As many of you are probably aware, I don’t really “do” pants. I sprouted up like a beanpole when I was 12. Pants were always too short on me and I could never find any that made me feel amazing. Even as an adult, I find them terribly uncomfortable and there are only very few pairs I have ever really seen eye to eye with. Don’t get me wrong – pants are sometimes a necessary evil. I’m not going to wear my vintage dresses on a 36 hour flight across the world or to paint our living room. But those kind of pants fall into the category of utilitarian. It’s a very rare day when I find pants that have nothing to do with function and everything to do with fabulous…
Last Friday I was having a (much needed) drink with a colleague in an attempt to put some shine on a hectic few days at work. And then she took a deep breath and asked the question that inevitably comes at some stage in every relationship. And, no, I’m not talking about the question about ex’s. For me – it’s the Inevitable Pants Question:
Do I ever wear pants? Do I even OWN jeans?
I suppose after a certain amount of time passes, where you see someone day in and day out, it’s natural to start to wonder if they actually have two legs or if somehow they’re hiding just one under the swarth of crinoline. And as we clinked our beer glasses, I gave my answer: that there are only three reasons to wear pants: if I’m doing something messy, if I’m having a really bad day, or if they’re just too cute to pass up…..
These Victoria wide Palazzo trousers definitely fit into the third category for me of being too fabulous to resist. Last year, I introduced you guys to Gowns by Roberta – a fellow vintage aficionado who is just as talented as she is lovely. Awhile back, Roberta started her own clothing line, and after welcoming the beautiful “Roberta” dress into my closet, I was hooked. The craftsmanship and the details were perfection. and I’ve kept my eye on her shop ever since.
So when she started to produce these stunning trousers, I was surprised to find they caught my eye. And in my weekly Etsy browsing, I kept coming back to them. They just looked so darn comfortable – with a bit of extra pizazz with that perfect scalloped waistband and stunning appliquéd rose pocket. And I’m nothing if not a little bit extra. In chatting with Roberta, she described them as pants for the girl who doesn’t wear pants. I could suddenly see why these pants and I seemed to have an affinity for each other…
These cuties are made of a poly/elastane blend with a bit of stretch – they’re pretty lightweight with a beautiful drape and are (wait for it) machine washable! I’m usually a small/medium (with a 27-28″ waist), but went with the large in these (waist is 29/30″). They were TTS and a bit big in the waist on me, but the most important factor for me in pants is the rise. I would recommend sizing up in these trousers if you’re similarly tall – after chatting with Roberta and learning the size M has a 30″ inseam and 14″ rise, while the large a 32″ inseam and just under 16″ rise, I went with the large to get the extra length. It turned out to be a smart decision. They were still on the short side for me in heels, but fine in flats. If I had gotten my usual medium, I have a feeling we would have been closer to capris with a rather unfortunate wedgie situation….
The Victoria wide Palazzo trousers retail for $265 and can be found through Roberta’s Etsy shop. She offers them in black, but also a really cute houndstooth print. It’s also worth keeping up with Roberta on her Instagram, where she previews some of her creations (and sample sales!). I have nothing but admiration for those like Roberta who follow their dreams. Who step away from the safe choices and take a leap of faith (which, I have learned today, is much less likely to flash the neighbors if you are wearing pants!)
This look is definitely a reminder to myself that I do in fact, own pants. And that it’s never a bad thing to step outside of your comfort zone. Try something new. Explore a different side of yourself. Jump round like a fool in the garden. Because if there is one thing I feel fairly certain I will never become – it’s stale. And that only comes when you boldly go where you so rarely venture.
Have you gone boldly lately?
xoxo
Outfit Details:
Top: Unique Vintage
Victoria Wide Palazzo Trousers: Gowns by Roberta
Necklace: gift, Epuu
Handbag: Mary Frances
Shoes: Shoes of Prey (similar here & here)
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Any items marked with a “c/o” (courtesy of) a retailer mean I was provided with an item for free in exchange for a review on my blog. I always provide my honest opinion of any item I’m reviewing, regardless of whether it was sent to me as a courtesy item or if I purchased it myself. This post may contain affiliate links. This means that if you click and/or make a purchase through certain links or ads on this site, I may make a commission from that click and/or purchase at no cost to you, which helps with the day-to-day running costs of my blog.