Paperbag waist, yay or nay? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Shopping

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Paperbag waist, yay or nay?

K.M.

Veteran

Wondering if paperbag waists will stay for a while or be a short-lived trend... I hadn't given them much thought till I tried on a pair of high-waisted pants and found them surprisingly flattering and comfortable (not to mention amazingly stylish).

Unfortunately I didn't take a picture... I'm traveling and if I buy this pair of pants, I won't be able to return them (they don't take returns anyway).

So, would a paperbag waist be worth the investment, or would it be a one-season wear...? (Considering the trend has been around for a little bit already)

They are similar to the ones below though less fitted and with a straighter leg (similar length).

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Shopping

16 replies

Latest reply was from Bijou

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I m seeing paper bag waists coming through in Autumn collections,l think that they will be around for a while yet and any ways if they fit and you look stylish in them ,go for it!

Anonymous

I hope they have lasting power because I love them. Have not found my pair yet, but am actively looking.

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

I think they could be around a little longer than one season. It seems designers are playing with length and width of trousers. But I’m sure Angie will have further insights.

Depending on where you live and climate you could get cross season wear out of them maybe?

I really like them styled as in the photo with a simple cropped tank.

Lesley

Veteran

They may be new to you, but they have been a classic for a while, and I think they're here to stay—they make a flattering tuck so easy! And I say this as a reluctant tucker!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I don't think they are a classic

But the trend is here to stay like ALL "blasts from the past" trends.

K.M.

Veteran

Cardiff girl, glad to know they are showing up in upcoming collections! That's reassuring...

Sterling, the funny thing is that in my case, the pair found me! I wasn't looking but kept an open mind and was pleasantly surprised...

londonkiwi, I live in Minnesota and the pair I saw is a midweight fabric, not sure if it's a stretchy wool blend or a thick cotton, so I could see how it would work for at least three seasons! (Not summer though)

Lesley, I'm also a reluctant tucker, and yes, I was surprised by how good they looked with a top tucked in!

Angie, glad to know the trend is here to stay. They are not outrageously expensive, but still I don't like the idea of buying an item to wear for only one season...

These comments are all very encouraging!

I am so infatuated with them that I will almost likely return to the store before my trip ends and get them. If so I will post an update with pic (and probably ask for styling tips!).

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Fads no longer exist.

rachylou

Veteran

They’re cute! But I note coats and jackets cover up the cool waist all too often.

K.M.

Veteran

rachylou, I was indeed wondering what would happen when I needed a topper... I don't have cropped jackets...

Angie, this made me think back to the 90s when things would come up that were ever only destined for a season--they were cheap and everybody had to have them (I almost never did).

Anonymous

I LOVE the paper bag waist!! Leg lengthening!
I have been seeing pictures but haven’t actually come across one in a store yet.

Anonymous

Not one season of wear. I mean, I think things that look good on the body can be worn for many seasons, and things that seem like fads sort of stick around now and don’t go away! I’m thinking about stepped hems, released hems, kick crops, cold shoulder tops, statement sleeves, and so on. It just seems like everything is in style, so just pick what you like.

bj1111

Veteran

not for me. too much fabric around my middle. too faff-y.

Anonymous

I'm with bj with a thick waist, part of the adventure of aging. But you can rock this style. If you have found the right pair, buy and wear them all the time. Everyone will be green with envy and think you a model or very stylish. If they make you feel wonderful they are worth buying.

Chiara

I love the paper bag waist, and all the weird drape and fold things I see happening with waist bands at the moment. I find it an easy way to increase the ‘contemporary’ feel in what I’m wearing.

unfrumped

Veteran

I love paper bag waist pants and skirts because of my long torso—- I mostly wear flats and so a higher waist is one of the ways I can get a longer legline. In addition, that’s more my natural waist and tops stay tucked better.
Still, not all items are the same for fit, so I look for a lot of elements to align— hip fit and drape and so on. So if I can’t find “ mine” , I wouldn’t buy just any, even if “ trending”.

The point is, as long as I have a waistline for now, I will probably try to wear some version, the one(s) that I think look best on me, and not try to figure trend/not. I tend to look for elements that are otherwise more conservative or classic such as neutral color, good fabric, pattern like pinstripes and keep other items simple- tuck in a “ dressy T” or merino top. This is because I wear to work.

Bijou

Veteran

I like paper bag waists. One of my favourite skirts that I wore until it wore out had a paper bag waist. If I found the right pants or skirt with a paper bag waist, I would definitely buy it.