How to Wear the Oversized Pants Trend Over 40

Slouchy Pleated Pants or the Oversized Pants Trend was one I definitely wanted to try. At 40, plus size and 5’4″ I know these trends can be a little tricky. I love taking trends that are typically for younger, tall, thin women and making it work for my body. The key to wearing a style like this is giving off that chic and effortless look. It’s not over styled or over thought. For lack of a better term, it just it, what it is.

The Potential Challenges

If this trend seems like it’s not your thing, I can understand but let’s try to work through some of the challenges.

• Height. Are you petite and think this trend could be overwhelming on your frame? Have them tailored in the hem. If the legs, feel too wide you can also have that taken in. Make the clothes fit your body and shape.
• Too big in the waist. With an oversized trend fit can be tricky. Looking for an oversized pant that has a pleated front with a button and an elastic waist in the back can give you a fitted look and keep your pants from gapping.
• Midsection. Many women don’t like their midsection or refer to it as their problem area. Finding an oversized pant with pleating can help camouflage your tummy if you aren’t comfortable.
• Oversized pants are going to add volume so let’s style it a few different ways, so they look chic and not overwhelming.

Look #1

When I am looking to embrace a trend the first place I am starting is with a casual look. It is the easiest thing to style and often an outfit we don’t stress about as much as a nicer event.

I wanted this first look to be simple and easy. Again, the goal is to look effortless. I wanted to showcase the front of the pants with the pleats, so I took a tee and tied it in the back. I also grabbed my sneakers to play into the casual feel.

If it were colder, I would add a moto jacket that was also cropped at the waist of the pants. Another option would be what I like to refer to as a “grandpa sweater”. Both of these items can take this look from early fall to winter.

Look #2

This outfit gives me 80’s mom vibes and I am into it.

Keeping the high waist as the focal point is what is going to make this look fun without being overwhelming. I prefer a fitted top, but I know that not everyone will, so I wanted to give you another option. I slightly tucked the front of the sweater into the waist band of the pants, so you didn’t miss the detail on the front. Also, love this autumn color combination.

For later in the season, you could use a top like this as a vest and layer it over a body suit. You could even put a bow top under it and let it peek out.

Look #3

If you were thinking how, you could bring this trend into the office, this is it.

I paired my pants with a blush-colored bodysuit and a blazer. I picked this shade because white can be overpowering sometimes with a combo like this. The blush was perfect and was a soft match up to the mustard/camel shade of the pants. Bonus Tip; blush can be a good neutral option for you if white feels like it washes you out and ivory is too yellow.

The fit of the bodysuit gives you the optimal silhouette with these pants. It shows off the waist of the pants as well as the pleats.

Final Thoughts

As always, the key to wearing a trend is making it work for you and for your personal style. If it doesn’t feel right than it probably isn’t for you and try something else. True style is all about trial and error.

XO,

Tiffany