Ask Angie: these pants a problem for a (Zumbalina) pear?

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Ask Angie: these pants a problem for a (Zumbalina) pear?

Fruitful

Veteran

Hi Angie et al,

I'm in a Zumba demo at my son's fair in a few weeks and I'm in need of pants.

Bear in mind my bum is my huge-est feature

I like these pants for their wide leg and loose fit (camoflaging bum/thigh) but I always avoid hip/seat pockets and detailing. Any bulk and it looks like I'm wearing a bustle.

They have giant circle pockets and my instinct is telling me that will look tragic on my zumba-ing bum cheeks

Tell me what you think! (I'm looking at black ones of course)

http://www.activewearusa.com/s.....p16286.htm

My other options I'm considering are something like this: http://www.activewearusa.com/s.....1p2102.htm

More my thing but more revealing. Also doesn't match my purple and green Zumba top!

Maybe even with something like this (over yoga pants):
http://www.activewearusa.com/s.....duct=22233

Thanks so much!

14 years ago

Shopping

12 replies

Latest reply was from Suz

Anonymous

A Zumba demo, how exciting! The best part of Zumba (besides the music) is the outfit potential! And you get to wear accessories, too!

I like the pants in the second link. All the detail is from the knee down, which ought to work fine for you, but let's see what Angie says. A cropped top that shows your mid section would look good with these since your legs will be completely covered.

I tried a Zumba class once but I'm too "white toast' to get it right. Almost threw my back out too...but it sure was fun! That music really gets you moving!

14 years ago

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I think the first ones have too much fabric. It may not be comforatble during the activity and also may not be too flattering.
I like the second pants better and they are not too revealing - it is Zumba after all!

14 years ago

Fruitful

Veteran

Lol at the "white toast" Claire!

A few years ago I had pants a bit like the second ones and the colourblocked knee-down business really draws the eye away from the butt I find.

Sveta I like the second pants better too. But when you say the first ones have too much fabric do you mean through the bum/hip, or through the leg?

It's common to wear cargo pants in zumba (and similar but way wider in Melbourne dance scene - we call them phat pants) so I'm not worried about extra leg fabric, mainly the effect of bunching and bulking around hips.

14 years ago

anne

Veteran

I like #2 as well but have never been to Zumba so that isn't a well informed opinion.

14 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I love the second pants withe the color blocking on the lower leg -- I bet those would look great!

14 years ago

Lyrebirdgully

Active Member

Hi Fruitful! those pants you've posted are fantastic; but as a pear/X shape myself, I know exactly why you feel they are problematic.
For years I avoided the problem of stretchy pants in the gym by wearing ultra-baggy board shorts (which I hated - I felt really daggy in them). But some of my Step Moves classmates solved my problem by introducing me to "skater skirts" (as in ice-skater!) worn over their gym leggings: the look is something like this
http://aff.ysi.bz/assets/81/849/l_p0012184981.jpg
and now I'm a total convert. In fact there's a bit of a skirt trend going on at my gym. What I like about a skirt is how great it feels to do spins in; the flared style flatters my shape; I always get compliments; and what's more, I feel a lot more modest - and therefore more confident and uninhibited - than I would just wearing leggings.. so it's perfect for Zumba, (which I've been doing for six months now -- love it!)
I've got a drawer-full of fashion mini-skirts now in all sorts of colours and patterns, which are only for the gym. The ruffles and circle cuts are useful as they hide my curves a lot more than a "proper" gym skirt would (e.g the ActiveWear example you posted) - and they definitely add to the fun! And you can choose nearly any interesting fabric,(as long as it's washable and not dryclean-only), since you don't wear the skirt right next to your skin. A streetwear mini-skirt is way cheaper than regular gym gear too. I got most of my skirts for less than $10 each at my local Vinnies, knowing that if I changed my mind later, I wouldn't be much out of pocket.
The blogger below has pretty much captured the way I feel in my gym skirt …ready to Zumba! http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HZl7.....-+Copy.JPG

14 years ago

Fruitful

Veteran

Thanks Anne and Janet - I love #2 as well!

But... LyrebirdGully your advice is amazing and spot-on. Thankyou so, so much. That's so cool that there's a skirt trend at your gym!

When I used to go out dancing I always always wore a skirt and felt so confident - I would have felt so self-conscious in pants! So why torture myself just because I'm supposed to be "exercising"?

Actually now I think of it, the first Zumba class I went to I did wear a skirt (after all they do say it's a party not a workout :)). With floppy cotton legwarmers

The sad thing was the other women in our small class (it's at my son's school) all wore baggy tshirts, unflattering leggings, or yoga pants which showed their ankles (no ppl). In muted colours too. I felt I was dressed inappropriately so I haven't worn the skirt since.

I've been wearing hand-me-down camo flares (the flare is flattering, the camo not so much, stretched over my rear). They belonged to my friend the Zumba instructor, whose bum would fit in the palm of your hand

I love your suggestion of getting an array of fashion mini-skirts and ITA that they would be more flattering, covering and fun than a gym skirt, and that the fabric isn't a problem since it's not that close to your skin. Love the idea of opshopping as well (I need to do that!)

I think I also wanted an excuse to get cool exercise pants since I haven't bought any since I was pregnant with my first child! Maybe I will get the colourblock pants eventually, but for Zumba a skirt as you suggested will be perfect.

Will investigate further...

14 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

Fruitful, I like the idea of the skirt, I think that could work well. I know you have a shapely behind but I certainly don't think of it as big. Just thought I would share that now that we have met IRL. I understand this may present some challenges with clothing but I do think it's an asset. You are a very gorgeous girl.

14 years ago

Fruitful

Veteran

*smiles* Thankyou Deborah! <3333333

14 years ago

Katiepea

(website)

Veteran

hi Fruitful - I have to agree with Deborah here. I'll confess that I've been lurking on your thread, and haven't replied up until now because I don't have any real "zumba" suggestions. You are tiny!

You may have pear tendencies - but even if you do, you are so tiny, it wouldn't matter, I'm sure!

I'm of the opinion that you should say "what the heck" - break with tradition and go the skirt route. You only live once. Why be boring?

Any negative comments would only be because they are jealous!

14 years ago

anne

Veteran

Lyrebird gully the skirt is a really interesting and funky suggestion.

I have been considering workoutgear at the moment, and having a similar figure to you guys ( I think) am wondering about skirts for my trips to the gym. (Have also been thinking about a swimwear skirt as a summer bathers coverup instead of boardies)

The only downside is that I get too hot for full length leggings, and wonder if shorter length ones and a skirt would work. Couldn't just wear the skirt as then would be in trouble for certain exercises!

14 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Anne, I think I've seen people wearing running skorts that have tight shorts with skirt on top. I would like something like that if I could find it.

14 years ago

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