Can you help me decide - EF or Danier? (eta decision @ bottom) - YouLookFab Forum

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Can you help me decide - EF or Danier? (eta decision @ bottom)

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I was all set to purchase the Danier Leather ponte/leather trim leggings (find #1) and then after reading Carter's stellar review of the EF slim pants (find #2), I'm torn.

I'm wanting leggings to wear under tunics for fall/winter and so the Danier Leather leggings fill that hole. They will also add a bit of edge to my outfits with the funky leather trim. Based upon my experience with Danier items to date, the quality will be decent and I will get a lot of wear out of them. Because they are leggings after all, they are limited to be worn with tunics only.

The EF slim leg trousers that Carter has shown us so beautifully (thank you Carter!) will also work brilliantly with my fall/winter wardrobe and are probably more versatile than the leggings - could wear more like pants IYKWIM. And the quality will be stellar. I have the NYDJ leggings with the faux suede calves that could work as my leggings when I think about it.

The leggings are less expensive than the trousers and I've tried them on in person. However EF is pretty consistent in sizing when it comes to trousers for me so am not worried about ordering incorrectly.

So....the budget does not allow both of these items. In your opinion, which one will be more versatile for my wardrobe. Leather trim leggings or slim leg pants?

Yay = leather trim leggings
Nay = EF slim leg trousers

Let the voting begin!

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21 replies

Latest reply was from donnat

Joy

Veteran

My first thought is, can you wash the Danier leggings because of the leather? The leather adds an interesting detail but will it also limit their use? I imagine it would toughen up a feminine outfit.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I was wondering about "our" (hehe) NYDJ leggings when you posted about the Danier leggings originally. I am also VERY interested in the EF pants... slim black pants are about the only thing left on my "list" for the fall. Although that could all change When I tried on EF pants at Nordies in April, I wasn't crazy about the fit of them - they seemed really old ladyish to me, so it was hard for me to gamble on these. Although given the fabbers that have various EF pants, I know it was probably just the ones I tried on. Maybe I should go to my local store that stocks EF and see if they have these ones, for interest.

Anyway, no help from me, although I'd love your "review" of the EF pants should you decide to go that route.

OH, and I find the panel on the NYDJ leggings limiting, which the Danier stripe wouldn't be. I don't like the panel peeking out of boots, so I find them only good with high boots. On me, I prefer to wear them with boots but I think you wear them out to the ankle. So this may be moot.

Anonymous

Are these the same slim leg trousers that EF made last year? If so, I cannot express how wonderful those pants were/are. I was horrified - I mean truly HORRIFIED - when the EF saleswoman suggested I try on a pair of STRETCH KNIT pants. That is, until I got a look at them in the mirror. These are magical pants - they are comfy and stretchy, but with structure (no sloppy sweatpant look), machine wash beautifully (though I do hang dry), and fit my backside nicely (an often-elusive goal for me). I ended up with 3 pair (black, grey, brown).
I don't know your needs, so can't suggest which choice is best for you, but if you are looking for a wear-anywhere versatile pant, these are worth consideration.
ETA, mine were slim leg, not skinny, so maybe these are different. But it appears to be the same substantial fabric.

DizzyLizzy

Hmmmm. I own a very similar pair of leather panel leggings that I absolutely love and have worn them consistantly for about three years. I love the way they add a little bit of edge and toughness to tunic outfits that normal knit leggings (which I also have) don't. But they fill a very different hole in my wardrobe than black slim leg trousers, which I also have and love. These are worn with completely different tops and toppers. So I guess I would have to ask - which type of bottom do you need more? And are either of them always available in some type or form that they can be added at a later date?

Personally, I have never regretted shelling out for the leather panel leggings.....but then leggings + tunics and long toppers are a FFB for me that I feel great in.

Anonymous

This is a tough one - they really aren't the same animal, are they? My only thought is that it's a lot of $ for a very plain knit pant (the EF ones) , regardless of label. To me, you can get that anywhere, and by any label/designer. The leather trim leggings are more special, distinctive, and make a fashion statement. If it were me, I'd rather spend the coin on those, and find a less $ pair of plain black knit pants to fill that everyday role. That way you could have both:)

RoseandJoan

Veteran

My first thought echoes Joy's, if the D leggings require specialist cleaning you could spend a lot on cleaning or end up restricting wear to avoid the expense.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

What Jules said.

catgirl

Veteran

My worry is that EF pants can shrink - I've read both by dry cleaning and careful washing. My harem pants have not, but I see the shrunken results at the consignment store all the time.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I think it is really a matter of which item will fill a hole and add versatility to your wardrobe. I am not sure I agree with having both type of pant in black as they would be too close to interchangeable. If you pick one and want the silhouette of the other, perhaps a slightly difference neutral?

I might go to Danier and try theirs on. I have wanted a pair of pants with the tuxedo band for a while and may even make a NYE tux look with them.

