We are approaching pant season, which I will happily embrace despite being quite the shorts enthusiast (seen here and here). The rumour of the skinny pant coming back has yet to be proven (I think there has been a universal pushback by women writ large), but finding the right non-skinny but not crazy baggy pant (which just looks so schlubby on me) can be hard. Nili Lotan nailed it years ago, but their pants are so expensive (and so awesome), and then LESET has a new one that people are splurging on (which I bought to show you). So I went on the hunt for the best fall pants and found some that I love for those of us in the market, at less splurgy price points. In general, these are more mid to lower waist since I’m short-torsoed with big breasts, so I need to create more space between waist and boobs (especially when the pants are big). But if that’s not your profile, then maybe you’ll like some of my tops, fall sweaters, and shoes:)

Top (in XL) | Necklace | Pants | Slides

Ok, these are the viral pants from LESET that everyone is talking about (and searching for dupes). They are poplin (thin), are extremely airy (so very comfortable and lightweight), and yet still have structure (the seams stay stiff, not flowy or drapey AT ALL). They have cool stitching that you can barely see in this photo. After trying them on, I can confirm that there is something pretty special about them (feels like you are wearing nothing, but indeed are a structured pair), but for $278 I wondered if they could possibly be worth it. There are a few dupes out there which I bought to test out, and I’m happy to say that the Gap’s version is pretty dang great for 1/3rd the cost. While I do really like these LESET ones, not for $278; they are too “hospital scrub” for me, and I really think you can check that box (which is so casual) in a much cheaper way. Anyway, if LESET is in your budget, go for it. But keep reading for my dupes 🙂

Necklace | Sweater | Pants | Flip-flops

These are the Gap dupes that I LOVE. Yes, they are camo (comes in a lot of colors, but I like camo), and the stitching is different, but the look and feel is similar. These are $90, so not cheap, but 1/3rd the cost of the LESET. These are true to size; I’m wearing a small (I’m between a 4 and 27), and I ordered regular, but it comes in petite and tall. These were a slam dunk for me: so lightweight, thin but structured, great length. Just awesome. The burgundy quarter zip is from Quince (I did a fall sweater review for them, so I ordered a ton). It’s super soft, very high quality, and on the longer side. Extremely cozy and actually on the lighter side.

Necklace | Sweater | Pants | Sandals

I’ll just continue my Gap love with the low-waisted cargo pants of my dreams. FANTASTIC. I put them on, and it’s like they were made to fit exactly like how I like pants to fit (I’m wearing a 4 PETITE, so they hit a bit shorter in such a good way). It’s a thicker twill (not too hot, just not thin like the poplin) and feels so easy to dress up for the office (just add a tank, blazer, and flats) or dress down with flip-flops or skinny/flat sneakers (nothing too chunky). 10/10, true to size and comes in a few different colors. THE PERFECT FALL PANT.

Necklace | Top | Culottes | Flip-flops

Now these might get a side eye from some people, but they are very in (at least in New York). They are, get this, barrel culottes. But I really liked them!! Especially when it’s still hot out but you don’t want to dress summery still, or if you aren’t someone who likes to show off legs and you miss the capri/culotte era. I don’t know if I’ll wear these enough to keep them, but I do think these are cool. The long-sleeve boxy T-shirt is also from the Gap.

Necklace | Top | Pants | Belt | Flip-flops

These pants I bought and debuted in February, and they became so popular that they kept selling out, so now they make them in many more colors. They are rad. They are barrels with a fantastic shape and length and more low-waisted for an easy tuck (they just feel way more casual than typical slacks). My only beef with these is that they are pretty fitted at the waist, which is great in the morning, but they definitely come in more than just sit on your waist, so I find them uncomfortable “post-burrito”.

Necklace | Sweater | Pants | Sandals

These are another pair of pants that people were talking about, Citizens of Humanity, and yes, they are rad. They are also slightly barrel, slight taper, big flat front pockets, ankle length. They are also super splurgy, so for me the two Gap above check my boxes, but yes, these are very very, very good. Big cozy sweater is from Free People (size WAYYYYY down, I’m wearing a small here and def am going to return for an XS or XXS).

Necklace | Sweater | Pants | Shoes

Now these pants are staples for me, by Emerson Made. I love that brand (small, made in America, and very classic but cool). These are what a lot of brands try to knock off (they are over $100, so not cheap but not $278). The stripe is perfect – busy, but they still read as “light” without being bright white. These are roomy, but tapered a bit and slouchy in the best of ways. The cardigan is my perfect cardigan, chunky but not long (hits at my waist) and easy to layer over things. Not too heavy, so I wore it a ton at night during the summer. I dressed it up by wearing it as a top (no tank underneath) with my navy blue silk lace skirt to go to a musical with my kids this summer in SF.

Necklace | Top | Pant | Belt

I popped into J.Crew to see what barrel slacks they had, and I found these, which are very thick and structured and a great color. They are a bit too high-waisted for me, so I’m returning them, but if you like a mid to high-rise clean barrel that looks high-end (great for work), these are great (and I feel like J.Crew always has sales). Sandals are Beek that I got on clearance and for some reason (kinda uncomfortable), but Quince has a great dupe that gets great reviews.

Necklace | Top | Pants | Slides

This one also checked boxes for the more casual vibes – low-waisted, lots of cargo pockets, barrel utility but on the baggier side. The fit is really great and easy to wear. It’s a little bit of a younger vibe, but I’m pretty into it:)

Necklace | Sweater | Pants | Shoes

Ok, these are the last dupes of the LESET that I bought in a small corduroy material. I actually think they are fantastic dupes (comes in navy, green, and cream). They are obviously comfortable, more affordable than the LESET, and the corduroy definitely helps them not to look like hospital pants. Size down on these; I’m wearing an XS, and they are still roomy.

The Gap pants (camo and cargo) and Free People (barrel trouser and green cargo) are the clear winners here (wait, along with Emerson Fry). I actually bought a few from Anthropologie to try, but the sizing was so off. I really wish all these brands could just stick to one size across the board. My fall capsule wardrobe is coming together, folks. xx

*Photos by Kaitlin Green