K/R - do they look like sweatpants - ETA decision - YouLookFab Forum

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K/R - do they look like sweatpants - ETA decision

anchie

Veteran

I mentioned before weight gain from medications - well, it is happening, slowly but surely. I haven’t bought anything in last 2 months since my Graves diagnosis, tried to strech my current wardrobe as much as possible. But it is coming to a point where my pants are becoming too uncomfortable to sit in them for hours. I work in office 5 days a week and need relatively smart wardrobe. I was looking at skirts and dresses, thinking that they are better choice for weight fluctuations, but could not find anything that I liked. So I ordered this elastic waist pants in size up. I am not used to this type of pants and to my eyes they look like sweatpants even though they are maid from lightweight wool suiting type material. What do you think? I like how they are styled in stock photo. There is also another very similar pair in fake leather that I am thinking about, maybe those would look less like sweatpants? They are in last photo.

ETA - they are going back. Faux leather pants arrived and they are going back too. I tried to love them but I just didn’t feel good in them. Search goes on. I will look for some with elastic only in the back, as many of you advised.
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30 replies

Latest reply was from Tanya

slim cat

Veteran

It probably will depend on styling and accessories - great boots, smart sneakers, dressy toppers/jackets ( like the pics #3 and #4 especially ).
Sounds like a great alternative to very restricting office wear of the past years .

Star

Veteran

I think they will pass as office appropriate depending on styling and not exposing the elasticated waistband. With regard to faux leather you may find them hot (I recall you were overheating) otherwise they could be a good alternative.

anchie

Veteran

slim cat - I think I need to play with them in my closet and see if they work with my toppers and shoes.
Star - my overheating was short lived, as soon as medication kicked in I was back to my old always cold self. I ordered them too to compare. But faux leather pair seem more like only winter , while this first pair could be worn year around.

Star

Veteran

I think faux leather can be worn comfortably and will look appropriate in Spring and Autumn too if you are in a true 4 season climate (which I believe you are).

Olive Green

Veteran

They look great with formal toppers and non-athletic footwear, for the office. Maybe not with any kind of topper knitwear, as that will emphasize the casual aspect?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Agreed with slim cat that it’s in the styling. A structured jacket and fab boots will take the “sweatpant” vibe away from these. The fit looks great.

I’m fond of styles that have a flat front and elastic back, if you can find some. They’re still very forgiving but I like when the elastic doesn’t run all the way around a waistband. I have a couple pairs of Athleta Brooklyn pants that have this styling (those are pull on, with a faux fly detail), and a pair of Sanctuary cargo joggers that I have been wearing a ton and absolutely love. They have a button and zip in front but I never need to use that, they have enough elastic around the back that they function as pull-on styles do. The stock photos show all of these with sneakers, but they work great with more refined footwear.

Sanctuary Harmony Cargo Pants

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Gap Brooklyn Ankle Pant

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Gap Brooklyn Plaid Ankle Pant

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Gap Bettona Classic Pant

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kkards

Veteran

Agreeing with the others that styling/finishing touches will make all the difference. I think faux leather is very easy to make look dressed up, so that gets a big yes from me.
My general rule for everything is throw on a blazer and a nice pair of shoes/boots and anything and everything looks office ready

Column

Veteran

What kkards said. I love these on you; not sweatpants at all! They look very figure-flattering and stylish.

Notice the new color-blocking in the first stock photo you show: matching color with blazer, shell, boots—a sort of bookend. I see a lot of this with what Angie calls a “black support act,” but other neutrals or brights are being shown as well.

Then there is the old color-blocking, as in the second stock photo: matching or tonal trousers and footwear; different color on top.

Again, I love your column of color in cream/beige. Go for it! PS—Wishing you well on your health journey and emotional healing from what sounds like a very difficult year. <3

anchie

Veteran

Olive Green - unfortunately all my work tops are knitwear, I am too cold in blouses. I am hoping blazer will help like in stock photo.

Janet - flat front pants with elastic in back would be great solution. I haven’t seen any that I liked but will keep my eye on something like your examples. Unfortunately those exact pants are not available here. I think this front bunching are making them extra casual looking.
kkards - yes, I have to try to style them before I make final decision. Topper and shoes will make all the difference.

anchie

Veteran

Column - thank you so much for your well wishes. I did have a really terrible year and I am still recovering from everything. In regards to clothing, I really like outfit with camel blazer and even thinking of ordering the same one, just not sure if camel would look ok with my complexion.

Helena

Veteran

Totally agree with the styling comments, which you are the master of Anchie. I think these will be fab with your beautiful and colourfully curated wardrobe.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Anchie, what is the fabric like?

anchie

Veteran

Angie - fabric is suiting type lightweight wool.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Okay! I think they look great. Nice and comfy

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Agree with not exposing the elastic in the front.
Really like your white-out!

