Cuffed and Rolled Sleeves (No) And Pants (Yes)

Oh, gads, the 1980’s cuffed/rolled sleeve thing is back, and WHO NEEDS IT?
Not you.
There is nothing professional or flattering about looking like you thrifted a jacket and couldn’t be bothered to have the sleeves tailored. That was cute when you were 19 and had asymmetrical, permed hair. It’s just sloppy on a grown woman.

IMG_2959

Rolled pants hems are the same deal. If you MUST, only if you’re tall and slim enough. I’m sorry, but some things must be said outright. I simply can’t have you paying for clothing that does not make you shine like the gem that you are.

IMG_2970

A few words on styling:

A structured flat shoe is fine. There are oodles of them out there. You want the cuffed pant to fit close to the leg and hit at your ankle bone.

IMG_2962

All of these photos were taken at T.J. Maxx. I am that weirdo wandering around snapping photos on my phone.

IMG_2973
Don’t judge me for my sandals. Something bit my foot and my left foot has been swollen and itchy.

Oxfords are very cute but NO SOCKS if you’re wearing a cuffed, slim-cut trouser. Trust me on this. You want that bare ankle or the stylishness of the cuff is utterly demolished.

IMG_2975

These are 100% not okay, ever, at all in a professional setting. Save them for grocery shopping on your day off.

IMG_2974

In case you were wondering what’s never okay in the jeans department, here’s a reminder:
IMG_2968

With your tailored, cuffed pants (NOT your floppy, rolled jeans – there’s a big difference!), you might choose a classic, also tailored, long open cardigan. Avoid all the current fussy design elements like big fabric wings in front, mullet hems, lace inserts and anything else that makes the garment look cheap and over-busy. Something like this is perfectly fine.
IMG_2964

If you’re wearing clericals, I would choose a waist-length outer layer. The enclosed neck of clericals plus the long hem of the sweater is too much swathing.

This, now, is only acceptable if you’re doing ministry in a ski lodge and your pastoral function is fetching cups of steaming hot chocolate to people who will nod their thanks and go on ignoring you as they chat about their stocks and bonds and worldly power, which you are announcing you understand nothing about by the wearing of this cardigan.

IMG_2965

SHAN’T.

cuff5
She is totes going to make a bunch of hospital visits and then go home and work on her sermon.

2 Replies to “Cuffed and Rolled Sleeves (No) And Pants (Yes)”

  1. What do you think of the short lengths of pants – sans cuffs? Lots of ankle showing, I see. I think it looks very smart, regardless of height or girth, but haven’t bothered to outfit myself. I also like the long jacket/duster thing I’m seeing. My favorite is a classic knee-length fitted dress with a tailored jacket that’s the same length.
    [I think the ankle length pants look is sharp! But the FIT has to be right. FIT, FIT, FIT! If the thighs and butt are baggy, if the feet are ungroomed or in dopey shoes, it’s just total frump. I’m a fat girl and I have found some ankle length pants that work for my proportions, but I had to get the legs taken in. What was able to get around my “inner tube” lower abdomen and wide tushie did not fit at all in the thighs, even though it was just a few inches of black fabric that certainly didn’t look huge. The line wasn’t right. Before I had them altered they were simply frumpy. Have I mentioned that I love my tailor? – PB]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *