Carolyn Hsu - LOFT Pants Interview Fall 2013

Photographed by Geordy Pearson, Designed by Ly Ngo.

When it comes to day-to-night dressing, Carolyn Hsu of The Hsu Closet and The Daily Obsession doesn't miss a beat. It's not easy to dress appropriately for the daily mix of client meetings, showroom appointments, rooftop parties, and wedding-dress fittings (she's getting married in less than a month!), but the 28-year-old Connecticut native werks it every time.

Hsu left the corporate world years ago to dive into online editorial, and even though she's ditched the monochromatic suits, she still rocks a rotation of sleek (not stuffy!) pencil skirts, tailored toppers, and killer heels.

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That's why, when our friends at LOFT challenged Hsu to create three totally different and totally stylish ways to wear its newest pants in and out of the office, she nailed it. Of course, it also helps that the pants were given a complete overhaul with thigh-trimming tricks, a wider waistband to flatten the tummy, and strategically placed bum-lifting back pockets.

Ladies, be prepared to see black trousers in a new light, ahead.

Photographed by Geordy Pearson.

A Colorful Life

We're really into this multi-hued outfit. Give us the 411, please!
"For the [work] look, I wanted to add some color to the outfit, so I paired the black pants with a bright top and coat. I love lace for a girly touch — this colorful lace top makes it so much more interesting."

How do you mix such a corporate-looking pair of trousers into your non-office lifestyle? "When I left my conservative office job a few years ago, I promised never to wear business-casual again. Because of this, I avoided almost all pants that weren't leather, denim, cropped, or coated. I had donated a lot of my black pants and only kept skinny black jeans. Before I tried these pants on, I had written off a lot of black trousers as too stuffy — but it turns out I was totally wrong. A great pair of black trousers is a must for any closet. [This pair is] versatile, and the cut is flattering for a bunch of different looks."

LOFT Wool Blend Twill Coat, $178, available at LOFT;
LOFT Sheer Lace Tee, $59.50, available at LOFT;
LOFT Marisa Straight Leg Pants in LOFT Bi-Stretch, $69.50, available at LOFT;
LOFT Long Gem and Chain Tassel Necklace, $34.50, available at LOFT.

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Photographed by Geordy Pearson.

All-Black Everything

And how do you style the pants from the blog to the bar?

"For night, I tend to wear a lot of black (you need clothes that make you look slimmer when you're eating and drinking all evening!), so I decided to add texture and color with my accessories. The thing about fashion is that there's so much good stuff out there, it's hard to dress just one way all the time. I love experimenting and am open to trying new things. The only thing I try to avoid is wearing anything that I feel ages me."

LOFT Leather Motorcycle Jacket, $298, available at LOFT;
LOFT Jeweled Sweater Tee, $49.50, available at LOFT;
LOFT Marisa Straight Leg Pants in LOFT Bi-Stretch, $69.50, available at LOFT;
LOFT Petra Python Print Pumps, $79.50, available at LOFT.

Photographed by Geordy Pearson.

Understated Weekend-Chic

How do you rework a pair of trousers for the weekend? "During the weekend, you'll never catch me in a high heel during the day, so it was fantastic that these pants look just as great with a casual loafer as they do with 4-inch pumps."

What do you absolutely love about these LOFT pants?
"When I was trying on the pants at the shoot, I looked in the mirror and exclaimed: 'Is that a skinny mirror?!' The pants are super-slimming — it's hard not to love that. There's nothing that these pants don't go with. I used to think that pants that could be worn for work could not be worn outside the office, but this pair proved me wrong. They're a great base for showing off all different textures and colors, and I had so much fun mixing [them] up with lace, sweatshirts, sweaters, moto jackets, chambray — you name it."

LOFT Lace Front Cotton Top, $44.50, available at LOFT;
LOFT Marisa Straight Leg Pants in LOFT Bi-Stretch, $69.50, available at LOFT;
LOFT Scroll Jacquard Scarf, $34.50, available at LOFT.

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