Which store did you see them in? Did they have the full range of sizes?

Joyce B

Veteran

But how will you know how they fit you without trying them on?
It's tough to decide on one without knowing how they fit you.

kkards

Veteran

if your looking for everyday, I can wear them anywhere, go with the EF. if you are looking for a splash of sass, go with the Danier.

carter

Veteran

Yikes! I'm abstaining. I will share my thought process (for me!) though.

Since I was in the cast last Fall and shoe-limited through the Winter, I only updated my loungewear and uber-casual capsules last year. For 2015, I didn't like any of my black pants or leggings from 2013 and earlier. All were passed on.

I wanted a good quality pair of leggings that could take me from very casual to smart casual. (Either the NYDJ leggings or the Vince slim pants will fill this need.) I also needed a "pant" that could take me from smart casual to cocktail dressy. Because long over lean is currently my favorite silhouette, I was specifically looking for a slim fit pant that worked with both tunics and shorter tops. For me, the EF is perfect for this need.

I'm sure either will be perfect for you. Keep us posted.

Thistle

Veteran

I am biased as I also bought the EF slim trousers.

I love them and am keeping them despite the price tag. They will be the single most expensive pair of pants in my closet, and I am fine with that as they will work with the couple of tunics I am trying our as well as my cashmere sweaters. I can tuck them in boots or tuck booties under them. They are so comfortable I would even wear them on weekends.

I don't know anything about the danier ones as there is no danier in the US.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

What a bunch of beautiful brains you have! (sorry I couldn't pop back in earlier - at training most of today).

For the record, I have tried on the Danier leggings in the store and love them. Fit is brilliant, other than needing hemming, which Danier does for their own products. They cannot be washed and would require specialist cleaning. Definitely something to consider. Mind you...the dress I just bought there also requires specialist cleaning because of the leather trim on the sleeves and embellishment...

I am unable to try on the EF pants as there are not available locally and would require ordering from Nordstrom - across the border exchange rate, pricey shipping and even pricier return. Would need to be perfect out of the box in terms of size/fabric, etc.

Now on to the discussion - you have all raised some excellent points and are quite right (as usual!) that this is like comparing apples to oranges. The leggings and trousers are different and would function in differently in my wardrobe. Leather trim leggings - edgier and funky; slim leg EF trousers - classic and versatile.

The cost of cleaning the leather trim leggings could be pricey plus there's down time in being unable to wear them while they're at the cleaners. However, the fabric portions are completely fine with spot cleaning and so I don't think would require overly frequent specialist cleaning.

The EF trousers are washable but I'm concerned about the comments re: shrinking. I haven't had that happen with any of my EF pieces yet but it still worries me.

Ok...I think I've decided. Danier leather trim leggings it is - that's what I was originally looking for, wanted something similar last year, is available and I know they fit with no exorbitant shipping/return costs associated with the purchase.

As much as I love the EF trousers, I will be more than able to find a substitute slim leg black trouser locally. Truth be told, if I could afford both I would but ya know...

Cheryle - the leather trim on the leggings is not an entire strip down the side but rather two sections with no trim in the knee area - not quite tuxedo band looking. Just though I should mention that. I saw them at the St. Vital store - they had a few sizes but not a huge selection. Great price right now though.

Thanks so much for all of your valuable input - your thoughts/commentary really helped me think and talk this decision out

JAileen

Veteran

Well, I just ordered the EF pants! We'll see how they fit. I ordered them in charcoal.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I think you made a good choice. I had a pair of EF ponte knit pants that I wore heavily for one fall and winter, and by spring they were out of shape and the waistband came unsewn.

Deborah

Veteran

Good choice:). I was going to suggest that while you don't have anything like the leggings already, you do have some nice black pants - maybe not the same look as the EF ones, but the leggings will bring something new to your wardrobe:). Can't wait to see them x

kerry

Veteran

Lysee makes leggings with a vegan leather panel on the sides. Easy care - just chuck them in the wash!

dakotacheryl

Veteran

I've written elsewhere that I have multiples of the EF slim pants in the heavy knit fabric. I do dry clean after a couple of wears and they haven't shrunk nor have they unraveled anywhere. I've worn them for years and highly recommend.
That being said, they are a basic workhorse and not a more fashionable choice like the leather trim leggings. Also, these slim pants are on eBay all the time.
Shannon, I look forward to your future posts with photos showing your new leggings!

DizzyLizzy

I think either of them could easily become wardrobe staples, but I'm particularly happy that the leggings won in the end. Hope you enjoy wearing them as much as I love mine.

I have a whole pinterest board devoted to ways to wear leggings and black skinnies if you ever need any inspiration. Personally, I would make sure that my behind was covered by a tunic or topper whenever wearing leggings but some of the gals on pinterest aren't so shy

donnat

Veteran

Good choice, you will wear those leggings tons.