Sans Denim
While I love my jeans and wear them most days, many of you have been asking for some casual outfit ideas with other pants options.
Earrings (similar) | Scarf (similar) | Sweater | Bracelet (similar) |
Pants | Sweater-Coat | Bag | Boots
These pants are actually…plaid leggings! But the fabric is more substantial than most leggings, and they have 5-pocket details (though no functional pockets). I sized up to a medium for an easier fit, and then had them hemmed by about 3″. 🤪 They’re comfortable, if a little long in the rise for me. But since I don’t tuck my shirts in, not a problem. I think the plaid makes them look a bit more polished than a solid legging.
I’ve had this cashmere sweatshirt for a few months and it’s one of my favorite wear-around-the-house pieces. But it also can work in a “polished casual” outfit.
I bought this “sweater blazer” when they were first introduced a little over a year ago. It’s such an easy throw-on-and-go piece.
This is the Hermès Toits de Paris (Rooftops of Paris) scarf, which I’ve had for several years. It’s one of my favorite scarves, and is in my color palette! Here, I’ve started with a bias fold, twisted a few times, wrapped twice around the neck and secured ends with a double knot. Neat, but not too fussy.
More Plaid Leggings…
The Week That Wasn’t…
Oof, what a week! I’d really looked forward to getting back to my weekday routine but kept getting pulled off-track.
Little things, mostly, but Wednesday morning on my way to yoga class, I discovered I had a flat tire (not repairable). Fortunately we have AAA, so I was able to get help, but replacing the tire wasn’t so straightforward. It ended up requiring two tows. (First stop Costco didn’t have the right size tires in stock, which I only learned after waiting in line for 40 minutes. Fortunately, the second place I tried did.) By the time the process was finished, it had taken the entire day.
So all of the projects I’d planned for that day got pushed back. I spent the rest of the week playing catch-up, which is why I’m posting today instead of yesterday.
I worked for decades in an intensely deadline-driven business. It was stressful, but the mindset and habits I developed have served me well for maintaining a regular blogging schedule and managing my time. And it’s taken a while to give myself permission to let a “deadline” lapse without feeling anxious or guilty. (Still not 100% there…😉)
But one of the reasons I left my corporate job was that I wanted my time to be my own. So I may occasionally shift my blog post days. If you are following on Facebook to be notified of new posts, you may not be seeing them due to the ever-changing algorithms. The best way to be sure you’re seeing all updates is to subscribe via email. You can use the “stay in touch” form at the in the sidebar 👉or at the bottom of this post 👇.
Do you regularly wear leggings? How do you style them?
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That is a wonderful look! I was surprised those were leggings they don’t look like them. The scarf and sweater look fabulous as well, the whole look is so casual chic.
Thanks so much, Lisa!
This scarf and sweater with the ivory sweater just make you glow! I love the whole outfit.
Thanks very much, Pam!
What pretty colors on you! You hit the mark! That scarf just radiates a real nice glow onto your complexion. Also love the soft off white. I am inspired!! You have pushed me into doing a little experimentation myself, with good results.
Thanks very much, susie! This scarf has always been one of my favorites.
Love this whole outfit! Just the right balanced amount of comfort, casual, and polished for me.
Thanks, Margot!
Pretty. I’m not a fan of denim so appreciate alternatives. Do you know what a “Texas tuxedo” is? 🙂
Shybiker … a “Texas tuxedo” (sometimes also referred to as a “Canadian tuxedo”) is double denim: Jeans and a denim jacket.
The decision to wear one is a distinct sartorial choice. ;=)
The Canadian tuxedo may have a fleece lining in the jacket.
Thanks, Shybiker! Yes I do, and it’s not a look I’ve been able to pull off.
LOL! A Canadian (or Alberta) Tuxedo: denim jacket & jeans, usually worn with cowboy boots, which I used to rock about 40 yrs ago. Nowadays I occasionally wear jeans with a fringed, studded denim vest & biker boots just to keep my prairie Rocker mojo going 🙂 BTW, thnx for the laugh. I haven’t thought of “Alberta Tux” in years!
