I had so many back in the 80’s… I think i’ll give them a try, they are a good substitute for jeans and seem more elegant than the ones used on the 80’s

Ponte Roma was HUGE in the UK for skirts and dresses last year- my old company made countless versions for Topshop, River Island, Oasis, etc. I’m only just starting to see it show up in trousers around here, the first time was actually last week at Uniqlo! My Mum has had a Marc Cain pair like this for a few years, and she loves them.

Personally, I love the look. As a ex horseback rider I love anything equestrian, so I’m all over the jodhpur-style ones. I’m on the hunt for a pair for fall!

I saw the ones at Uniqlo as well. What I was wondering is how well do they keep their shape?

I recently took a client shopping and she bought some great knitted pants which she loves and wear all the time.

I’d be up for trying them if I weren’t concerned that they’d pill rather unattractively on those of us whose thighs touch.

Even Eileen Fisher has skirts and skinny jeans in Ponte for us “a certain age” types. I’ll be making my pair since this needs to be fit so exactingly. The Ponte I have found at retail is much nicer with a higher Rayon content than the stuff I remembered from the early 90’s. It has a much softer hand and better drape but still mold-able. The old stuff was like wearing a plastic bag! I have enough fabric for 2 pair of simple pants. One is already cut out. Now I just need my sewing machine fixed and I’ll be all set!

I have always loved these pants. They are very comfortable and stylish. I suggest only buying those with a side zipper that way you get a totally smooth line and not alot of bulk around the waist.

Could a pear shape figure get away with the tapered leg and heels??? is there a particular style you would suggest?
Thanks !!

I like this look a lot, especially with a tunic or dress and boots. I was looking at a pair at Max Studio earlier this week. I like the pair at Bloomingdales, but eesh! I’ll try a less expensive pair first to see how well they incorporate into my wardrobe.

I agree, these pants are super comfy and also very sexy. I bought a pair last summer and they work great for air travel! It feels like you’re wearing sweats but is much more stylish. Love them with booties, pumps and boots. Mine are INC brand and were even on clearance!

i’m in big trouble.

I was a child when these were popular the first time around, so I’d certainly want to give them a try now. Looks like thy would be very comfortable. I especially like the third, MJ pair, styled like jeans.

I would try these in a slim bootcut. Just can’t make the transition to skinnies … still can not stand for my shoes to show.

Woohoo! I was hoping you would change your tune on these Angie, because I love them though I knew you were not approving of knit pants. They are definitely on my wish list, but I have some ?’s that you can perhaps answer when you get back, or on the forum:

We have discussed before that as far as knit TOPS go, price doesn’t necessarily mean quality (in terms of longevity and fabric integrity). Knits are just not made to last. Is the same true for these? Something tells me that these are exceptional, and that spending more means a stiffer, heavier fabric weight and a longer closet life. My other concern is that these will bag out more quickly than woven pants. How do they hold their structure the way wovens do? Is it a good idea to err on the side of snug?

Ilike these and would wear as a comfy alternative to skinnies.

I just bought a pair of these to take on a trip to Europe and LOVED them. Very Audrey Hepburn. However, my husband said they gave me C.T., so I returned them. An no, they weren’t fitted too tightly, I just have that problem in any non-woven pant.

Any suggestions so I could try again? Like I said, I loved the pair I bought, but I don’t think just pretending the issue wasn’t there would be a good idea.

Very interesting. I have been avoiding this fabric because of the 70’s stigma….but I will give them a try. I LOVE the tapered look, and agree that wider legs spell “frumpy old lady” (ok – I am on the north side of 50 but avoiding frumpy like the plague ).

Jennell – I am a pretty pear too – and wear my skinnies with longer tops. Fab. I also make sure they are not too skinny at the ankle – more like “very snug straight legs”. My favorites are my Not Your Daughter’s Jeans skinnies.

Licarrit – I am so happy to know someone else who sews on YLF! There is a Sandra Betzina Vogue pattern (2948) that has similar detailing to the “Theory” pants at Nordstroms. Warning – the photo on the pattern lmakes it look like the pants are slim cut – they are NOT -definitely straight leg and need tapering – but it would be a reasonable starting point.

I will give these a try!

Maris

I REALLY want a pair. I have ever since I first saw them. But I will probably forgo while I’m pregnant. I hope they’re still around next year. I did get a *very* stretchy woven maternity black clamdigger that essentially fit the same way and I’m thinking those will do for the same purpose especially since it doesn’t get that cold here.

Love the look of these. They seem like they’d be very comfortable.

I had a question too: can these pants be *too* skinny? With full thighs, this style really does fit like leggings, at least to the knee, on me. Is that okay for wearing regular length tops?

Can someone please explain to me how these are different from say, the jean-legging look, or the skinny work pants Express used to sell? It’s hard to see the (apparently different) fabric in these pics. Thank you!

They look great. I can’t help but wonder though, are these work appropriate or a smart casual look? Also, do they look like you are wearing leggings as pants? It’s hard to tell from the pictures, and I don’t remember knit pants as anything but lounge and workout wear. Anyone willing to clue in the young, clueless one?

