Getting Dressed- Pants!
I broke up with pants. We got back together.
I finally got to whip out a new pair of pants I’ve been excited to put on which motivated me to finally share this post.
There was a time in my life—probably close to a decade—when you wouldn’t catch me in pants. I lived exclusively in dresses and skirts because I simply couldn’t find any pants, especially denim, that fit me well. I know I’m not alone in this, but my breakup with pants was real—and it lasted years.
Why were good jeans and well-fitting pants so hard to find? Who knows. I honestly stopped trying and just leaned into what made me feel good. Strangely enough, it wasn’t until I got pregnant with my first daughter in 2017 that I dipped my toe back into the world of pants—specifically, maternity jeans. And let me tell you, dear reader: do not reintroduce yourself to pants when your body is changing in ways you’ve never experienced before. I spent so much money on maternity denim—more than I had in years on jeans, or pants at all—and none of it really worked.
So, about four years ago, I gave pants another try. Don’t get me wrong—I wore pants during the years in between, but they always felt like a chore. While every other part of my wardrobe had purpose and presence, pants were just…there.
Let’s start with denim, because that journey has its own chapter. I love how a great pair of jeans looks on a body—when the fit is right, the wash is perfect—it’s magic. Not having that felt like a missing piece. So I went on a quest. I tried hundreds of pairs: different styles, shapes, washes, stretch, no stretch. I spent way too much money on jeans that were almost perfect (and that are, of course, no longer in my closet). These were beloved brands—AMO, Agolde, you name it.
The first pair that kind of stuck was from Mother—their classic Hustler Ankle Fray. High waist, great stretch, just the right length. I wore these on repeat for ages.
But I still felt like I hadn’t arrived in denim. One good pair? That’s it? And as much as I love them, they did start to feel a bit… “mom jean.” No shade—I still wear and adore them—but I wanted more.
In the last 18 months, I’ve finally found my denim groove, thanks to two brands I didn’t see coming: Pistola and GAP (they’re back?!). I am now a denim woman.
Barrel leg, wide leg, flare (hi Kendrick!), straight leg, cropped—you name it. They’ve all earned a spot in my wardrobe because the fit is finally fitting.
But I didn’t stop at denim. As I rebuilt my wardrobe post-kids, I knew I needed non-denim essentials that could multitask: pieces that worked for school drop-off and a meeting in the city, or dinner with my husband or friends. These pieces needed to be functional, flattering, and flexible—no heels required, but still elevated with a kitten heel or cute sneaker.
Specifically, I was on the hunt for:
A wide-leg khaki
A dark green ankle-length chino
A white cropped wide-leg pant
A classic black trouser
To sum it up: I want pants that work hard. They should move with me through my day—whether I’m working, parenting, or playing—and they should have a high or mid-rise waist, because your girl is not going back to low-rise life.
Here are some of my favorite workhorse pants:
Bonus pant find: the Donni Ribbed Kick Flare. You’ve probably heard of this unicorn pant—it’s everywhere for a reason. And rather than rewriting the story, I’ll point you to Maura Brannigan’s essay on the pant that changed a million (billion?) drop-offs. It’s that good.
Have questions? Hit me up! If you’ve found a pant that I need to have, please let me know! Until next time, and remember…door’s open!