In my twenties, my first job after college was an administrative assistant. And since I was coming from a closet filled with not so professional college clothes, I had no idea what to wear to a real job. So just like every college grad in the early 2000s, I started a small collection of wide leg or boot cut trousers and all the button down tops to go with them. And that’s what I wore. Every day. For about 2 months. Until I broke and realized that trousers can not be the only way to dress professional. So I started to branch into different styles and pieces. (In later years, still working in an office, I finally discovered pencil skirts = instant life saver.) 
But ever since those early days as a young professional with my fully stocked closet of trouser pants, I’ve never really been drawn to them again. I think that truth be told I ruined them for myself; which now I’m realizing is a shame. I love a cropped trouser or a skinny pant, but wide leg reminds me of the days when I had no idea what I was doing with my style. So when I found these at Loft, I didn’t even think about my fear of trousers because I really loved the color and texture. The office days of yore never even crossed my mind. It helped that I easily paired them with this pretty top and a few others in my closet as soon as I got home and now I feel like an old staple has a new life. 
Welcome back, trousers. Welcome back. 
___________________
Loft Chambray Trousers (40% off today only!)
____________________

JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content.

Shop the Outfit

Fit Details

Monthly Capsule Wardrobe

Each month I create monthly capsules out of my favorite pieces, perfectly curated for each month.

99 Responses

  1. Kendi, I was the same way right out of college in my first job! I had every wide leg pant imaginable form The Limited and Ann Taylor. Sadly, I too look at the wide leg the same way. But I do love your pants. I may have to venture out of my comfort zone soon.

    Sarah
    http://www.bluegrassflamingo.com

    1. YES! I remember spending my first paycheck at the limited. And I had all the colors of the button down shirts from express. 2006 was serious business.

  2. I feel the same way Kendi. I just bought some wide leg denim type trousers from the Loft and it just feels right. Lol. The top sets them off perfectly and you look incredible!! Happy Tuesday beautiful!!

    livingoncloudandreanine.blogspot.com

  3. Funny you bring up your admin assistant style story today.. it’s national admin professionals week! 🙂

  4. Oh how I can relate to this. I pretty much don’t own a pair of trousers for the exact reason you described. Love me some crop pants, loud color pants, and print pants but put me in bootleg/wide leg trousers and I hate the way I look. However, this post is making me rethink that stance…thanks for always making me laugh and for the inspiration.

  5. Seriously had the same conversation with myself this weekend. Love how you wore these!

  6. Seriously had the same conversation with myself this weekend. Love how you wore these! 🙂

  7. Kendi, I was the same way right out of college in my first job! I had every wide leg pant imaginable form The Limited and Ann Taylor. Sadly, I too look at the wide leg the same way. But I do love your pants. I may have to venture out of my comfort zone soon.

    Sarah
    http://www.bluegrassflamingo.com

  8. Gah! Those are my thoughts exactly about my former closet full of trouser pants! I got so sick of them…when I recent became a SAHM I pitched every single one 🙂 maybe I will slowly bring a pair or two back into my life 😉

  9. YES! I remember spending my first paycheck at the limited. And I had all the colors of the button down shirts from express. 2006 was serious business.

  10. Funny you bring up your admin assistant style story today.. it's national admin professionals week! 🙂

  11. Oh how I can relate to this. I pretty much don't own a pair of trousers for the exact reason you described. Love me some crop pants, loud color pants, and print pants but put me in bootleg/wide leg trousers and I hate the way I look. However, this post is making me rethink that stance…thanks for always making me laugh and for the inspiration.

  12. I work at Loft and I’ve been eyeing those trousers but I have yet to try them on. They look great on you and I love how you styled them! Now I’ll definitely need to try them on for myself 🙂
    <3
    katsfashionfix.blogspot.com

  13. Gah! Those are my thoughts exactly about my former closet full of trouser pants! I got so sick of them…when I recent became a SAHM I pitched every single one 🙂 maybe I will slowly bring a pair or two back into my life 😉

  14. Okay, I kind of love how those trousers are chambray. They look like a great option for more professional academic meetings/conferences/whatever without being *too* stuffy if you know what I mean.

    xo Kimi
    twentysomethingsimple.wordpress.com

  15. I work at Loft and I've been eyeing those trousers but I have yet to try them on. They look great on you and I love how you styled them! Now I'll definitely need to try them on for myself 🙂
    <3
    katsfashionfix.blogspot.com

  16. Yes, me too, administrative assistant and have never managed to look at pants since! But these could easily sway me, love the chambray, and you’re absolutely rocking them here. Looking gorgeous, Kendi! xo

  17. Okay, I kind of love how those trousers are chambray. They look like a great option for more professional academic meetings/conferences/whatever without being *too* stuffy if you know what I mean.

    xo Kimi
    twentysomethingsimple.wordpress.com

  18. Yes, me too, administrative assistant and have never managed to look at pants since! But these could easily sway me, love the chambray, and you're absolutely rocking them here. Looking gorgeous, Kendi! xo

  19. It’s funny, I’ve been on a pencil skirt for the office kick in recent years too. They are definitely my favourite office go-to. But it’s cold here and all I want to do is wear pants…and I have none for work as I don’t fit into the ones I wore regularly when I first started office life. I’m on a hunt for more! 🙂 Winter ones though, these are nice but too spring-like for right now.

    Away From The Blue

  20. I laughed out loud while reading your post. I’ve also got an aversion to wide leg trousers for basically the same reasons! This lovely outfit makes me reconsider … Although do you worry that this pair is the gateway pant into more wide leg styles? Only joking! Love the RM purses, that colour was a great choice.

    http://www.citronetlimon.wordpress.com

  21. I laughed out loud while reading your post. I've also got an aversion to wide leg trousers for basically the same reasons! This lovely outfit makes me reconsider … Although do you worry that this pair is the gateway pant into more wide leg styles? Only joking! Love the RM purses, that colour was a great choice.

    http://www.citronetlimon.wordpress.com

  22. I actually have a pair of pants that is very similar to these. Except that they are vintage men’s pants! I love them, they don’t get enough wear.

  23. I actually have a pair of pants that is very similar to these. Except that they are vintage men's pants! I love them, they don't get enough wear.

  24. Pants get such a bad rep, presumably because we all associate them with ’90s/early 2000s fashions. But the thing is they are (usually) so much classier and so, SO much more comfortable than the go-to denim jean. I’m glad they are gradually making a comeback!

  25. Pants get such a bad rep, presumably because we all associate them with '90s/early 2000s fashions. But the thing is they are (usually) so much classier and so, SO much more comfortable than the go-to denim jean. I'm glad they are gradually making a comeback!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Favorites from the Week

this week’s most loved posts