It is very hard to photograph these wide black trousers because of the volume. In my opinion the soft yellow jumper by Joseph goes well with these trousers, but I bet a lot of people would prefer the combination of a tight top paired with voluminous trousers. I will admit that I like that too. Only with an aging body, tight things are tricky. Nevertheless, you will see these trousers again with a similar styling, I promise. The trousers are by Mads Nørgard and bought at kpa.haarlem.
There is quite an amusing story to tell about purchasing these trousers. One day I popped by the shop of kpa.haarlem and had a chat with Karlijn, the owner. She told me that the brand had sent her different trousers than she had ordered. This was because the ones she ordered weren’t taken into production and “they didn’t want to leave her without black trousers”. Karlijn wasn’t too sure about the shape and wanted to send them back. As she was holding my size in her hands, she asked me to try it on to see what it looked like. And they fitted like a glove and are made of beautiful, heavy fabric. I said to her: “You can send the lot back but without this one, as I want to buy it”. She laughed and tried one on in her size. As she is much smaller and shorter than I am, we thought it would not suit her if it suited me. We were pleasantly surprised as it looked fantastic on her too. So she kept the lot. It is very comfortable.
Below: The wind was blowing fiercely and my hair was blown away from my forehead (hate that). Anyway…more about the soft yellow jumper. It is by Joseph and I bought it at my other favourite shop: LAB women’s clothing. It wasn’t cheap, but I fell hard for it. I love the shape and the colour.
Below: Loes was my photographer (in the righthand corner). We chose the red-light district of Haarlem as the background. I thought you might like that haha. What you see below is part of a church.
Below: Next to the building above to the left is a taller part of the church. (See my bag next to that little post?)
Below: I decided to sit on that post, but the wind puffed up my trousers, making them look ridiculous.
Below: For entertainment reasons…sitting on the post with the church in my back, if I looked to my left, I saw this building and that is a full-blown house of prostitution, red lights and all. Amsterdam isn’t the only town with a red-light district. And it is right in the centre of town.
Below: This pretty street holds a few “windows” with red lights as well.
Going back to the outfit and the normal houses, which are there as well of course.
Below: Pretty little house. This photo shows why it is so difficult to photograph these trousers. When there is no distinction of legs, it looks like a big heap of black. Oh and the pendant of my lovely French Kande necklace kept turning the wrong way. I have asked Marcella to come up with a way to prevent this.
Below: Yep, sitting down. You will see the boots in full glory next week. Ever so comfortable. The pale slate bag is well-known by now, right? I thought it was in the same colour palette as the jumper with the necklaces.
Below: Close-up of the necklaces and the earrings.
Below: I had another sitting down opportunity, behind the above-mentioned church.
Below: The glass behind me are the doors of the Philharmonie theater in Haarlem. The white etchings are graphic notations (notes) of a Haarlem composition. Neat, right?
Below: Last photo of the outfit. You can see the shape of the trousers better here.
As we were in the centre of town, I called my seamstress and asked whether my trousers were ready. She was just finishing them so Loes and I paid her a visit.
Below: Loes in the walled garden. She had her hair cut and all of a sudden it started to curl.
What happened in my life this week
A lot happened.
On Saturday we had a BVA girls gathering at Marianne’s place. Unfortunately Claudia caught Covid and couldn’t come. Luckily she wasn’t feeling too ill as she is vaccinated.
Below: Marianne, lovely as always.
Below: Marijke. She could wear a canvas bag and still look gorgeous.
Below: Jilske. She just started to create and sell earrings made from polymer clay. Her Instagram account is: Toettie_earrings. (I hope you don’t mind me giving a little shout-out to my friend’s business.)
Below: This is the earring Jilske is wearing.
Below: And here are three other earrings Jilske made and which Marianne bought. Marianne is modelling.
Below: I was wearing this shirt with jeans that day. Link to original post.
We had a lovely lunch and dinner together, did some shopping (I bought nothing).
Below: Jilske was leaning backwards so not to be in the photo. Alas haha. French cheese with the drinks and Dutch tulips for Marianne.
Sunday I went to mum and forgot to take my phone with me. So no photo of her. We looked through old photos.
Monday was quiet, which was good as I sneezed all day. I took a test, but it was negative. The next day it was totally gone. Strange. I also had to make a list of how much ml I was drinking and peeing that day and at what time. Which sometimes turned into a circus act. Anyway I got the list for the pelvic floor therapist and she was pleased with it. Got some new exercises and I bet that the problem will be solved in a month, or perhaps two months. Feeling good about it.
