WIW: Black "ankle" pants with black booties

I've been wanting to try this outfit out for a while but our weather stayed too warm for it. (!!) 

Then, when I did finally get a chance to try it, today, I realized it's just a reprise -- with dark bottoms -- of my earlier Parsley-inspired light blue and dark red ensemble. Oh well. The good news is, I got to wear my beloved Stuart Weitzman black booties. Happy sigh. 

These pants (GAP Real Skinny -- on their 4th season now) are very stretchy and not at all uncomfortable, but they feel "too tight."  Have I expanded? (Quite possible -- I have not weighed or measured myself in a while). Or have I simply got used to a slouchier, looser, more fluid fit overall? Or maybe both? 

Anyway, I thought I would risk rolling them at the ankle for a slightly more current look. I've never purchased a pair of ankle pants, despite the craze for them, so the only way I expose ankle is by rolling. With my short legs it is hardly the most flattering look but I hope it's JFE for a meeting at DD's school.

 

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40 Comments

  • bj1111 replied 10 years ago

    Suz, I like both renditions for different seasons.  of course, the darker version has my interest!
    i've been on a bootie buying/returning binge trying to find my cinderella slipper. i spy another candidate.

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Alas, those booties are now 3 years old, so it might be tough to find them. I love them and feel they are still quite current. SUPER comfortable and my foot is a similar shape to yours from the sounds of things (Thank you for your comments on the other thread, BTW). 

  • jackiec replied 10 years ago

    Love this, Suz. I've have the same pants and have worn them rolled a couple of times too; fun change. I think you're just not used to the feel of the pants. That's how I feel. Mind you, wearing the looser, baggier BFs and pajama jeans does seem to fool me into thinking I can have a couple more cookies than I should....then BAM tight skinnies!

    I really like the chambray under the red cardi - great colours on you.

    Ooooh the boots. Fab as usual :)

  • Aida replied 10 years ago

    A summer and fall version, how fun! My Gap Real Skinnies are also quite fitted, I think that's just the look and we've gotten a bit less used to it. If they feel too tight you could set them aside for a bit, but I rather like the change up myself. Particularly later in winter with tall boots, sometimes the slouchier skinnies just don't tuck right! The roll looks good and so does the plaid scarf!

  • catgirl replied 10 years ago

    If the pants have not shrunk I bet you've gotten used to a looser fit - I feel the same way now in certain items, including those same pants.  You look great!

  • Angie replied 10 years ago

    Killer.

    Please don't ever apologize for being a sensational and stunning Modern Classic, Suz. I have a sugar eye for the classics too. Always have. Always will. And it's SO fun to inject that mega bit of modern into the classic equation. My best. 

    I have the same black Gap pants. They feel sooooo tight after wearing relaxed BF's for years. I like them though, and wore them just last week. The rolls look super with those amazing booties. xo

  • columbine(erin) replied 10 years ago

    Looking very fab!

  • Janet replied 10 years ago

    I've experienced the same thing putting some of my more fitted items, and even though I might be up a few pounds right now, I think we've also gotten used to easier fits.

    The outfit looks great in both versions! I have a slight preference for the one with the black pants and booties, but that's my comfort zone talking. :-)

  • replied 10 years ago

    Echoing Angie, actually everyone above.   This is your look and I love it!  It seems we're all on some sort of skinny fit strike right now or something - I know exactly what you mean.  This is my favourite way to wear boots and pants - and there is that great plaid scarf of yours again:)  Love it!

  • catgirl replied 10 years ago

    I think I'm a few pounds up BECAUSE of easier fits. :(

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    You are all extremely sweet. And Angie, Aida, Una  -- it's great to hear I am not the only one who feels a bit odd in true skinnies now! Still, I agree, they are great to have to mix things up, and despite feeling tight they are also comfortable due to the stretch. So they are staying on. 

    But...I have unrolled the hems. Temperatures are cooling off and I'm going out this evening! 

  • Staysfit replied 10 years ago

    Suz, you look great in both versions. I am typically reluctant to roll my pant legs also because my legs are proportionally short,. Here you are demonstrating that it can be done well! Love your SW booties! As always I learn something from you!

