The red pants are on, this is how you style them
The red, pink or in any case a strikingly colored pants are on. Totally hot. I apparently felt that already when I was in the outlet of Studio LM in Haarlem in May. Studio LM is anyway a unique boutique (think Soeur, Jerome Dreyfuss, Christian Wijnants and other beautiful, classy brands with a twist) but they temporarily have an outlet in their old building. There was a pair of pants from Rohe, one of my ‘brands of the moment’, and it was discounted (70% because outlet) and in my size. My daughter gave an approving nod when I came out of the fitting room, so those pants were mine to have.
When I laid out my purchased goods at home (it of course wasn't just a pair of pants, outlet duh) I did swallow for a moment. Because a red pair of pants, that's what men with four warm balls in their throats wear. Men who have ‘friends’ and play ball on Friday afternoons. That's not me. So those pants stayed in the closet. Until I saw the cover of the September issue of Vogue US. Kaia Gerber It featured the daughter of Cindy Crawford and one of the most booked models of the moment. And what was she wearing? Indeed, a red pair of pants. So I wasn't that crazy after all.
From this autumn, the red pants are not only for Tuscany trekkers, but also for us. People who love fashion and want to step out of their comfort zone. Danielle It turned out that she had bought a pink pair of pants and was struggling with the same issue as I was. Buying is one thing, wearing is a second. We both had a bit of how-do-I-wear-it fear. Therefore, for Daan, for me, and everyone among you who has purchased a brightly colored pair, a few tips on how to combine that unicolor pants nicely without it becoming a Robert-Jan from Scotland is worn out.
How do you style the red pants?
It sounds contradictory, but stylists nowadays call red a neutral color. Not because it is inconspicuous, because it is anything but, but because it can be combined just as easily as camel or denim: as a base around which you build other colors. The secret lies in letting the pants do the work and keeping the rest of the outfit calm. Once you realize that, the Robert-Jan fear will disappear on its own.
With which colors do you combine a red or pink pair of pants?
The most foolproof combination is earth with fire: a chocolate brown sweater or turtleneck next to a red pair of pants looks instantly chic instead of carnival. If you prefer contrast, go for bright white or ivory. A simple white shirt, a tank top or an ivory blazer lets the pants shine without it becoming too much. Black is the third constant: a black turtleneck, bodysuit or smart overcoat gives the look something sophisticated immediately, as if you haven't thought about it for a second (even though you've stood in front of the closet for half an hour, no one knows that).
If you feel bold enough, it can also be completely tonal. A red pair of pants with a burgundy or scarlet top above is exactly the kind of daring, monochrome statement that you see on the catwalks, and it is surprisingly easier to wear than you would think, because one color family always goes together.
How do you prevent it from becoming too busy or too carnival?
The biggest pitfall is that you start over-styling the pants. If you wear a wide or voluminous pair of pants, tuck a fitted top into it or throw a tailored jacket over it, so that your waist remains visible and the outfit maintains a silhouette instead of just being a piece of fabric. Also play with materials: leather next to knit next to a silk top gives a red outfit depth immediately, even if you consciously keep it sober in terms of color. Kaia wore her pants with a printed top (quite daring but yes, on the cover of Vogue you don't choose safe) but wore a camel-colored jacket made of a woolly material over it which softened the hardness of the red.
Which shoes and bag go with a colored pair of pants?
With accessories, the rule is: the more striking the pants, the calmer the rest. Keep shoes and bag in black, white, chocolate brown or exactly the same shade of red as the pants.
Red or pink pants, what is the difference in wearing?
Pink generally requires a bit less courage than red, it looks softer and combines easily with the same neutrals. For Daan with her pink pair, the same rule actually applies as for my red: brown, white or black with it, and you're always good.
So Daan, hang those pants out of the closet. I will do the same. If Kaia Gerber dares to do it on the cover of Vogue, then we dare too, just on an ordinary Tuesday.
