Fashion consultant Monica Negri has three words for her clients: Get white pants.
“When it’s spring and summer, instead of wearing black, wear white,” says Negri, who owns Ten Outfits and offers style and wardrobe consulting. “It’s fresh. To me, it’s so much more complimentary.”
White pants are tricky, though. Negri offers some tips to pick the perfect pair:
Go for jeans
If you’re only going to invest in one white pair of pants, you want jeans, says Negri, who loves the versatility and heavier fabric. Plus, they’re easy to dress up or down.
Buy for your body
Boot cuts are flattering for fuller figures. Petites will do well with longer pant legs as opposed to cropped ones. “The longer you go with the pant, the taller you look.”
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Consider the bottom line
To avoid VPL (visible panty lines), wear flesh-toned undies.
Take ‘em to the tailor
Getting the pockets taken out will eliminate any unsightly fabric show-through.
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You want neutrals or subtle metallics, like pewter or bronze. “Shoes, in my opinion, elevate any outfit,” Negri says.
Styling
Pairing white with neutral hues, like gray, looks very chic and classy, Negri says. Black and white always works. Vibrant colors look good. Be careful with navy or red, lest you come off looking like a sailor, Negri says.
If you opt for tapered pants, pair with an untucked long, lean shirt that’s not too voluminous. Jackets hide trouble spots, like hips and middles, and look polished.
Choose your events wisely
To preserve expensive clothing, dry clean as little as possible, Negri says. That means save the fancy pants for the symphony and wear the toss-in-the-wash jeans to that backyard barbecue.