Tuesday Loes and I did this photo shoot and in the evening I Skyped with Melanie of Bag and a beret, whom I met in Vancouver years ago during a blogger meet-up. She is such a kind and cheerful person.
Wednesday the gardener came round with a plan for the garden which we totally agreed upon. He will be executing it at the end of March. My bonus daughter and her husband came for dinner and Nicky also wanted to borrow a jacket for a big presentation at work. She was in luck as I had a complete corporate suit of excellent quality for her to keep. It had become a bit too tight for me. Shame as it was a lovely jacket. The trousers never got much wear.
Thursday I visited the pelvic floor therapist who was content (so was I). And I had a chat with Karlijn of kpa.haarlem. Spring clothes are already arriving but I am pretty broke.
Friday was a very strange day. On the downside, Ron had to arrange a lot of things for his daughter’s new house in a couple of hours. Some people neglected things or did things wrong. Murphy’s law. It was very stressy. In the end he got everything fixed but we all had a knot in our stomach.
On the upside, I visited Marcella of Lara Design in her atelier. Oh my, there were so many beautiful earrings to see. I was so tempted. Just as we were about to create another video, Ron phoned to ask me to come home and help him (see sentence above). Rest of the day I spent running errands and finishing this blog post. In the evening we had dinner with our next-door neighbours. Lovely people who can cook so deliciously.
Below: The outfit I wore Friday. It is nearly the same as the original. Difference is that I am wearing orange earrings instead of an orange brooch and I carry another bag.
Below: These earrings had just been created by Marcella and she gave them to me as a gift. So sweet. I think they will be super in summer with a white top or dress. You can see that I didn’t edit my face.
And here is another video, this time about the pronunciation of Van Gogh (as requested). Next time I will put the camera higher and pull less faces.
Greetje
There is a richness to the yellow (hint of green maybe?) of your sweater that makes it a pastel that doesn’t wash you out- it reads much brighter than it is- I love you in it! And those black wide leg trousers… fashion changes through time, so good on you for staying modern and trying new looks and not staying locked into slim pants. You look fantastic in both the sweater and those pants- an inspiration to this Texan!
Very perceptive. There is hint of lime green in the sweater which makes this pastel OK for me. It does take some getting used to new shapes and models but I do try. Thank you very much for your compliments. Glad to have been an inspiration. It would be a bit warm for Texas though.
I’m always keen to see your clothes as your proportions are similar to mine. I love this outfit and how it balances your figure. The sweater is great because it looks fitted but doesn’t cling to any bumps, and with those trousers looks very designer. I’m off to explore relaxed fit stylish trousers, thanks!
Thanks you for the compliments. I am very happy to have inspired you. A good blogger with my proportions would do me well too. Alas I haven’t found anyone yet.
Thanks for the video. At last I can put a voice to your face. I like the pants but I too think you suit tailored trousers or jeans. I also prefer you in lovely bright colours. I’m your age and pale colours make me look really washed out.
I was a bit worried about the yellow near my face, but there is a sort of lime hue in this yellow that makes it OK for me. Bright colours are indeed better but I bought this one for the fit and to go with the trousers. I just want different styles otherwise I get bored.
I like the look, especially the pale yellow sweater. I also enjoy the interesting buildings you add in your blog.
Next week you will see many buildings. Sometimes they will be in a post and sometimes I have a container as background LOL.
Glad you like the look. It is very comfortable too.
You wear those full black trousers so well. Very elegant. Make me think of Annie Hall. La Di Da. The soft pale yellow cropped sweater is dreamy and perfect with the pants. I would want it in an additional 3-4 pastels just for those pants alone. (When I love something I tend to buy it in every flattering color.) Your friends are such pretty Dutch ladies. Earrings are charming. Love the street scenes. Love your 2 denim outfits.
I am like you in buying a lovely item in every colour. I have a green sweater which is perfect and I have shown it often. If I could get that one in more colours I would be very happy. Alas, it only came in one colour and I haven’t found anything like it since. This soft yellow jumper comes close.
Denim is really my signature style but I would be bored if it was the only thing I could wear.
I like the look, the sobriety, simplicity, elegance… I’m a fan of oversize and I love seeing you with this loose sweater and these pants with this 50s design. Some beautiful accessories and as always some framed photos in places that I love. The coat is also of a sobriety and elegance that fascinates me. I really like the collection of earrings, beautiful designs. I really like your all-denim look at the end of the post, it’s the most authentic Greetje, in my opinion.
I love the word sobriety. You are right when you say that the trousers are a 50s design. I hadn’t thought of that yet, but it is true.
