women's pants rant

[murielalex]

Target!! I've been going crazy pants shopping. I have curves (small waist) and have tried on everything everywhere. Target has 4 different cuts, labeled 1-2-3-4, and two of them fit me without gaposis at the waist. The best part is the have jeans, causual trousers, and dressier trousers, all very affordably priced. I have had such a hard time with pants that I would never do mail order on something I hadn't purchases before.

^ This. I have four pair. I'm curvy with small waist and big bum, and the cut looks great and they're around $20, if I remember right. I don't think the quality is the best, and they wear out easily, but for the price, I just pick up another pair.

Also, check out ExOfficios. They are made for travel: light weight, wrinkle resistant.. I like their Nomads. A bit pricey, but really hold up. I've worn and washed my pair probably around 100 times. Still look great.

[shootingstar]

http://plum.ca/i.cfm/p/item/iid/185

Yoga jeans for me. Doesn't expose my bum crack nor have my stomach hang out which is what alot of low-risers look like on me.

[roadie gal]

Can someone tell me what a mercer fit or a blakely fit or a holly fit IS? Do any of these sites actually describe what they are on the website? THIS is what drives me crazy about trying to buy pants online.

[Veronica]

Blakely and Mercer are Eddie Bauer fits. If you click on a pair of pants and then click on fit, it describes it.

Blakely
Proportioned for a curvy figure
Sits just below waist
Shaped through hip
Trouser leg


Veronica

[PamNY]

If I suddenly became wealthy, I would look into having pants custom made. Considering the variety of body types, it's not surprising that we have trouble finding the perfect fit.

I have skinny legs and not much of a rear, and everything is baggy on me. I think part of the reason leggings are popular is that they eliminate fit issues. Not that I am going to start wearing leggings at age 61, but I can see the appeal.

[Biciclista]

I used to go to JC penneys and buy their off the rack khaki pants. Then they changed them.
I did have some luck with a pair of jeans that I ordered from Diamond Gusset Jeans made in the USA. they fit the way they were supposed to. but those are jeans.

I go to good will or salvation army a lot because at least what you see is what you get and if you spend $6 on a pair of slacks and they are garbage, you aren't going to break the bank.

[emily_in_nc]

The other problem is inseams. We come in all different heights/inseams, and yet there are normally only three inseams available -- petite, regular, and tall. If your own inseam and the shoes you wear with the pair of pants aren't exactly one of those, you're either in highwaters, dragging your pants on the floor, or off to a tailor to get them hemmed.

SUPER annoying. One very nice thing about living in a tropical climate is that I only very rarely have to wear anything other than shorts.

[oldwhatshername]

When it comes to comfort don't shop online, go to the stores to try them on and see how they feel. If you like the way they feel from the get go they are good if not, next!

[spokewench]

The other problem is inseams. We come in all different heights/inseams, and yet there are normally only three inseams available -- petite, regular, and tall. If your own inseam and the shoes you wear with the pair of pants aren't exactly one of those, you're either in highwaters, dragging your pants on the floor, or off to a tailor to get them hemmed.

SUPER annoying. One very nice thing about living in a tropical climate is that I only very rarely have to wear anything other than shorts.

That does it! I'm moving to Belize - no pants and no two feet of snow in March!

[Koronin]

I have issues finding pants that fit, but my problem is I'm short, with short legs. If I can find a pair that fits my waist properly they are always way too long. So I've totally and completely given up on women's pants all together and just buy men's. The 29 length of men's is still slightly too long, but nothing compared to what all the women's pants I try on are. Where I live doesn't have much in the way of shopping for nice clothes at all. Basically I either have to shop on line, or drive 1 hour to Wilmington or 2 hours to Raleigh. Which I was in Raleigh today (actually driving home from Bristol, TN {we were at the NASCAR races over the weekend}) and found my new favorite mall. There is a new Tanger Outlet mall that has some awesome stores. Now I need money to go shop there. They have a Columbia store (yes my favorite brand of clothing for work).

[zoom-zoom]

If I suddenly became wealthy, I would look into having pants custom made. Considering the variety of body types, it's not surprising that we have trouble finding the perfect fit.

For a brief time Target actually offered this and I seem to recall that it was pretty reasonably priced. I'm not sure why it didn't last...perhaps the product wasn't good or it was too difficult to maintain the service.

[Irulan]

For a brief time Target actually offered this and I seem to recall that it was pretty reasonably priced. I'm not sure why it didn't last...perhaps the product wasn't good or it was too difficult to maintain the service.

Running a semi-custom service, even if automated to the hilt, is a nightmare.

FWIW, there are fashion industry groups pushing for standardization of sizing but don't hold your breath.

[sarahkonamojo]

Yep, men have it better in this area. Their clothes are mostly boring, but they do have a nice standardized system. And tailored clothes. Wouldn't that be great? (I am sure it exists, but could I afford it?)

[VeloVT]

For a brief time Target actually offered this and I seem to recall that it was pretty reasonably priced. I'm not sure why it didn't last...perhaps the product wasn't good or it was too difficult to maintain the service.

FWIW, Banana Republic offers either free hems or $10 hems (it's been a while since I've done it so I can't remember if it was free or had a nominal cost, but it was convenient and well done - someone at the store pins for you, then they send it out, I think I was able to get the pants back for a rush event in 2-3 days at no extra charge. Cheaper AND faster than taking them to a tailor).

[Irulan]

FWIW, Banana Republic offers either free hems or $10 hems (it's been a while since I've done it so I can't remember if it was free or had a nominal cost, but it was convenient and well done - someone at the store pins for you, then they send it out, I think I was able to get the pants back for a rush event in 2-3 days at no extra charge. Cheaper AND faster than taking them to a tailor).

Some poor person is making slave wages doing those hems, no doubt.