This is one of my favorite outfits on you. I especially love the scarf and how it is styled. Can you tell us its size and how you’ve tied it? Thanks.
Marilyn, she describes the scarf and how it’s tied above. If it wasn’t there before, it is now.
Thanks, Marilyn. This is a 36″ square scarf. I’ll include this tie in my next scarf video.
Susan,
You totally nailed it with this outfit…Stunning!
Thanks so much, Regina!
Nice styling of the leggings! Outfit is a full on winner. Giving me inspo for dressing today, for a museum trip and lunch.
Thanks very much, Claudia!
I love this outfit. I have been trying to transition away from wearing denim so often and this outfit serves as good inspiration. I particularly like the leggings as they are not skin tight to the ankle, more like slim pants.
Thanks, Marcia! Yes, these fit more like slim knit pants.
Love, love, love the bracelet. Let’s see more outfits with the bracelet.
Thanks, Carol! I love this bracelet too, so you’ll probably see a lot of it. 😉
I echo everyone else. That looks so lovely and comfy too. Hope you had a fun day after that photo shoot and didn’t just head home.
Thanks very much, Linda!
That outfit is far from casual to me, but it is gorgeous. It looks like something I would wear to work, to church, or out to dinner. Now if you took off the jacket, kicked off the boots and put the purse down, you could curl up on the couch and look casual
You look absolutely beautiful in it. Since you had your colors done you just seem to glow!
Hi Phyllis, thanks so much! Yes, this would be comfortable to wear at home too.
Love this whole outfit on you! Thanks for showing a non denim outfit, too!
Love your Hermes scarf and it is perfect with this outfit!
Hi Diana, thanks and you’re welcome 😉 !
I really enjoy your blog and am learning a lot. I recently began changing my style to be more modern/classic and wearing leggings has been a new experience. I appreciate all help on how to style them – cute look! Whether the blog is on day one or five doesn’t bother me, just glad to have it as a resource. Life happens to us all – I’m glad you weren’t hurt with the flat tire problem. Happy New Year!
Hi Jaye, thanks so much. And Happy New Year to you too!
Five thumbs up on this outfit.
All of it looks terrific !
Thanks so much, Nancy!
What a great outfit, Susan! Guess I am not the only one who thinks so!
The leggings are very polished!
Thanks very much, Sarah!
Those leggings look more like pants. I’ve avoided leggings because I can’t stand the compression. But I could wear those. The rust sweater would be a useful piece to have. Since rust isn’t a color that shows up in stores often, it’s best to grab it while you can!
Hi Rita, yes, they fit and feel more like ponte knit pants than traditional leggings.
I love way your scarf is tied. I liked the tying styles you demonstrated earlier in your video, but this one looks like it will be even better for me since it is a bit more casual. I save my only Hermes scarf for dressy occasions (and travel in France.) Hopefully this less fussy style will let me branch out and wear it more frequently.
Hi Lyn, thanks! Yes, this tie is more casual, and really easy.
Love you in white. You really shine. I wear legging all the time, Mainly with tunics or shirts. You know in LA it’s never that cold.
Thanks very much, Sandra! I really like wearing lighter neutrals.
Perfect!
Thanks!
This casual outfit looks super chic and the color combination on you is flattering!! Would you mind sharing/demonstrating how you tied the scarf?
Hi Kathy, thanks so much! I’ll be working on another scarf video next week, and will definitely include this tie.
Love the rust colors on you. Can you share what brand and model the sunglasses are.
Hi Roberta, thanks! These were purchased in 2018 from Jimmy Fairly in Paris.
Looking really fabulous dear Susan! Those colours are so uplifting and we love how you’ve styled the scarf. Near, cute and funky.
