Side-zip pants - YouLookFab Forum

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Side-zip pants

BrieN

Veteran

I just purchased my second pair of side zip pants in a week -- I'd never tried this style of pant on before and I am finding them very flattering and sort of stylish.

I'm trying to figure out why they seem look good on. Maybe the lack of a fly on my (rounded) stomach just makes it all a bit flatter? Or maybe somehow these pants hide that I'm wide from front to back (side view)? Now of course there is likely a trade off -- likely something like my backside looks a mile wide but since I don't look at that often I'm not going to worry about it lol.

Have you ever tried side zip pants? Did they work for you?

Shopping

40 replies

Latest reply was from Marilyn

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Side zip pants are my absolute favorites. No bumps and lumps in the front from zippers and snaps/buttons to add to the lumps and bumps I already have! Both Talbots and J Crew have my favorite side zip pants.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Hm, I’m wider from side to side than front to back and have found side zip pants flattering too.

anne

Veteran

I haven't had one for 20 years, or even seen them available, but I'd certainly give them a go to avoid those fly related "bumps and lumps" as Karie put it.

Anonymous

I have tried side zip pants in the past. Mine were from Talbots. I remember them being very comfortable.

My weight changed and I ended up getting rid of them. I should investigate them again next year.

Mainelady

Veteran

I have a few pairs of side zip pants and capris. I, too find them very flattering. Talbots is my favorite brand, but I do have others.

Kathie

Veteran

I have a couple pairs of side zips, like the find, but in navy and black, and I love them. I wear front zip trousers, too, but prefer the side zip when I can find it. And for all the reasons you’ve mentioned.

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Kate

Veteran

Slim side zip pants are my favorite trouser style. I think they are very flattering on a variety of body types. I get all of mine from Aritzia.

marija

I'm tall and when I was growing up my mom made most of my clothes because I couldn't find anything in my smaller city. She always made them with side seams and I loved them, even back then when I was a teenager and into my early twenties. I wish I could find more!

krissy751

Yes they are very flattering.

Katerina

Veteran

Yes, side zip pants are my favourite too. I wear often wide legged side zip pants (mostly black or navy) and when I find a good pair I try to buy multiples, they are not so easy to find. They are smooth over the stomach area, which is flattering and if the fit is right, they are very comfartable.

karen13

Veteran

I just bought these sailor pants from LOFT (mine were the Marisa fit not Julie - the the pictures on the website seem reversed), and really like them - good question about what makes them work.

You just reminded me that I had a pair I adored 15 years ago. I hung on to them forever through up and down weight fluctuations. I finally donated them 2 years ago when I lost too much weight to hope to salvage. I need to keep my eyes open, although they read dressier than my lifestyle is now.

Petite Trousers in Sailor Stripe in Julie Fit

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Brooklyn

Veteran

I have one pair and also some side zip shorts. I agree that they are flattering. They hold you in and give a nice smooth finish under your top.

BrieN

Veteran

Wow. I had no idea there is such love for the side-zips. And it sounds like they are good on a variety of body types.. I'm going to keep my eyes open for others. I especially like the sailor pants that karen13 linked -- and I love the idea of side zip shorts, Brooklyn.

Gigi

Veteran

I've never had side-zip pants but often find myself lusting after a pair. I assume they would be very flattering. Maybe I will buy a pair in 2018!

cindysmith

Veteran

I LOVE LOVE LOVE side zip pants! They're sleek and don't add bulk to my waistline. I think the trade-off comes with the difficulty my aching body has when I'm trying to twist around so I can see the stupid little hook-and-eye closure at the top. I have a few pairs of them and I love mine too. I wish it were easier to find more of them, but the closest I can find is often leggings or treggings and that's okay too, although thdy do feel more casual to me than pants with some kind of zipper and/or button closure.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I always liked side zip pants but haven’t had any in a few years. They tend to be high-waisted, and dressy, which makes them tough for me. But even as someone who is elliptically shaped with wide hips, they can be really flattering on me.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Janet, are you saying the ellipse is horizontal?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Just saying I’m built elliptically — wider across when viewed from front or back; I generally look slimmer viewed from the side (don’t usually carry much weight in the belly). One might think a side zip would add more width, but my experience is that they are less bulky and sit flatter than front zips.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

That’s what I thought you meant, after a moment of thought. (My first thought was that it was upright, which kinda works too, I guess).

Jane

Veteran

I so agree with you on side zips, especially on trousers.

I am always on the hunt for a side zip pencil skirt!

kkards

Veteran

i'm guessing on fashion moves toward a higher waist, that the side zip will become more common. generally, brooks brothers, llbean and talbots are a great source....
FYI when i searched side zipped pants on tabots i got 32 results

Anonymous

I love side-zip pants. I haven’t owned any in a while, but would buy them again.

Marilyn

Veteran

Yes! I recently got these BR Sloan pants that have a side zip. They fit great and I love how they lay flat over the tummy. This is the first pair of Sloans I've seen with a side zip. I haven't had any luck with Sloans since they changed the fit last year but these are great.

Banana Republic

Sloan Skinny-Fit Tartan Plaid Side-Zip Pant

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Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Ooh—subtle plaid. Are you going to do an Aida?

BrieN

Veteran

Marilyn--those are one of the two pairs I purchased! They are so cute!!

karen13

Veteran

BriEN, the sailor pants are on sale for 50 off. The fabric is nice. I really like them. I tried the two fits, Marisa is slimmer fitting, Julie is supposed to be curvy. At 5’2” the petite Julie a size smaller than the low end of my usual range was too short for heels and a bit big. The Marisa reg in the same size as the Julie petite was a better fit, and I shortened about 1.25” for a 2” heel. So they run big, particularly the Julie fit. The website main picture for the Marisa is actually a Julie, so scroll down to see the one labeled Marisa.

I found a bit of variation in the exact same size in my LOFT Subtle Bling pants with the side button trim, so if you can find in a store, try on multiples of all the sizes around the one you think is right.

Useful discussion of Julie vs. Marisa fit,
https://hertrustedstylist.word.....-your-fit/
I’m not sure if I’m actually curvy or not. Sometimes curvy fits better, but in this case not.

Petite Trousers in Sailor Stripe in Julie Fit

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Trousers in Sailor Stripe in Marisa Fit

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Kate

Veteran

Ha! Right you are cindywalker! I’ve twisted myself into a pretzel trying to fasten the pesky hook & eye on side zips. I’ve solved that problem by having my seamstress replace them with larger H&Es whenever I have her hem my side zip pants. Which I invariably have to do. Then I can fasten them easily by feel, no contortion necessary. I don’t know why, but Aritzia’s pants always seem to run way long.

Marilyn

Veteran

Oh cool, BrieN. I just ordered a couple plaid shirts to see how they work with the Sloan tartan pants for a plaid on plaid look. I saw the JC Black Watch shirt in store today and it looks like a literal match. Waiting for the petite size to come.

Club-collar perfect shirt in Black Watch plaid

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

LOVE side zip pants. They are totally my fave.

And now I want those plaid ones, Marilyn! Are they TTS would you say? I have Sloans from from several seasons back (2 or 3 years?) so not sure on current fits.

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