And a quick delve into color theory…
A reader recently asked for more ways to wear the Ann Taylor LOFT petite equestrian trousers…
I recently purchased LOFT’s Petite Equestrian Pants because I saw how wonderful it looked on both of you. Right now, I can only come up with one outfit that I really like (it’s pretty much a dupe of the one Kelly created on her “I love menswear” post) and I’m having a hard time pairing it with other tops. I think the problem is I only have one ruffly top and the rest are pretty simple . . .
Do you . . . have any suggestions for color or texture of tops that will go with (these) pants? Also, if you have some extra time, could you post another outfit using the wool pants . . . ?
So after diving into my closet for another outfit idea, and taking a cue from Extra Petite with the long cardigan, I was surprised to find these pants work with brown!
Ready for a quick color theory lesson? Good!
These pants are grey, with a bit of a blueish tone to them, so my instinct was to keep them paired with other shades of grey, and similarly cool colors (colors like blue, green, and grey) instead of warm colors (colors like red, orange, and brown).
Here’s why it works:
The top is violet, which is a warm/cool neutral (you get violet by mixing warm red with cool blue), and even though the cardigan is brown (considered to be warm), it’s more of a cool (and almost greyish) oatmeal color, rather than a warm reddish brown, which probably would have clashed. The shoes are so dark, that to me, appear not to be either heavily warm or cool (maybe another neutral?).
The warmest part of this outfit (and probably the item that grabs the most visual attention) is the reddish brown belt. Interesting how that works, hmm?
Of course, I like to add pops of color with accessories, which in this case would mean they could be warm colors. In addition to the warm reddish brown belt, I added a long ruby necklace and reddish brown carnelian bracelet. Red is also a very nice compliment to violet, so the jewelry ties in well with the top.
All the colors in this outfit are similar tones (dark or muted), except for the belt, which also helps them all to blend so nicely.
Fun right? I took a color theory class just for fun last summer, and it’s finally paying off! =)
Do you think a lot about color when putting together outfits? What other colors do you think would work with these pants?
More posts with the LOFT Equestrian Trousers:
LOFT Petite Pants – Equestrian Wool Lean Trousers
Have I ever Mentioned I Love Menswear?
Disclosure – Clicking or purchasing through the links in this post may yield commissions for AlterationsNeeded.com. See the Alterations Needed Disclosure for more details.
I love the overall look of the pants, but I think the roll is a little bit too thick. I think they would benefit from a little hemming and then rolled (maybe no more than twice), so it doens't look so…forced? Just my opinion, of course. ;) I love the pants though. I wish I could still find them in my size, but they're nowhere to be found. =(
Oh, I love this outfit!
I LOVE the color scheme. We don't usually see this on you but it's absolutely lovely. Love the way the pants look with the shoes and the cardigan. I wish they were still offering more colors online.
Just had to say I LOVE your smile, my dear!
Ah! Clinton is getting so big and cute!!
It is wonderful seeing Clinton grow, lol! And I quite like the combo of the top and the CL pumps.
Thanks for the quick lesson in color theory. I almost didn't recognize that cardigan to be one of my fave LOFT cardigans…that taupe-brown color and the black one sit in my closet with almost no wear! The charcoal gray and green get too much wear, in comparison. By the way petite little girl and petitexxs mentioned the cardigans don't look so great after a wash (and definitely not a dry)…just FYI, I'll probably handwash then hang dry when needed, but I haven't washed any of mine yet ; )
You look all stylish and chic. Those pumps are gorgeous!
@Cher – I really don't mind the cuff, and probably won't pay to get it altered unless I get brave enough to do it myself. In fact, I kinda like the imperfect slouchiness of it. The pants really are great though. Wish you could find them! I saw a size p0 the other day, but not sure if they're still at the store.
@dodogosu – Thank you! =)
@R.L. – I know…I'm always so…grey! I like this color combo too, and think I need to add more earth tones in my wardrobe. I got really lucky with the cardigan because I got gifted two amazing colors by two other petite bloggers. Thanks ladies! =)
@Sal – Thanks Sal! I'm much more of a smirker, but every now and then a smile comes out. =)
@thegoodgirlgoneblog.com – OMG, the bf and I compared blog photos with Clinton from just a few weeks ago to this one, and he looks huge in comparison! I miss itty bitty Clinton! But he's still adorable. =)
@PetiteAsianGirl – I know what you mean, I was having a hard time pairing the color with my mostly grey wardrobe too. It looks great with purple-ish colors. Good to know about the washing thing. I haven't washed mine yet either, so I'll be extra careful with it. Thanks for the tip!
