Elastic waisted pants - YouLookFab Forum

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Elastic waisted pants

Traci

Veteran

It's kind of amazing how drastically and quickly our eyes can change on a look. Last week I started taking a hard look at Elizabeth Suzann's clothes. I'd seen them here and there on the interwebs for a while, but hadn't really ever looked deeper, mostly because of the price tag. Having a bit of a treat yoself moment, I looked at some of her less expensive items and decided to buy one to try. As I'm looking over her offerings, I distinctly remember thinking, ugh, all her pants have an elastic waist, how unflattering! https://elizabethsuzann.com/co.....ant=158235

Then I saw a couple of pictures where I kind of liked the look of the pants, so I started digging further. My first glance made me think I only liked them on slim figures, but as I dug I found many ES fans, who weren't particularly slim, wearing the pants superbly. After two days of looking at them, I started really really liking them. But that price tag!

Here's a pile of pins with the pants. https://www.pinterest.com/sear.....ed&am

After reading a bit more, it looks like they're test driving a new, canvas fabric for the pants, in part because the current twill is prone to pilling. That's enough to cool my jets. But when those canvas pants are released, I'm going to be sorely tempted to try them.

I poked around a few more places, thinking I can get elastic waisted pants from a zillion different retailers, at every price point, but the higher waist and interesting pocket on the ES pant just makes my heart pitter patter. Crazy thoughts from a short, apple? What do you think? I've done a complete 180 in one week. Wonder what I'll think next week?

And, in case you missed it, Elizabeth Suzann doesn't allow for refunds, only returns for credit, so it's a commitment straight out of the gate.

Dressing

18 replies

Latest reply was from shiny

Joy

Veteran

It sounds too risky to experiment with an untried (on you) style and new fabric (for them). Canvas sounds like it would stand out from the body. With an elastic waist that can be unflattering and require tucked in tops.
I swore off elastic waists mostly because they allow for gain in the mid section without your being aware of it, but there are bloaty days that call for pull ons. I suspect the waist is a big part of the appeal of yoga pants and leggings. Do these pants show up on EBay? Of course those may be the fabric that pills.

Traci

Veteran

Very astute, Joy. I think being mindless about my waistline is a huge part of what appeals to me about these pants. I also think you're right that they wouldn't be the carefree dream I'm envisioning. Styling them would be tricky because they seem to call for cropped or tucked tops, both of which I struggle with. I'll just stick with fantasizing about them for now.

Anonymous

This brand has recently popped onto my radar . I like what I see and am curious now to see some photos of the pants on women who aren't a size 0 or 2. I envious serious stomach poofiness on the "average sized" woman, but hopefully I"m wrong.

Traci

Veteran

http://grechenscloset.com/revi.....ork-pants/

Lisa, I think Grechen wears a 6 or 8?

Also, at the bottom of the page for each item on the Elizabeth Suzann website, they often have pictures of a variety of women wearing the item, with their height/weight/size listed. Unfortunately, they always put them in black, which makes the clothes harder to make out.

Diana

Veteran

Those are nice. I like them more than I thought I would. However, I do think it's too big a risk to take, unless there's something else you know you'd be happy to spend the store credit on. For me, there's too much variables with pants to be comfortable buying without being able to try on or return easily.

Re: elastic waist pants. Although I don't love the look of the waist, I never tuck so it would probably never be visible. However, I find they tend to want to ride up higher than I would like. I like to wear my pants fairly low, at a wider point, but my waist to hip ratio means that elastic waists tend to want to migrate to a higher, narrower point on my body, which I find uncomfortable. But it sounds like you like a high waist so that would probably not be an issue for you.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

It does seem like a big risk to take at a high price point especially. But that said, I'm actually quite enjoying my low cost elastic waist pants - but they do have a zipper and hook closure as well as the elastic and drawstring tie. I only have to undo the tie to take them off so the other closures are just "for looks" in my case, but I do prefer the way the look to pants with only elastic waist. I wore them recently on a trip and they were super comfortable for flying and wash and dry very easily.

Lou & Grey Chillout Pants

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Traci

Veteran

Those are very cute, texstyle! I'll consider them. Although, I am laughing at elastic+drawstring+zipper and hook closures. They wanted to be sure to leave no one out.

Diana, I have a few pairs of lower waisted elastic pants...more jogger style. I like the idea of this higher waist, it seems a little less slouchy and more polished.

unfrumped

Veteran

Not sure about those particular ones.

I DO have a few pull- on pants and all are for untucked tops. These were selected based on having a fairly flat abdominal fit , so the type of elastic waistband, the amount of gathers( some bands have no visible gathers), the cut of the pant leg and the fabric all play a role.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I'm with Diana on pretty much everything she said.

