Slouchy trousers for pears UPDATED: found some, with photos!

Laura

Is this a good idea, and do they exist?

I see Suz looking fab in her slouchy trousers and I started thinking it would be fun to have a pair for holiday parties (i.e. add heels, sparkly top and clutch) and beyond (i.e. add sweater and mid-calf boots).

Have any fellow pears found success?

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13 years ago

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25 replies

Latest reply was from Deborah

Suz

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I love them for pears, Laura. I used to be quite pear shaped and even now my thighs are not what you would call long and lean! The drape can glide over a multitude of ...ahem...figure sticking spots!

I think the issue is less pear-shapedness than it is height. That is my experience, anyway. A tall pear like Sveta should have zero problem wearing these pants, so long as she can find ones that are long enough and so long as she is not self-conscious about a bit of added bulk on the bottom. (Some pears really hate that and don't like to go more fitted on top because it exposes their relatively small bust and/or shoulder line. Others don't mind a bit, right? So it depends...

What I find tricky is making the line seem *long* enough. When you add width there....well...you visually subtract height. So I put on some of my tallest platforms to wear with those pants and felt fine that way. But I am pretty sure I could not sport this with flats or near flats, as Angie does.

The brand of trousers I have is called "Noir." They are Danish. But Zara seems to have quite a range now and maybe they would have a bunch of styles to try.

13 years ago

Laura

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Thanks, Suz. Slouchy can indeed skim over a myriad of potential problem areas!

I will take a look at Zara, although my success rate there is not high (great for accessories, though). "Noir"? Will have to look into that brand, although I have the feeling we won't find them in the U.S.

I feel that slouchy trousers are a little cutting-edge and won't filter down into the more affordable lines for a while, you know? Vince Camuto might have something, though. Hmmm.

13 years ago

Suz

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I agree, Laura...I had trouble finding any slouchy pants except at Zara. The ones I saw were nice-looking but I didn't try them on because the fabrications were on the thin side and where I live, I knew I wouldn't get enough wear from them; they looked as if tights would stick to them if I wore underneath. (Though I've since seen Una wearing them....so she may have insights to share on this.)

Sveta and Shannon created their own slouchy trousers by sizing up in a traditional trouser with some looseness in the top and then having them tapered.

I found mine at Winner's, which is your TJ Maxx - and TJ Maxx is a heck of a lot better than Winner's, so you might actually get lucky. I went to the "runway" section of the store. (Not something I am privileged to have in Kingston where I live, but I happened to be in Vancouver at the time.)

This was not the only silhouette I found; I also found a fab pair of SUPER baggy crossover close pants, but the crossover close was a royal pain to deal with so I left them in the shop.

Even though at Winner's, these were not cheap (for me) and cost more than a version at Zara would have.

13 years ago

Janet

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I haven't ruled it out, but they scare me. Definitely no pleats here -- pleated fronts are really dreadful on me. I have pictures from 20 years ago (and about 10 lbs lighter) that prove this to be true).

In theory, since I have a little bit of height and long legs, it seems they could be good for masking my big thighs, but I always just feel like they emphasize the issue instead. Years ago, I used to do the slim fitted turtleneck with the full pants look, but in retrospect, that's not my best look either.

I have learned to never say never, but I'm not sure this is a look for me, even though I really admire it on all you slim-hipped ladies. If I found the right pair, I'd try them on. They would have to be a drapey fabric, not stiff, not pleated, and in a dark color. Even with my boyfriend jeans, I find I don't reach for them as often as my skinnies because I don't feel as fab in them.

I will be following this thread to see if more good advice appears!

13 years ago

Diana

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I have two pairs of slouchy cropped pants in the same style, which I know is not the same thing but... they are both from French connection, so maybe you should try looking there? I sized up one size. I wish they had made my pants in full length!

13 years ago

Jenava

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I will echo Janet - I've tried various pleated pants and they are all just terrible on me! But I think you can find slouchy without pleats? That would be my direction. Personally, I have just set the trend out because it seems like it would be an epic chore to find the right ones.

13 years ago

Transcona Shannon

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Definitely worth trying Laura - as Suz mentioned, I bought a pair of regular Lord & Taylor trousers a size up, then had the hem taken down an inch and tapered from the knee down. This gave me the slouch up top and the scrunch at the ankle. Being that I'm on the larger size, my pair have no pockets and a flat front to keep the bulk from being overwhelming. On me, I don't think bulk + pleats would be a good idea!

13 years ago

Laura

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Yes, flat front is absolutely necessary! I hear you all on the pleats! And sizing up makes sense. I might experiment with sizing up in both petites and regular sizes to see if I can keep the proportions right. I am headed to AT this week to see what might work, on Angie's recommendation. Will report back on this thread - might wait for Black Friday to actually make the purchase, assuming there will be a big sale, but I want to know exactly what style and size so I can just shop online and avoid the mall craziness.

13 years ago

Janet

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Oh, the comments about hemming are reminding me of another issue I have with pants, let alone slouchy ones. I tried on a pair of trousers recently that looked so great -- fit the waist, hip, skimmed the thigh without clinging... and then fell way short of PPL in the length. Argggh! Of course it was not a brand that is available in tall sizes.

I fear by the time I would find the magical pair of slouchy trousers that would tick all of these boxes, they'll be completely out of fashion!

13 years ago

bj1111

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i carry my pearness at the outside of the top of my thigh, but have a tummy as part f my apple tendencies. doubly handicapped. but i do love a swishy wide leg or a louche slouchy pant.

will be investigating any tips in this thread.

laura, i do love those pants and i will try them with an open mind.

