One of the downfalls of a capsule wardrobe is that, with fewer pieces, you may find yourself reaching for the same outfits over and over again. To stay inspired, challenge yourself and a friend to take a single piece of clothing and style it multiple ways. Below, Megan and I apply this thinking to our favorite pair of me-made pants…
Megan: Hey Jennifer! You know, I was totally inspired by your pull on pants pattern throwdown and just made myself a couple of pairs of Jalie Eleanore pants. It was so nice to see someone with a similar body type to mine test all those patterns so that I didn’t have to! Thanks!! However, I suspect we have really different styles so I thought I would send you a message and see how you wear them in your everyday life. Maybe we could take some photos to inspire each other and to show everyone in the CSC what an awesome wardrobe builder we have both found these pants to be?
Jennifer: Hey there, body double! I love the idea of comparing styling tips for the Eleonore Jeans. They are definitely my go-to pants. They work well in so many settings. I’ll start with my usual “travel outfit.” I’m on a plane 3-4 times a month, and I’ve found that I’m very particular about traveling in comfort. I need to look “put together” because I’m traveling for work, but I also want something comfortable — the Eleonore elastic waist is great! When I’m traveling, I keep accessories to a minimum so that I can fly through security — I will usually have a scarf tucked into my carry on bag in case I get cold, but I generally eschew jewelry of any kind. A bamboo knit Concord is the perfect top — soft and snuggly without being too heavy. And definitely closed-toes shoes that I can slip on and off without a hitch! What about you? How do you dress the Eleonore’s for travel?
Megan: That looks like a great travel outfit for your needs and I have to say I love your fireplace! I NEVER travel for work (thanks to our budget shortfall in the state of New Mexico) so I don’t have any worries about having to look too professional, but I agree that the elastic waist makes these pants perfect for the airplane. The last few times I have flown have been for holidays or friends’ weddings, so I’ve been super casual. An easy to wear t-shirt (Hot Patterns fast and fabulous shirt tail tee), a big cozy sweater, and scarf are a must for me. I always carry on a huge bag like this one my sister got me in Columbia so that I can have my snacks, water, ipad, book, pillow, etc. with me. I am not a low maintenance traveler!
Jennifer: Yes! I love how you’ve combined colors and textures in your bag and scarf. It looks so “casual yet polished”!
Megan: So would you wear your Eleanore’s to work and if so, how would you dress them up for an important meeting or presentation?
Jennifer: I like to pair my Eleonore’s with a simple RTW sweater and bright shoes for days when I’m presenting my work to the bosses. I’ve given up heels entirely, so my Eleonore’s are hemmed to work best with a flats or heels of under an inch. I love my black travel bag — it works great for business meetings (and I can get an overnight change of clothes in for quick business trips). I also love these glasses — not only can I see the LCD projector better, but they make me look smart! (Also, why am I rubbing my belly in this photo?!)
Megan: I love those glasses on you and those shoes are super cute! I have to admit that pulling together a work look with my Eleanore’s was a bit of a challenge for me- in a good way! I typically default to a dress if I’m trying to look fancy, but I’m glad I found this outfit and I think I’ll wear it next time I have to look presentable at work. Fortunately I’m a geologist, so that doesn’t happen very often. I un-cuffed the pants (that makes it fancy, right?) and paired it with a Sew House Seven Mississippi Avenue Dress in a textural, hand-woven cotton and a RTW cardigan. I added my “looks like turquoise but is actually corn” necklace, a Vera Bradley “briefcase,” and my favorite nude flats. I’m with you on the heels thing!
Jennifer: Genius! I hadn’t ever considered wearing a dress over my Eleonore’s — game changer! You look so put together — it’s the layers, I think. Adding the cardigan gets you to that Third Piece Rule that I’ve read about but never seem to make happen on my own. Maybe I need to go back and try again!
