Athleta Stellar Flares for travel to Italy/Croatia? - YouLookFab Forum

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Athleta Stellar Flares for travel to Italy/Croatia?

ChrisM

Veteran

We’re headed to Italy and Croatia in two weeks and I’m struggling with my travel capsule bottom choices

FYI - Travel is with a group - I don’t expect to have to dress up too often - hiking, biking, and sightseeing is on the agenda.

A non-jeans pant option is eluding me. I found these fantastic Athleta flares but worry that they’re too athleisure looking - I try to think I would wear them to my casual workplace, but no matter how I look at them, they’re still tights.

For reference, I’m 5’10” so finding pants with a 34” inseam is the bane of my existence. I bought the “arbor olive” color in 16 tall - with a whopping 36” inseam and a price that’s a bit outside my comfort zone. They need to be shortened by about 1 1/2”.

Pros: they do look good on me; they aren’t black; very comfy and stretchy; lightweight; could use for hiking or out for dinner (with tunic and jacket).

Cons: price (ouch) a little body con for my 60 year old self; alterations needed (I could diy, but hesitate because of the zipper in the bottom of the hem.)

https://athleta.gap.com/browse.....ge-content

What do you think? Are there some alternatives you could suggest?

Dressing

21 replies

Latest reply was from ChrisM

MidwestrnChic

Chris, I love those pants, but do agree the price seems a bit high considering they still need tailoring and you feel they are too body con. I have a lot of Athleta wear and my favorite travel pants are currently on sale and I have attached the find. I also wear these to work and spiff them up with a blazer and they look good. The issue for you may be the length. They do come in tall, however the inseam is only 33". Perhaps these could work? I did have to size down as they run big.

Gap Gramercy Track Trouser

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6

Windowpane Check Ruched Sleeve Blazer

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23

RobinF

Veteran

I don't think these look like tights. I agree altering them would be a pain because of the zipper, are you sure you would have to?

Anonymous

I don't think they look like tights at all, and that slit hem is so cool - oops, I see its a zipper, even better! I think if they are feeling body con, you could try a size up . I really like them (and the ones Robin linked) -and see them as certainly a non-athletic pant and worth the $. Now I want them - but sadly they don't ship to Canada.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Cute pants.

Did you get try the regular length?

texasgal

I bought these for a recent multi-country trip (Amsterdam, then Rwanda/Tanzania/Kenya)- severe luggage weight restrictions so I needed a pair of "dressy" pants for a few nice dinners (but these pants also had to wash out if needed due to safaris etc). I am short so got the petite- with a nice top and my Rothys flats they were good enough for city dining and a few nice meals at our camps.

https://athleta.gap.com/browse.....ge-content

ChrisM

Veteran

MidwesternChic, I have the same Chelsea wide leg and they are about an inch short for my taste - barely grazing the top of my foot. I wear them with flip flops - anything more substantial than that looks weird.

RobinF and Angie, I did try on the regular length and was not satisfied with the length, especially since they are flares - which to my eye, need to be almost to the floor or cropped - the regular inseam hits the top of my foot arch. Argh.

Maybe the answer is to size up to a 18 regular. It would be worth it not to fiddle with the zippers if I can avoid it.

That might solve the worry about body con too. But you think not too athleisure-ish? I do love the fabric...

This is helpful....

ChrisM

Veteran

Texasgal - good to know! They are a step above my regular hiking/yoga/daywear pants because of the fabric. Glad that you had a good experience with them (your trip sounds fab...)

ChrisM

Veteran

Just checked - they don’t go up to size 18. Darn.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sooo annoying to be in-between lengths

THIS though, is a good new trendy shorter full length with the right flat footwear. Was that the 34 inch on you?

Banana Republic

High-Rise Wide-Leg Jean

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Banana Republic

High-Rise Wide-Leg Patch Pocket Jean

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5

JAileen

Veteran

These are my new favorite pants. Unfortunately they don’t come in a tall inseam.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod.....&th=1

However, Columbia makes another one that that comes in a tall that also doesn’t look like hiking pants:

https://www.columbia.com/women.....38;start=0

Maybe it would work for you.

Sheryl

Everlane has some interesting possibilities - not too casual, not too dressy, with stretch for ease of movement. Most of them are cropped, which may or may not be what you are looking for. Here are finds for a few:

The Kick Crop Work Pant

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2

The Back-Slit Work Pant

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The Italian GoWeave Easy Pant

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6

ChrisM

Veteran

Angie - I’ve included some pics - after spending a lifetime of trying to get pants long enough, my eyes haven’t yet adjusted to the trendy shorter length. It doesn’t help, I’m sure, that the shorter wide length that isn’t cropped isn’t visible so much around here.

JAileen, thanks so much for the recommendations! I looked for the Columbia’s - all out in long inseams. Something to watch for -

Sheryl, I never jumped on the cropped bandwagon. The one pair I bought sits unworn in my closet.. I do like the quality of everlane and love their oversized tunic-y tops!

1 and 2 are the Athleta wide leg Chelsea and 3 and 4 are the stellar flares. I will have to say I feel better when the pants have some shape - my legs are still fairly slim (menopause took care of any slimness in my waist...)

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Anonymous

I triedthem, but the pockets showed through A Lot - even when I sized up. Did you see the herringbone ones? They could work.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks for the pics.

Oh my word! ChrisM, they are the new trendy shorter full length in the 34 inch inseam. Love it! I'm always on the side of the wearer though, so I GET that they feel like your pants are too short.

Yup. You need a 35 inch inseam.

rachylou

Veteran

I very much like the flares!

ChrisM

Veteran

Thank you, everyone, for your help.

Suntiger, I plan to wear longer tops that cover my crotch point. Tunics and long button front shirts are my bread and butter, so I'm not worried about the pockets. I understand how they would be annoying if I tried to tuck.

Angie, is it really the trendy length? Very interesting. I really appreciate your professional eye - thank you very much for weighing in.

Thank you, Rachy - they are super comfortable, and I do love a good flare.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I love those pants and am tempted to try them myself. I defer to Angie on trendy length — I have problems with that new length because that’s how ALL
THE PANTS have fit me forever, and it always had “flood pants” connotations. I just can’t keep up. Flood pants and mom jeans are in. The world is upside down. Sigh.

Joy

Veteran

This sounds like a great trip. I like the Athletics Bettones on the bottom of the page on your link if you can get them in the right length. For wearing out for dinner, I would get black. Black is THE color in any city. I had some similar to the Bettones in dark grey that could be worn out to dinner and I took a black lace top to dress them up with silver ballet flats. All fit easily in a carry-on and worked with my black rain jacket ( no visible logos).
Have fun.

ChrisM

Veteran

Janet - agree 100%. Flood jeans and Mom pants. No can do. I can definitely imagine you in these flares - you look great in that style.

Joy - the Bettona are a good choice - the xl tall is out of stock and I have not much time to stalk. Would love to see your lace top - sounds like your outfit would be lovely - and packable!! Yep, everything in a carry-on for me, so if it squishes, I’m good.

Kyle

Veteran

I’m 5’ 10” with long legs and have the Athleta Interstellar legging in regular length. I like the center slit and the length is just right. Not too long or short. Feel like they would be great for travel but have not road tested yet.

ChrisM

Veteran

Kyle - good to know. I ‘m off leggings and anything that resembles them at this point in my body journey. I tried the stellar trouser - was not happy with the way they looked on me. The fabric is lovely though, isn’t it?!