Jeans are indeed my signature style, but I would be very sad if I couldn’t vary to skirts and dresses etc. I like them all.
I love your video! There’s the Greetje I know. 🙂 Could you please tell Melanie to check her email? I have been trying to reach her about connecting in person in Vancouver next month and I don’t have any other way to reach her.
Love your wonderful big trousers, Greetje! They are so fun, but yes, very tricky to photograph. They remind me of my Pants Of Unusual Size (grey ones). I usually would do a slimmer top with them, as I am a shrimp at 5’4″, but as you are much taller than me, I think that lovely sweater works perfectly. The necklaces are awesome with it!
I enjoyed the “red light district” pics! And also seeing all of your friends. Wonderful earrings – so pretty.
Have a good week, my friend!
I have sent Melanie a DM through Instagram and I will check whether she replies to that.
I chose the yellow sweater because it tapers in the waist. Also the slits at the sides create a visual smaller part than a normal sweater would do.
But in two weeks time you will see them again with a fitted black top.
I think the trousers are fun and different—and this is the time of our lives to try such things. Fabulous! Thank you for your videos. I’ll never master the correct pronunciations, but it’s so lovely to hear your cheerful voice.
As we get older we care less about what others say or think about us. Who cares, right? So indeed, this is the time to try things.
Thank you for all your compliments.
I love these little videos of you, Greetje! I never would have imagine that’s how you pronounce Van Gogh either lol!
I love those red boots by the way. And your new trousers are fun.
Big hugs
Suzy xx
You are in luck (…) as both the trousers and the orange boots will be featured together in two weeks time haha.
I agree with Anja on this outfit and think the trousers are a little too loose on you. I much prefer it when you wear tighter trousers as it shows off your long, slim legs, but that’s just my opinion. I love the jewellery and the pale yellow jumper. The red and white blouse is also very pretty.
I know most people want me to show off my slim legs, but that is what happens when you have ‘wealth’. You start squandering it.
These trousers won’t be everybody’s taste, I accept that. I am afraid you will see them again in two weeks time haha.
Thank you for the video! I thought this was how Van Gogh was pronounced, so it’s good to hear confirmation of this,
I love the black trousers with the soft yellow jumper – even though the trousers are difficult to photograph in a February wind.
Have a great week!
The trousers move better and look better in real life than you can capture in a photograph. Which is why I sometimes stand with my legs a bit further apart.
Taking photos in winter is always difficult. I had another cold photo shoot this morning. With Kitty this time. Same trousers, different top and boots. You will see it in two weeks time.
Ohhhh, I LOVE those trousers and the whole outfit. The necklaces look fabulous with the sweater.
Always nice to see your Mum and very stylish friends!
I’ve already done a little shopping here in London but am trying to be restrained. 😉
You do?? I thought it might be an acquired taste as not everybody likes these voluminous trousers. Glad you do like them.
I found the sweater while wearing the trousers. They were made for each other.
Of course you have been doing a little shopping in London. I wouldn’t expect you to do otherwise haha.
I know that you can appreciate honesty, so that’s what I’m gonna be: I really don’t like this look. Imho it makes you look oldish, bland and shapeless. But hey, that’s just me. Just one opinion. And everyone else seems to love this look, so there you go…
Anyway, it was nice and entertaining to read your blog, as it always is.
Again lovely details of Marianne’s house!
You have so many wonderful friends around you; that’s very important in life, isn’t it? Happy to be one of them;-).
Of course I like you to be honest. I wouldn’t want it any other way. Which doesn’t mean we agree of course haha. Shapeless I can understand, but oldish and bland I have to protest against.
I am very happy with my life at the moment and the time to be with friends. And I am also happy you are one of them, even though I have to Facetime with you now, rather than seeing you IRL. Still, that isn’t so bad.
Hi Greetje, You and your friends are all so attractive. Must be a Dutch thing. Love the pants with the top. Super outfit. I am tall (5’9) and could wear these pants but I know me, which because I am very narrow in the hips, prefer trim pants of any kind on me. My loss. I love that you are not intimidated by fashion as a result you are very fashionable. Missed seeing your Mom, I hope she is well. Love your blog.
Hahaha, must be a Dutch thing. I don’t think so. There are attractive people all over the world. Maybe I just picked them as my friends because style attracks my attention??
Funny you should say you prefer trim pants on your narrow hips. As I have narrow hips too and think they are ideal for these kind of wide trousers.
I cannot avoid fashion because when you buy something new, it is fashion by definition. And although I do shop second-hand, I don’t do it often enough.