I would love to try these too. I already have two ponte skirts, a sheath and a jacket. All are very comfortable and flattering. I was also worried about the baggy knee issue but I suspect they won’t be so bad – the pieces I have have a good deal of structure to them and do not seem to bag out at all.

Now I just have to find good quality in a petite size. Here’s hoping AT, ATL, or BR offers something (that’s where I got the other pieces last year, so I’m hopeful!)

Another taker here! I like the ones on the far right because of the structure the side zip and waistband bring.

From their previous incarnation, I do remember that they are a bit warm because of the knit fabric. Maybe the fabric blends are different now? If you’re in a cold climate, they are fab.

I would probably make these a “uniform” if I could! But I would need structure in them wouldn’t I?

I haven’t seen this style of pant around yet, but I ADORE ponte knit so I do believe I’ll hop on the bandwagon!

I am still not sure what ponte knit fabric is exactly, but these pants look like my club pants from the late 1990’s. They were great for dancing all night long. That being said, I think they would look great tucked into high boots. Worn with a tunic would make them appropriate for the office. But what interests me more is if they make these pants in shorter, fitted, just below the knee style. I could use a pair of those.

Maya, I agree with Shiny- ponte is very stable! As knits go, it’s thick and not really as stretchy as you might think. I’m not sure about higher-priced items meaning higher quality, though. I’m sure there’s some truth to that, but in my experience even cheaper ponte has impressive “holding” power. The pontes that my old company used were good (from mills in Italy), but by no means super high-end. (The garments often had retail prices under £50, after all.) They caused very few problems and held up well- I remember being impressed.

It’s probably inevitable that these pants will bag out faster than woven ones, so buying snug is probably a good idea. I think they’re probably worth it because they’re sort of “occasional” wear anyway (at least to me)!

What is the difference between these and yoga pants?…Is it just a better quality of knit?…I have the danskin yoga’s and I do wear them for very casual wear (like where you might be tempted to wear sweats..ha)…
I have not decided to embrace this look…

I had these in the 90’s. I found them to be very flattering which is something I struggle with in denim. Glad to see their return!!

I am so glad to see this post!

I found a pair in dark charcoal at Ross, Dockers, for $8.99. I thought, wow, comfy, practical, but worth it? Super glad I grabbed them, they really are a great alternative to jeans.
They can be dressed up or down quite easily.

Yep , A couple of months ago at AT I bought 2 pair of pants that are very slim leg…you are right Angie…almost like leggings…LOVE these…they have cute pocket detailing too.

Those are adorable, and look like they would be ridiculously comfortable AND chic with a oversized sweater and some flats. Where can I find these??

Ele, I was curious because I’m having a hard time finding inexpensive ponte pants that had the same look as the pricier ones. The MJ ones Angie posted are great. They look like jeans. But the more inexpensive ones look more like leggings or yoga pants, so I thought in addition to the styling, the quality might not be as good.

I love these. They look much better than the knit pants of previous decades to me. I got a Theory pair that look like jeans and I am looking forward to wearing them soon. I hope to find tunics to go with them. I am glad to hear they do not have to be treated as an accessory and can be worn like other pants. The fabric is so much more thick than leggings. I envision them tucked into boots but I do think the tricky part is to not look like a pirate. Or I could just say the heck with it I’m gonna look like a pirate this fall! Why not have some fun.
http://i477.photobucket.com/al.....0_0552.jpg

Sandy..I love those on you , they look similar to mine. You don’t look like a pirate, you look very tres chick:)

‘Fabrication’: 1 : the act or process of fabricating
2 : a product of fabrication; especially : lie, falsehood

Surely you just mean ‘fabric’?

I can’t see how these can look good on anyone but the super-svelte.

I just bought a slim cut bootcut Anne Klein version last week. Can’t wait for hem to be finished but I fear I will want to live in them. Perfect for travel I would think.

Thank you Maris!! I I appreciate the tip about NYDJ skinnies. I will have to give them a try. And maybe these knit pants too:) (with a longer top)

I have never owned anything in ponte, but I would try these out if I could find them in a bootcut style. The idea of knit pants that are nice enough to wear as part of a smart casual outfit is very tempting. Since they are knit and supposed to be good for travel, I am assuming they don’t need ironing the way woven dress pants do? That is a BIG plus in my book.

I don’t remember these from the 90s, but anything that I can get away with wearing to work that is comfy (i.e. not denim) I am interested in. I’d def. want to feel the fabric first though. Not sure that I have seen any of these pants out here yet – maybe next year???

Hmm, I wonder if I still have the ones I wore in the early 90’s tucked away somewhere…?

btw, San, the pants look great on you! I like the tunic idea with my pear shape.

Th, fabrication in this context is industry-specific lingo related to textiles.

I’ve been very intrigued by these, but I’m worried about visible panty lines! Anyone have anything to share about that?

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