Pam in Palazzo Pants in the Palm Beaches

Pam's new Palazzo pants

​If there is anything I adore it's a classic movie from the 30's. 
If there is anything I adore more, it's a classy friend who really brings it, fashion-wise.

First, about those classic films. There is much to love. Take the art deco (my favorite era for design) set designs, the fabulous stars (who knew how to BE stars), and the stunning costumes.

Today, I want to yap about the costumes, and one article in particular. 

Why, you ask (you didn't, but I going to tell you anyway)?

Because, if there is anything else I adore, it's clothes. So, let's chat about this entire situation.

The other day my friend, Scoobie, sailed into our condo with the most drop-dead fabulous look I have seen in ages.

See, living on the Eastern coast of South Florida you see a whole lot of casual. When I say casual, I mean CASUAL. Interpret that as you wish.

Now, this brings me to Scoobie's amazing ensemble, and her pants in particular.  They were stylishly bright, fit perfectly, and she looked like a million bucks (which is fitting considering where we live).

So, let's focus on Palazzo pants, shall we? 

Although this style was wildly popular in the late 1960's into the 1970's, they were seen on avant garde women such as Greta Garbo and Katherine Hepburn as early as the 1930's. 

Guess what?

They are still, very much, in style today, especially when you live where it is warm-to-hot every month on the calendar.

In case you have forgotten, although these have wide-flaring legs, do not confuse Palazzo pants with the bellbottom or gaucho style. Huge difference.

First, the fabric is typically very comfy, cool and lightweight jersey, crepe or silk and they flare from the waist down (almost creating a skirt effect). Bellbottoms only flare from the knee down, and Gaucho -- well forget them altogether. Got it? Good.

The waist band is an especially interesting aspect, as it may be rolled up or down or in-between. A lady gets to set the tone...to show more or less, you see?

As a lover of old movies, AND fashion, I too have a pair of these dwelling within my closet. Why I don't wear them in the sub-tropical clime which I dwell within, I have no idea. Actually, I have a small idea, and it is not complicated. I shy away from printed pants, for the most part.

However, Palazzo pants are absolute perfection when living in South Florida. They are dressy, cool and versatile, and really make a statement.

So, spending a day with Scoobie gave me pause and inspiration. Was it time to break out MY lonely pair and give it a go?

As it turned out, there really was not time for me to ponder this for long, because in the blink of an eye (it took longer, but just go with me here), I found myself inside a small and very inviting and stylish boutique called, Oceans Allure. One step inside and there you have it -- tops, skirts, dresses and a wall of spectacular jewelry.

This place in Palm Beach Gardens was new to me, but the friendly and welcoming staff greeted Scoobie like an old friend. 

Guess what they had?

Yep. A colorful selection of Palazzo pants, on a little rack toward the back of the store. 

Guess what else?  

My friend thought they were just the ticket...for ME. 

With visions of my black and white pants hiding in my closet, I approached the rack with trepidation. Selecting a pair with hesitation, I held the hanger, stared and silently tried to envision myself strutting around in black and hot pink print Palazzo pants. The image was fuzzy.

Quick as a flash, Scoobie gave me an encouraging nudge and I slithered into a lovely (seriously, the dressing rooms are truly great) fitting room and slipped them on. Size-Medium. 

Oh, they felt great -- soft, cool and the fabric was really pretty. The length? Inches and yards (slight exaggeration) too long, and I'm not short. 

I'm no seamstress, (if I was meant to sew I would have been born named Singer) so hemming is not what I do and having these altered was not appealing.

Like a flash, there she was ... Scoobie. Smiling, she loved them on me (she is a generously kind person), and when I mentioned the length, gave me an incredulous look and said something like, "You just cut them off."

Huh?

Still in my uncomfortable zone, I replied with something profound like, "With scissors?"

I swear to you, I looked down to see if these were special Palazzo pants that came with little sections around the bottom you could just adjust. I mean, my three-year-old granddaughter has clothes that come with built-in adjustment gizmos, so why not these things? Alas, they were NOT adjustable. Shocker, am I right? No? Oh, well.

My friend, patiently gracious, gave me another smile and said, "Well, you could take them to someone." 

Yes, I sounded bumbling and moronic, but I accept that fact, plus I suddenly needed a cool glass of iced tea or hot cup of coffee -- I wasn't sure which.

Yes, I came home with the pants. They have not been touched because my scissors are worthless, and now I have to buy decent ones. Such pressure.

Hours later on the PP (Palazzo Pants) day, Scoobie gave me a shout-out on Facebook. She thinks I can wear these things and make it work. I love her confidence, but is my personality a fit for snappy Palazzo pants?

Are strangers prepared to have to SEE me in them?

It's a conumdrum, but, if Scoobie thinks I can pull it off, I choose to believe her.

Find out more at www.Oceanallure.com

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For Reggie, after seeing the pants the jury is still out.