
When eating out with my family the other day, I marveled at how it was impossible to tell what season we were in just by looking at the diners’ attire. In one room I found chunky-knit sweaters, short-sleeved polos, fleece vests, and a glittery cocktail dress.
The sudden plunge into fall has given way to a chaotic transition to winter: a temperate 70-degree day would sometimes follow 30-degree freezes, and people’s confusion reflects in their dress.
As I am not in the habit of outfit planning (not that it’s possible to outfit plan when the temperature swings are this dramatic), I have been relying on four-season staples like cashmere sweaters, ankle-length trousers in stretchy materials, and leather loafers to avoid looking like I forgot to check the weather forecast in the morning.










One new work basic that I have been enjoying is J.Crew’s Kate Straight-Leg Pant in Four-Season Stretch, which is available in nine colors, and classic, petite, and tall “fits.” The material (64% polyester/31% viscose/5% elastane) has just enough stretch to both be comfortable to wear and maintain its shape. While the straight-leg silhouette might not seem appealing to those with athletic builds or curves, the stretch in the material helps improve the fit. And the high-waist and ankle-length are especially short-legs friendly.
While this pant is technically machine washable, with the amount of viscose in the material I have only been hand-washing and air-drying to avoid shrinkage and fading.
You can find the Kate Straight-Leg Pant in Four-Season Stretch at J.Crew.