Mum is very well thank you. I forgot to take a photo of her again this Sunday.
The outfit looks great on you and Elaine is right that the cropped length is ideal for the wide trousers. I like the jeans outfit on you too, esp. the brooch and earrings! Your friends are so stylish – Marianne could be a model, she looks amazing!
In two weeks I will show these trousers again, with a black fitted top. I think wide over wide will make it too bulky.
The jeans outfit…if you say ‘brooch’, you must have clicked through to the original post. Thank you for that.
I will ask Marianne, as it could be she was a model in her earlier days. She is indeed very stylish.
I think the jumper (or sweater as we would call it in Canada… a jumper is something entirely different) looks great with the wide-legged pants because of its cropped length. The outfit looks so comfortable!
I still use the British English as I learned that as I grew up. Sometimes I put ‘sweater’ between brackets behind ‘jumper’, just for anybody not British.
I wore the trousers when I found the sweater and loved the two together. As you say, because of the cropped length and the slits at the sides.
Loved this! I never knew how to pronounce Van Gogh.
I remember that house of ill repute from when I visited.
Suzanne
You had me going to streets of ill repute all the time. Remember that guy in the red-light district of Amsterdam who warned us off? Gosh, did we run haha.
I hope this is not rude or voyeuristic, but I absolutely love the use of color in your home and your friends’ homes. Is it a stretch to say this is a Dutch thing, or perhaps you are only friends with color- and design-loving people?!
A great outfit, the trousers and jumper are perfect together and really suit you. Thank you for your pronunciation of Van Gogh, not at all as I expected! It is lovely to see and hear you speak. Love your blog, you are so down to earth it’s refreshing.
Well, quite a lot of compliments in your comment Sue. Thank you very much. I’ll now go and be shy for a while.
A very chic ensemble. The pants remind me of the Israeli designer RUTI who has several boutiques in the US, several in California. I buy her wide pants and wear with JOIE more voluminous sweaters but rather short, very much like yours. its my uniform and always a winner. It sets you off most people in jeans, and I’m only 1.65 M.
Church next to the red district, a nice combo. You sin and then ask for forgiveness!!
Your friends are chic as well.
A comment about your dark overcoat. The hem area needs some attention as it should not distract from its style.
I will check my coat. I hadn’t noticed anything yet, but will check. There is a little statue in front of the church. I forgot to post the photo. It is the person in an old children’s song but the meaning of that person is really that she is a prostitute who goes to church every Sunday. I love that it is there haha.
Thanks for the reassuring words on my ensemble. I thought it was rather nice as well.
Marianne’s home decoration and mine are certainly not a Dutch thing. Most of the homes are done with the colours grey with sand and such. And going mad by throwing in a coloured cushion haha.
If you want to see more of our living room, just click the following link:
https://www.nofearoffashion.com/2014/07/13/colourful-living-room/
Mind you, we had different chairs at the time. Better suited but horrible to sit on. We now have different chairs but upholstered with the same (Designers Guild) fabric.
This is a wonderful outfit. The “top” seems made for these trousers with the slits at the side. And the soft color. You have a lovely speaking voice (thank you for the pronunciation), although it would impossible for my mouth to do that.
I was wearing these trousers when I found the jumper in the shop. As soon as I put it on, I thought the two items were made for each other.
Thank you for your compliment about my voice (the last thing I was expecting haha). Don’t try and pronounce it. It is very hard for anybody other than Dutch.
Lovely outfits this week with pieces that I could even wear in our small town in the south west of England without frightening the neighbours!
And thank you for the Van Gogh pronunciation. We’ll all be showing off our Dutch next time we’re in an arty conversation.
I hope you never see me in outfits that might frighen people. Although…hmm I just might sometimes haha. Hope it won’t take you too much practise to pronounce his name.
Love the wide black trousers and the pale yellow jumper. You look fantastic!
Have a great week.
Thank you Anne. I wasn’t sure whether it is a look people will like, but I am glad you do.
The black trousers look good on you, so versatile.
I have tried on these wide leg trousers, just not me!
I don’t need any extra bulk around my middle 😃
As I have no hips and no bum, I can deal with the extra bulk. Just not on my belly. These trousers are perfect for me. At least that is what I think haha.
As usual, you look gorgeous in your outfits…your blog is my favorite! My husband and I spend a lot of time watching videos made in the Netherlands..most of them are so good. Every once in a while, when reading your blog, I see buildings and streets I recognize from the videos. It’s fun.
Have a good week
I always get a kick when somebody tells me my blog is their favorite. Such an honour. I cannot give you buildings and streets every week, but I do try.