Okay, next up: running errands. If I’m being totally honest, I usually make a Target run in leggings and an old t-shirt. But I aim to improve my errands game starting now! In the photo below, I’ve paired my Eleonore’s (sporting an unfortunate bit of static cling) with a linen knit Concord top, scarf, and wool-weave clutch. Simple white sandals complete the look — easy breezy, and not too embarrassing if I run into my neighbors along the way. 🙂
Megan: You are looking good for errands, I think your neighbors will be impressed! I live in a really small town so I know what you mean about running into people. I can be sure to run into at least one person I know anywhere I go, but I do still keep it pretty casual (it’s New Mexico after all). My absolute favorite thing to pair with my Eleanore’s is this Closet Case Pattern’s Ebony Tee made out of a cozy ponte. I never leave the house for errands without my massive grocery basket, my everyday purse, and my most favorite shoes of all time! To be honest, this is an outfit I will wear for almost any occasion.
Megan: All this outfit brainstorming has me ready for a drink… what about you?
Jennifer: Finally, girls night out! We have a bunch of al fresco dining options in our historic district, and I’ve been taking advantage of warm evenings to sit outside with a glass of wine and a bit of gossip with my girlfriends. To stay cool, I pair my Eleonore’s with a black tencel Springfield top and open-toed sandals. A simple turquoise necklace and my gold-studded gray clutch are all I need. (I also threw on a watch, so make sure I don’t stay out too late!)
Megan: That sounds super fun, Jennifer. I also love to meet friends for an “al fresco” drink, however our options run more along the lines of “sitting on a bench made out of a solid log on a gravel patio” so I tend to be a bit more casual (are you sensing a theme?). This tunic is one of the few remaining items from my first year of sewing, and these Eleanore’s have allowed me to revive it. It was too short to wear with leggings, but I didn’t have any suitable pants before I made these. I think this outfit will be a summer staple now. I’ve paired it with a glass of wine, a RTW cardi, and my favorite hat. I can’t go anywhere without a hat in the summer, the sun is really intense here.
Jennifer: I adore your hat — it elevates your outfit to “bohemian cool.” And now I wish that we lived closer together so we could share a bottle of wine and talk more about style choices!
Megan: You know, one thing I noticed was that you kept the straight leg as drafted on your Eleanore’s, while I skinny-ed the legs of mine and tend to roll them up. I think both look great and definitely pair well with our individual styles. I would say that the Jalie Eleanore Pull on Jeans is a really versatile pattern for a number of styles, and it sure is comfortable! (Editor’s note: check out Yvette’s tutorial on modifying the Eleanore jeans with a higher rise and pockets!)
Jennifer: I was just going to say the same thing about the straight/skinny leg! I have another pair of Eleonore jeans on the cutting table right now, and I think I’m going to try your skinny leg approach. Stay tuned!
Megan: Thanks for playing along, Jennifer! This was fun and hopefully we gave our friends at the CSC some inspiration for their capsule wardrobes.
I love this post! It was so helpful.
I loved this post, women. I have this pattern but haven’t tried it yet. I’m definitely going to put it in the top five of the queue!
Because of this review, I’m looking forward to trying this pattern. I love the look and your style.
I love seeing how you both styled the same pattern, I’d love to see more posts like this!
I have to admit, this post has me really jonesing for this pattern. Your personal style is really great.
This pattern is a winner! (It also won my pattern throwdown of pull-on pants: http://wp1094.hostgator.com/~waezmq0ac6rs/pattern-throwdown-stretch-pull-on-pants/)
Cool! I’ll check it out! Also, I just realized I commented twice saying the same thing. I think I need sleep! Hah!
I love everything about this post! I am lacking when it comes to styling outfits and both of you have amazing ideas!
Thanks so much — this was a fun post to write!
I loved seeing your different styles! Thanks for doing this.
You are very welcome! We weren’t sure how it was going to go (writing a post like a conversation was new to both of us) but I think it turned out well!
I love this post! Fun to read, informative, and great idea! I hope there are more in the works!! I think we need to set up a GoFundMe for Jennifer and Megan to meet. Oh, and Jennifer … I definitely adhere to that 3-piece rule for looking more polished. Even the scarf you added to your errand outfit does the trick.
