‘Are these ugly or cool?’ Sequined Boyfriend Pants

Welcome to “How Mini?”: the fashion advice blog in which I pull from real conversations with friends asking for my advice on where to find a particular piece, how to style a certain outfit, or what my take is on a red carpet look - and I give an answer. Who knows? You might just be asking the same questions! It isn’t easy being the token stylist friend - but someone’s got to do it! You say skirt I say, “how mini?”

My friend came to me today with a link and seeking an opinion on a genre(and gender)—bending pair of sequin boxer pants from Hand Over. You may have come across them in your scrolls through TikTok or Pinterest. You know, the ones that look like you crafted something out of your boyfriend’s boxers and the pair of pants you thought about wearing to the Eras Tour? (they are fittingly deemed the “Ex-Boyfriend” pants after all.) Let it be known that this is no dig—I think they’re cool girl epitomized—when done right.

Hand Over Ex-Boyfriend® pant, $89, available in six sequined styles

Image courtesy of Hand Over

Now, whether or not they will be worth the investment of $89 was the debate that arose in my iMessage app, or, as my grandfather calls it, “White Balloon in a Box.com”. I digress.

I can’t lie to you. I am not often stumped when it comes to matters of fashion. But this one got me good when a screenshot of the blue and red pinstripe pair was sent to me. Are they too loud? No, I wear my silver Zara pants as if they’re blue jeans on a near-weekly basis. Are they too casual? That can’t be it, they’re literally covered in sequins. Will they be hard to style? No again. The model on the website wears them with a “Tom & Jerry” graphic tee and sambas and somehow looks cool without having overdone it. Okay, they’re growing on me.

This baby blue and pink pinstripe combo was not the only pair put up for discussion. My friend also sent a screenshot of the all-black style, and my decisiveness immediately returned as I gave her a hard “no”. We must admit as a collective that these pants in black look a bit too Mike Tyson, no? I’m sure an editor or influencer can prove me wrong with the right styling choice, but until the day comes these will remain in the “not for me” pile.

No purchase was made, so a decision has yet to be reached. What do you think?