Assessing the new black pants contenders - YouLookFab Forum

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Assessing the new black pants contenders

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I posted recently about my search for an eventual replacement for my favorite old wide-leg Athleta black pants, which are my go-to travel pants and also get worn for lots of days when I’m active but also want to look a bit polished.

All of the ones I have tried so far have been good, but they are all a bit heavier in weight than my old ones, which are a similar fabrication to the Athleta Brooklyn pants. Athleta’s current offerings in that fabric do not fit me properly so I ruled them out.

I did however try these and wanted to see if anything jumps out at you all. I know, they’re black pants so not terribly exciting. But I thought I’d share.

Pics 1-2 Athleta Venice pants with white side stripe. I also ordered the plain black ones to try but they are taking a while to come in. I quite like them. The side stripes may be a little limiting but I’m a sucker for a good side stripe and I’m sure I’d still find plenty of wears for them. Elastic waist but it’s a smooth flat waistband which is really nice and doesn’t roll.

Pics 3-4 Vuori Meta pants - Angie alerted me to these, and they are really nice. Trouser styling with zip and closure so more polished than most athleisure. They fit well, with some extra room at the waist, but that can be altered easily enough.

Pics 5-6 Inexpensive but pretty darn good, these Old Navy PowerSoft Trouser pants are super comfy, and I would not feel like I need them o be precious at all with them. Elastic waist but nice simple styling that would make them wearable with a lot. I needed a tall size which actually makes them a little long, but it’s an easy fix to take a little off the length.

And… no, not black pants but I decided to order to try:

Pics 7-8 Rag & Bone Miramar wide leg sweatpant jeans. I still have my jogger style ones from years ago (actually purchased secondhand from former forum member Alaskagirl!), and I’ve worn them to death but they’re still useful. These fit looser and are quite baggy, and probably not flattering, but I kind of love them. Feel free to try to talk me out of them. LOL

Please pardon my general appearance in these photos. No makeup. Messy hair. Threw on the pants with the first top I reached for and some sneakers. And a bloaty day too, haha. So actual styling will help!

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General

22 replies

Latest reply was from Firecracker (Sharan)

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Oh wow, difficult choice because they all look good. I do like the stiped pair, but will they have the versatility of the old pair? Of the two solid black pairs I prefer 3/4. The sweatpant jeans look great too. I think it is more about what you will enjoy having/wearing because these are all good options.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

It’s not out of the question to keep more than one, too. I get a lot of wear out of black pants!

Lisa

Veteran

Wow you are not making this easy. I like them all! Each one is a little different.

#1-Love this side stripe on these and a great fit here. These look like they can dress up or down. I'm not sure if they would be limiting because they have a stripe (versus a solid pair) but that stripe is a really fun touch and if you can keep two I'd vote keep these
#3-Look a little dressier than the first pair, and also a lovely fit. I vote keep these.
#5-Looks a little more casual for the fabric than the first two. If I can only pick one pair of black pants I'd go for the one in #3
#7-Sweatpant jeans?! What kind of magic is this? That sounds so comfortable! These look like they have a slouchy, casual vibe that I really like on you. I vote keep these.

As a side note, look at those blue sneakers, what a great color they are.

I think you're pant shopping has gone quite well!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

KEEP THEM ALL, Janet! KILLER x3.

These are wardrobe essentials for your style, and will be put to good use. You work in them too. Easy to wear and care for on your photo-taking trips. They are also long enough! The Old Navy pair might even need a hack

Love the sweatpants jeans too. Stinking cute and flattering!

Sal

Veteran

I like them all, and know the vibe/use that you have. It's the hike and a coffee afterwards, or working at home with some errands, or travelling away and might need to double duty to a meal out...

I tend to the black options rather than the jogger jeans. I have three options including the Lululemon on the fly (on their last legs and now cleaning or yard pants), the Brooklyns (great for my voluntary role and the odd game of pickleball) and some pull on loose leggings with zips (good for winter travel or at home, not a summer pant). I would be open to another pair in this category as well.

Bijou

Veteran

Side stripe pants are my favourite so please keep those; I like all the others too.

The sweatpants pocket seems to sit open from the side, that would bother me. I would sew the pockets down for a more streamlined effect, but then you would lose the usefulness of the pocket.

