Your experiences with satin trousers - YouLookFab Forum

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Your experiences with satin trousers

jussie

Veteran

Hi everyone,
Lately I’ve been thinking about my dressy capsule. And being pro active with keeping it up to date, and relatively refreshed so that it’s good to go when I need it.
I’ve been thinking over the idea of adding some satin trousers sometime, which in themselves I like the appearance of. But I’m wondering if they are an easy thing to style, and whether people have any experiences or opinions to share on them?

Dressing

34 replies

Latest reply was from lyn67

Janet

(website)

Veteran

My main concern would be whether they crease badly from sitting — nothing ruins the look of shiny trousers like a bunch of horizontal wrinkles across the hip. I don’t wear shiny pants myself (not a great look on me) but if they don’t crease badly I could see them looking fantastic on you, and they are a great way to work some lovely texture and shine into a simple dressy outfit.

jussie

Veteran

Janet: thank you for your reply. I was actually a little worried about the creasing aspect. Wonder how significant it is?

April

Veteran

The thing I know about satin is that it shows everything (i.e., every line, bulge, raindrop, crease, etc.) and looks pristine when on a hanger, but not for long after it goes on an actual body.

Too fussy for me and, like Janet, I would not like the radiating creases from sitting.

On the other hand, I have great memories of a beloved cousin wearing a casual "suit" of baby blue satin track pants, bomber, and ballcap in the late 1970s. She was a teen and it was the disco era, so...

Helena

Veteran

I saw a few people wearing them on our recent trip and they looked absolutely gorgeous ... One mossy green pair was styled with a matching top (sort of the pyjama look) with tonally matching sandals ... The other two I saw were both a burnt orange, one edgily styled with a black tube top and black sneakers, one more classic with a looser black dressier Tshirt and black slides. They all looked absolutely amazing. I didn't notice wrinkling issues? But then I don't have a keen eye for those things ...

jussie

Veteran

April: yes, I am worried they may be just…. Very fussy. But they do look so glamorous and so comfortable which appeals to me.
I agree with you that satin shows every lump and bump, hence I avoid it in tops…. But maybe in a loose fit pant it would skim over the body?

Helena: those outfits you describe sound like simple, contemporary glamour. They sound effortless! Haha we all know how loaded that word is. I think they would look cool with a tee for a funky daytime look. For me they would be for night time, so I am scratching my head a little about how I would style them. Maybe with a white button down shirt or other dressy white blouse?

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Helena

Veteran

Yes I think that would look amazing!! I think either a head to toe matching set, or else a contrasting texture (something matte) would both work. I think you should try it ... It would suit your style so well! The cardi you pictured would be really cute I think.

Synne

Veteran

Agree they can look good! But in my experience satin like fabrics snag very easily. Especially thin polyester. That means money out the window for me...

Irina

Veteran

It will depend on the weight of the fabric. My thicker than regular satin shiny pants don’t wrinkled much. Also, note that the cut of such trousers is often loose, it helps not to get creases set too deep.

The Cat

Veteran

Many years ago, I had a pair of satin pants. I found them easy to style and fun to wear for various occasions. Perfect for the casual elegant style I love. Would love to have a pair again.

kkards

Veteran

I love the idea of a satin trouser. Wondering if the wrinkleness is dependent on what the fabric is? A long time ago I had a pink satin suit, and I don’t remember it wrinkling.

cat2

Veteran

I have some pants with a satin finish, but they are made of silk, not polyester. They drape really nicely, but they do get a bit rumpled. I wear them for winter holiday with tops like you describe and for resort wear with plain tees and sandals.

Runcarla

Veteran

I had a pair of dark green Vince silk satin trousers that I got for a song at a post fashion runway sale. They were best for warm weather since they weren’t warm by themselves, and they were dry clean only. Like April wrote, they showed everything! Even a drop of water/rain left a ‘stain’. I was looking at some just recently, but my long ago experience has left a bad impression - so they are a big no - for me.

Found YLF photos from Christmas 9 years ago and took a screen shot! You can see the pocket show through in the first pic.

