What Emmanuelle Alt can teach us about how to style mid/low rise pants
Playing Detective
For whatever reason, high rise pants just might not be for you. In case you’re in doubt, I’m here to tell you that you can still put together a look that you love. Emmanuelle Alt, French fashion editor, is a subject worth studying.
I am not the first, or the last, to write about this style icon, but here are the things I’ve noticed that make a lower rise work splendidly. What do you see?
First/ Define your waist another way. If you have curves, high rise pants will be most easily flattering, but you can play visual trickery by wearing tops that have a waist defining feature. This could mean your shirt is slightly fitted (e.g. go for a more lady-like button down cut instead of a boxy one). If you like wearing blazers, opt for ones with a slightly fitted silhouette, or look for sweaters with a tie at the waist.
Second/ Wear feminine shoes. They offset the boyishness of a low rise and create balance. If you live in a cold climate, finding feminine boots can be pretty difficult. Here is a promising waterproof suede bootie. Just look for options that are less bulky. I like these heeled boots. If you like the slouchy boots that Emmanuelle Alt often wears, these are a good option. Lace up boots are also a good contrast to the boyish charms of lower rise pants. These are excellent.
For warmer weather and dressier occasions, you cannot go wrong with a delicate sling back. I also like these for a more feminine detail. A kitten heel is charming, and a kitten heel/slingback combo is probably even more perfect. And of course heel heels are great, too. Strappy and delicate gladiator sandals are a wonderful option that combines a casual feel with some purpose, perhaps because you can’t just throw them on. It takes a little dedication to tie a sandal to your foot/leg. These have a bit more heft, which I also love. An Espadrille is another great summer option, popular amongst the French. Don’t sleep on these espadrille slingbacks! If you’re into a simple sandal without ties or natural materials, these are fantastic.
Third/ Match the color of your shoes to your pants. This helps with the proportions. If you create a lower waist line with your pants, then you are cutting off your leg length. This can be visually weird if you aren’t very tall or simply have short legs. This is a good time to note that Emmanuelle Alt is 6’ tall, so if you’re shorter, it will probably take some experimentation to get the proportions right. If you go for dark pants, go for dark shoes. Light ones? That’s right, light shoes. Emmanuelle Alt is famous for wearing black and navy, and often all over black. If that works with your color palette, then go for it! However, you can still create this look with the colors that work best for you. (Need help with your colors? Hit reply to book a styling package with me.)
Fourth/ French tuck your shirt and keep your inseam short. Low or mid rise pants give off a boyish look, which means it will look immediately frumpy if you don’t give it a little polish. Do this by tucking your shirt, and remembering your accessories. Keeping a shorter inseam will also give you a chance to highlight your feminine shoes, which will give the whole look a lift.
Fifth/ Beware cardigans. Because of my curves, I always feel like cardigans are hard to wear in general but particularly so if I’m wearing low to mid rise pants. The rise of your pants already gives off a strong casual, chill vibe, and a cardigan usually doesn’t provide enough polish or structure to hold up against the slump of your pants. Opt for something with more structure instead, like a blazer. A cashmere sweater is going to be a great soft, warm layer alternative to a cardigan, but still feel delicate enough because of the fine, draping quality of cashmere. If the weather permits, a simple crew neck knit would work just fine.
Fit notes:
Be sure to allow yourself a generous fit. One of the great things about mid-rise pants is that they allow your belly to move more freely, which is pretty underrated, health-wise. Still, it can be tempting to try to get as tight of a fit as possible. Your pants shouldn’t pinch your waist or leave marks. Be comfortable!
I have personally really enjoyed a lighter wash version of these. Here’s a comfort-focused mid-rise style available in sizes 00-40 (with some sizes currently sold out), and here’s a skinny jean version available in the same size ranges.