Six, Wait! NINE Ways to Style Linen Trousers
The linen elastic waist trousers made for last week’s book review of Couture Zéro Chutes came out so well they deserved another post.
The trousers are now the property of my younger teen, who happens to be the same height and size as me (for now…I’m sure a growth spurt is on the horizon and they’ll revert to my wardrobe. I’m totally OK with that).
We thought it would be fun to do this blog post together, but what ended up happening was I did some flat lays while she was at school, then she did three when she got home. To my concern, all mine were declared “old person’s looks” by both teens. They are probably right. Am I that out of touch with the youth of today?
Anyway, the first six are by me, and the last three by younger teen.
1. Two piece jumpsuit, cardigan and slides
The cover of the book shows the trousers as part of a two-piece jumpsuit, and I was very taken with the idea. Teen liked it too. I cut out a zero waste shirt (short sleeves) but haven’t sewn it together yet, so please use your imagination – the cut-out pieces are just a place holder.
The cardigan was formally a jumper of my dad’s, knitted four times, which is working its way back into daily wear after a hiatus in storage.
This was considered the most “old person look”.
2. Swimsuit top, sunhat and music
I used to see a lady wearing something like this while walking her dog on the beach, as I cycled a coastal path to work each morning. The hat is the low waste sunhat.
The pockets on these trousers are excellent, by the way. Roomy enough not to need a handbag although I put one in the photo.
3. Petrea top and bucket hat
Said to be another “old person look” but I feel this has a Studio Ghibli vibe – a Japanese animation studio that’s fond of bucket hats and smocks.
This outfit is a zero waste trifecta: zero waste trousers, bucket hat and top.
4. Stripes and denim
Really, most things look good with denim, don’t they? Wishing now I’d put white sneakers with this outfit instead of the espadrilles.
5. Rib top, sheepskin vest and scarf
The sheepskin vest belonged to Mum (read the story of it here). I tried a lot of different tops underneath it, including t-shirts, before settling on the orange. Not sure about this one, but the point is to try things!
6. Geometric top and waist bag
Another zero waste trifecta: the geometric top from the Zero Waste Sewing book, waist bag, and of course the trousers.
7. Teen’s choice: tank top, hat and slides
Very much her style! The top and trousers are almost the same colour in real life.
8. Teen’s choice: t-shirt, hat and music
Perfect gear for a power walk. I think she nailed this one.
9. Teen’s choice: skinny rib top, hat and sneakers
She mixed textures and colours quite well in this outfit. I think this would look fine on either of us. The beanie was crocheted by older teen.
As modeled below – if anything, these trousers fit her better than me. She has a 98cm seat, wearing size C.
Cheers!
Congratulations Liz and teens on your great styling for the latest pair of trousers.
Loved seeing the various photo shoots.
Keep up the good work.
Thanks Anthea – you know I love doing these sorts of posts. It’s interesting to hear teen’s thoughts on fashion and outfits. Younger teen has very definite ideas on style and what suits her, which surprises me for someone so young.
I so love all these looks. I think I need a pair of sage green linen trousers. Zero waste of course!
I think these are very “you”, Sue 🙂 But reading your latest blog post I think a pink pair would be great!
You‘ve come up with so many combinations. I wouldn’t consider them “old person‘s look“ but that might just be me!
I really like the blue stripes with the green. There something about this combination that just works great! Green and pale pink also work well as shown by your first photo,
The fake jumpsuit is a very good look as well. I made my daughter a top plus long and short trousers – all from the same material. All three pieces were in constant rotation in the summer. She changed just the trousers when she got too hot/cold during the day. So that was really much more useful than a regular jumpsuit.
I‘m really glad the cardigan is being worn
Also really like outfit 3. The Petrea top looks really good with the trousers.
The teens choices do look “younger“ and a lot like what German teenagers wear or at least the teens I see.
Liebe Grüße
Judith
I didn’t think they were particularly “old person”, just “grown-up person” – younger teens simply don’t dress that way. I myself probably wouldn’t wear a lime green crop top. It would be interesting to see what she comes up with if she had to make outfits using only my (extensive) wardrobe.
Thank you for the confirmation on the fake jumpsuit. I think it’s going to be a good look. Thanks for your thoughts.
It’s really interesting to see how other people “use” your closet. I enjoyed a brief time when I was able to wear my mum’s clothes…
And, yes, I wouldn’t wear crop tops either. I’ve even threatened my year 7s once that I would start wearing crop tops if they didn’t stop wearing theirs. I got a really disgusted look from a student but the girls started dressing more appropriately immediately It worked much better than lengthy emails to parents…
Have you tried the vest over the pink shirt of the first picture? That might look good.
I love your crop top strategy!
Next time I do a styling post I’ll think we’ll spend more time mix & matching together first.
Haven’t tried the vest with the pink shirt, but that pink shirt goes with practically everything, even more than a white shirt does.
Love this exercise. I prefer the looks you created. They gave me some great ideas on how to style a pair of me made linen pants I plan to take on an upcoming warm weather vacation. Look #1 can be the airport travel outfit when departing from a cold climate and look #2 for strolling down the beach at the destination. I put the book Couture Zéro Chutes on my Christmas gift list as the $65 US Amazon price is above my personal book cost threshold. I am hoping Santa comes through, as I love the style lines on the pants.
This style of pants would be great to take on holidays – so versatile. Once I got started putting outfits together with them I could have kept going and going.
Here’s hoping Santa comes through for you!