I don't do hair, nails, make-up, or any of that "presentation" stuff, but when it comes time to ride the cargo-bike down to the fish and chip shop in the dark (in the dark, mind you) I will still swap my old track pants for a pair of proper trousers or jeans. My husband is exactly the same. We simply don't consider elastic waist pants as something you can step out of the house in.
The first I've played with is this one: Vogue 9284 Marcy Tilton
I cut them out of some leftover navy ponte when I was on a crazy cutting binge about a month ago and have just sewn them up in a single evening earlier this week.
With a tip from Sewing Pattern Review I sized down. These are a size 12 which is one size smaller than I would have made based on my measurements and as you can see they're not tight. In fact I think they fit exactly like the pattern cover version once they're sized down. They would be huge if I'd gone with my measured size.
In making these I may have cured myself of the idea that I should have some faux leather legging style pants. I just have too much in the thigh department for these kind of pants to really feel like my thing. (I'm not complaining, I'm happy with my power legs, I just don't think they suit tapered leg pants)
I like the seaming detail on these pants, but they'd take a fair bit of fiddling to get them to fit as good, tight leggings. I think they'd work best in an even heavier knit. That kind of weird, super heavy knit that nana's pull-on pants were made of. I suspect in a pleather all the creases and wrinkles would be exaggerated so much as to make fitting a nightmare. Seventies style ponte knit it needs to be.
The pants are constructed in such a way that has you sew the side seams last, so there is the opportunity to fit them a bit more at that stage. I could certainly have made them more fitted, and perhaps have taken a bit out of the front crotch, they seems a bit spacious there. But it's such a fine line between baggy crotch and camel toe that I was happier not to fiddle.
Between my dark fabric and blurry photos (photography courtesy of the kids) you don't get a great picture of the pattern. The seaming detail is really nice and I think they hold a lot of promise. I wore these for the day as shown here and they passed the bike commute, lounge around the house and attend French class in the city tests. All with flying colours. I was supremely comfortable all day.
They're not trousers, not quite leggings but nor are they track pants. They're the perfect house pants, but should they be allowed out? that part I'm still unsure about....
Details:
Pattern: V9284
Size: 12
Modifications: none
fabric/notions: navy ponte, 1" waistband elastic
Ha ha, you've made me laugh this chilly morning too! I also don't do hair, make up etc and while I do pull my trackies on when I get home, I wouldn't be seen dead in them outside the house! Yours def don't look like trackies though.
ReplyDeleteComfort is an important factor, but do they have pockets???
Snap! No, no pockets, Which is annoying but there's nothing worse in stretch pants than visible pocket lines. I think they would show through and look weird for sure. Maybe that's why people team bum-bags with their trackpants :)
DeleteI also strenuously resisted elastic waisted pull on trousers for many years. But then my job changed from moving a lot to mostly sitting. And I got older and less active. Elastic waists are more comfortable, but not the height of style!
ReplyDeleteYours look fab!
I'm sure if I sat down a lot I'd be up for secret elastic waist trousers too. My comfort dressing is usually waist-free shift dresses and granny knickers! :)
DeleteFrom where I'm sitting they look rather stylish! You can (and should) definitely wear them out. One of the things I like about where I live is that the fashion bar is set super low, so if they're feeling too nana-ish on your side of the river, you can always wear them for a visit out this way!
ReplyDeleteHa ha, growing up in Canberra there was certainly no rules about trackpants outside the house. I must have developed a Melbourne influence...
DeleteI think these look great on you! Your thighs look fine and not overly large (we are our own worst critics!). I find that the leggings are a lot harder to pull off than a slim pant. That little bit of room make pants more flattering for most people who don't have twiggy legs. I find a lot of bought leggings give me the dreaded camel toe too (or at least a weird wrinkle that seems to draw attention to my crotch) so I tend to steer clear!
ReplyDeleteOh I'm not criticising my legs, nor fishing for compliments (but thanks anyway). I just recognise that I have thighs that might not look out of place on a former Soviet Union power lifter :) (I'm quite proud of my leg strength) I usually go for straight leg cut jeans. This degree of tapering is about as much as I can bear. True skinny leg narrow just makes me think of root vegetables in trousers!!
DeleteOh I hear you about pants only for home, but a few years ago I did a half elastic and have worn them for quite a few years but the fabric was a stretch twill.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I can see these looks pretty good and it is your own comfort factor on what you want to wear.
I think stretch wovens and an elasticised back waistband is fully legit. They sound ideal.
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