View Full Version : Elastic-waisted pants/slacks...
Blaming this thread on Redfox! :)
So... do you wear 'em? (I'm talking, elastic-waisted pants/slacks)? If not, why? Too old-fashioned for you?
I bought my first pair of elastic-waisted pants about the same time our first was a baby (1992), and I remember how I went back the following week (to the store) to buy another pair more!
Non-binding, super comfortable, easy on/off, casual!
But boy, was I ever ribbed and teased over them. Things like, "you're your mom, Margaret", and, elastic-waist pants are for grandmas".
Are you talking sweatpants?
Blame accepted!
I have two pair: one is a nylon sport type for when I go walking, the other are cotton knit for doing heavy housework or gardening. Both came from Goodwill, and are strictly utilitarian, plus I don't care if they get trashed. I don't wear elastic waisted pants other than that, as I prefer jeans.
Originally posted by Bunnys.
Are you talking sweatpants?Nope... elastic-waisted dress pants/slacks/casuals. Like this (http://assets.charmingshoppes.com/is/image/Catherines/580x794/52459.jpg). Cotton linen/twill type pants.
Re: sweatpants, I LOVE sweatpants, too! But for going out of the house, I LOVE my elastic-waisted jobies! I wouldn't be caught dead in a pair of sweatpants outside the home.
Originally posted by Redfox.
Blame accepted!LOL! I agree, Redfox, you can't beat the comfort and flex of a good-fitting pair of elastic-waist pants!
ApatheticNoMore
10-28-12, 2:14pm
No, I really like drawstring waist pants though, sometimes they have elastic but you can tighten or loosen the drawstring as well, thus I just need to buy a pair approximating my size and they will fit (ha try that with most pants!). Other than that my pants just have ordinary built in waists.
No, they add bulk to my waistline, and I've already got plenty of bulk there. The only elastic-waisted pants I have are my flannel pajama pants.
I agree, ANM, having the addition of a drawstring-waist, allows one to customize the fit perfectly. Sometimes the fit of a simple elastic-waist isn't enough.
Stacy. I can definitely see where that could be an issue.
goldensmom
10-28-12, 2:28pm
Yes, I'm old enough to be into comfort and way past the fashion conscious stage of life. Only problem is that I have 'no butt' so am constantly hiking them up in the back.
Originally posted by Goldensmom.
Yes, I'm old enough to be into comfort and way past the fashion conscious stage of life.Me, too, Goldensmom!
Originally posted by Goldensmom.
Only problem is that I have 'no butt' so am constantly hiking them up in the back.Hmmm... if only there was a way I could give you a little of mine! LOL!
catherine
10-28-12, 2:46pm
My "uniform" is black yoga pants, like this. They are THE most comfortable thing and they don't look half bad to go out to the supermarket in if you're in a hurry. I wear them almost every day, unless I'm traveling.
http://www3.assets-gap.com/webcontent/0005/405/862/cn5405862.jpg
happystuff
10-28-12, 2:54pm
I agree, ANM, having the addition of a drawstring-waist, allows one to customize the fit perfectly. Sometimes the fit of a simple elastic-waist isn't enough.
I also agree. I several colors of simple elastic waist pants... definitely not dress pants, but also not sweatpants. Kind of a comfy happy medium. I wear them all the time.
Would love to be able to wear yoga pants, but I just don't have the figure for them. :(
Edited to add: And mine have pockets! A "must" any more with my wardrobe.
I do, but tend to go with the Yoga style ones. Oh, and I don't have a "figure" at all for them. But since I wear long style shirts that go to about the top of my thighs (pelvic bone) or bit above, it covers most of my flaws.
Mrs. M--those are the type of pants my grandmother actually did wear. But she wore them in horrible 1970's colors and prints. Triple-knit polyester is what my sisters and I referred to them as. My mother did not wear these. Nor do I.
I do wear sweatpants around the house and to the park to walk the dog. But I only wear them in black/heathered gray and navy.
I do have one pair of the yoga type pants although I have never taken a yoga class. Those are very comfy and can be "dressed" up to wear as a nice looking outfit. Yoga-type pants look a long nicer and have a much nicer drape than the ones of the picture you showed. Also, the fabric is much softer and nicer than my grandmother's style.
You should look for a pair. Another person said they don't have the figure for it. Nobody's perfect but if you buy a larger rather than snugger size they will look nice and they offer them in petite and tall.
Sad Eyed Lady
10-28-12, 4:04pm
Love the yoga type pants too - very comfy. I also like to wear sweat/jogging pants, but I don't think I have elastic waist in anything dressy.
I bought two pair of yoga pants to wear over my cast...and then found out that some of my jeans do fit over the cast....so I haven't really worn the yoga pants out and about yet.
Nope... elastic-waisted dress pants/slacks/casuals. Like this (http://assets.charmingshoppes.com/is/image/Catherines/580x794/52459.jpg). Cotton linen/twill type pants.
Oh gosh, guilty. I wore a pair just like those in brown at work in the spa. Needed something comfy but didn't want anything clingy. I'd never wear a shirt tucked in with a waistband like that. Also, the part below the waist tends to poof out where I don't need it to.