@Nelah – Thanks! They really are the perfect pump. They're very sleek and low cut, which is nice for petite feet. Unfortunately they don't get much wear just because I have a hard time matching the color. Brown is kind of an oddball in my wardrobe. =P
How did u score that LOFT grey cardigan? And the CL's are amazing!!!! You look so long and tall in this outfit!!!
Look how much you've grown Clinton!
For the life of me, I cannot find the long cardigan in any LOFT stores in any color in any size. I'll just have to admire it on you Kelly.
Perfectos! And your pretty smile…
Thank you Kelly! Your blog is my indulgence in between toxic work X-(
I only think about colors enough to make sure I don't look like a hot mess lol. I tend to stick with cool colors only or warm colors only, but on occassion I find complementary colors to work well too, in moderation.
The colors of this outfit look great together. The peeptoe pumps are a nice touch! I'll admit, I'm still partial to the menswear look you previously created though :)
YAY! It's great to see your smile! =)
What a great outfit and I love the color combo. I constantly think about color and patterns and textures…it's the artsy side of my brain that loves to do these things.
I think wintry deeply saturated colors would work with the wool trousers. I'd go so a darker pumpkin ochre color, mustard, maroon, and metallics like silver and gold to pair with the trousers. Like you said, it has a bluish tint to it, so adding subtle "complementary" colors to livens it up without a huge clash.
You always have such great advice with your outfits. I never know how to explain why something works or what doesn't. =)
@Really Petite – The cardigan was a gift from a good blogger buddy (Thanks Jean!) =)
@AubreyOhDang! – I know! I thought I'd pick one up last week when LOFT was started the 40% off promotion, but they were nowhere to be found. They sold out quick!
@Abhitoabby – Glad I can help bring some fun to a mundane work day. If not me, then I'm sure Clinton can cheer anyone up! =)
@Cee – Sounds like the color rules I generally try to stick to as well. Some people have the ability to mix anything and look great, but I need color harmony. I think the menswear look is still my favorite too. =)
@Stylepint – Ahh, yes, you're way more creative than me when it comes to color and item combinations. I tend to not be creative, but I am a great copier. So I can see something and recreate it pretty well, but if you ask me to come up with something innovative, my brain shuts off.
Ohh…pumpkin and mustard…must try those!
I love this look on you. What a great color combination. I have the exact same cardigan and it doesn't look so great after a wash. So be careful! Although, I am pretty bad a laundry. BTW, I love your smile :) Clinton is so adorable
I love this look (I am coveting these pants too because you look really great in them). I also like that you explain the reasoning behind the pairing. I do think about colors when I put together an outfit but I don't scrutinize my decision enough to really notice the fashion faux pax until too late.
@PetiteLittleGirl – Thanks for the tip about washing the sweater! PAG warned me about that too! I'll be extra careful!
@Elle – I have a few favorite tried and true color combinations that I go for all the time. That way, I know I look at least semi-decent when I walk out the door. It means I end up sticking to a few, repeated colors, but it's harder to make a fashion faux pas that way. =)
Nice combo! You are making me wish I bought those over the weekend. :p
I am definitely concerned about my color combos when assembling outfits. I also have my husband as my second eye. Sometimes I think he is better than I am. :)
Clinton is too cute!!
Cutest dog…
I luv luv the oatmeal cardi. Sparse choices here in Vancouver but will keep trying. The oatmeal-violet combo is elegant and striking against your skin tone.
Could you comment on this coat? Was looking for a camel coat and found this blush shade instead but the pleat on the back seems like trouble. http://www.shopbop.com/lola-coat-club-monaco/vp/v=1/845524441887291.htm
What do u think?
i still can't get over how wonderful these pants look on you!! i love the color combination here and i do agree that the belt adds a nice warm tone to everything. thanks for the color theory lesson. i'm always trying to figure out new color combinations that work and this will be super helpful!
cuteandlittle.com
So jealous! I could never pull off those pants and yet, you made 3 outfits! I didn't know you got the LOFT cardi too…I have 3 of them and wear them one at least once a week, which is why I just take them to the dry cleaners.
Gosh I wish I had an Ann Taylor here. They seem to have such pretty things, I really love the top!
So cute!! Wish I could wear Loft pants!! I love the violet top with the grey cardigan. Looks great!
Ah jealous yet again of those pants LOL! I swear, I'd better do a lot of saving, next time I'm down in the US I think I might go crazy :P
@Michelle – LOL. My bf helps with my color combinations too. Sometimes you just need that second set of eyes.
@Canadianpetite – The color of that coat is beautiful! I like the high waist, because there's a good chance it will at least sit at your natural waist if you're short. The sleeves look a little wide, and might need slimming. The back pleat is fun, but if you want a sleek, streamlined coat, take note that those pleats will add back bulk, especially if you're endowed in the rear (a big bum will only push those pleats out wider). I wonder if the back pleats could be tacked shut by a tailor if they're problematic? Overall a very cute coat!
