by Allison Hamilton-Rohe, Daily Outfit

Okay, my British friends — I know!  Pants are not trousers!  But, we need true equality in our lives — so let’s wear them consciously!

For this season’s Shopping List, I’m featuring a trouser look specifically for Business Casual.  Not only are trousers a great primer for empowerment, they are comfortable and a great staple in your wardrobe.  To take the trouser look through the season, employ layering as your styling tactic.

You can wear trousers more than once, switching up your top and accessories to add variety to your look. 

Whether you need a look to wear to the office, your volunteer board meeting or an information interview for your amazing next step in life, this look is gives you confidence from every angle:  color, cut, pattern, fabrication and gemstone.

Working the Trends

While I used to heavily anticipate the trends as each season changed, I care less and less about them now that I have created my own personal style.  However, trends are definitely something to keep in mind as they will determine what you see available in stores.

You get to decide if you want to participate in trends or not!

• Fall 2018 Trends: There are definitely some trends this Fall I want to take advantage of — I love boho dresses and boots and love me some shine, so I’ll be picking up those pieces this Fall/Winter to add to my wardrobe. I’ll share my own shopping list later in the season when it’s time for holiday looks — and I’ve recovered from my Summer shopping.
• According to Rachel Zoe’s trend report, the trends this Fall are super fun:
  • disco,
  • wide-leg trousers,
  • deconstructed tailoring,
  • boho dresses,
  • cowboy boots,
  • checks and
  • stripes.
• Fall 2018 Colors:  Another important aspect to the trends is the color report.  Pantone brings out a color array each season so we know what the majority of the colors will be.  This way, you can decide if this will be a big buying season for you based on color alone.  The colors this season for my color story are Quetzal Green and Red Pear.

What colors speak to you this season?  To learn more about how to create your own color story, click here.

Color Story:

The color story for our trouser look this Fall is a combination of one of Fall’s classic colors (Red Pear) with what has now become a classic:  millennial pink.  Since Disco is a trend, adding some shine is a great punctuation to this unorthodox pairing.

The color meaning for Red Pear is like that of last year’s Tawny Port:  speaking truth to power, strength of character, dignity, calling in your allies and pulling from the deepest reserves of your power.  This color is deeply powerful — there is a reason it is the color of royalty!  There is also a reason it’s being repeated this year:  we need it!

• For more on the power of this color, check out Old Calya.
• For more on color story, click here.

Style Language:

The style language for this color is modern classic.  With so much color meaning, you want to stay neutral on the pieces themselves.  Fabrication, cut, patterning and texture are all flat & solid.  The trouser is a simple straight-leg, the tee has some drape with a modern (literal) twist and the accessory is a statement piece conveying an honoring of ancient indigenous traditions.  Styling them all together, you show up as current, on-point and informed while at the same time confident, strong and flexible.  It’s a potent combination.

The Shopping List:

The Trouser:  Liverpool Kelsey Knit Trouser ($89)

These trousers are classic staple pieces for your wardrobe — and get this:  they are stretch!  The comfort of your favorite leggings with the formality and appropriateness of a straight-leg trouser.  Win-win!

Availabile 0-16, 0P-14P and 14W-24W

The Top:  Misses and Petite Gibson Short-Sleeve Wrap Top (ON SALE $35) or Plus Twist-Hem Top ($98)

These universally-flattering tops are great for warmer days (70F or 20C).  The wrap-styling of the Misses/Petite top is like a hug, which indicates warmth, compassion and kindness.  The drape falls kindly to camo your not-so-perfect belly and back, while highlighting or creating a waist.  The twist-hem on the Plus version is a great way to wear your tee untucked while still effortlessly styled.  Pair these tops with your suit looks as well for a dressier look.

The Top:  Plus Vince Camuto Bell-Sleeve Top (ON SALE $53); Misses Chelsea28 Button-Detail Top ($79) or Misses and Petite Vince Camuto Bubble-Sleeve Top ($79)

These pretty tops work well as the weather cools (60F or 15F) and can also mix well with your suit looks.  The detailed sleeve on all of these tops creates a line at the smallest spot your waist and the high or split-neck is totally work-appropriate.  Loose through the body, it’s great to pair a top like this with a camisole to ensure a smooth shape.  I always recommend this one (Misses Halogen Seamless CamisoleON SALE $17 or Plus Halogen Camisole $29) as it works well with v-neck tops and lasts for years.

The Layer:  Misses Leith Ribbed Shawl Cocoon Cardigan($69), Plus Leith Ribbed Shawl Collar Cardigan ($69) or Petite or Misses Braided-Shoulder Cardigan ($69)

A long cocoon cardigan is a great office-sweater layer for hot days when the A/C is blasting or for throwing on when the weather gets cooler (50s or 10C).  The looseness of this cardigan only works for days when you really want to be loose and comfortable.  It might not be the best look for a first client meeting when you want a bit more formality to show your attention to detail.

The Necklace:  Stella + Ruby Chiffon Necklace ($48)

The number one thing women tend to forget when dressing is accessories — and it’s the number one way to make your look truly personal.  Find pieces that speak to you and help you tell your story.  People love to comment on a distinctive accessory and give you the perfect opportunity to share a detail you might not otherwise, which can foster connections.  I love this soft chiffon necklace for a business casual work look because it lends a grace and elegance to the look without going too formal or fancy.  However, any statement necklace in the color palette (or contrasting) would work well here!

The Earrings:  Kate Spade Rose Quartz Studs ($38)

I love these elegant and simple stud earrings in rose quartz.  Rose quartz’s meaning as a crystal is love, warmth and compassion — a great message for days when you’re working with your team or creating something wonderful to put out into the world.  While they are extremely under-stated (especially if your skin is pink), they are something that people notice.  And yes — you can mix gold at your ear and silver on your feet.  If you have a cool complexion, you can still wear these earrings since the pink is cool.

The Sock:  Sarah Borghi Metallic Socks (ON SALE $20)

Extend the life of your loafers or oxfords by adding matching socks.  These fun silver socks add an extra layer of fun to your look.  Be careful of your trouser length when crossing your legs, however, as you don’t want skin peeking out!

The Shoe:  Nine West Wildgirls Loafer (ON SALE $54)

These shoes are EVERYTHING!  I bought them immediately during the Anniversary Sale this past Summer and have been enjoying lots of compliments since.  Depending on your era, they are either a TCBY in a flash (Elvis) shoes or Ziggy Stardust (David Bowie) reference and definitely up your shoe-game.  They are flash, no doubt, but they also so fun.  On point for the disco-era trend this season, but also modern classics.

The Bag:  ReBag Chloe Paraty Top Handle ($530)

When I first saw this bag, I have to admit I thought for a long time about how I could purchase it.  Its slouch, the color, the attitude and swagger to the bag plus the gorgeous leather and detailing really called to me.  However, I just couldn’t support the price tag.  With Rebag, you can finally access this level of craftsmanship without paying the premium pricing precisely because they only resell high-quality bags.  Sustainability, here we come!

Allison Hamilton-Rohe is a Personal Style Coach. Through her unique formula, she helps you create a personal style you can inhabit with ease.  She is a global nomad who currently lives in Silver Spring, MD with her husband, two kids and a sweet Dutch bunny.  Would you like to learn more about how to create your personal style and inhabit it with ease? Sign up today to receive your Personal Style Starter Series