Thanks so much, Annie! Can’t wait to see you all again!!!
Love the plaid and creative use of a legging! I share your struggle to be “okay” with self-imposed deadlines on my blog — while consistency is so important, the world won’t end if I’m a day or two late with publishing. That’s a hard truth for me to embrace. LOL.
Thanks, Joan!
So what exactly is the difference between leggings and pants? Those are lovely, but they look like pants to me.
I don’t think there’s always a clear defining line, and it can be open to interpretation. These are a slim-fitting knit, so maybe why they’re considered leggings. But they fit about the same as my EF ponte knit “pants,” so it’s arbitrary.
Thanks, Susan!
I love the fit of your ‘leggings’ though I would consider them slim fitting pants. The fact you can wear a shorter top and not reveal too much is nice.i adore my heavy weight high compression leggings. They do slim one down a bit, look great with high boots but can never be worn without a longer top…! I read once that leggings should never be worn as pants but that statement was for the see through,skin tight variety. Sizing up to get the more relaxed look is a great idea. While these colours aren’t for me you look great in them. Thanks for showing other colour options too in the widgets.
Thanks, Ainsivalavie! Yes, these fit more like ponte knit pants. Much easier to style than traditional thinner leggings!
What a wonderful outfit! You look stylish and comfortable in those lovely colours. While they wouldn’t suit my colouring, I still learn a great deal about how to put outfits together from your posts and it’s always refreshing to see things from another perspective. As for the tyre woes, there are always days that don’t go to plan and the best way to handle them is just as you did – go with the flow and things will improve. Don’t worry about changing the days you post – it’s no problem to either subscribe or, for people like me who are actively trying to reduce the number of emails that arrive, to check back to see if there’s a new post.
Thanks very much, Maria!
Love the look!❣️I too am enjoying the heavier weight ponte plaid leggings available now. I just go up a size and just like that their slim filling pants!
Dana, in going up one size doesn’t that make the waist too big? In the past I’ve tried on jeggings and that’s what happens to me.
Hi Katrinka, I didn’t find them too large in the waist when sizing up. But I don’t have a very defined waist. Someone with more of an hourglass shape might experience differently.
Thanks, Dana! Yes, these are a really versatile wardrobe addition.
You look so chic and in step with current fashion in this outfit! Definitely one of my favorites!
Thanks very much, Elle!
Great outfit. The colors are beautiful on you and I do always love your signature style with the long over lean. I wish I could wear those colors since they are sort of neutral and not too bright, yet still cheerful. (I am definitely more of a winter, and I’m happy in colors like sapphire or other jewel tones for a party dress, but I find the jewel tones a little bright for out in the day time, then I get tired of black or grey.) I can’t copy your color scheme but I have been inspired to play around with the scarves lately and I think the way you’re wearing this one looks great, not fussy, just polished and so great at tying together the colors of your layers. Keep showing us more scarves, please!
Laura C, thanks so much! Between the cooler weather and playing with color, I’ve been inspired to wear more of my scarves. I’ll be working on another video soon too!
Susan, this outfit is just wonderful on you. Those leggings are da bomb!
If anyone doubts these colors are YOURS, they should be outfitted with new glasses!
Merci beaucoup, Ann!
Beautiful, Susan – once again, you knocked it out of the park. And love that “sweatshirt”.
Thanks very much, Kristi!
My leggings are tight-fitting and worn most often under skirts for reasons of warmth, or for gym wear. Often while cycling, but I usually have a skirt atop them. I do have cord leggings from LLBean, but they are also for warmth in frigid climates or as something very comfy to wear to bed.
I also like quality knits styled as sweatshirts!
Yes, I’ve usually thought of leggings as you describe them…something to wear for warmth underneath skirts or dresses. These are more of a hybrid, I guess.
I love your plaid leggings! And the colors you are wearing with it. I never wear jeans, almost never. And lately I am totally in love with my leather and patent leggings! Hope to see you on my Fancy Friday linkup party!