Roberta

Veteran

I cannot choose, they all look great on you! I am very fond of a side stripe myself. I tried these pants, but they felt a little snug in the waist and loose in the hips. The fit was just not right for me. I look forward to seeing them on you often!

slim cat

Veteran

Striped pants as a favorite option - but all black pants look pretty nice on you! Love Miramar wide leg pants/jeans - easy/fabulous for any occasion !

Brooklyn

Veteran

I like the second pair (3/4) the best. They look like tailored lounge wear, IYKWIM. The third pair could be a good pair for back up. Love the jeans!

Runcarla

Veteran

The ones with the stripes down the side are the bomb! Keep!

Star

Veteran

I am with Brooklyn, pic 3/4 looks like the best 'tailored' fit, then 5/6.

Jenny H

Veteran

You just can’t go wrong with any of these! I really like all of them. I didn’t know I wanted a pair of pants with a side stripe until now. (I rocked a pair in the late 90’s, but not since then).

The sweatpant jeans are amazing. I remember seeing some maybe a decade ago, but these look much nicer than what I remember!!

Helena

Veteran

These all look amazing! The white stripe makes my 90s heart happy and suits your style so well. Both plain black are awesome although the ON one make me nervous because they look like you might get tangled in them when you step? But that might be just because they need to be shortened a little. I would say pick the comfier black pair ... Or keep them both!

cat2

Veteran

I vote for the first two; the third is more casual and fills a legging gap rather than a trouser gap.

Murph11

Veteran

1/2 + 3/4 = Keep! They both look amazing on you.

Peri

Veteran

Thanks for letting us know! My favorite Athletas were Cosmic (not Cosmos like I said in your other post) and they look a lot like the Venice. I'm tempted to try those and the Vuoiri ones.

And...I've noticed Athleta is showing several new styles lately. I'd say it might be time for a real life shopping trip, but I've noticed Athleta seldom carries this kind of pant in actual stores. Maybe it's time for big order instead. Plus they have a new color, Berry, that is calling my name.

RobinF

Veteran

What a successful tryon session! These are all great. I would say go with your gut.

Sweatpant jeans?! Yes please!

LaPed

Veteran

All three pairs fit really well! I think the pair with the side stripe looks especially good with the Converse, but honestly I'd just keep the pair that's the most comfortable because they all look good.

The sweatpant jeans are shockingly realistic. I did a doubletake at the image of your hand in the side-seam pocket, finally realizing that the front pocket is printed on!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

These are all great -- tough choice! I'd go with the side stripe pant for sure and at least one of the black ones (maybe both) -- on the face of it I prefer the Vuori but I can see the advantage of the cheap and easy ON as well -- as you say, no need to be precious. Good with the dogs. I like the sweatpant jeans, too -- but hard to know how much you'd use them, so I leave that to your judgement. In your position, I might get them if the older pair are ready for retirement.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, everyone! Yeah, it’s hard to go wrong with any — or all — of these, as they overlap but all have slightly different uses and vibes. It’s not out of the question to keep all three, as they are good fits and useful. I don’t have issues with “splitting wears” and in fact prefer to diffuse use among a couple of favorites so that my items last longer, once I find a real winner!

The sweatpant jeans are a wild card. But also possibly a replacement for the old ones since they are getting a bit…old. I may keep the old pair in the Airstream as part of my dedicated camping capsule.

kinnick

I have the rag & Bone Miramar pant in the jogger style. I liked the first pair so much I bought a second pair in another color. Unfortunately, the wide leg even in the crop was still too long for me or I would have bought them as well. The Miramar line is a terry cotton printed to look like jeans. They do shrink a bit especially if you dry them (even on low) but I expected that and sized accordingly.

Janet, do you wear your jogger with sneakers? What other shoes have worked for you?

I recently bought the Vuori meta pant in the crop version. I was wondering if I should have sized down but decided to keep them because I cannot stand any tightness. I have a different build than you - much shorter and straighter - so I appreciate the waist fitting looser. I just washed them and am planning on wearing them today so will let you know how that goes. I don’t know how much they will stretch out as I wear them. I may end up regretting not sizing down.

All of the pants look great on you.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

My favorite is the pair with the side stripe. If you love a side stripe, I gotta say, it loves you back. If you've ordered a pair of plain black like those, maybe keep both of them. The other two are good, also. The jeans look cool, too, though I noticed what Bijou mentions about the pocket. Only on the side view, so maybe not a big deal!

I have a pair of jogger jeans from AllSaints (wearing them now, in fact) that are super soft and comfy. I love them. They have diagonal pockets rather than the tricky side-seam style.

by Firecracker (Sharan)

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