Oh my. Do you ever have a moment when you realize you really didn’t buy the right size pants? Well, I had that moment today. I guess when I saw “relaxed khakis” in my standard size I figured, “these will fit perfectly.” Umm, my pants were a bit too relaxed, which I realized on my walk to work. Relaxed as in a kind-of falling off relaxed. Again, oh my.
My lovely friend and I attempted safety pinning the pants. That didn’t work. We considered stapling. That didn’t make sense. I then thought maybe ribbon would work as a makeshift belt. Couldn’t find it. Oh. My.
Well, we gave up on further attempts to fix my pants and instead I opted for a silky, shruggy, almost (but not quite) stapled look. The end result? Lovely. Nobody was the wiser. Sometimes, we just opt to make it work.
Top: Express ($17 marked down from $40)
Pants: Gap ($10 marked down from $50)
Shoes: Lula Townsend at DSW ($12 marked down from $79)
Fashion Huntress tips:
1) I think we can all agree the shopping lesson here is to try things on. I already had these pants in another color, so I figured the fit would be the same in a different color. Silly me! That clearly was not the case. I’m guessing with a few washes and dries these pants will work out just fine. However, I think it would make sense to consider having a spare belt at work along with my shoe stash. Additionally, some pants really do stretch out quite a bit throughout the day. Next time, I’ll be prepared!
2) I found this top literally in a bin at an Express sale. I never say never with stores I have not been to in a while. I hadn’t found something at Express for a while but the clearance signs drew me in (are you surprised?). Clever marketers. I was pleasantly surprised at what I found. Remember that many stores go through different buyers, different designers, and other changes. If there’s a great sale at a shop you don’t normally frequent, consider stopping in. Worst case scenario, you spend five minutes looking through a bin/sale rack and then leave.
Readers, any suggestions for hemming and/or tailoring something unexpectedly? Perhaps some tools you recommend keeping on hand?
Thanks for stopping by, readers! I appreciate all of your likes, comments, and thoughts!
the fashion huntress 
love the outfit. sad about the ill-fitting but such a lovely color! also the shoes! ❤
Love the top and shoes as well!
Looks great with red pants!
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The top looks nice on you!
red pants are such a fabulous staple item! we love finding amazing bargains, that’s such a great top! looking fab!
xoxo
You look lovely in this outfit…I could not even tell that it was a wrong size!
-F
Agreed about ill fitting pants, they can be very annoying. I have had that with straight legs, which fit one way by the hip and another by the thighs. Annoying. Loving the red and white combo!
Love the outfit and the shoes. Congrats on the amazing deals😉
I do that quite often too! I always buy things expecting them to fit then realize… “Oh my”. The look came together really well though! I especially love those heels!
XOXO
inconformistafashionista.wordpress.com
gorgeous color combination in a beautiful outfit! A total hit, to me.
Love your outfit colors ❤
Beautiful look!! I love the shoes, they’re amazing!
xoxo!!! ❤
I’m a convert – I’ve even started wearing mens trousers to get the slouch!! But it does take a bit of getting used to. Fab top! x
Love the outfit and especially blouse! I always have problems with pants bcz my weight is not stable:) Have a great week ahead, xoxo
Omg! The shoes and the top go so well! The pants r sick! Looooovvveeee it!!!!!
I have been known to staple a hemline and safety pin a waist (which, yeah, totally popped open and poked me when I sat down). These are the “make it work” moments of fashion. The things we do 😉
What a funny story…though probably not as funny while you are trying to figure out how to keep your pants from falling down at work :P. so just in retrospect :). This is my kind of outfit…love the color blocking!
I totally know the feeling, but you could never tell by looking at your beautiful pictures. Love those pants, and I’m so glad you’ve found a way to wear them 😉
XOXO Nensi
Gahhh this happens to me ALL. THE. TIME.
Like, it’s kind of ridiculous. None of my clothes fit me properly because I rarely try things on when shopping – I kind of just eyeball things and throw them into the cart. No bueno! That’s probably why I have like a gazillion belts to try to cinch my clothes into some semblance of an actual human form rather than a circus tent.
Your look still looks good though, I’d say you totally nailed it! 🙂
This made me laugh to myself, I have had many of those occasions at work. In all honestly I think they look perfect, it looks like you intended them that way. I am a bit of a sucker for the “borrowed from the boys” look though!
xx Cara
haha… I have a pair of Kate Spade pants that were a deal I couldn’t refuse. I was so dizzy about the deal that I didn’t realze how big they were on me. They make me look like a lack a backside! Yours look far better – love the red!
I love this look! You are rocking these red pants! 😉
Thanks for validating my ill fitting pants, everyone!! I love the spin of actually doing this on purpose in a men’s wear look! Brilliant! And I love that everyone clearly relates to this- I guess we’ve all been there!!