I feel like I’ve been in a little bit of a slump lately trying to find my style as a 32 year old finance girly- keeping up with trends but staying timeless without overspending. The flare pants for work have been a life saver for me and I can’t wait to chat with you about them!
As someone who’s 5’2″, I genuinely feel like most flare pants swallow me whole. However, recently, I tried pants from Express and I’m so obsessed! I’ve been living in these three Express outfits all season, and I’m breaking down why each one works best for the office!
Why Flare Pants Actually Work for Petite Women (When You Style Them Right)
Here’s the thing nobody tells you: flare pants aren’t the enemy, bad proportions are. If you’ve tried flare pants before and felt frumpy or short, it’s probably because of one of these mistakes:
- Wearing them too long– your pants should graze the top of your shoe, not pool on the floor. These pants come in 3 length options! Perfect for everyone!
- Pairing them with a baggy top– flare pants already tend to add volume on the bottom, so you need something fitted on top to balance it out. This is where bodysuits become your best friend.
- Breaking up the outfit with contrasting colors– this is the one that changed everything for me. A monochrome look creates one long vertical line, which is basically an optical illusion for height.
If you’re on the hunt for the perfect flare pant that fits in the waist and doesn’t need hemming- I think you’ll love these!
1. Sage Green Monochrome: Flare Pants + Bodysuit
I’ve been searching for the perfect flare pant for the longest time and finally come across these from Express. I ordered 3 pair and was soo happy when I tried them on. No gapping in the waist, a little long for my 5’2″ frame but perfect with a heel and they’re so comfortable!
I bought a matching bodysuit for a monochrome look! This is great if you’re wearing a bodysuit, because it makes your outfits appear a little more put together and professional. In my opinion. As soon as I realized it could be a matching set I was sold.
Express has a body contour line that sucks you in, it’s double lined and super soft!
Why I love it:
- Sage green and olive tones is a color that reads as neutral in an office setting but still feels a little more interesting than black or navy
- The bodysuit means zero untucking, zero bunching- it stays smooth all day, even after sitting in meetings for hours
- Layer a blazer over it for client-facing days, or wear it as-is for a more casual Friday
I’m wearing: 0R · 5’2″ with a heel!
***If you’re reading this and the colors are sold out- don’t worry! They typically bring in new colors every season of the same pieces!
Click Image to Shop Full Outfit!
2. Black Monochrome: Flare Pants + Bodysuit
The most “I have a 9am I cannot be late to” outfit on this list. Black-on-black flares and a bodysuit is foolproof, slimming, and honestly takes zero brainpower on a Monday morning- which, same girl, I know. We need something easy and classy.
I’m wearing: 0R in Pants, XS in Top· 5’2″
Styling tip: This is the outfit to add texture to, since color isn’t doing any of the visual work. You can easily add a cropped tweed jacket or blazer to this look for a meeting!
Click Image to Shop Full Outfit!
3. French Blue Monochrome: Flare Pants + Matching Crop Knit Vest
This one is giving “I have my life together” energy, and I’m not mad about it. Like we tried today. This is the outfit you’ll get compliments on :). This blue shade is such an underrated work color- it’s soft enough to feel approachable but still reads as polished. Pairing the flare pants with a matching crop knit vest (instead of a bodysuit) gives this look a slightly more elevated, put-together feel!
Why I love it:
- The cropped vest hits right at the high-waist point of the flares, which- again- keeps that long vertical line intact
- Knit vests are a great transitional piece for office AC that’s either freezing or somehow also too warm!
- Comes in 3 colors
- This is the outfit I’d wear to a presentation or a client lunch- it feels intentional without trying too hard!
I’m wearing: 0R in pants and XS in top. I wish I had gotten a small in the top because I had to tape the buttons from popping open! FYI · 5’2″
Styling tip: Layer a simple white button-down underneath the vest for added polish, or wear it alone for warmer days. Either way, keep accessories minima- this outfit does the talking on its own.
Click Image to Shop Full Outfit!
XO, Whit
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