Beyond Denim: Find Your Next Favorite Pant

Denim earns its place in a wardrobe. It’s familiar, easy to style, and often the first thing a client reaches for. But when every outfit begins with the same jeans, she may be overlooking some of the most useful pieces in the collection.

A flare can change the way a favorite sweater looks. A pleated trouser can give a simple top more presence. Texture can make an everyday combination feel ready for dinner.

This week, we’re putting five pants at the center of the outfit—and looking at the tops, shoes, and proportions that help each one work.

1. The Everyday Alternative

Anatomie Betsy Ultralight Flare Pant in Espresso

For the client who reaches for dark denim on repeat, the Betsy Ultralight Flare Pant in Espresso offers a natural place to begin. The deep brown gives her a familiar neutral foundation, while the flare introduces a different line through the outfit.

Start with pieces she already understands: a fine-gauge sweater, a simple shirt, or a fitted knit with a jacket. Cream creates a soft contrast with espresso, while camel or another shade of brown takes the outfit in a tonal direction.

The proportion to explore: Give the flare room to register. A top that finishes around the waist or high hip can make the shape of the pant easier to see. With a longer shirt, try a partial tuck and compare the effect in the mirror.

The shoes to try: A sleek ankle boot, pointed-toe flat, or low heel. Check the hem with the actual shoe your client plans to wear; a change in shoe height can affect how the flare falls.

Show it this way: Espresso flares, a cream knit, and a chocolate ankle boot. Then add a tailored jacket to demonstrate how easily the same base can move into a more polished setting.

Stylist conversation: “Let’s try these with the sweater you’d normally wear with jeans. You’ll see how much changing the pant changes the outfit.”

2. The Softly Polished Option

Iris Setlakwe Matte Jersey Pleated Pant

The Matte Jersey Pleated Pant brings together the visual structure of pleats and the ease associated with jersey dressing. It’s a useful starting point for a client who wants an outfit to look considered without feeling overly formal.

Let the pleated front be part of the styling. Pair it with a simple knit, a softly tucked blouse, or a shorter jacket. These combinations allow the waist and front detail to remain visible, giving the outfit definition.

The proportion to explore: Notice how the top meets the pleats. A bulky tuck can add more volume than intended, so try a lighter top or a small front tuck. If your client prefers an untucked look, compare different top lengths rather than assuming everything needs to be tucked in.

The shoes to try: A refined loafer for everyday polish, a pointed flat for a cleaner finish, or a low-heeled boot for cooler days. Choose the shoe after checking how the pant falls on your client.

Show it this way: Pleated pants with a fine knit and loafers, followed by the same pants with a blouse, earrings, and an evening shoe.

Stylist conversation: “These give us a beautiful foundation. Let’s see whether you prefer them with a little definition at the waist or a softer top worn over it.”

3. The Texture Change

Anatomie Becca Flare Faux Suede Pintuck Pants

Sometimes the most interesting change is the surface of the fabric. The Becca Flare Faux Suede Pintuck Pants introduce texture, while the pintuck detail adds a vertical line and the flare gives the silhouette its shape.

This is an opportunity to show a client how texture can bring depth to a simple outfit. Pair the faux suede with a smooth shirt, a fine knit, or a softly textured sweater. Even a restrained color palette becomes more interesting when the materials have different finishes.

The proportion to explore: Let the pintuck and flare remain visible. Try a neat knit or a shirt tucked just enough to reveal the upper part of the pant. If you add a substantial sweater, test its length so the outfit still feels intentional.

The shoes to try: A smooth leather ankle boot provides a clear contrast to the faux suede. A pointed loafer or low-heeled shoe offers another direction, depending on the hem length.

Show it this way: Faux suede flares, a crisp shirt, and smooth leather boots. Then exchange the shirt for knitwear to create a softer, more relaxed look.

Stylist conversation: “You already know how to wear this combination. The texture is what gives it a different feeling.”

4. The Statement Trouser

IDA + S Amira Asymmetrical Pleated Trousers

The Amira Asymmetrical Pleated Trousers give the outfit a distinctive focal point. The asymmetry and pleating invite a closer look, making these a strong choice for a client who enjoys thoughtful design.

Begin with a simple top so she can see the trouser’s details clearly. A fitted long-sleeve knit, a clean shell, or an uncomplicated blouse gives you a useful starting point. From there, add a jacket or a more expressive accessory according to her taste.

The proportion to explore: Keep the asymmetrical detail visible during the first try-on. A tucked or shorter top helps your client understand the design before you experiment with longer layers. Check the outfit from the front and side, paying attention to how the pleats sit and move.

The shoes to try: A sleek boot or pointed flat can keep the finish understated. A sculptural heel can carry the design interest through the outfit for a client who enjoys a stronger statement.

Show it this way: Amira trousers, a simple fine-gauge knit, one distinctive earring, and a clean shoe.

Stylist conversation: “Let’s start with a simple top so you can see what makes these special. Then we can decide how much more the outfit needs.”

5. The Relaxed Reset

Planet Nylon Big Pocket Pants in Turtle

The Planet Nylon Big Pocket Pants in Turtle offer a different direction for the client whose casual wardrobe revolves around jeans. The oversized pocket detail gives the pant personality and makes it worth considering as the starting point of the outfit.

Try it with a clean knit, a relaxed shirt, or a sculptural top. A more compact top can emphasize the pant, while a generous top can create an intentionally relaxed combination. Both approaches are worth exploring on the client.

The proportion to explore: Look at the relationship between the top’s hem and the pockets. A small change in length can reveal the design or cover it completely. If you’re working with volume in both pieces, try rolling a sleeve or opening the neckline to give the outfit a little visual breathing room.

The shoes to try: A minimal sneaker, a substantial loafer, or a simple ankle boot. If the hem sits above the ankle on your client, consider the space between the pant and shoe as part of the look.

Show it this way: Big pocket pants, a clean cream knit, and a minimal sneaker. Then switch to a sculptural top and loafers to show a more expressive option.

Stylist conversation: “Think about the days you automatically put on jeans. These give you another starting point, and we can make the outfit as simple or as sculptural as you like.”

Show the Whole Proportion

A pant can be difficult to judge with the wrong top or without shoes. Before your client decides a silhouette isn’t for her, help her see a complete version of it.

Bring two top options into the appointment: one that defines the waist and one that offers more coverage. Try or show an intended shoe, then check where the hem falls. With cropped lengths, look at the ankle and shoe together. With longer lengths, make sure the fabric falls cleanly and clears the floor appropriately.

Ask what she notices. Does she prefer the shorter top? Would she wear the outfit with flats? Does the relaxed combination feel like her? Those answers are more useful than a fixed rule about which silhouette she should wear.

The goal is to help her leave with a pant she knows how to use—and a clear picture of the outfits it makes possible.

Her next favorite outfit might begin with the pant she hasn’t tried yet.