One Piece, Three Ways: Painter Pants

A fun alternative to white jeans

I’ve been thinking about painter’s pants lately and how my friend Laurie really rocks them so well with sneakers and tees. And the times my dad used to take me to Bill’s Army Navy in Short Hills, New Jersey (anyone?) for over-dyed ones for summer camp (mine were peach). Anyway, I just think they can be super chic with a feminine blazer and good loafers in the fall and lots of good ways right now. Today I chose Madewell’s collab with Alexa Chung (now on sale and also in denim) to dress around—p.s. It’s worth looking at all the Alexa Chung stuff since most of it is marked way down.

For a cool/preppy vibe, add a crisp, white shirt, Scarosso boat shoes, big, tortoise glasses, a suede O-ring belt (so good with everything) and a geometric-pattern woven tote.

Make them slightly bohemian with a stellar embroidered hippie top, cute white clog mules, a little fringe bag, a simple pearl and leather choker, and a light cashmere and silk scarf (in case you get blasted with surprise air-conditioning).

Take them for a casual night out and tuck in a bat-sleeve tee, add chunky wedge heels, gold hoops, a suede, cinched pouch bag , and Dorsey ‘s new Paracord anklet (worn as a bracelet, and I plan on stacking a few).