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nemosmom

Veteran

I picked up a pair of satin joggers to wear for holiday celebration a few months ago, and have found them very versatile and easy to style with my go-to winter chunky sweaters, hoodies, boots, flats, and outerwear. I suspect they will work in warmer months with my tees and tanks, sandals and sneakers, but time will tell how sweaty they will feel come summer.

Now, I wear a pair of tights under them to help with slip and smoothing (and added warmth), but they are loose enough (like in the model photo), that I hope the lumpy bumps won’t be an issue without the tights.

I don’t lounge around in them, they are more of a “work”, or out of the house pant for me.

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Those look fun, nemosmom! I like the idea of the juxtaposition.

Jussie, satin trousers could look great on you! And work well for your style as a mix and match -- both for dressy with some of the tops you show (or others) and dressed down a bit with a denim jacket or other contrasting type of top. I would imagine the creasing/ bump showing factor would depend very much on the specific fabric, cut, and possibly also the colour. So you might have to experiment or do some research to find the ones you want.

I don't have satin, but I've had silk pants of various kinds over the years and I loved them. But they didn't have the satin finish, which does admittedly make a difference.

Sal has some lovely palazzos which (I think?) have a satin-ish finish (maybe not the highest gloss but some shine?). Hers are patterned. A pattern would hide a lot of creasing.

LJP

Veteran

My opinion is that these are one of those things that is better on social media than in reality . Even if you’re rail thin , satin and its variations don’t look good after sitting . And god help you if you drop a molecule of water on them while washing your hands etc.

jussie

Veteran

Wow! Seems like we are divided on satin trousers here! Thank you all for your ideas, I will make proper responses a bit later when time permits.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

It might not be possible to find anything like this: but years ago I wanted some dressier trousers for evening events like going out for dinner and found these fantastic ones that are satin on the front and ponte at the back. First time I wore them was for my daughter’s 21st in 2014. Once tracking wears from 2016 I found I had too many dressy clothes and started wearing them to work as well. They now have over 60 wears and are still in great condition, don’t seem to crease, whether it’s because the back of them is ponte? Here is a recent pic but not sure if you can see the texture.

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jussie

Veteran

Jenni: 60 wears! That’s fantastic, especially for something as delicate as satin.
Runcarla: such a pity about the pocket lumps on those pants, they look lovely otherwise.
Ljp: yeah…. I suspect some satins are much better than other satins…. I imagine a decent, hefty fabric would be ok.
Suz: thanks! I do love the visual appearance of them, quite glam and with a bit of personality. If I can just get a handle on the styling and practical aspects….
Nemosmom: your satin pants sounds like an excellent pair!

Joy

Veteran

Static! And static cling. Send them to a dry cleaner unless you enjoy fighting with an iron.

rachylou

Veteran

I once had a pair of satin cargo pants. Serious workhorse. Travelled hard. Could be casual or dressy.

Echo

Veteran

I have a pair of relaxed satin pants, although they were very inexpensive. They do not crease with wear; they don't snag; they don't show anything unflattering (they're not even black); they don't stain or get water spots. I attribute the ease of wear to the fact that they are not snug and they are 97% polyester/3% elastane. I know that many people prefer natural fabrics, but for ease of wear, these can't be beat.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I think it really depends on the exact fabric. Jenni looks fab above and I have some shiny items that aren't so thin and delicate.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Just checked the fabric content: rayon, nylon and elastane for that part. It doesn’t say the percentages. NZ made too, in 2014.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Do these count? I love them, don’t save them for special or find them fussy.

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by Stagiaire Fash

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jussie

Veteran

Stagiare: they look great, and you have styled them so well!
Jenni: thank you for the info!
Jaime: yes; I am inclined to agree with you; it seems to really depend a great deal on the exact pair.
Echo: good to know you are happy with yours! Seems people have had very diverse experience with their satin pants.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I love Stag Fash's and will just point out how a pattern helps!

jussie

Veteran

Suz: completely agree. A pattern would also “casualize” them too, which may make them more wearable?

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Thanks, Jussi & Suz!
Pattern also helps draw attention away from the creases. I’d been sitting in that chair for several hours before the pic.

Sal

Veteran

I do have a pair- mine are a shiny viscose. They get a few creases but not a lot. The fact they are flowing helps - I love them and find them versatile for many occasions.

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