13 years ago

Laura

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Bravely going where no pretty pear has gone before ...

Presenting slouchy trousers! I went to AT, got the curvy fit, went into petites instead of my usual regular sizes, and sized up. Waaaaaaaay up. Like 2-3 sizes up.

This is as slouchy as it gets, people. Check it out, including the not-so-riveting rear view. What say you? Yay or nay?

p.s. the pants also come in grey and black, so I could do a darker color on the bottom and lighter on top.

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13 years ago

Suz

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You clever lass, you!!

This is SO interesting to me.

I quite inadvertently discovered that if I size UP in petites at AT I can get a slightly slouchy fit. (Like you, I typically wear regular pants; petites are too short in the rise for me in my real size.) So I bought my print pants one size up in petites, and ditto a pair of skinnies. Accordingly, I only got a semi-slouchy look. Here you get the real deal.

I like them. I think you could, if you wanted to, taper the bottoms even more. This is what Shannon and Sveta did with their self-created slouchy trousers. But it's a bit tough to see how much they are really tapering here, with the photo's angle.

Whether or not you decide to keep them, the verdict that pears can wear slouchy is in, and it is positive!

13 years ago

Lisa

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Clever to size up. I like the trousers from the front, but the back view makes me pause. But I am team back view and am very used to seeing the back view a bit form fitting. I'm hoping Angie will chime in!

13 years ago

catgirl

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Aida did this with some Loft pants too. You look great. I actually always thought pears would do better in slouchy pants than the rest of us, because my back view would be so improved by actual booty.

13 years ago

Transcona Shannon

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I like these on you alot Laura but will admit, I'd like them even more if they were a bit more tapered from the knee down. If you have a good seamstress/tailor, this is easily done for little expense.

13 years ago

Angie

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Thumbs up! I love the back fit. Your botty looks delicious. You could also taper them a little as Suz and Shannon suggested. Or leave them as is.

Do you feel fab in them, Laura? That's the most important part.

(I have these in the Modern Fit and sized up one size. I will not be tapering the hems).

And, what Una said.

13 years ago

Laura

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This experiment is making me chuckle. It's pretty funny how many of us are trying all sorts of sizing up tricks to get the right effect. I had to try 4 sizes in store and ordered 4 sizes online to get the right one!

I do feel fab in them, Angie. The pants are very swooshy feeling, since they are fully lined. I am thinking of going for the "blonde in the white trousers-black turtleneck" look you posted on your Pinterest page - done best by Marilyn, of course.

Yes, I know what you all mean about the legs and tapering. I could taper them but am not 100% confident in my seamstress. They tend to think I make strange requests as it is, with pants length and such. Makes me think I am better off leaving them as is.

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13 years ago

Vildy

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Well, if Angie loves the back view, what can I say. I get this back view a lot in pants and am not fond of it unless the pants have enough thinness and softness to fall inward there.
This is a difficult alteration on ready to wear and is usually done on the sewing pattern.
You can try, if you want, taking in the upper thigh on the inseam and maybe only on the back half of the pants.

13 years ago

Sveta

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Laura, do they drape well? I found this to be crucial for slouchy trousers - a good drape.
It maybe just the picture but thy seem to be a bit stiff, especially in the back view - but maybe this is because they are new and need to relax from the wear?
I LOVE my slouchy trousers. Even though Angie said they are not slouchy but loose because the crotch point is not low, they loosened up with wear enough so it is 1" lower now. I find them extremely comfortable and contradictory attractive... I wish I can find a similar pair in a different color.

13 years ago

Lisa

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Interesting lesson for pears here. Thanks for posting this Laura!

13 years ago

Angie

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Isn't that photo of Marilyn divine? :). I'm glad that you borrowed it from my Pinterest page.

Those trousers drape SO WELL, Laura. Thanks to the lining and liquidity of the fabric. I *love* mine and will wear them on Saturday to the YLF gathering.

Sveta, these trousers are not stiff at all. They are soft, soft, soft. Trust me!

Vildy, I hear you on wanting to achieve correct fit if they were proper tailored dress trousers. You know I love a good fit! But it's also fun to manipulate the fit here - catwalk, street and fashion forward style :).

Now go rock those slouchies, Queen Dress. That's a YLF order.

13 years ago

Laura

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Ay, ay, Captain of Team Slouchies! I will go forth and wear them with confidence. I think they need a good steaming and they will be good to go. Can't wait to see yours in action when people eventually post photos of the YLF meet-up. How fun!

Angie, that photo of Marilyn is just divine. I love following you on Pinterest. So much fab inspiration!

13 years ago

Angie

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Fashion Stylist

I am so proud of you Queen Dress. Slouchies were far out of your comfort zone - and look at you now - not only rocking it, but loving the look :).

*very happy sigh*

(I'm humbled by your Pinterest comment).

13 years ago

Jamie

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I'm a little late to this thread, but I think these are the same trousers that I have, too. I just love them. I wore them for the first time on Saturday evening, and I found them to be a little looser than when I first purchased them. I love that they are a bit slouchy, and I love the way they look and feel! You look fantastic in yours, Laura!

13 years ago

Deborah

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Laura these look wonderful on you. For me these are reminiscent of the 80's which is both bad and good in my eyes (Im 80's conflicted) but with the styling you suggest and other modern options you will totally rock these.

13 years ago

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