Pants intentionality ( long noodle)

unfrumped

Angie’s pants post got me thinking more about what are likely to my real- life pants needs and preferences and how I might shift toward that rather than having a closet full of pants I don’t wear as often as justified by the space they take up. This also relates to Travel- being able to take pants I already know and trust and also create versatile capsules with fewer pieces.
So some criteria are comfortable, washable, right colors, having pairs in weights for different seasons/climate zone ( I have family in the Deep South and in the snowy North), and he’s, I want to look pretty good also. Of course part of the reason for orphan or lonely pants is Imaginary Style, buying habits from prior work needs, but also it’s just hard to find pants that tick all the boxes, , for me anyway.
And that’s a clue—sometimes “ good- fitting “ is not as comfortable ( or also sub in easy- care) because the structure and fabric contribute to better fit— closer, tailored, good drape or curve in high- maintenance fabrics, shaping ( as in jeans).
Also I’m a Tucker-inner in my previous life and body, but less now - still do , more when wearing toppers or for nicer events but not for errand or actually clothes- shopping- too much trouble- and actually NEVER when I travel.

However, I always wear a belt, unless wearing drawstring pants.

Which will lead to the interface between pants and tops.

For figure- flattery, curved- hem tops are a fave— either curved- hem knits or button- front. And my new fave for comfort and packing, button- front collared shirts in knits!
So I gradually realized that partial elastic waist—but with belt loops - is technically fine because the waist won’t show, for this kind of use.
The problem is that waist gathers add back waist pouf, or more dreaded fanny pouf- but if not severe, is covered by top. I can’t always use full elastic with no zipper, because of higher waist- hip ratio & just too much fabric-or, some great stretchy pants with flat stretch waist , can’t get the waist to fit. Hence HEWI of the right combination.

So the good news is that these types of “partial- comfort pants “ are more available across different brands & styles due to pandemic & WFH.
Also have no trouble with the right kind ( for me) of Athleisure pants. The main issue I’ve run into with sport wear is is that many lightweight - medium synthetic fabrics are too cold in winter and too clammy in summer.
I’m afraid that adding in pant lengths creates a whole nuther decision dimension- both proportions-wise , footwear, temperature control. But if I think about travel, it’s going to be sneakers.
And point would be, so that more things I actually wear during a week, or season would be the same things I would pack for our typical very casual trips. Matching/ coordinating, road-tested, and enough fit & style to be fun but not too fussy for the environmental norm.

I’m not sure I’ve made any real progress, but feel a realignment — as in, “real-lignment” , may be underway.

Hope to hear some of your thoughts and solutions-

2 years ago

Inspiration

12 replies

Latest reply was from Jenni NZ

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Ah pants or trousers as we call them over here,my specialist subject!I hear you on the looking forward to what we will actually wear in the time from here on.l still find it difficult for me personally to assess that as Covid rates are still high here so although restrictions are a lot less life isn’t back to normal(whatever that means).The trousers l have been wearing most are fleece lined walking trousers,not my prepandemic usual attire by any means but a combo of keeping warm in the cold weather/energy crisis and socialising outdoors more has meant they are currently my go to.l am not sure that this helps you much but it’s good to share reflections.

2 years ago

ophelia

Veteran

My solution is to wear skirts. Not very helpful to your mission though. I have a few pairs of pants but have endless preferences for them-rise, length, material, on & on.
I understand the frustration of pants! So being disinclined to spend sufficient time & energy (lazy) chasing them down, I default to skirts.

2 years ago

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I can definitely see how full-elastic waist pants are not a good fit for you. I have a relatively high waist-to-hip ratio (toward the straighter figure rather than the curvy), and I find that full-elastic often gives me too much poof. So with more waist definition, I imagine it is a real no-go.

Do you wear jeans? I find that jeans and corduroys can work for my daily life as well as a lot of casual travel situations. I also have some casual pants in a travel-knit fabric that are great for dressing down or up. It sounds like if you found a brand or designer or two that had some styles that really fit you well, you could get several pairs that would have you set for a while. Maybe Loft, Pendleton, Banana Republic, Ralph Lauren.

Like you, I have been thinking lately about culling out some of the pants that are more work-like, now that I'm not working. Even before the pandemic, I don't think I wore many of them, and as you point out, they are taking up space for no reason. I feel a "real-ignment" is in order, too!

2 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

What do you think of pants made with some stretch? I’ve been trying to decide if I like them. I have a lot of jeggings… tailored waist, but overall stretchy. They are far more comfortable, have belt loops (not that I wear belts), but they do slip down on me. Everything slips down on me. I really honestly prefer skirts and dresses and despite the cold, am already back in them…

2 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I'm with Sharan -- picking a brand or two that tend to work for you and experimenting with their various cuts is one way to whittle things down to manageable levels. I hear you on the "fanny pouf" of elastic waist items. I don't know if that might be mitigated by a slightly stretchy fabric -- it could be.

Also, I go on about this ad infinitum, but i suggest looking for side zip pants. As far as I am concerned, they are the best thing ever. You probably would not need a belt with such pants if they had a bit of stretch because they tend to be cut well for people with a high waist/ hip ration and/ or longer rise (not always, but often) and alterations can be easier if necessary, too. Unfortunately, it's often very hard to find them. BR has a pair of "leggings" with a side zip which, if sized up a bit, might be more like slim straights. This is the CAN site, sorry -- but. you can see the pant at, least. They also have a "curvy" version of this pant. It could be a good travel option.

