With the Calder Pants & Shorts, you don’t have to compromise on style OR comfort! If you’re ready to embrace the wide-leg trouser trend, or even if you’re still on the fence about it, get ready for a whole lot of inspiration from ready-to-wear coming your way. We love how different these pants can look depending on the fabric you choose, and now we think everyone needs a pair of pomegranate pants. (Yup, that’s a thing! Keep reading to see.)
If you want even more Calder inspiration, be sure to check out our Calder Pants party with Blackbird Fabrics—then head over to the Blackbird shop to save 10% on fabric through April 30th using code CALDER10.
Alright, let’s get this show on the road! You may want to keep a pad of paper and pen handy—there are so many great ideas we think you’ll love here.
View A of the Calder Pants hits at mid-calf. Opt for a solid to have the pants equivalent of a little black dress (but in all the colors of the rainbow).
Is there anything more glamorous than these full-length wide-leg trousers? We love the idea of using faux leather for an extra-special touch—just make sure it’s got a good drape for the full effect.
We can’t wait for shorts weather! The Calder Shorts (View C) look fabulous in any color, and will keep you cool all summer long.
Alright, time to get a little bit bolder. How cool are these striped pants?! We love that these pants can look anywhere from officewear polished to beachy chic depending on the particular stripes.
Are polka dots back and no one told us? These three looks have us hitting up our favorite online fabric stores—I mean, how cool is that dot-on-dot outfit?!
If you don’t generally reach for a floral print when sewing up a pants pattern, these three looks will have you thinking twice. Sewing a pair Calders in floral prints of all kinds—large-scale, delicate, or leafy—is an easy way to elevate your look.
Sew an entire wardrobe of office-appropriate Calder pants in suiting and suit-like prints. Your coworkers don’t have to know that you’re just as comfortable as you are stylish!
Your pants don’t need to play second fiddle to the rest of your outfit. Make them the star of the show in fun and bold prints. (Fruit-print Calders for all!)
Want an extra-special pair of Calders? Look for textured fabrics that really pop, like sequins or ruffles. I mean, how joyous does that model wearing the fringe pants look? We all deserve to be that happy when wearing a me-made garment.
If you’re dipping your toes into the wide-leg trend for the first time, you might be unsure how to style them. Thankfully they’re just as versatile as jeans, so it all depends on the look you’re going for and what you feel comfortable wearing. We love the Calders with a Montrose Top, Springfield Top, or Cedar Dolman Top tucked in, or go untucked with a Webster Top or Harrison Shirt. The peplum top above is super cute, and you could make your own with the Rivermont Top, or how about a cropped Pembroke Tunic to show off a little midriff?
We’re also obsessed with the casual suit look—sew up an unstructured jacket in the same fabric as your Calders and you’ve got an instant officewear ensemble.
I know I always say that our newest pattern is the most hackable yet, but that’s because it’s always true! Check out these fabulous looks you can make with simple adjustments to the base pattern. Add a stylish belt using the same fabric, or pair with a top made out of the same fabric for a faux-jumpsuit look. Add sexy side slits to show a little more leg or sporty racing stripes along the side seams. Attach straps for an easy pinafore look, or if you’ve not feeling the wide-leg look, taper the legs for a bit more definition. Plus you can add back pockets and contrast hem bands and drawstrings and ruffles and the list goes on and on!
We can’t wait to see what you make with the new Calder Pants & Shorts! If you’re feeling inspired, let us know what fabric you’ll use for your first Calders in the comments below. And don’t forget to share photos with us on social media using the hashtags #CalderPants and #CalderShorts.
Brilliant blog post and so inspiring, thank you Jenny. I am still perfecting the pattern adjustments for my annoyingly unique figure (trousers are so difficult to fit in me) but I’m nearly there and have to say this pattern is so much easier than any other I have tried! Can’t wait to order my fabrics (plural) and get cracking!
Hi Jenny! I discovered your site online when searching how to do alterations for “the bum!” I tried your full bum adjustment on another pants pattern and it worked and made sense to me! Thank you ever so much! Question, can I take the Calder pattern and make the legs a little slimmer? I am definitely signing up for blog posts and will be purchasing this pattern. Thank you again! Ruth L.
Hi Ruth! Yes you can slightly slim down the Calder legs – the pelvis /crotch shape is designed for a relatively wide leg so I wouldn’t try to take them all the way down to being fitted, but somewhat of a trim would be fine 🙂