Crop Trou

This past Friday, I broke new fashion territory for myself.

Drumroll, please.

I decided that I would wear something other than a dress or skinny jeans out for a night on the town.  I wore a pair of wool-blend ankle-cropped tomato red pantalones.  And I have to say — I’ve never drawn more looks from the gentlemen.  Mr. Magpie can attest to this; at one point, he said, “I feel like you’re getting checked out…a lot.”  This is slightly perplexing to me, as I personally felt that the ladies would appreciate the look more (and let’s be honest, we all dress for women anyway), and I wondered whether Mr. M would think I was entering “old woman territory.”  Apparently not.  Let me recreate the look for you: a flashy bronze necklace ($198); camel sweater ($79); red pants ($79 — though I got mine from Gap of all places and they fit me like a velvet glove); my favorite camel suede Declic Louboutins (mine are closed toe and a hair taller than the ones shown below, but you can get a similiar look for less here):

I finished it off with my Chanel and a patterned scarf heavily featuring camel ($205):

This has really led me to rethink life.  And by life, I mean the inappropriate emphasis on denim in my evening-hour wardrobe.  It’s time to switch thangs up. Micaela L., I get where you were going with coveting a pair of leather pantalons.  I ordered and returned this pair of coated J. Brand’s last year — leather with training wheels, essentially — but I couldn’t find the appropriate occasion to wear them, even though I thought they would look so.chic. with a chunky knit and some killa heels…anyway, I’m mega into non-denim bottoms this season, especially in the cropped style.  I need. this pair of hunter green Minnies ($89), which I’d wear with a big necklace ($188),  patterned ($298) or nude blouse, cap-toed heels (aren’t these a bargain?!? — $80 — love.)

I’d finish with a classic leather bag, like this stunning D&G score ($2,345):

If these colors scare you, never fear.  Black is not far away.  Try a pair of black cropped trous (Acne, $320) with a patterned bow-front blouse (Marc Jacobs, $875), some glitzy enorma-studs ($35), and some pointed-toe heels ($168):

If you’re into the bow blouse like I am this season, check out these less expensive styles here, here, and here.  The latter one I’m particularly ecstatic about.  With jeans?!  C’mon.  I’d wear this with the Philip Lim Pashli ($895) in the pebbled leather.  Swoon.

This look needs to be worn with a swipe of hot pink lipstick (YSL’s Soft Fuchsia is lovely — $32):

Or, how about this navy-printed blouse from Equipment ($230) with a bold beaded necklace ($36)), some DVF trousers ($435), and THE PERFECT FALL HEEL (O.M.G. — Manolo Blahnik $645 — love how the Carrie Bradshaw classic has come sling-shotting back into vogue):

I’d modestly mix prints by adding this dove shawl ($195), which goes perfectly with the palette and adds a little warmth and contrast, and would round the outfit out with this Proenza Schouler cross-body ($1,950):

Side note — discoveries of the weekend: this snow leopard fur scarf from Rachel Zoe ($190) which I MUST.OWN within the next 24 hours, and this stealerooskidoodledoo of a dress ($25), which I almost bought in multiple colors, but that just seemed weird.  No one wants to be seen wearing the same dress in two colors.  I was torn between the gray/orange and red/navy, but ended up opting for the gray/orange because it was more unusual and it goes with a pair of ridonculous Anya Hindmarch platforms I own (patent gray, orange, and white…trust me, they’re beautiful).

HAPPY MONDAY!

OH.  And I’ve been DYING over all of the amazing responses I’ve received to my “Getting to Know You” post from last week!  Please share your thoughts!  I’ll pick a “winner” tomorrow!