Get Your Partypants On!

Disco Dinosaur

Back in the primordial ooze of the Late Discocene Period, I owned a pair of fuchsia pink satin pants. I didn’t think about it at the time, but looking back they were surprisingly versatile. I wore them to parties and out dancing with a dusty rose knit top with lace inlays. When my roommate’s parents were in town and took us out to dinner, I wore them with a black crewneck sweater. I wore them to concerts with my Talking Heads “More Songs About Buildings and Food” tee. I used them as part of at least one Halloween costume. There wasn’t a single Good Time those pants weren’t up for. But a cross-country move that required bringing only what we could squeeze into my 1969 VW squareback (and an upward weight swing which meant I could no longer squeeze myself into the pants) consigned them ultimately to a donation pile. Times called for more “sensible” clothes, and I’ve never since owned anything quite as flamboyant. At least outside of Mardi Gras costumes.

With Holiday Party Season sneaking up on us like a velociraptor with low blood sugar, I’m tempted to get myself another pair of Partypants. (It should be one word. It just should.) A pair of Partypants solves a lot of wardrobe dilemmas. Dress them up for a cocktail party with velvet and heels, or pair with a denim jacket and flats for an art gallery date with friends. You forgot to shave your legs this morning? No problem, like the Honey Badger, Partypants don’t care. They allow you to bypass the pesky Hosiery Conundrum. And there’s a pair of Partypants for just about every size, taste and budget.

J.Crew Collection Café Capri in Jade Jacquard

J.Crew Café Brocade Pants
NYDJ Sheri Skinny in Shattered Red Velvet!
(Mini Me not included)
Aqua Streisand Hammered Satin Pants
(Imagine the entrance you could make in these!)
Talbot’s Rose Print pants
(Available in Misses, Petites, Women’s and Women’s Petite sizes)

Talbot’s Duponi Ankle Pant
(Available in Misses, Petites, Women’s and Women’s Petite sizes)
Casual glamour:  J.Crew Cropped Velvet Pant

Do you have a pair of Partypants?  How do you wear them?

More options below:


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36 Comments

  1. I like the concept, but am too shy to stray from black pants or jeans. Also–those silk pants can be very uncomfortable with their non-forgiving waistbands. Check for the lycra.

  2. Great post. In the words of Homer Simpson, “It’s funny cuz it’s true.” And now I think I needs some Partypants.

    Love your Photochop!

    Amities,
    Marsi

  3. I, too, have a pair of rose pants from Ann Taylor and a pair of black silk also from Ann Taylor. I’m not very adventurous so the rose inevitable are paired with a black top and glitzy sandals (I have always worn them in the summer.) I’ll have to trot them out and see what I can pair with them for the holidays. Any suggestions?

  4. Partypants can also be a surprising pick-me-up; try with a simple tee just to give yourself a wink on a day when you or your wardrobe feels flat. I’m looking for a perfect print or lush velvet colour which I haven’t found yet.

    Partypants are one of the few remaining things Talbots do well- that and the trouser jean.

  5. I’ve done partypants — had a dark paisley print in velvet that I wore through holiday season for years. And a fuschia jersey jumpsuit — really! — to meet up with your fuschia partypants back in the day. I’m keeping an eye out for an evening-ish pair right now, and more for what Duchesse is talking about than for evenings, I’m enjoying a paisley-print pair of JBrand cords in the meanwhile.

    Your post was so much fun — thanks for your always-entertaining writing!

  6. Ha! I still think of the ruffled underpants of our childhood:).

    I went with a sequin skirt instead. But I think party pants are great.

  7. You are correct that Partypants should be one word — but I, like Lisa, was transported back in time to the ruffled britches I used to wear under my Polly Flinders.

    I had a pair of electric blue capris purchased at Les Puces when I was a slip of a thing (about the same time you were) — wore the daylights out of them. I think I also owned that Talking Heads tee.

    Nowadays, my Partypants tend toward the black velvet jean variety. I may have to branch out. I agree that Talbots is the best place to look!

  8. I loved this post! I have the skirt and jacket version of the rose pants from Talbots in my closet under consideration for the wedding outfit…I just cannot make up my mind. But this floral is gorgeous and I highly recommend it!

  9. Looking back to my younger days (I have a good memory!) I didn’t own any Partypants, however I had a purple mini skirt that I wore with a fuchsia pink top and I absolutely LOVED that outfit! I love the idea of Partypants for those occasions where you don’t know whether it will be smart or casual – I notice some of them have petite sizes so I will be checking them out!