We will gladly accept all donations to the cause!! 🙂
Yes!! haha
I LOVED this post a ridiculous amount! As a Coloradan, I can wear both styles. We are casual, but not quite as bohemian as NM. There’s a lot of style overlap. We especially like to give a nod to New Mexico’s tradition of jewelry, an influence felt around the world. I’m getting that pattern, that’s for sure!
Yes! Aren’t Megan’s jewelry, scarves and bags amazing!? Somehow they work as a neutral — they “pop” and yet still go with every outfit!
Awwww, Thanks ladies! Hope you enjoy the pattern, Carla.
Question. Are you using the jeans pattern or the pull on pants? I would like to try the more professional pull on pants. Great post. Thanks!
We’re using the Eleonore Pull-On Jeans pattern for this post.
This post is awesome and a really really good illustration of how a few pieces can be so versatile. Amazing job!
Thanks so much Andie! It was a good challenge for myself, to see how many different ways I could pull together outfit combinations. Good practice for my upcoming capsule wardrobe sudoku reveal!
Awesome conversation and excellent post! We need more of these!
Thanks Marianne — I think that more are definitely in the works!
You two are awesome! I love this post and the different ways that you styled the same pattern.
Thanks Tanya!!
Great post! Thanks for the comparison!
Love this post! I really felt like I was in on your conversation and it was so fun. I have no local sewing buds to share things like this with so my sewing life can be pretty lonely- and I’m sure a lot of us feel the same way! I hope this style of post continues!
I totally know what you mean, Jewel! Thanks why I love my instagram and CSC sewing buddies.
I loved this post! The pattern is an extremely interesting one to me but more so, I loved seeing two different people style the pattern across several different occasions. Brilliant. Please make this a running feature.
Your wish is our command — there are several other similar posts already in the queue. Stay tune for more!
This was so much fun to read and see! Provocative and inspiring – I have the Eleanore jeans pattern (I haven’t made them up yet) but thank you for all those pics on your jeans. I’m excited about making these pants and that link to altering them length wise in the rise was very helpful to know for when I do. Love all your Eleanores and how you’ve paired them with Concords and Ebony. Also that link to the three piece rule was interesting…something I’ve seen but not really taken in the why of it’s impact. Thank you both for a great post!
I will confess that since I referenced that “three piece rule” for this post that I’ve been consciously looking for that third piece each morning when I get dressed. So far, the easiest way to incorporate it is definitely a scarf, but I think I need to branch out in the coming weeks!
I love the “girl talk” and the “body double” conversation. Another great post!
You have made my Friday! Great post! I love seeing how different each outfit is with one pair of pants and how different lifestyles can use the same pattern! Please do this again!!
Thanks so much — with all the great feedback, we will definitely plan for more of these comparison posts!
Great post…..styling is a challenge for many of us, I’m sure.
Love, love, love this! I’m not sure whose idea this was but you are a genius!!!
It was a collaborative idea — it’s why I love connecting on FB and Instagram with my fellow curvy sewists!
LOVE this! I really enjoyed one pattern styled for different lifestyles. I ‘d love to see another article like this (or maybe 20 more?!)
What a GREAT POST!!! I really enjoyed all the styling tips and comparing the way you two tackled each of the scenarios. I hope more readers take up this sort of challenge and post. Truly inspiring. Thanks for taking the time and trouble.
What a lovely, inspiring post from you both, ladies! I’ve not made either of these patterns but they’re definitely on my must-consider list now. Thank you xxx
You are so welcome! We definitely need more Eleonore’s in the wild!
So inspiring ladies!!! Wonderful ideas, great photography. Three questions:
Megan: what brand are your “al fresco” shoes? They look so comfortable and beautiful
Jennifer and Megan: what fabrics did you use for your Jalie’s?
Thanks Raquel! I’m pretty sure the shoes are the “Cobb Hill” brand and I used a denim (I think from Joann’s) for my jeans.
I used a stretch twill for my Eleonore’s — from Mood Fabrics.