Banana Republic

High-Rise Sloan Legging

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2 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

Thanks for input!
Cardiff girl, I too have been wearing fleece, flannel- lined joggers and sweat-pant type bottoms at home all winter.

I do have flannel- lined jeans in 2 sizes and my problem is I prefer the roomier size, Thoth’s smaller looks “ neater”.
Firecracker, I have jeans- also in 2 sizes for some- and hood to wear them more. I don’t tend to choose them for trav. I think I haven’t found tgd right combo of stretchy comfort and fit- especially at the waist. Chinos are a preferred mild- warm weather travel pant and also a kind of style preference- I actually have some Veronica Beard ones to get a preferred color and length/ taper. I think part of my plan is to explore more brands and pants that may be labeled one thing or another— you know nowadays, you can’t tell by what they call it— jogger, cargo, sweatpants, trouser and other “ names” have a lot of crossover— width, length, cuff, taper, waistband—so I am broadening search terms.
Rachylou, I don’t do well with full stretchy pants unless wearing more of a tunic- too much hippage. Also, has seemed hard to get the fabric right for cool vs warm weather. But, am interested in more stretch in the fabric blend, if that makes sense.

2 years ago

Bijou

Veteran

Once I find a good pant style, I tend to buy it in multiple colours. I find crepe very versatile, it washes up well and does not crease, so brilliant for travelling. I have this pant in navy, red and black.

Custom Find

by Bijou

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2 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Unfrumped, it sounds like you are finding your way with pants! Rest assured we are all re-aligning our styles and wardrobes to some degree at this stage of the pandemic

May I suggest an experiment:

Put the pants you are not wearing into a temporary holding zone.
Leave the pants you are wearing in your closet.
Leave out the pants you THINK you might wear in your closet too.
See which you actually wear for a month and document the results daily.
Did you miss the pants in the holding zone? Did you even grab a pair to wear?

It could help you navigate future choices better.

2 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

Angie, thanks, that is great! I have already started something like that but not as organized, so this is a super encouragement. I’ve moved out some pants that don’t fit as well but are in my weight range of “ might fit soon” and that I like, so will keep those in a holding area for awhile. I will keep pants that fit but I’m not sure if I still want to wear in another “ zone” and/ or in closet for wear challenges. Also here we are on cusp of seasonal change, so different pants come into play and will pack away winter ones to re- eval in fall. Because basically I need to have ” capsules “ that work for me.

I expect some more short- visit car trips in the next few months and may use that for a type of challenge also—pack things I want to road- test. I can “cheat” if I want by having another pair in the car, but not suitcase, as a safety net. I have done this with shoes before and other last- minute totes of “ panic - packing “ —“ what if I need this” ? but also overpacked my regular suitcase. I think it could be fun to do this more intentionally with a more minimal suitcase travel capsule and carefully selected extra items and see if I need to “ shop my trunk” ( cargo hold). I think this would be fun with other concepts that plague me with travel packing- having the right layers, making do but still being warm/ cool enough and reasonably coordinated/ stylish. Of course I can’t do this with air travel, when I ( hopefully soon) will resume that.
Getting revved up now! I think Spring, and DST ( which I like, even though was more important when working long hours in hospitals) also is giving me a mood boost to take a fresh stab at all this.
Suz, I live side- zip pants for their trim fit under tops and have had some in past. But I often have issues with how they fit at hip area- I am clearly sensitive ( vain!) about bulgy fits and also crotch fit sometimes being too , um, close. But that varies with stay and fabric of course.

2 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Unfrumped, YAY! You are proactive, and sound organized with the experimental strategy

It will be fun and informative to see what you deduce, and where you land.

Also, look at these. Click on the link and check out the back. Elastic in FRONT, structured waistband at the BACK:

Nordstrom

Sanctuary Day Joggers

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2 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

Also— I am still Saving My Clothes
( from everyday wear). I do not know why this is so hard to get past. One reason may be because in pandemic- retirement I spent so much time in outdoor messy- activities which really do need the rugged- gardening wardrobe. I have some Eileen Fisher drawstring slim pants in a great herringbone type false plain that I wore exclusively at work with things like cashmere sweaters and slim- shaft boots that fit under the pant hems. Don’t have the right boots now but I have resisted re- purposing these with sneakers even though they’re super comfy. Also some spendy chinos that I love but was afraid to take on trips or wear for inside days lest they get stained or something. Both of these go with lots of other items. But “
saving” them, in my current lifestyle, would mean they are likely worn less than 10 times a year ( or something) and they’re not THAT special and of course, over time may no longer fit right or be chosen in favor of something new.
And by not wearing them in lots of different ways and different situations- travel, errands, smart casual) I don’t get the full sense of how they do or don’t work. And there’re more items like that in my closet.
I really need a brain transplant!

2 years ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I am very interested in your thread due to our similar professions although I work in a practice/surgery not a hospital. And of course not retired yet but beginning to look forward to it in the next few years.
I wear almost exclusively elastic waists and have done for years! I only have the new white jeans I bought in November which are not, and was thrilled to find them comfortable, but they do gape at the back a little so if tucking in I need a belt. Because I hardly ever tuck no-one sees the waist on all the rest of my pants, and on me they sit lovely and flat and mean there is no bunching. Must just be different shapes. Stretch fabric usually.
I find I like to dress “business casual” in the week and “smart casual” in the weekend for shopping or socialising, so it isn’t much different. In the middle of hot summer is different, I wear shorts at home, and wear older clothes for gardening or exercise walks. I think I would not be “saving” the smarter pants.
Angie’s advice sounds very good.

2 years ago

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