Thanks, Nancy!
This is amazing. These leggings look like trousers, proper trousers. I think this outfit is perfect. And so you. It isn’t fussy, it isn’t boring, it is comfortable, colour pleasing… I can go on, but you have a mirror and probably know you struck gold with this outfit. All items are perfect and together they mount to more than the sum of them. I love the boots, but heck, I also love the bag… and so on haha. An A+.
Greetje
Thanks so much, Greetje! Yes, these leggings are a bit thicker and more structured, which IMO makes them much easier to wear.
You look stunning.
Wonderful outfit. You look great. That’s a good suggestion to size up on a “legging” so it fits more like a pull on pant.
Suz from Vancouver
I might like the legging better if they were tucked into the booties.
Could you do a post about time management. How you schedule your posts. How you don’t procrastinate. I bet we could all use some instruction on that. How you don’t get sucked into Instagram and don’t get out for hours. Time wasted. How you don’t waste time? Stuff like that?
What a stylish outfit! Having recently thrown out all jeans except a black pair because I just find them so uncomfortable, particularly when travelling I have discovered so many varieties of trousers available now.
I have always been a warm colors person, so I’m enjoying your new palate. That Hermes scarf is incredibly beautiful.
I live in denim jeans for the most part but last year bought 2 pr of heavy jeggings at Walmart, of all places, one in solid grey, the other in charcoal but with a very faint houndstooth check. I bought them to wear at home but they’ve turned into my favorite go-to for more dressy day wear (lunches, appointments etc). They have fake pockets & a back yoke so look tailored & they fit beautifully, not too tight, more like slim-fitting pants than leggings (like the ones you’re wearing here). The heavier fabric makes all the difference in the world: they hang perfectly & keep their shape, even when I wear them all day — no baggy butt or knees — & I can dress them up with a cami or sweater & a smart jacket & booties with a good heel to give me some height & leg-length. So many older women have been scared off by the word “leggings” (often with good reason, alas!) that I consider it a public service to coax them into checking out the better quality ones that are SO comfortable & SO smart & SO versatile. I’m not ready to give up my signature jeans-and-a-tee yet, but am dipping my toe in different waters!
Hi, love the pants and sweater. To me, the long jackets and sweaters kill the “gamine” look and feeling. Not to say there’s anything wrong with wearing them, but modern gamine seems more like a denim or corduroy jacket, perhaps a little backpack or small crossbody bag. Unserious. Long jackets and sweaters seem dramatic, arty, boho, or businesslike, depending on color and fabric. Not gamine.
Again though, the legging and sweater
/scarf are excellent!
Hi Michelle, you’re not wrong about that. 😉 My wardrobe is still in transition, so I’m working with what I have until I’ve eventually replace those pieces with more Gamine options. Casual jackets are at the top of my list!
This is a great look. Love the plaid, the color of those boots (and, oh, yes, SUNSHINE!). You look radiant. That scarf is fantastic! I have been collecting scarves for decades, and only now, having been reading your blog, do I realize that many of them are simply not my best colors: I bought them because they were quality, beautiful fabric (and usually a bargain!) but – they do nothing for my face. Sigh. You have helped me weed out a lot of garments, an ongoing process. Thank you for that! I agree with one responder who said that this doesn’t look ‘casual’ – clearly it’s not a formal look, but for me, the thought of adding jewelry feels like such an effort. Or maybe it’s simply that I can no longer bear to wear any heels!
This is a great look. You’ve inspired me to dig in the closet to find those plaid trousers I put away — they probably fit again now.
For me, leggings are an “at home” thing, because I’m really self-conscious about my legs. I wear them with long sweatshirts or sweaters, and all of mine have amusing prints (space ships! tigers!) because they’re just for me. I took a pair of leggings with me on a trip recently and they were a lifesaver in an unheated hotel room.
Thanks so much, Juti!