  10. I think the Talbots are quite elegant. Also like the deep red velvet jeans. No partypants for me, they’ve never been my thing.

  11. I have a fondness for funky pants! They are precious finds as fit is a challenge. I tend to go my version of plain-ish with top and shoes to let them be the star.

    I loved your account of the famous fuchsia satin era of the Late Discocene!

  12. Partypants? uuu, I couldn´t, I wouldn´t. For a party, it´s a dress.
    I go to so few parties and get to use pants every day.

    1. Like Mette, I wear casual pants daily, so if I have a chance to get dressed up, which isn’t often, I want to wear a dress.

  13. Yes to Partypants! I wonder if your NYDJ black coated jeans fall into this category. I am curious because I have bought those myself, but haven’t worn them yet. Considering debuting them for the Thanksgiving festivities at my cousin’s, if it’s cold enough to wear a sweater.

    Back in the day, I had a pair of fuchsia & black graffiti-print knit pants, which I wore with a black boatneck top. So I am clearly a fan of fancy pants. I also had a strapless black jumpsuit with harem-pant legs! As I was in my twenties, and was fairly tall & slim, I’m assuming I looked good and not ridiculous! Now at age 55, still fairly tall but less slim (but not too bad) I’m debating what’s too much, vs. slightly edgy. Also debating the NYDJ coated jeans tucked into boots. Again, too much? Or cool? I am now off to check out those shattered red velvet jeans, which I’m sure I don’t need, but which sound fabulous.

    —Jill Ann

  14. Partypants is my favourite new word. I have nice pants but nothing I would call partypants. I’ve seen some fantastic sequin pants but nothing I’d shell out for yet. I’d like to see you relive those pink party pants – bright pink satin. Discocene era? LOL!!

    1. I have a pair of pants that are – lets face it – just a pair of slim fitting black pants. But they are stretch fabric and a little bit shiny, and they are MADE IN FRANCE!

      So I call them my “tight French pants” and they always make me feel glamorous. I should call them my Partypants!!

      I do also have a pair of cherry red ankle-length skinny pants by Theory that I bought on sale that fit perfectly. I should wear them more often!

  15. I love to see colorful, slim silk pants on trim-hipped women of any age, but have always instinctively kept shiny fabrics above my waist, so I read your entertaining post thinking, “Cute, but I’ll pass.” Then I saw that last photo with the J. Crew silky cropped velvets, and ooh, I may need to reconsider partypants!

    C.

  16. I wish I had a colourful pair, but I do have my black satin pants I’ve been wearing this month, which are proving to be amazingly versatile, as you’ve said! I have a very wide-legged black pant for next month’s parties. Have been keeping my eye out for coloured ones.

  17. I think Kate Spade has new party pants that are silk and pajama-like. they were a gorgeous color and looked comfy… not sure if I could carry it off 🙂 Timely post as I have my first “party” .. auction coming up and I’m trying to decide dress or pant. The J Crew pencil pant comes in a variety of colors and textures. The price is good and I’ve heard they are very nice.

    Enjoy your day!

    leslie

  18. Late Discocene Period! Hah!
    I like your party pants selection – you should definitely get a pair.
    I got into loud trousers lately and I can thoroughly recommend them – they are a lot of fun. I had a pair of gold brocade ones I inherited in my teens – really eighties glitz stuff. This season I bought a pair of brocade ones in memory of my teen spirit.

  19. No partypants for me at this moment. But I do have my eyes on those green brocade pants from J. Crew. In my youth, I had quite a few pairs of partypants and even sported hot pants…yes, hot pants in bright red wool…a few times. Ah, the good old days of slim thighs and a tight rear.

  20. I love my black velvet bootcut trousers. I also have some purple velvet pants in a similar style. I wear them to parties, but not just for parties. They lift my spirits enormously in winter time. I

  21. If there was ever a year to invest in Partypants,it’s this one. They really are gorgeous and it is really tempting. We have been going for too long leaving all the sparkle to the tops! And yes, we agree it should be one word!

  22. You’re fantastic, as usual, Pseu! I remember black and blue paisley satin brocade side zip pants from the 80s, and some really marvelous fantastic creature pants with wonderful smokey blues and reds and greens. Both Limited, I believe.