I remember the days when all the pants I wore were wide leg. Those were my teaching days. And up until I retired from teaching, which was four years ago, my most professional-looking work outfits consisted of wide leg pants, long sleeve button down, and jacket.
I love how wide leg pants made me look tall, with my high heel pointed toe boots hidden nicely under their wide cuffs. I love how they command respect, and exude power, without bringing attention to my body and thus, avoiding womanizing + sexualizing tendencies from men at work.
If you´re wondering what happened to my high waist wide leg pants after I retired, they´re still in my closet and I still wear them on days when I mean business.
1. classic twill jacket + pants set in gray for work
This is my favorite look, the suit jacket + pants set. It´s ready-to-wear, perfect for days when the schedule is too hectic and there´s no time in the morning to plan my outfit. In order to break the monochrome, I often throw on my neck and dark printed necktie scarf.
Another thing I find great in investing on a suit + pants set is that, you can easily break it to create more looks. I can wear the pants with blouses and button downs, or I can team it with a black or bright colored jackets. Likewise, I can wear the jacket with pencil skirts or A-line skirts.
2. blouse with scarf + pleated wide leg pants
After the business meetings and power point presentations are over, you may want to keep things easy and relax in terms of your outfit. Try a pleated wide leg pant, which is roomy and comfortable given the pleats, with a fresh looking, long sleeve blouse with scarf. Instead of pointed toe pumps, you can opt for open toe strap high heels instead.
3. Career Blouse + Black High Waist Wide Leg Pants
This is my next favorite power outfit, black and white combo. I often went for a white long sleeves button down, tucked in black high waist wide leg pants, a black and white printed scarf on my neck (such as a polka dot silk) or a necktie scarf, pointed toe ankle boots, and a satchel bag. This is always the look I wore to debate tournaments opening programs.
An alternative is this eggshell/black career blouse featuring front ruffle, contrast tipping and low-standing collar. Tuck it in your trouser, then layer over a nice black jacket.
How about you, girls? Do you wear high waist wide leg trousers to work?