  • Sveta replied 10 years ago

    Looking good Suz! And nothing is wrong with another rendition of a winner.
    You are so not alone in feeling that skinnies are too tight. I have not worn them for at least 0.5 year (as my old skinnies were not skinnies for me anymore) so today wearing my new Madewell jeans I was also wondering if I went up in the weight...
    So here I have a question (for Angie and everybody else):
    Anyway, I thought I would risk rolling them at the ankle for a slightly more current look.
    Does it mean the full length skinnies are not as current now? I still like the look of full length skinnies with a scrunch so am I completely outdated?

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 10 years ago

    Great outfit, Suz! I bet you were the coolest Mom at the school meeting! I can't even go near my jeans of last year or the previous year. I think I've gained some pounds and my taste has changed!

  • Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago

    Love this! The roll looks so fab with those stunning booties. But yes…roll down…no one needs cold ankles :)

  • UmmLila (Lisa) replied 10 years ago

    I think you still look current and great in the skinny rendition. I like the range of pant fits that are current now ... It seems that there's hardly anything that doesn't work, so we can pick and choose from what looks good. As both of your renditions show!

  • Kristin L replied 10 years ago

    Love it! I think it's pretty neat that you can easily make the outfit either a summer or winter winner. I think the roll and booties look great as well. 

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Sveta, that is a good question. I think you should begin a new thread on that topic, because I have wondered the same thing. I absolutely intend to wear my pants full length in winter whether it is "current" or not because I can't stand freezing. But I do admit, you don't see scrunch much on the models these days and it is mostly ankle pants. 

  • Karie replied 10 years ago

    I don't think my skinnies are tighter, but I have been feeling more self conscious wearing them. I love my BF and regular fits so much more these days, but I keep my skinnies around because some tops just look better when worn with them.

    I've also done what you've done, rolled them at the hems. It's just a different look, and Sveta, I don't think unrolled is outdated. At least I hope not, because I wear mine unrolled most of the time!

    Suz, your outfits are gorgeous - my favorite is the one with the white jeans.

  • SW replied 10 years ago

    Hi Suz, I really like the cardigan you're wearing. Do you know if it's still on sale and what brand?

  • Joy replied 10 years ago

    I have those same Gap skinnies and think I'll still like the shape for winter . I may even try them tucked into boots.
    Today I wanted to wear white jeans and only the Kut Diana skinnies were clean. More fitted but I fell in love with them all over again. No winter rolling for me unless layering wooly socks in the gap becomes trendy.

  • Deborah replied 10 years ago

    Suz, great look and very you, which you should never apologize for.  Were your ankles cold?  The rolled pants do look good but I think I will always favour unrolled for the lovely streamlined, leg lengthening effect:)  I do like seeing those fab boots tho:)

  • replied 10 years ago

    I really like this version! It's so perfectly autumnal that just looking at it makes me crave hot apple cider or something.

    The rolled jeans look good to me too, and not remotely stumpifying.

  • Windchime replied 10 years ago

    Great scarf!

    I hear you on not being willing to expose ankle skin in cold temps. Those models with the ankle pants definitely don't have our type of winters!

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Definitely not our winters, Windchime! Brrrrr!!!!  And Joy, I laughed out loud thinking about wooly socks in the gap becoming the "thing." Who knows? It probably will. It IS "normcore" after all. 

    Thanks, all, for your kind words and the reassurance that it's okay to be a modern classic. 

    SW, sorry. I should have put the sweater in the Finds. It's J. Crew and still available, I believe. I got it on sale about a month ago. 

  • Sal replied 10 years ago

    Great look!!

    I wear my skinnies unrolled but roll the boyfriends and straight legs- not that I am an expert by any means.

    I really love the scarf here, it really adds to the look.  And another happy story about a workhorse!

  • Jaime replied 10 years ago

    Both versions look terrific. Interesting question about the rolled up look being more current - I will be following. 

  • Beth Ann replied 10 years ago

    I wore a version of this, too!  I love chambray and burgundy -- and yours has this "fluid menswear vibe" which reminds me of mountain cabins and big, cozy spots in front of a roaring fire.

