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Wardrobe Rehab: Dress Pants

Published:Thursday | February 18, 2016 | 1:28 PMNatalia Oh!
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A cropped blazer with exposed zipper detail gives an element of edge when paired with statement jewellery. Shown here worn over a cropped tank top and pointed toe pumps.
Perfect for a corporate dinner event, as pants are more accepted in more formal settings. As the dressy jumpsuit is making its way to ‘formal events’ thanks to fashion A-Listers like Beyonce and Khloe Kardashian, this ensemble can be made corporate ready with the addition of a blazer, minimal jewelry and a sensible tote bag- of course, no chokers to the office.
Pay homage to Bohemian style with a sheer Aztec printed caftan. Add shoes and jewelry with same pewter metallic finish and you have yourself another winner. The boho bag in maroon ups the boho-chic look.
Paired with a lightweight chambray denim shirt gives a fashionable interpretation of dressed up blues. Here the pants are folded at the hem and cuffed up shorter to give the illusion of cropped pants. The shortened hem highlights the lace-up suede heels. Glitzy statement jewelry and a bejeweled clutch adds more glam effect.
For a perfect blend of jacket and sweater, you can opt for an open front cardigan. Stay on trend with a longer hem. Layered tank tops and dressy sandals featuring a stacked heel completes the casual look.
Tunics or short dresses over pants give an easy, flattering and comfortable look. Shown here with a tie string belt and minimal jewelry, the look is effortless but also very stylish.
Leopard print has been mainstreamed and now considered a neutral because it can be worn with black, nudes, brown and even prints, making it very versatile. The animal theme is toned down with a nude blazer and nude pointed toe pumps.
A blue lightweight chiffon tie-front blouse is worn under a V-neck sweater vest for a chic layered effect. This is a good alternative to wearing a blazer in the corporate world, and the statement tote is a fashionable alternative to a briefcase.
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The everyday woman wants to look great with minimum fuss and maximum comfort. One wardrobe staple that should be in every woman's wardrobe is a pair of black dress pants.

Versatile enough to wear to the office and chic enough to take to a girls' night out, black dress pants are essential in building a capsule wardrobe.

In this new series, 'Wardrobe Rehab', we will feature one type of garment and style it many ways, showcasing versatility and how to use items we probably already own. With the help of Maxie Department stores, we will look at eight ways to style a pair of black dress pants.

Here are some pointers when shopping for the perfect pair of dress pants:

• Store-bought pants are not made equally and vary based on manufacturer. Your best bet is to try them on until you find the right brand that works for your body and then stick with that brand.

• Get alterations done to ensure a tailored fit.

• The length of the pants should be altered based on the shoes you plan to wear them with. Therefore, keep pants altered for flats or heels separately.

• Pay attention to the rise (the length of the crotch to the waistband). Women with a larger derriere should look for a higher rise for more coverage and to prevent 'muffin tops'. Pants with short rises can lead to 'camel toe'.

• For a seamless fit, women should get their front pockets stitched down. For women who want the appearance of a bigger rear, invest in pants with back pockets.

Credits:

Creative director: Natalia Oh; Instagram/Twitter: @imajumaican ï Model: Chevauhni Myers, medical student at the University of the West Indies and Maxie Department Store sales representative ï Clothing, shoes, bags and

accessories: Maxie Department Stores; Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @MaxieStores