wow Suz, this is great!

  • unfrumped replied 10 years ago

    I like those outfits!

    But, I am finding it hard to figure the PPL's for narrow-but-not-tight hemmed pants that are not tightly fitted at the lower calf/ankle--hanging up on high-vamped footwear if hemmed with scrunch intended. So if I do a ballet flat, the scrunch works, but if I do an oxford, it does not, in some of the in-between degrees of skinny/fluid. Because there is more of what I call "break" in the pants than a kind of eased scrunch.

    Still working on that, for current and future pants and footwear.

  • kellygirl replied 10 years ago

    Gorgeous! Love the matchstick fit on you. Adore the layering too!

  • Caro in Oz replied 10 years ago

    Love the proportions here :) YLF Suz.

  • Karie replied 10 years ago

    Fantastic and gorgeous outfit! The colors in that Amber Sun sweater look wonderful on you. 
    I love my J.Crew matchsticks - they are in constant rotation. In fact, I've slowed down wearing them as I thought people would think they're the only pants I own (yeah like there's any chance of that!). 
    And I've heard such good things about Brooks Brother's button-downs (I love button-down shirts). I might just have to check them out for myself :)

  • gryffin replied 10 years ago

    Love this Suz!!  Love the sweater/shirt combo and pants look perfect with the boots!!  Sleek and refined casual really at it's best!  I think we need you to model all of Angie's suggestions!!  You do it so very well!!  Kudos!  (kind of like Vanna White on wheel of fortune!! ;-)

  • Eliza replied 10 years ago

    I love this look on you.  While the look is boxy and the jeans are sized up, this doesn't read over-sized or high volume.  Just a lot of ease and comfort and the refined crispness of the BB shirt and the footwear.  Just beautiful.

     I have that "sweater" also and enjoy it on days when it is warm enough.  Those colors are great on you! 

  • carter replied 10 years ago

    I like the rolling/cuffing idea. Maybe that will get you over the "not with sandals" feeling. Very flattering on you!

  • Sona replied 10 years ago

    Very, very flattering, Current silhouette and suits your complexion beautifully too.

    A winner x million!

  • Lyn D. replied 10 years ago

    I am 'favouriting' this for future reference Suz.
    The shirt looks wonderful- Claire is a Dear- and I like it under the sweater.
    Hard to tell the pant length, and I am getting a PPL headache from Angie's Blog and my own ankle pant musings :)

  • Deborah replied 10 years ago

    Suz, this looks gorgeous.  I think you have managed the ankle length very well.  It's a lovely snug winter look:)  BTW I read your post title and opened it thinking Suz is wearing bone (coloured) ankle pants!  Duh.

  • JAileen replied 10 years ago

    It's a great outfit on you. I like the colors of the sweater on you. Also, I like your haircut. I don't think I had seen a side view before. It's very cute!

  • Angie replied 10 years ago

    Fabulous look. You so nailed it. 

    These look like regular length skinnies with booties - no? 

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Deb - that's what I need! Bone coloured ankle pants to wear with my nude sandals!  :)  (Actually, it would work great and maybe I can roll those Banana Republic Cream jeans to get that effect...) 

    Sorry I disappeared all day -- crazy day on the work and home front. Thank you for your thoughts on these. 

    By the way, these are the  J. Crew TOOTpicks, not the Matchsticks. The Matchsticks don't look good on me. The reason they look a little more "matchstick like" (i.e. looser than the way the Toothpick jeans look on the website) is that I sized up, and this particular fabrication is heavier weight than many of the other Toothpicks. I've tried some that were made of that soft light stretchy material -- I sent them right back. I don't care for it. 

    I can see that they might look full length. But they actually hit just at the bottom of my ankle bone. Which might be a little bit longer than Angie's recommendation, but is still not exactly full length. Or maybe it is full length without scrunch? They do appear to scrunch here, partly because of the looseness in the leg and partly because the bootie sort of forces them up into that position. But with other shoes they just come down and cover the ankle bone - no scrunch. 

    Nicole, I think they are meant to be ankle bone length. They actually came with a tag that said "ankle" when I bought them (although maybe mine are different?). Mine probably have a 28 inch inseam. That's a bit too short for me but not a lot too short for me, as you can see. 

    gryffin, I'll be happy to model all Angie's suggestions if someone will sponsor me a set of all the items in each Polyvore!! :) Wouldn't that be fab? 

  • Angie replied 10 years ago

    Got it. They'll look great with self colour high vamp flats.

  • Jaime replied 10 years ago

    The sweater is perfect for this and perfect on you. Looks like just the right weight and shape to make this look great and the color and blocking are super flattering. Claire's blouse is terrific (as is Claire!) and the jeans with the family (since quite a few of us have them) booties look just right although now I want to see them with the shoe alternatives as well. Love Gryffin's idea!

  • Freckles replied 10 years ago

    Stunning.  I really love your interpretations of Angie's blog post.  I can't believe how different you look in all of them either.

  • Sveta replied 10 years ago

    You do the boxy fit proud, Suz!
    I was also thinking them full length maybe sans scrunch - pretty much how BR cream jeans fit me.

  • catgirl replied 10 years ago

    Suz, these look marvelous, whatever they are. Honestly I thought the same thing as Angie - these are not visually what I picture as ankle length. I have been pondering the whole ankle pant thing all day and have realized that denim and non-denim are very different to my eye also.

    And to complicate it, I have not seen boyfriend style ankle pants in winter weight non-denim. It's either silky slouch or denim BFs. And if course in our climate silky slouch does not always work. What I want is weightier non-denim slouchy ankle pants that can work for cold weather (both in warmth and not dragging on the ground), but those do not seem to exist.

    Sorry to pontificate on your thread - you gave me a breakthrough moment and I would love your thoughts! I remain so confused on this issue.

  • Kiwibird replied 10 years ago

    Absolutely gorgeous Suz!!!   This is going in my Inspirations folder....

  • krishnidoux replied 10 years ago

    Suz, very flattering outfit! Congrats on your new jeans. I skipped the comments - will come back to them later - but just wanted to chime in about the jeans "ankle cropped" length: I can totally see what you mean, mainly because I suffer the same thing myself. I am wondering if I should bring my new skinny "ankle length" (stopping just below ankle bone) to a tailor. Would it ruin them? Or would it make them more current? Have you thought about this yourself?

  • Aubergine replied 10 years ago

    You look great! The whole thing just looks amazingly effortless on you, and the length of the pants seems perfect with the booties.

  • replied 10 years ago

    You look awesome Suz! Fabulous proportions

  • Joy replied 10 years ago

    You nailed the proportions, at least to my eye. I will be studying this outfit, trying to get it right, since we are about the same size.
    Claire's BB shirt brightens and sharpens the look.

  • Helena replied 10 years ago

    Flawless, Suz!

  • Elizabeth P replied 10 years ago

    You totally nailed  this one!

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