How to style a checkered trouser outfit

Yikes, the #NSale is ending tomorrow!! Hence, an extra post this week. Today, I am sharing a very different look for me: a casual checkered trouser outfit!! Stepping out of the box? Oh, yeah. These trousers are not my usual tailored pants. And the checks are not in my typical color palate.

However, this outfit did remind me of something I might have worn in my younger years when I made it a practice to dress just a little differently from everyone else. It was kind of my thing. In high school, a couple girls started wearing saddle shoes. My saddle shoes, however, were black and brown. A masculine version. Class rings (remember those? Am I dating myself here?! Hah!) for girls were tiny little things. Mine was “guy sized.” I like a little bigger style in rings, y’know? So, here I am in my later years stepping outside the mainstream just a bit. And hey, it’s kind of fun! The last thing I want to be accused of is dressing my age!!!

For today’s post, I’m styling these pants for a late summer or early fall look. Later, I’ll share how I wear them for a colder day in the fall.

The casual checkered trouser outfit

These checkered pants are purposely designed in a baggy style which actually feels kind of refreshing after the many years of skinny jeans!  My husband calls them “Cary Grant” pants!  Haha! Coincidentally, we watched “North by Northwest” recently and he had remarked about the high water pants the gentlemen were wearing. Cary Grant was SO tiny! I’m pretty sure I have wider shoulders and definitely weigh more than he did! Lol!

Checkered trousers

You can definitely wear this casual checkered pants outfit to run errands, go shopping, or lunching with friends. To keep it casual, I am styling them with a basic white tee. The key with baggy trousers is to wear a fitted top to give you shape and proportions.

White tee   |   White belt

A white belt kept the look summery. But you could just as easily wear these without a belt. It would give the pants a longer line, making your legs look longer. I should’ve done that!

White vegan backpack

The Extras

A white backpack keeps it casual and is so great for carrying all your necessities! The simple white one I’m styling is older, but they are still trending and I’ve linked to one very similar–a very simple style. When your neck or back is bothering you, especially from carrying a heavy purse as we all do, a backpack is a comfortable yet stylish choice.

Denim jacket (a favorite!)

You can see a denim jacket hanging behind me. It would look very cool with this outfit if needed. The dreaded rear shot here does show that checks can make your rear look bigger, but that’s the beauty of this look: a slimmer waist and wider hips! Oh yeah. Cary Grant did NOT have those!!

Leather Sneakers (these come in 12 colors!)

White sneakers are such a practical feature and look great with a casual checkered trouser outfit like this one.  A good leather pair, like these, will serve you well for a long time. And they are always comfortable. Check.

Chandelier earrings

It’s always fun to go with some statement jewelry, even for a casual outfit like this. As my BFF Kathi says, wear your good jewelry NOW. Don’t save it a later day. Good advice!  Gold chandelier earrings and a black bangle are my jewelry of choice for this look.

Are you ready to step outside your box and give some wild and crazy “Cary Grant” trousers a try? I promise you, you will like them, regardless of your shape. It feels great to have a little extra room in your pants!

Be sure to check back in tomorrow for some final picks from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. I will be styling a classic work outfit for the LAST DAY OF THE #NSALE! Whew! Will you be glad to not have to hear about this for a while? About a year, in fact? I will be going on a “shopping diet” for the month of August and will tell you all about it in next week’s posts.