    And, while I love the lighter look of rolled hems, I still love scrunch.  It makes the legs look fab!

  • Neel replied 10 years ago

    I want to run away from my skinnies! After wearing boyfriends and slouchy pants ... They seem like torture! :D. So I get it! And I also keep fluctuating by a pound or two. And my skinnies feel different every time I wear them. Again .. I get you :)

    You look lovely as always though. That dark red is a beautiful color on you! And rolling skinnies and tucking them into boots are both equally fashionable. I wouldn't worry too much :)

  • thimblelina replied 10 years ago

    I'm fixing to become your sweater twin... That is exactly what I've been searching for!

  • Mona replied 10 years ago

    Suz, are the booties from this year NAS? They are gorgeous.
    You look great in this cardi and scarf combo. Like you, I am totally over skinnies trend but even when skinnies were in, I wore them on a little bit looser side.

  • Elizabeth P replied 10 years ago

    This looks wonderful Suz.  I loved the first version, but I think I have a slight preference for this one.  And good for you on the rolled skinnies with booties!

    Any chance you can share how you tied your scarf?  I like it.

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Thanks, all! Thimbelina, you'll be my sweater triplet! Parsley has this one, too. It is a very warm sweater -- a double knit. I love it. 

    Mona, the booties are actually from 3 years ago (and still going strong both in terms of condition and style, after trips to London, New York, and many, many  trips to Toronto). I bought them in Toronto on sale, not at NAS. In fact, they were my first seriously pricey shoes. Of course they cost less on sale but they still represented a big leap for me. I am not at all sorry. They have been complete winners in every way for my style. 

    If I could find taupe booties like this I would buy them in a flash. 

    Elizabeth, the scarf is tied 2 different ways. In the white jean photo I have turned it into a oblong and then folded that into triangles and sort of thrown in over me like a bib, with the ends tucked under in front. Sort of like this: V (but on an angle). 

    In the black pants photo it's just wrapped around my neck once and loosely tied, I think -- I don't actually have any scarf tying knowledge. I "arrange" them more than I tie them, LOL. 

  • Elizabeth P replied 10 years ago

    It was the way the two corners show themselves in the white one that caught my eye.  Looks very artfully "arranged" :)

  • Jjsloane replied 10 years ago

    Susan as usual you have showed a versatility and nailed both looks. Jumping on the sweater band wagon. I am hopeless with scarves and have fully given up except as outwear. I have those pants too and even sized up they feel tight. I wish I could blame my mind being used to looser fits, but like Una says I'm up in weight because of looser fits :) That and some very indulgent eating. You look great!

  • Gracie replied 10 years ago

    The jeans look great and I enjoy seeing the JCrew Sweater on you – such fabulous color. My personal preference is, if I'm wearing a sweater and a scarf, I will want my ankles covered. If I want to show some ankle, I will wear a crew or v-neck sweater with the sleeves pushed up so there's skin showing top and bottom... I guess this version would be for cool, not cold weather.

  • replied 10 years ago

    Late to this... how did I miss it?? I love your version of ankle pants! Way to go Suz. Two great outfits. A twofor in fact :)

  • Elly replied 10 years ago

    I have my straight legs (that fit like skinnies on me except at the very bottom) on today with tall shaft boots and I rolled to show the boot off-- they meet when I'm standing, but when I sit there is a tiny slice of my brown and red wool striped socks being shown off -- matches my red booties, and the rest of the outfit is denim or black---- stranger things have happened. 

  • Day Vies replied 10 years ago

    Love the deep red/burgundy and chambray. The scarf is a perfect addition. I prefer the black but only by a hair. However, when it comes to rolling the jeans just above the booties I prefer the white version. I think that has everything to do with my preference for a long leg line in general.

    With the exception of the scarf I can copy this. It's definitely copy worthy -- love!

  • replied 10 years ago

    So I go to buy this cardigan on-line. It's on sale - yay!  Added it to my basket, then this:  final sale, no returns or exchanges. What kind of customer service is that?  Is this typical of JCrew?  

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