For me, elastic waists almost always end up feeling too much like sweatpants or pajamas to feel truly fab. I don't rule them out, but they're just not my favorite. If they work for you though, more power to you! I kind of wish I liked them more because it's certainly easier to fit those styles of pants than tailored ones.

cinnamon fern

Veteran

These pants were an expensive mistake for me. Here are a few caveats:

(1) The fabric. It's a really heavy twill - sturdy, but adds bulk, and makes them too hot to wear 4-5 months of the year where I live. Also, in black, it attracts lint like crazy.

(2) The fit was off on me (widest at the low hip, small waist, flat stomach, prominent butt).

(3) They really need a cropped top (or a semi-tuck, except I couldn't tuck without making it obvious that there was a lot of extra fabric, esp. in the stomach.

All that said, the quality is excellent, and they looked great when styled right. Just too much work for me.

Traci

Veteran

Great feedback Cinnamon Fern! May I ask what you ended up exchanging them for?

I'm moving them into the category of *If I Ever Drive Through Nashville and Can Manage a Pitstop to Try on Pants* then maybe.

LaPed

Veteran

Traci, I think you and I are barking up a lot of the same trees lately.

I've been so tempted by *all* the Clyde designs -- skirt and pants -- because POCKETS. And they look so cool on the models, and on Grechen. I decided I can't do the cotton because, like cinnamon fern says (and as Grechen mentioned in one of her write-ups) it's apparently a lint magnet. For $50, I don't mind a lint-rolling, but for almost $300? Yeah, no.

And I *totally* get your elastic waist hang up. I have a hard time feeling elegant in an elastic waist, no matter how nicely fabricated. I was tempted by the side-zip Celia pants for that reason, but again, very expensive lint magnet...

I think, for me, elastic waist pants need to stay firmly in my lounge and beach capsules. However, I do have a pair of those silk ankle pants from Grana on the way, plus a matching tank. My thought is that, with a wide/obi belt of some sort, I should be able to get a jumpsuit look without the jumpsuit hassle. And even if it doesn't work out, the price is good enough I'm okay with keeping them as beach/lounge pants.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I can see why you're attracted to these pants. I love the look of the styles, especially on the models. I think the stiff fabric would be a no-go for me with them, though. I have definitely become more open to elastic waist pants in general, though, beginning with the track-pant trend in recent years. I now work for OSKA (and love the clothes, or I wouldn't have taken a job there), and they put elastic in all of their pants. The slimmer styles, made of fabrics that stretch, have elastic all the way around, and fuller styles have elastic just in the back waist. All of the styles are designed to sit at the waist, so they are what we would generally call high-waisted. I've come to believe that how well the elastic waist works depends on a couple of things: how well the cut of the pant works for one's figure is probably number 1, and then fabric plays a large role. I would not venture to buy non-returnable pants online from any source. Even if I've bought a style before from a particular maker, I find the fit or look can differ widely from one fabric to another.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I should add that I do call the Loft pants "my pajama pants". I think it depends on the fit and what you wear with them but I would never call them "elegant" or dressy. My trip was to the beach so they felt appropriate.

Style Fan

Veteran

I like the look of these pants and the elastic waist does not bother me but the non refundable policy does. I can not order something online without knowing I can return it if it does not work out.
Doesn't Eileen Fisher have something like this? I have never bought anything from her but it looks like her designs.

Lisa Rayes

(website)

The use of elastic waistbands has various benefits. Firstly, they give a nice comfortable fit that moves with your body and lets you feel at ease. This is the reason why many children's pants and jeans have elastic waistbands. Also, middle-aged and older people prefer wearing trousers with elastic waistbands as they do not fit too tightly. They are easier to wear and take off, and one does not have to go through any hassle.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I had always thought that elastic waists should only be for sports clothes or for the much older set. However, I bought two pairs of pants with elastic waists in the past year, and they both work because of some sewn down parts to prevent poofiness and because they are made of drapy fabric.

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shiny

Veteran

I'm a fan of elastic waist pants because it's a refreshing change from the frustration of pants that just don't fit -- either the waistband fits and the hips are too baggy, or the hips fit and the waistband is uncomfortably tight.

I've got EF slim crepe ankle pants that are my "go-to" for travel. They have elastic in the waist. I also have Wit & Wisdom jeans that have a stretchy waistband.

Last summer my daughter got me into elephant pants. You can get them on amazon -- they are cheap as can be. They are high-waisted with elastic on the ankles. I wear them with tank tops. Cool and comfy, though definitely it's a casual look and not one I'd wear to the office. What's more, your $ go towards saving elephants!! I recommend giving these a whirl as a low-risk way of testing out the look.