Pink Pants, Five Ways

Statement pants have been an element of my closet for as long as I can remember. I tend to live in jeans, love a good skirt, thrive in a dress, but every once in while I want something different. A pair of statement pants can be the perfect wardrobe choice for certain occasions.

The first challenge with pink (or any color) pants is getting past the mental hurdles. We believe a lot of lies about ourself, particularly when it comes to our body and clothes, and I want to encourage you to do the good work of quieting lies and choosing to believe truth. You can wear a pop of color. You do not have to change anything about yourself to earn the right to wear statement pants. You are enough exactly how you are today.

I understand why you might be hesitant to trust me and wear something other than black or navy pants, but let me lead by example. If I can be brave enough to post photos of myself wearing pink pants on the internet, then maybe you can be brave enough to join me and add a pair of statement pants to your closet. It may not be easy the first time, but I believe in us. We can do it!

Once we decide to be brave wear the pants, the next challenge is figuring out how to style them. The pants, by definition, are kind of a lot on their own. If you are wondering what to wear with something that is already a lot, I am here today to give you ideas! I have gathered five ways I style my pink pants, and these options can be customized to your own personal sense of style, color, and fit.

KEEP IT CLASSIC.
When in doubt, play it safe. A classic white button down always looks classic and pulled together, and if wearing statement pants feels like a lot for you, the white button down shirt can ease the stress a bit. It’s just pants! And a shirt! So easy!

In these photos, I am wearing very high-waisted pants, so I chose to tuck in the shirt. But depending on the cut and style of your pants, a longer tunic shirt might present the best option.

GO TONAL.
If you have found a color you love, then fully embrace the shade and look for a top that is tonal variation of whatever color your pants happen to be. Dressing tonally actually downplays the statement of your colorful pant by turning your entire outfit into a swath of similar shades.

The loud pink pants now seem quieter because everything I am wearing is pink. Sure, you will have no trouble finding me in a crowd, but I find this tonal combination to be the easiest to wear if I am feeling shaky about stepping out in pink pants. It also exudes confidence because make no mistake about it, I did intend to wear color today.

GRAPHIC PUNCH.
Let’s just go for it and pair loud with loud, shall we? Whereas the tonal sweater played down the loudness of the pants, this striped scoop neck shirt with ruffled sleeves amps up the volume. Statement pants with a statement shirt is a one-two punch of visual interest.

You could choose any pattern…florals, stripes, plaid, polka dots, but make sure the color of your pants and the pattern of your top play well together. In my example, the graphic nature of the stripe matches the shade of the pants with equal punchiness, so the pair works well. While this ensemble is a gutsy option, and I am making a statement with both pieces of my outfit, this is a fabulous combination that is fun to wear.

KEEP IT CASUAL.
The easiest way to dress something down is to pair it with a denim or chambray shirt. This truism applies to almost any pair of pants or any skirt, but particularly with pink statement pants. Think of this option like wearing jeans, but instead of denim on bottom and color on top, we flip it. There isn’t a color out there that won’t go well with denim, and I love leaning into the casual elegance of a denim shirt when I am not sure what to wear with statement pants.

PLAY WITH PROPORTION.
If you’re want to feel like a fashion maven, wear a dress over pants and embrace your inner chicness. I love taking a shirt dress and treating it like an especially long button-down shirt. The success of this looks wholly depends on proportion. Remember, our eye finds balance when things are divided into thirds. You want the length of the dress to either hit your legs at the top third or the bottom third. If it divides your legs in half, the end result will seem “not right.” Your eye will tell you if you are hitting the right proportion. Everything kind of pops when it’s just right.

I hope you find your perfect pair of statement pants and choose a style option that makes you feel comfortable and brave as you embrace fashion freedom!