Last week’s episode of Simply Seasonless (the denim shirt) included quite a few essential capsule wardrobe items that are ALSO pretty versatile. Today, I’m thinking of a pair of black “ankle pants”, i.e. those pants that stop about 2 inches above the ankle bone. They’re obvious with sandals or espadrilles, easy as pie with boots, but surprisingly fun with opaque tights and pumps or ballet flats… The key to wearing these pants successfully? Make sure they’re narrow at the bottom, simply styled, and not TOO short.
love,
Janice 
And yes, you’re seeing some of these garments again – this is key to an efficient capsule wardrobe!
Black capri pants – Emilio Pucci,
Denim shirt – Marc by Marc Jacobs, scarf – Hermès,
blazer – Allsaints, black loafers – Brooks Brothers, zigzag scarf – Missoni,
grey sweater – VPL, ankle boots – Opening Ceremony
Denim shirt – Marc by Marc Jacobs, scarf – Hermès,
blazer – Allsaints, black loafers – Brooks Brothers, zigzag scarf – Missoni,
grey sweater – VPL, ankle boots – Opening Ceremony
Black capris – Emilio Pucci,
black cardigan – L.L.Bean, tee
shirt – Proenza Schouler,
opaque tights – Armani Exchange, pumps –
Stuart Weitzman, red stud earrings – Kate Spade,
sweatshirt – L’Agence,
loafers – Marc by Marc Jacobs
black cardigan – L.L.Bean, tee
shirt – Proenza Schouler,
opaque tights – Armani Exchange, pumps –
Stuart Weitzman, red stud earrings – Kate Spade,
sweatshirt – L’Agence,
loafers – Marc by Marc Jacobs
Tee
shirt – Reiss, Black capris – Emilio Pucci, moonstone earrings – Andrea Fohrman,
white cardigan – Rag & Bone, ballet flats – See by Chloe, bracelets –
Amrita Singh,
tunic – M Missoni, sandals – Salvatore Ferragamo
shirt – Reiss, Black capris – Emilio Pucci, moonstone earrings – Andrea Fohrman,
white cardigan – Rag & Bone, ballet flats – See by Chloe, bracelets –
Amrita Singh,
tunic – M Missoni, sandals – Salvatore Ferragamo
Black cropped pants – Emilio Pucci, earrings – Coach, sunglasses – Tom Ford,
tee
shirt – Dorothy Perkins, sandals – J.C. Penney, tee
shirt – Acne, flower earrings – toosis,
sunglasses
– Ray Ban, sandals – Marais
tee
shirt – Dorothy Perkins, sandals – J.C. Penney, tee
shirt – Acne, flower earrings – toosis,
sunglasses
– Ray Ban, sandals – Marais
Silk blouse – Acne, black cropped pants –
Emilio Pucci,
watch – Bulova,
vest – Mulberry,
pumps – Stuart Weitzman, sweater – Levi’s Made & Crafted,
plaid shirt – Madewell,
opaque tights – Armani Exchange, black flats – Thierry Rabotin
Emilio Pucci,
watch – Bulova,
vest – Mulberry,
pumps – Stuart Weitzman, sweater – Levi’s Made & Crafted,
plaid shirt – Madewell,
opaque tights – Armani Exchange, black flats – Thierry Rabotin
Black cropped pants – Emilio Pucci, grey oversized tee – Organic by John
Patrick,
necklace – unearthen,
cardigan – Zadig
& Voltaire, grey boots – Camper, earrings – Dolce & Gabbana,
black cashmere cardigan – L.L.Bean, blouse – Alice & Olivia, boots
– Givenchy
Patrick,
necklace – unearthen,
cardigan – Zadig
& Voltaire, grey boots – Camper, earrings – Dolce & Gabbana,
black cashmere cardigan – L.L.Bean, blouse – Alice & Olivia, boots
– Givenchy
love,
Janice
Black pants are a central wardrobe staple to me… one of the most essential pieces I can own. I adore the Allsaints black loafers in the top photograph!
Nice combinations, but for some reason I always think of ankle pants as warm weather clothing. However, paired like in April and October I could change my mind.
I've found that they're GREAT with boots – sometimes they're just short enough that they don't get mucky/slushy in the wintery weather. And I saw a lot of women in Paris weather them with opaque tights and flats; I've done that since we got back, and found that it felt really youthful and sort of peppy. I was surprised…
Your blog is a great education. I live in Arkansas and need all the help I can get. 🙂
These pants are my uniform! February looks so cozy yet pulled together…
I bought a pair of black ankle pants last summer and have been surprised by how flattering and versatile they are. As a boot-cut gal all the way I was way out of my comfort zone when I bought them, but since then I've worn them to business meetings, on date nights, to parties, and for errands and outings around town. They are truly a dress up/ dress down item and the abbreviated length opens up a lot of shoe possibilities. Love your combos!
http://www.aspireinspireblog.blogspot.com
Thanks for the idea of wearing them with flats and tights. I wore mine the other day because the weather was mild and was about to put them away for the winter. Wearing them with tights will lengthen out the time I can use them. Great idea!
I love black pants in this length! But I too have never thought of wearing them with opaque tights and flats… thank you for this tip, it sounds very interesting – and so french. 🙂
Related to this length, I'd like to mention that, in my opinion, 'uncovered' ankle bones and/or wrists or a bit of the lower arm is a very subtle way to show a little bit of skin. Do you agree?
BTW, I just found the description 'bracelet sleeve' instead of 'three-quarter sleeve', it's so charming!
Greetings from cold Germany,
Birgit
Love the tights/flats idea. What other little tricks did you see in Paris?
Janice, what fabric should seasonless black pants be made of?
is this length acceptable for petite?
How should peite lady style slim pants in flattering leg line lenthening way?
Thank you.
Great look! I am petite and love a very fine wool.
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Vivienne, I would love to see you design a wardrobe or a "What to wear with a scarf" post aound Hermes Astrologie Nouvelle (AW 2012) in the turquoise/ cobalt/ocher cw. It's my first Hermes, and I adore it, but am finding it more difficult to wear than I expected. I should note that I wear and am flattered by cool "winter" colors; turquoise and cobalt are colors I wear, but I wouldn't wear ocher (at least near my face). Thanks for considering it. I love your blog, especially the "Common Wardrobe" series. Marian
Love the look of cropped black trousers. Reminds me of Audrey Hepburn.
Doesn't this chambray shirt/cropped trousers outfit look great?
http://www.wendyslookbook.com/2012/10/moving-light-chambray-cropped-pants/