You can never be too rich…too thin…or have too many black pants

Yes, I have way too many black pants, and that’s not likely to change any time in the near future. Black bottoms are essential components of my wardrobe–dare I say it?…of any baby-boomer woman’s wardrobe–and I just plain enjoy collecting variations of them.

Anthropologie’s protean crops are my latest love. They look great with bare legs and heels…with tights and short boots…with flats…making them a great building block for a fall wardrobe.

Two More Loves from Anthropologie

Yes, I am a certified Anthroholic. I love the store because it caters to women of all ages, and the buyers have a great knack for choosing items with great personality. Team any one Anthropologie piece with something basic, and the result is invariably a fabulous statement.

My two newest faves:

The Acclimate sweater:

The Midnight Squall skirt:

Amazing Anthropologie Sale

A few weeks ago,  I wrote a post that referenced these Cross-Front Crops from Anthropologie:

I bought them at the original price of $98. They tend to run a little big, so I had to go down a size–always a joy. They’re truly fabulous pants, and I’ve worn them numerous times. Now they’re marked down to an absurdly low $19.95, which dazzles and delights me. Given their versatility, great fit, and the fact that they refuse to wrinkle, this deal warrants the purchase of a second pair. (Just ask my friend Heidi, who absolutely agrees with me and did precisely the same thing. I can always count on her to justify even my most extreme shopping rationalizations.)

And just for fun, check out this Ruffled Cowlneck Cardi, also from Anthro–a great summer-to-fall transitional sweater.

More Great Pants from Anthropologie

I have a thing for slouchy pants. They look fabulous on skinny days and camouflage brilliantly on chunky days, making them the ideal wardrobe staple. (Sam, my stylist buddy, once described my body type as “rectangular, with a hint of pear,” so anything that skims breezily over my hips and thighs makes me happy.) All of that is to say that these pants from Anthropologie make my heart beat just  a little bit faster:

Origami Pocket Pants

Cross-Front Crops

OK…Can I Just Live in Anthropologie?

There are definite themes in my wardrobe. Other than jeans, most of my bottoms are black or gray–always have been, probably always will be. I occasionally buy pants and skirts in other colors, but those are the items that sit in my closet for months at a time–unnoticed, unworn, unloved.

Basics like black and gray represent great flexibility–coordinating with a variety of tops–which is why I’m constantly drawn to those colors when I go shopping. And let’s face it: if you have even a hint of hips or thighs, there’s nothing like a dark color to offer great camouflage.

These cropped pants from Anthropologie absolutely fit the bill, enhanced by a touch of tweed that gives them a fabulous menswear look.

More from Anthropologie

Anthropologie’s Languid Cargo Crops are a great summer basic. I’d ditch the fabric sash, though, because it’s a tad too cutesie.

I also love the Peasant-Tied Cardigan, which is the perfect top to camouflage the lumpy-fly look that we invariably get from even the best-fitting jeans. Wear it alone or layer it over a tank top.

Another Summer Must-Have Top

One of my favorite summer tops from Anthropologie, which I wrote about on June 4, is also available in this color version:

It’s light, breezy, and so easy to wear–flattering baby-boomer women in all the right places.

A Must-Have Top for Summer

Anthropologie comes through with the perfect top for skinny black jeans and narrow cropped pants. The Asymmetrical Tank is cut long–sweeping softly over the hips, yet draping perfectly to show off the waist. It’s also cut high on the shoulder, which flatters just about everyone.