4 Do's for High Waist Trousers

    High waist pants are a fashion trend I've strictly avoided.  Like ultra low rise jeans, the high waist just seemed like a fantastic idea for a certain age and body type, but like a horrible blunder for the rest of us.  I'm speaking from experience here, because I proudly donned some high waist military pants during my college days and as much as I liked the feel, they looked pretty awful on me.  I convinced myself that it was my body--not the pants.  When will I ever learn?  

    It's not just my flash backs to the prevalence of muffin top spillage created across every campus and coffee house by ultra low rise jeans, or my own bad memories of those olive drab blunder-pants that made me side step every pair of high waist jeans I came across, it was also growing up in the era of “mom jeans” and being surrounded by lovely dear women who were trying to hide their body insecurities about their tummies by wearing jeans with a high waist.  Those jeans, instead of masking their bellies like they thought, actually drew more attention to them and doubled the size of their butts!  It was awful.  Let's be clear:  mom jeans are Not the same as high waist jeans.

    Even back then I remember wondering why anyone thought that style was a good idea.  So, when high waist pants returned to high fashion, I dismissed them, not just for myself, but for everyone.  Then, one day, I was out to lunch with co-workers and our cute little 20 something waitress was wearing high waist jeans and absolutely rocking them like no one else I'd seen til them.  I remarked to the co-worker to my right that, “That's how you wear high waist jeans!”  This style totally accentuated her shape in a positive way and drew positive attention to all the right places.  Even so, one person looking good is not enough to build a case for high waist jeans, I thought.  

    And, so, I continued to wait.  I feel that I should note at this point that those military pants that convinced me I didn't have the right body for high waist pants were made for men.  Of course they weren't going to look flattering on me!  But that doesn't mean I can't wear high waist pants, it just means, like so many things in fashion, I needed to find the right pants for my body type and it was FemmeLuxe to the rescue again.

It really was my daughter that inspired me to be bold and try a pair.  Ah, youth.  She tried some on a recent shopping trip and loved them, and I loved how they looked on her and told her so, to which she replied.  "thanks, mom, you should try something like this."  Hmmm, I thought, she's right, it's time, so the hunt began.  It didn't take long for me to decide that I wanted Trousers instead of jeans for a more polished, sophisticated, Katherine Hepburn look that I could wear to the office as easily as on a nice day out.  I spotted these Stone Animal Crocodile Cigarette Trousers in the Kim cut at FemmeLuxeFinery.co.uk  So classy!  I couldn't wait to try them!  And just like that it was Hello, Katherine Hepburn style loveliness.  I totally love these trousers.

Do tuck in your top or wear a crop top.  Anything with a high waist is perfect for pairing with a crop top.  It's suggestive of showing off skin, while keeping it tasteful.  Plus, if you wear a crop top, you won't cover up the high waist.  What's the point in wearing them if you're going to hide them?  If you're not a crop top fan, no worries, just tuck in your top, but make sure it won't look bunchy or too blousey.  

Do pair white or stone pants with Chambray for a classy casual look.  Chambray looks a little like denim, but is very lightweight and comfortable and best of all it goes with everything!  If you need a more dressed up look, switch from chambray to something silk or that has some lace like I have in my second look for this post.

Do wear heels.  Heels makes those legs look long and lean and they make your bum look perkier.  That's something we all want, right?  And it looks so lovely to pair white or stone with blush pumps.  Something with a pointed to creates an illusion of even longer legs.  Love!

And finally, Do go matchy-matchy with a white top and trousers.  White on white looks great.
Shopping Info:  Stone Animal Crocodile Cigarette Trousers--Kim from FemmeLuxeFinery.co.uk, JCrew chambray and Express Lace tops are old, heels from Payless