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

If you want to hide the elastic but would find a belt uncomfortable, could you try tucking in your top but then blousing it out halfway (not so far that it comes undone, but enough to cover the waistband)? Also cuffing may help to change up the silhouette a little (perhaps over boots?)

Sorry that you're still dealing with all this But at least the overheating is in the rear mirror (for now)? Meanwhile I still have to pack extra clothes for work (even now, during the winter), lol

Gaylene

Veteran

I’m with Janet in not being fond of those front gathers, except in a sport/casual pant.

There are lots of other “easy-fit” waistbands—hidden-elastic, fitted-and-darted, contoured-self-fabric, back-only elastic, side-comfort bands—the list is endless as designers keep finding ways to combine comfort with style. The key feature for me is a smooth-fitting front and side so the pant works with sweaters and shirts without revealing its elastic feature.

Maybe take a look at sites like Eileen Fisher, Talbots, and other comfort designed lines to broaden your search for “elastic without looking like elastic” waistbands on pants? If nothing else, you might find other terms to broaden your search—or even some ideas to show a local tailor who could adapt a pair of pants by removing the regular waistband and inserting a darted and ribbon-faced waist in a pair of fitted pants.

Echo

Veteran

As long as the elastic waistband isn't visible, these will dress up well. I work in a fairly casual setting, but I find that almost any pants that aren't gathered at the ankle (except the old-fashioned, thick, pilling sweatpant/sweatshirt material and very obvious yoga pants) can usually be dressed up with jacket or smart top.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Maybe it’s the fairly wide waistband that makes the gathers look more prominent/obvious? I just checked all mine and they are narrower and/or sit flatter. Basically I don’t tuck though.

SW Ann

Veteran

Anchie, I am so sorry you are going through all the stuff you have for the last year. I think that when we are "forced" by things outside of our own choices, to make changes to how we dress...we are resistant. I think this looks fine, but I understand that this is a completely different way than you have dressed, and you are not particularly happy with it. Keep in mind, this is "for now", and for a good reason. It's different, but it's not unflattering. Just different. Can you make peace with it, for now, for today, for a good reason? Your health is the most important. And if you are more comfortable, it will be more "healthful". I think you are beautiful, no matter what you are wearing.

phoebe

They look great with the sweater and the gathering around the waist line adds a little texture and interest but looks more modern than pleats.

I did not see "sweatpants" and I did not think "elastic" either.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

It really comes down to the styling but also how you feel in them. If you feel you are wearing sweatpants you will not be comfortable wearing them.

Aquamarine

Veteran

Try Eileen Fisher if possible. The brand works nicely with fluctuating weight and there are lots of styles of pants…most with elastic waists.

Cee

Veteran

Anything with an elastic waistband I conceal by wearing a shirt or sweater that I don't tuck in, unless it's a base layer like a T-shirt or lightweight turtleneck and then I layer another looser fitting sweater over that.

Anonymous

I'm on team elastic waist/ no tucking shirts, so yay from me. I like the pair in #4 especially.

unfrumped

Veteran

What Janet said. I would hold out for flat- front with elastic back and overall look for more subtle elastication. It’s out there, because of demand. In fact I’m finding it hard NOT to get elastic waist! Even higher- end brands have their “ pull- on” pants. There are even pants with flat front bands plus pleats for those who like actual pleats. Or actual zip- front but with back elastic.
I have a couple of styles of Vince pants like this in navy because I wanted something slightly tailored/ dressy that I could wear for either somber occasions or regular with brighter colors or patterns but would tolerate small weight fluctuations which some classic tailored waistbands will not, so would have some longevity in the wardrobe and avoid emergency shopping, and also give me something better than joggers that I would actually reach for as my comfy- focus had taken over a bit after retirement.

Kyle

Veteran

Archie, in addition to the Brooklyn pant that Janet recommended I’ve been looking at the Delancy pant. Have not seen it in person or tried it yet, but it looks interesting.

https://athleta.gap.com/browse.....d=1&a

Jonesy

Veteran

I really like them for you. It might be the combo with the sweater that is throwing you off? I wonder if the slightly fitted and cropped classic cable-knit sweater isn't playing as nicely with them as something a little looser and longer, that sort of drapes over the waistband a bit?

ETA: totally agree about the smooth front-back elasticated waistband option, if you can find them! I have the pair below from COS, which are great--they are a nice-weight woven wool with a good drape.

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anchie

Veteran

They are going back. Faux leather pants arrived and they are going back too. I tried to love them but I just didn’t feel good in them. Search goes on. I will look for some with elastic only in the back, as many of you advised.

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