How to avoid the gap at the back of the waistband - YouLookFab Forum

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How to avoid the gap at the back of the waistband

Raisin

Veteran

Without wearing a belt, is there any way to avoid having your pants gap at the back? Mine tend to a lot. I think I usually buy pants to fit my thighs comfortably, not super tight, and I guess proportionally they are larger than the waist because I get a gap. Really stretchy pants seems to help because I can fit to the waist and just use the stretch for the thighs, but other pants.....I haven't figured them out yet.

Dressing

16 replies

Latest reply was from Janet

Day Vies

Veteran

I have heard that you can have a button loop inserted into the back of your pants so that the waistband is adjustable but the no major reconstruction has to be done.

My husband actually has larger thighs than his waist and some of his pants have this fix in them.

Anonymous

I have the same problem, and get around it by wearing mid- or low-rise pants that don't come up to my natural waist. Even when I do that, I sometimes get that dreaded gap, but it's not nearly that bad. There are certain brands that fit me well, so I stick with those.

Raisin

Veteran

Lol, Day I'm picturing my kids pants with the elastic band on the inside and you pull it and pop it over a button...kinda like that but just the buttons right? Wouldn't you get a fold on the pants there though?

Raisin

Veteran

Ruth what brands if you don't mind me asking? Your right, low rise works much better on me to avoid the gap, but I only have so many low risers....I hate feeling like my bum might pop out!

Anonymous

My mother, who was a seamstress, used to make darts on the waistband, in the back. That worked, only that I couldn't wear the pants without a belt because the darts would show. She put two darts in the back; one on each side. If you have a sewing machine, this is an easy thing to do: http://www.ehow.com/how_120030.....pants.html

Louise

Veteran

This is a common ailment for pretty pears and I think the only solution is to have the waistband altered by a tailor? X

Anonymous

@RunnerRae: I have a 27-inch waist, 36-inch hips, and am high waisted. I love my Express Editor flare leg and low rise pants; I wear size 6 short, but may need to go down to size 4 short if I lose any more weight. (See link below.) I also wear Coldwater Creek's natural fit pants; size 6P, though these are also getting a little on the loose size so I may have to go down to size 4P. If you have either one of these retail stores near you, I strongly suggest you go try them on. Hope this helps.

http://www.express.com/studio-...../index.pro

deb

Veteran

I take mine to the tailor. She does a wonderful job.

Ariadne

Veteran

I think tailoring is the only alternative to a belt. This is an issue I'm very familiar with!

Day Vies

Veteran

Rae -- the elastic does not show. I know it is an Italian tailoring trick for men's trousers -- I just can't remember what it's called

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I just take mine to the local dry cleaners to get altered. I pinch the waistband and measure the amount of fabric that needs to be taken out. As long as it's under one inch it's a very simple change. If it's over that, then I don't buy the pants in the first place because it's quite expensive to alter them.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Just get the waist altered, it should not be very expensive but the fit is so much better. Editors fit me well but still have to be taken in the waist.
I find that Paige jeans do not require any waist tailoring at all.

shiny

Veteran

Darts! They do not show that much. I insist that my pretty pear DD gets this done with all her pants, since I can't stand seeing butt crack, which she'll get no matter how high or low the rise is, and with or without a belt.. unless she gets two tiny, barely noticeable darts in the waistband. It is a very simple and inexpensive alteration -- but makes all the difference.

HeleenH

Veteran

There are 2 (or 3) solutions: get pants that fit everywhere else and have them altered. Make sure you put a pin at the point where the dart must end. I didn't as the shop lady said it wasn't needed but the tailor did make the darts too long which isn't comfortable.
The other solution: search for that one pant that is made to fit you. This year I stumbled upon the perfect fit. It was a Petite NYDJ. No alterations needed anywhere, it felt like a miracle.
A third solution that can be expensive: have a tailor make a pair especially for you.

Raisin

Veteran

Thanks for all the suggestions. I guess I should really try out some darts! Seems like an inexpensive fix anyway. Maybe one day I can try on some Paige jeans too. I have heard they are very nice.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I agree that altering the waist is the way to go (and I often still need a belt or one of those invisibelts to keep my pants from sliding down my meager booty). Paige is quite good for not needing waist alteration. Hudson too. But I have to get most of my jeans taken in at the waist (especially Kuts and JBrand).