We are entering the season of pants, which I am excited about despite being a lover of shorts (as seen here and here). The return of skinny pants is still unconfirmed (I believe there has been a collective resistance by women everywhere), but finding the perfect non-skinny, not overly baggy pants (which tend to look sloppy on me) can be a challenge. Nili Lotan mastered this years ago, but their pants come with a hefty price tag (although they are amazing). LESET has a new option that people are splurging on (which I purchased to showcase). So, I went on a quest to find the best fall pants and discovered some affordable options that I adore. Generally, these pants are more mid to low-rise since I have a short torso and large chest, requiring more space between the waist and bust (especially with roomier pants). If this doesn’t match your body type, you might enjoy some of my tops, fall sweaters, and shoes 🙂
Top (in XL) | Necklace | Pants | Slides
These are the viral pants from LESET that everyone is talking about (and looking for alternatives). They are made of poplin (lightweight), incredibly breezy (very comfortable and airy), yet they maintain structure (the seams are firm, not flowy or drapey at all). They feature subtle stitching that may be hard to see in the photo. After trying them on, I can attest to their uniqueness (feels like wearing nothing, but offers a structured fit), but at $278, I questioned if they were truly worth it. I tested out a few alternatives, and I must say that Gap’s version is pretty impressive at one-third of the cost. While I do appreciate the LESET pants, I believe they are overpriced at $278; they give off a “hospital scrub” vibe to me, and I believe you can achieve that look (which is very casual) for much less. If LESET fits your budget, go for it. But keep reading for my alternative picks 🙂
Necklace | Sweater | Pants | Flip-flops
Ok, I absolutely adore the Gap dupes that I found. Yes, they come in camo (available in various colors, but camo is my favorite), and the stitching is slightly different, but the overall look and feel are similar. Priced at $90, they are not cheap, but significantly more affordable than the LESET pants. They fit true to size; I’m wearing a small (I typically range between size 4 and 27), and I opted for the regular length, although they are also available in petite and tall sizes. These pants were a real winner for me: lightweight, structured yet thin, and a perfect length. Simply fantastic. The burgundy quarter zip is from Quince (I did a fall sweater review for them, so I ordered quite a few items). It’s incredibly soft, high-quality, and slightly longer in length. Exceptionally cozy and surprisingly lightweight.
Necklace | Sweater | Pants | Sandals
I’ll continue my praise for Gap with the low-rise cargo pants of my dreams. They are absolutely fantastic. When I put them on, it feels like they were custom-made to fit exactly how I like my pants to fit (I opted for a size 4 PETITE, giving them a slightly shorter appearance in a flattering way). Crafted from a thicker twill fabric (not too warm, but definitely not as thin as poplin), they are a breeze to dress up for the office (pair with a tank, blazer, and flats) or dress down with flip-flops or sleek sneakers (avoiding anything too chunky). A perfect 10/10 in my book, true to size, and available in multiple colors. THE IDEAL FALL PANT.
Necklace | Top | Culottes | Flip-flops
Some may raise an eyebrow at these, but they are quite trendy (at least in New York). They are barrel culottes. I actually really liked them!! Particularly when it’s still warm outside but you want to transition to fall attire, or if you prefer not to show off your legs and miss the capri/culotte trend. I’m unsure if I’ll wear these enough to keep them, but I do find them intriguing. The long-sleeve boxy T-shirt is also from Gap.
Necklace | Sweater | Pants | Sandals
I found myself falling in love with these pants by Emerson Made. I adore that brand (small, American-made, and effortlessly classic yet stylish). These are the pants that many brands attempt to imitate (priced over $100, so not cheap but not $278). The stripes are just right – busy yet still light without being stark white. They are roomy, slightly tapered, and slouchy in the best way. The cardigan is my ideal cardigan, chunky but not overly long (hitting at my waist) and easy to layer over other pieces. Not too heavy, so I wore it frequently during the cooler summer evenings. I elevated it by wearing it as a top (without a tank underneath) with my navy blue silk lace skirt to attend a musical with my kids this past summer in San Francisco.
Necklace | Sweater | Pants | Sandals
These pants that everyone was talking about, Citizens of Humanity, are indeed fantastic. They have a slight barrel shape, a subtle taper, large flat front pockets, and hit at the ankle. They are also quite pricey, so for me, the two Gap options above meet my criteria perfectly, but yes, these are undeniably excellent. The big cozy sweater is from Free People (size down significantly, I’m wearing a small here and plan to exchange it for an XS or XXS).
Necklace | Sweater | Pants | Shoes
Alright, these are the final LESET dupes that I purchased in a small corduroy fabric. I must admit, they are remarkable alternatives (available in navy, green, and cream). They are undeniably comfortable, more budget-friendly than the LESET pants, and the corduroy material adds a touch of sophistication, avoiding the “hospital pants” appearance. I recommend sizing down; I’m wearing an XS, and they still offer a roomy fit.
The Gap pants (camo and cargo) and Free People (barrel trousers and green cargo) are the standout winners here (along with Emerson Fry). While I did try a few options from Anthropologie, the sizing was way off. I wish all these brands would stick to a consistent sizing system. My fall capsule wardrobe is really coming together. xx
*Photos by Kaitlin Green