When a HEWI workhorse is dying...

I’ve come to realize my ancient but trustworthy black Lululemon “Bust a Move” moto pants are starting to show the wear and tear — some of the stitching on the back pockets is worn out, and I’m noticing the fabric is getting thin where the seat is sewn together.

I’ve worn these for everything from impromptu hikes to fancy dinners out with heels and a nice top, and I’m despairing of what I’ll do when I have to retire them. Lulu doesn’t make them anymore, of course. I looked on eBay and of course the only ones being sold are too small for me.

I love the subtle moto styling, which is usually really hard to find on a cut that actually fits me — most moto pants are simply too narrow in the thighs on me. And with the move towards high rises and cropped lengths, I’m thinking I may be out of luck for a good replacement. My current pants are full length and can be rolled or cuffed, which I love.

If anyone has any suggestions for eventual replacements, I welcome them! So far, Lulu and Athleta have nothing that compares.

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5 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

I’m mourning with you, without any suggestions.

Janet

(website)

Thanks for the comisseration. I have black flare jeans and black skinny jeans but these were just so versatile in a way that went beyond jeans. I have such an awful time with pants fitting anyway that the loss of these will be a tough one.

I duplicated them in navy but the navy never got worn as much as the black. It’s just never been as go-to as black is for me. That pair is still in good shape.

Anonymous

What were the Lulus made of? Woven or knit ?

A woven blend with some stretch. Kind of a technical fabric. They loosen slightly with wear but don’t bag out — a holy grail!

Oh! It may be a similar fabric as those Lulu cropped pants I think both you and I have (I have them in burgundy). I forget the name of the style but it was from 2-3 years ago.

SarahD8

Could you have the navy ones dyed black?

Hmm . This is a tough one - not a common style/fabric combo . Did you check MPG’s website? They might have a moto pant .....

annagybe

I found these on sale at REI. Never seen them in person, but Prana is normally pretty good stuff

https://www.rei.com/product/88.....nts-womens

other pants, some more geary than others
https://www.rei.com/product/13.....nts-womens

https://www.rei.com/product/11.....nts-womens

https://www.rei.com/rei-garage.....nts-womens

Style Fan

Lole might have something similar. I don't find Lole fits me as well as Lululemon. Lululemon are bringing out new styles all the time.

Errrr, the Brenna pants have multiple reviews complaining about pilling. So maybe the other options

You know, without the black pair, you may reach for the navy more often. The subtle moto detail is really super.

Sal

I have a couple of workhorses that are dying too.... so I commiserate. I hope someone comes up with an alternative.

Expensive

https://anatomie.com/collectio.....avel-pants

Neiman's is having a sorta sale

https://www.neimanmarcus.com/c.....3A%5B%5D%2

Runcarla

Gah! I feel your pain. Had to dispatch 2 pair of my favourite jeans in blue and black due to wearing out. No longer being made. Found a new favourite - different line, white 'jean'. I'm worried about what I am going to wear this F/W! Did stumble upon a JBrand Jean that I love - but it is only 1 pair of pants.

My favourite running 'shorts' are a Lulu lemon 'bun hugger' style I've had for 10+ years. No pilling, wear, or stretching out of shape. I think I'll retire from sports before they wear out. Whatever happened to that type of quality?

Your HEWI sounds like a perfect travel pant, and I'm interested in learning if you find a good replacement.

unfrumped

What IS a moto pant?

Mel

Active Member

I wouldn't give up on Ebay. New things get listed all the time. You can set a search alert and have ebay notify you when something you are looking for ia listed.

Roberta

Would Title Nine's Brave pants work? https://www.titlenine.com/prod.....#038;from=

I cannot collect them, apparently.

Title Nine's Goat pants are excellent but do not come in black, sadly.

Stagiaire Fash

When a beloved pet dies, it is now possible to have the animal cloned. Getting an exact copy of a wardrobe pet is much less creepy. The trick will be finding that same fabric. I wonder if you could source it from other LuluLemon pants that are the same fabric, but a different cut, by buying a couple pairs of the largest size.

I’m surprised to hear the testimonies to quality. After the see-through leggings a few years back, I figured they were finished, especially given the CEO’s behavior.

Gigi

Sometimes WHBM carries stuff like this. They have a curvy fit in bottoms on some styles too.

Jenni NZ

I just Googled " what is a moto pant?" since like Unfrumped I didn't know. A lot of nice-looking ones came up in Images from Aritzia CA? ( Canada, right, and they have a USA site?) Might help you...

Jane

Wild card suggestion, there is a brand called Freddy Pants. I haven't looked at them closely but I walk past their store quite often and I so think if I needed something like you've got, they might have something interesting.

Thanks for the ideas! Anna, those Prana pants are very similar! I’d be tempted to try.

I’ll check out the other options you all have posted too, when I’m on my computer and not my phone.

Moto just refers to the styling, with the sort of ribbed/textured panel on the leg. Some jeans are made with that styling too, and the olive pants I got from WH/BM early this year also have it. I like that detail because it adds subtle interest and a bit of edge to bottoms. However, most moto pants are too tight in the leg on me — it’s not typically an easy find for us thick-of-thigh ladies. And it seems most moto pants are cut these days as cropped skinnies — almost legging-like. I loved that the Lulu pants fit more like straights.

I’d be open to other styles than a moto pant, but they just ticked all the style and function boxes for me so well!

In the meantime, I’ll try to use the blue ones, but it’s just not the same. They look ever so slightly more gearish to my eye.

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Lucy

Have you checked out Athleta? I haven't looked recently, but they usually have a variety of citywear/workout "crossover" styles.

Laurie

Janet - now you got me looking on eBay! How do the original Lulu's fit - tts, or other?

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I JUST looked in stores - how about these?

https://shop.lululemon.com/p/w.....color=0001

Angie, those are nice but I would like full length.

cherylm

Have you checked Kit and Ace?

karen13

Try the Pranas. I think I saw them at REI, which has great return policy for f they don’t hold up. I have had good luck with a recent Prana pants purchase and I have pretty muscular thighs.

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