I can think of a million reasons to get a pair of genie pants

But instead, here are ~20

Genie pants are the low stakes novelty item your wardrobe craves when the weather is better and your guard’s coming down and you can reflect on the winter that is newly behind you and recognize the growth that’s because of it.

This is the magic of spring in a place with 4 clearly defined seasons. You’re in a dark tunnel for months until you approach the light and with all this new perspective and gratitude for how you managed to survive the darkness, everything is bright — and light — again.

So your risk threshold gets higher and you want to celebrate. Want to look like you’re ready to celebrate. This makes a pair of genie pants an ideal outfit maker. Allow me to demonstrate the ways:

They make it easy to wear all black without looking at all boring.

Nili Lotan top, Aflalo ‘Lolana’ pants, B-low belt, Havaianas x Gimaguas slingbacks

Re shoe, that collaboration is going to contextualize these. Re top: I have it on backwards, this is what it’s like right side forward—

Same ingredients here, pretty much, with a white bra swapped in for the black and a tassel dangling from a wood bag; this one is great too

Shoes turned lace up/leather/beige. These are their protege, I guess!

Meanwhile here’s what you’d wear out on a sticky city night — Mango bodysuit, Aflalo pants, Larroude wedges (love these with an outfit like this too); here are necklace (Row) and bracelet (Jujuvera) alts

Another simple one that’s feeling fool proof with a sculpted black tube top and lace up sandals (or maybe you try Tory’s mesh? The key man is hardware)

Jewelry’s all over the place — that bracelet with the frog, though, that is right here.

One more, kind of similar, with a silk halter top and neon field shoes. I added the brooch to tie back to the shoes

These could work if you’re after a more classic trainer shape. So to close the loop here, I’ll reiterate what brought us in the first place: genie pants make wearing all black look and feel full of personality with basically no lift.

Call this the sequel, played out as a mini series, to last winter’s argument. Next:

They do something great under dresses and tunics —

Where is she going? Idk, in a gold tunic I bought second-hand during Covid — a bit different but I kind of love her. Otherwise, here’s one from Dries second-hand. Aflalo pants, Gucci sandals (the modern Valentino equiv is these; I’m into these too), another dramatic tassel clutch

Now she strolls, like steps out to get ice cream but comes home with an inhaler instead — Loulou de Saison crochet dress (she comes in black too), Massimo Dutti pants (these are a good, less sheer alt), The Row flats (these are a good option for the shape — a bit more refined tho; I’d pair with thongs like these too)

And here are some silver bracelets for you. This from Bisonate is no doubt the best clutch comp (at $200), but Khaite’s ‘Lina’ is good too for a more relaxed vibe and then I love this one from Mansur Gavriel

If you’d prefer heels, might I suggest a third tunic option (I’d wear it with this if I had it! But here’s a more practical alt from Ref; I’d try this too) styled with waist belt (wherever you go, there Prada is), Manolo Blahnik sandals

The belt is St. Agni. Did you get my joke about Prada?

Regular pants will give a dress a defined dose of personality, but bubble hem pants take the articulation one step further — either enunciating the extent to which you are fun or cool or arty as hell.

The unbeatable simplicity of a button down and sandals

The pants could look wild with something as simple as a button down and sandals —

Indress pink metallic top, Massimo Dutti pants, Phoebe Philo heels (I maintain these from Etro are a good alt, but Le Monde Beryl’s style is the most realistic in more ways than one)

Or they could look …simple… with something as simple as button down and sandals —

An alt for the shirt (washed shantung silk) is here, Aflalo pants, Jamie Haller sandals and that is straight up an orange shoe lace wrapped around my neck. The sunglasses are Miu Miu

Or they could look a combination of wild and simple with something as simple as a button down (or two) and sandals because accessories will drive the pairing home —

Toteme suede shirt (cannot tell you how often I’ve been wearing; she’s here in brown too), Four Objects shirt, Aflalo pants, Aquazurra wedges

I like the toe on these sandals to wear futurewise with tights, but these from Larroude really capture the overarching spirit

Here is a suede shirt alt; hopefully this one comes back too, and the inner shirt is awesome — perfectly lightweight and an ideal color and pattern pairing. It’s made from deadstock fabric, and if you’re going to go for it, I recommend sizing up 1 or 2x. The whole concept of Four Objects is pretty awesome, you should look at the site

When you’re dressing for different events

Set and setting, people! Wear them to (school) drop off —

With a J. Crew cardigan styled over a graphic t-shirt, Massimo Dutti pants, Havaianas sandals and an Entrudo basket bag

The necklace is Anni Lu. The ring is one of my wild n crazy labbies

Or they’re fine for if you actually have to enter the school too —

Are they? This vibe is like, returns from spiritual retreat in time to collect children and let them know the family’s moving out west. With the Monoki jacket, All Three tank, the same Massimo pants (I’d try this look with these too) and Jamie Haller sandals

The scarf was a gift!!! From Mexico!!! The sunglasses are Miu Miu. These good too.

I don’t actually know what would classify as the appropriate event for the below outfit but the underlying message invites you to—

UNLEASH YOUR INNER SPANIARD. Par y Escala top, Massimo Dutti pants. Havaianas flip flops

You can even make a case for them at a wedding —

Easiest way to do this: tuxedo jacket, very fancy shoes (the necklace is Le Sundial, a pair of earrings could help too)

Or if you’re going to fitness and then other places from there, fashion yourself into something that can get you through the rest of the day —

By Malene Birger cape (this one’s closest in conceit, this is most practical as an alt and this is for the risk taker), Leset pointelle tank, Aflalo pants, Emme Parsons sandals. I have worked out in these pants, but maybe better to put shorts or leggings under

Vintage Cocteau fish pin (this one with the agate is awesome), Arielle Ratner opals

Heirlome silk top, By Liv crochet peplum/mini skirt, Aflalo pants, Proenza Schouler heels

But that’s a bit of digression as far as where to wear. Let me close this out with footage that resulted in an outfit I wore to a dinner last week where my friend was getting an award. The evening’s dressing challenge was stimulating to me because I had dinner with my in-laws before —

Delia Wade jacket, B-low belt, Aflalo pants, Chanel moccasins — calling these the michelin alt here

Would you ever consider hacking an existing jacket? I have a lot of confidence, too, that we’re all going to want to wear these big buckles soon

Evening peak was learning that the pants work great low rise too.

And in case you have been wondering, the sunglasses are Ray-ban (they are the 50mm)

Happy Taurus season!!!!, Leandra. Shot on an iPhone by Charlie Rosen