How to Style Red Lace Pants 4 Ways

We are in the thick of the holiday season and NYC is abuzz with visitors from near and far, all here to see the wonder that is New York City in December. If you’ve never been, I highly recommend adding it to your bucket list! No matter what or how you celebrate, the festive energy is truly magical. I absolutely love it!

You know what else I absolutely love? Holiday apparel. When it comes to my wardrobe, I stick to a neutral color palette 90% of the year and save the other 10% for December when I embrace all of the red, plaid, lace and velvet. There’s just something about the season’s colors and textures that make me feel so special.

My go-to formula for festive dressing is to pick one statement piece and dress around that – a velvet top, tartan button down, red sweater or sequinned skirt are all fun options! I typically choose a statement pant because that’s what I feel best in. That being said, I know that statement pants can be intimidating – especially in a bold color like red – so I thought I’d give you some ideas for how to style them for the holiday season – party or not! Whether you use this red lace pair or another fun, bold bottom, these four “formulas” can be applied, likely with items you already own and love.

First things first: the pants. J.Crew has made a version of these for a few years now but this year’s version is my favorite. They have a higher rise and wider leg which I find extremely flattering on many figures (I’m wearing a 2, runs tts, 00-22, petite and tall). The elastic waist and forgiving cut make them FEEL super comfortable while the lace material LOOKS feminine and fancy! These pants are incredibly versatile and can be dressed up or down depending on how they’re styled.

And now, the looks!

LOOK 1: CRISP + COOL

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Pants, Button Down (wearing a small, runs tts), Sneakers (39, runs tts)

By now you know that I’m all about maximizing my wardrobe (read more about that here). While many people reserve statement pants for parties and nighttime, I wear ‘em all day every day! A crisp white button down (knotted, of course) and white sneakers make for a casual, cool yet refined look that I’d wear to the office or on the weekends, too! This shirt is old (7 years to be exact) but well worth the investment (hello, 7 years!). I also love this one and this one.

LOOK 2: ELEGANT EVENING

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Pants, Top (old, similar here), Scarf, Pumps (wearing a size 8, runs tts)

I wear a version of this outfit almost every season: statement pant + blouse or cami + pumps and a wrap! I love the combo of textures and patterns here: lace, velvet, plaid and suede make for an elegant yet fun evening look that I’d wear to holiday parties or drinks with the girls. Combining textures works well when you streamline your color palette! A black wrap would work here too if you want to tone it down a bit 😉 Also, these suede d’orsay pumps are a staple in my closet – the pointed toe looks great with dresses and pants and the 2.5 inch heel is totally manageable!

LOOK 3: BORROWED FROM THE BOYS

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Pants, T-Shirt (wearing a small, runs tts), Blazer (wearing a 4, runs tts), Loafers (wearing a 38, runs tts)

This menswear inspired look is one of my favorites! I love that the silhouette is more masculine but the lace and tweed textures are more feminine. Together, they create a fun version of a suit! I saw this blazer and fell head over heels in love – it’s a piece I know I’ll wear year after year, paired with everything from party pants to leather skirts to denim. There are SO many great statement blazers this season: I also love this one, this one, this one, this one and this one. When you’re combining statement pieces, keep the rest of the look simple: I went with a plain white t-shirt and classic black loafers for a subtle yet tailored vibe. This is a look I’d wear for work or play, and one that could be easily tweaked by swapping out the jacket for a black or navy blazer if that’s more your speed.

LOOK 4: MONOCHROMATIC MOMENT

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Pants, Sweater (wearing an xs, sized down for a more fitted feel), Heels (old, similar here), Earrings (old, similar)

Last but not least! I clearly can’t keep secrets from you guys so here it is: my Christmas LEWK. I’m a big believer in monochromatic dressing – wearing one color makes me feel instantly taller and more put together. Plus, consider this: I’m literally wearing elastic waist pants and a cozy sweater but by adding a neutral strappy sandal and statement earrings it looks infinitely fancier than it feels! Keeping the footwear nude and neutral really makes the look and elogantes the legs, so even if you don’t love heels (or want to wear sandals in the winter time) try a nude pump, bootie or flat.

That’s all, friends! Now go grab your party pants and let’s get festive!

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