@kileen – Glad the little color theory rationalization was helpful!
@AnnieKuro – Those cardis are popular among the petite community! Glad to hear dry cleaning keeps them in good shape. I keep hearing how they don't hold up well after a wash.
@FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com – The top is from last year some time. I don't think I ever featured it on the blog because I wasn't posting my purchases as crazily as I am now. It's really pretty though!
@TinyInTexas – LOFT pants can fit so weird sometimes! They're usually a bit big and need alterations, but these fit really small for some reason. Just got lucky!
@curls-and-pearls – Just warn me which store you plan to clear out of all petite sizes so I'm not disappointed when they're all gone. =)
I finally got those pants as well after seeing them on you. I am "huge" compared to you (5.2", 100 lbs.) so the 00P that I got is actually tight on me and they hit me about 2 inches above the ankle without folding extra cuffs which I think is a good length for this style. I tried folding another cuff like you do but then the pants ended up being too short and looking more like capris. LOL. They are definitely not "slouchy" for me but rather fitted but I still like them.
Anyway, what I wanted to say is that I paired mine with a purple cardigan and a medium-grey cami (with lace detailing on the chest) and this looked really nice. I guess that any combination of grey or white top with a purple cardigan would look great with these pants. Also I figured that the pants look great with a white&gold patterned silk blouse tucked in (this goes into the set of colors that stylepint mentioned above). It's good outfit to to wear in the evening. For work the pants look also really nice with a simple red shirt tucked in and some jewelry. Just wanted to mention that. Love your blog and your style, keep in going!
Thank you for your help with the coat!
I try to think about colors, and I'm OK if I stick with my favorites like blue and purple, but when I branch out to colors like red and green I get confused about what works. Especially with red. I love your outfit and the colors are something I might put together for myself.
It never would've occurred to me to pair these two colors… actually, I have trouble pairing this cardigan (I have the same color) with anything except basic white or black, so thanks for the tips! I have to say that the cardigan looks quite big on you compared to how they fit on me. I keep forgetting that you're a smidgen smaller than me… probably because you have such "tall" proportions :)
Look how much you've grown Clinton!
For the life of me, I cannot find the long cardigan in any LOFT stores in any color in any size. I'll just have to admire it on you Kelly.
@Sal – Thanks Sal! I'm much more of a smirker, but every now and then a smile comes out. =)
@thegoodgirlgoneblog.com – OMG, the bf and I compared blog photos with Clinton from just a few weeks ago to this one, and he looks huge in comparison! I miss itty bitty Clinton! But he's still adorable. =)
@PetiteAsianGirl – I know what you mean, I was having a hard time pairing the color with my mostly grey wardrobe too. It looks great with purple-ish colors. Good to know about the washing thing. I haven't washed mine yet either, so I'll be extra careful with it. Thanks for the tip!
@Nelah – Thanks! They really are the perfect pump. They're very sleek and low cut, which is nice for petite feet. Unfortunately they don't get much wear just because I have a hard time matching the color. Brown is kind of an oddball in my wardrobe. =P
So jealous! I could never pull off those pants and yet, you made 3 outfits! I didn't know you got the LOFT cardi too…I have 3 of them and wear them one at least once a week, which is why I just take them to the dry cleaners.
I love this look (I am coveting these pants too because you look really great in them). I also like that you explain the reasoning behind the pairing. I do think about colors when I put together an outfit but I don't scrutinize my decision enough to really notice the fashion faux pax until too late.
@Michelle – LOL. My bf helps with my color combinations too. Sometimes you just need that second set of eyes.
@Canadianpetite – The color of that coat is beautiful! I like the high waist, because there's a good chance it will at least sit at your natural waist if you're short. The sleeves look a little wide, and might need slimming. The back pleat is fun, but if you want a sleek, streamlined coat, take note that those pleats will add back bulk, especially if you're endowed in the rear (a big bum will only push those pleats out wider). I wonder if the back pleats could be tacked shut by a tailor if they're problematic? Overall a very cute coat!
@kileen – Glad the little color theory rationalization was helpful!
Perfectos! And your pretty smile…
Thank you Kelly! Your blog is my indulgence in between toxic work X-(
YAY! It's great to see your smile! =)
What a great outfit and I love the color combo. I constantly think about color and patterns and textures…it's the artsy side of my brain that loves to do these things.
I think wintry deeply saturated colors would work with the wool trousers. I'd go so a darker pumpkin ochre color, mustard, maroon, and metallics like silver and gold to pair with the trousers. Like you said, it has a bluish tint to it, so adding subtle "complementary" colors to livens it up without a huge clash.
You always have such great advice with your outfits. I never know how to explain why something works or what doesn't. =)