My current spa uniform is black and my favorite pair has elastic only in the back----does that count? Again, no shirt tucked in, so maybe no one can tell. They wear like iron and never wrinkle. Only used for work.
iris lily
10-28-12, 10:31pm
They are a tool of the devil and they contribute to my spreading waist.:D
Once I discovered those travel fabric, elastic waist pants at Chico's, that style is all I wear. The first pair was on sale and the regular prices are outside my budget, so I make them myself. Tops, too. I bought a bolt of the fabric on sale this week to make some new stuff.
Square Peg
10-29-12, 12:38am
My mom was 41 when she had me, it was the 70s. The only thing I remember her wearing is elastic waist polyester pants and those casual dresses that snap up the front. I will never wear that style of pants! I do jeans or khakis, leggings or yoga pants around the house. Sometimes skirts when I am feeling fancy :)
I'll admit to liking elastic waist/partial elastic waist pants. However, they're on the dressier side. LL Bean makes some very nice cords with an elastic waist that work well with my twin sets for work. I never tuck tops in! My body is shaped weird. I'm between sizes. I have one pair of khakis (stretchy waistband that's not the gathered elastic thing) and one pair of dress pants (no elastic at all) and I can get them on and off without undoing button or zipper. The elastic waist ones actually stay on my body better! ;-)
Call me an old fuddy duddy if you want, but these are perfect for work, comfy, and wash/wear fine.
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/47007?feat=622-GN1&page=perfect-fit-knit-cords
A coworker actually offered to buy me lunch one day if I actually wore a pair of jeans on a Friday (that's jeans day). I don't own jeans. Some years back I had major surgery and wasn't able to wear jeans comfortably after for a few months. By the time I was able to wear them again, they felt so stiff and uncomfortable, I said never again.
Whew! Wow! All the posts!!! Where to start...
Going to slowly nibble away at everyone entries.
Re: tucking in, I'm a tucker! LOL! Loose shirts, tops, etc, ackkk!!! Drive me crazy! I always feel as though my top is in the way, and that not tucking in, makes me look sloppy/unkept.
Re: the 70's, and the elasticized waistband polyester pants in funky colours that everyone wore... yes, yes, yes, I remember them, and well! LMAO! Dark blue and crimson red, seemed to be the most popular of colours! Tell-tale sign of old polyester pants... snags and pulls!!!
Square Peg
10-29-12, 1:01pm
My mom didn't even wear the hop colors. Hers were all navy and dark green.
Gardenarian
10-29-12, 5:36pm
When I was a kid I said I'd never wear elastic waist pants! Ha! Now I don't wear anything else. I love that we have soft, stretchy, comfortable clothes that can be worn anywhere! And they are not just for old ladies; the kids wear yoga pants too.
Shoes are so much more comfortable than when I was a kid too - I remember the first week of school was always a blister nightmare.
My favourite is the combo - elastic in back and fitted with zipper in front. When I was working in the healthcare field, I wore the simple elasticized pants under a smart tshirt and no one knew anything or could see what waistband I wore. The legs looked neat and tidy over my clean leather sneakers.
I have been looking for a really good online pattern to make the elastic waist pants to make myself some shorts, etc. aAnyone come across one?
I remember the first week of school was always a blister nightmare.
Oh, that's for sure.
No elastic waisted pants for me as I can't stand anything around my waist. Even with running shorts I roll down the elastic band so they sit on my hips. I do like fitted yoga style pants and capris as well as bike shorts - all of which I wear (as welll as running shorts) on most days. For dress pants it's hip hugger bootcut (lightly flared) jeans - including colored jeans - that have a bit of stretch, which I find both comfortable and figure flateering.
Yes, Square Peg, I remember greens ones, too! :)
Oh, I totally agree, Gardenarian. Comfy, comfy, comfy...
Razz. If I were in the health-field, it would be elasticized waisted pants without question. Will keep my eyes open for a good online pattern for you.
shadowmoss
11-21-12, 8:24am
At one point I saw a pattern for scrubs, which should be too difficult to modify as needed. My Mom always just made her own patterns for things like that.
Shadowmoss. My mom did the same.
Citrine. I'm jealous of you and everyone here who get to wear yoga pants! I'm pear-shaped, and a bigger girl at that, so yoga pants are out.
Yoga pants for me too. The other day Zach asked me, "Did you get dressed today? Not that I care. It's just sometimes hard to tell." :) That's fair. :)
I've been pregnant so much in the last 10 years I don't know how I would have survived without elastic. :)
Originally posted by Stella.
The other day Zach asked me, "Did you get dressed today?ROTFLMAO! What we housewife/moms put up with, huh. :)
Elastic, was my best friend, too, when I was pregnant, as was learning to take up a wider stance when bending over.
Noooo, I avoid them. Okay I got one pair of black knit pants and one pair of linen pants with elastic and a tie waist. I developed an aversion to them many years ago when I saw the petite section of places like JC Penny also thought I liked ugly clothes. I looove the low rise style and am already worried it will go out of style. It is a little more forgiving to my 46 yo waist and being so short it helps. In the high waisted eras I have pants come up so high they almost hit my bra on the bottom side.
However I may twinge at a little tightness or have to make sure my top is longer, I am not giving into age and wearing icky pants!
"Icky pants"... ROTFLMAO, Zoe Girl!
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