Pants
Budget Fashion Advice: Finding the RightFit Pants
Dear Budget Fashionista,
I’m a teacher & I’m looking for new pants to wear for work. I want longer pants so I can wear heels with them (I’m also 5’10”) & I’m having trouble finding pants that I like. Do you have suggestions on the best places to buy some good quality work pants on a teacher’s budget?
Answer: It’s always hard to find great fitting pants, but there’s a few options out there. We’re fans of the RightFit brand of pants at Lane Bryant and coming this fall, Fashion Bug stores. The system, developed after scanning over 14,000 women nationwide and compiling the data to get the 411 on how to make our pants fit better. The line features three fit categories based on individual body shape and size — not just the size that fits your largest body part. A Yellow body type is straight from the waist through the hips (us flat bootie girls), Red fit are slightly curved from the waist to the hips (those of us stuck in the middle), and a Blue body type has a small waist and is fullest at the hips (aka for those of us with A LOT of extra junk in our trunks). And, this is what we really love—most of the pants are well under $50.
Other options include the Express Editor pants, which run under $50 (less if you have a coupon or catch them on sale) and also have a pretty good fit, and pants by the INC line at Macys, which are crazy expensive full priced, but can drop below $30 once they hit the sales racks.
30% Off Pants and Denim: Banana Republic
The Deal: Get 30% off select styles at Banana Republic! Ends July 31.
The Lowdown: If your work wardrobe is in need of replenishment, head to Banana Republic. This time, their sale focuses on pants and denim, but several solid color tops, tees and dresses are discounted as well. The basic tops can be paired with the trousers and a blazer or cardigan for work, and jeans on the weekends. Your outfit possibilities will increase dramatically!
The Martin pinstriped wide-leg pants come in gray, not the standard black, making it a cool (literally) choice for summer. Now $62.30.
Wear dark denim to the office if your dress code is a bit lenient. The urban contour wide leg jeans are a good choice—they’re chic and comfortable, a combination that doesn’t happen too often for women. Now $35.99.
Here’s that basic top that matches with everything we were just talking about—the faux wrap top. Now $27.30.
Fall Fashion 2008: Wide Leg Trousers
“THESE PRODUCTS ARE NO LONGER BEING SOLD”
Wide leg pants remained a force on the runway for Fall 2008, and the good news is there are plenty of styles on sale now—pick some up and stash them until September . . .
Yea or Nay: Stirrup Pants
What: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: stirrup pants are evil.
We (meaning Angela and I) believe that stirrup pants were created by a disgruntle fashion designer who once had hopes of ruling the runways of New York but found himself ( we’re imagining a low-budget Simon Doonan) stuck in a corner basement office at K-Mart’s headquarters with fluorescent lighting and yards and yard of forest green stretchy polyester knit. He set out to punish the fashion world for overlooking his great talent(s) and unfortunately, the average American woman is made to suffer.
The pants are popping up as a “fall trend,” with new versions from 7 for all Mankind, Bebe and more. Like our friends at Styledash say, the fashion “powers-that-be” will keep pushing and pushing them on us until we all cave in and “mommy stir-up pants” become the new babydoll dress.
~Angela and Kathryn
Yea or Nay: Stirrup Pants
(P.S. If you say yea, you better have a pretty solid reason)
Fashion Advice: The Booty Gap
Dear Budget Fashionista,
I have a question and maybe it’s a stupid one. I have a lot of problems with jeans and the fit (or lack there of) around the waist band. There always seems to be a gap. I have a pair in particular that I love and want to keep except for this problem. Is there a way to have them tailored? Is this a common request? Do you have any advice in this area?
Answer: Very, Very common problem
Yes you can have them tailored.. but most tailors will not be able to give you that perfect fit because the problem is in the construction of the jeans. Jean manufacturers are making jeans for women that sit right on the hips and these women don’t have as defined a waist as you do so the jeans fit on them without a gap. Tailors can make the waist band smaller and take in the hips, but that would essentially be reconstructing the entire jean. Also working with jean material isn’t easy and the tailoring may cost you more than what the jeans are worth.
So…...
- Try a pair of jeans that is a size smaller with at least 3% spandex/lycra content, which helps reduce the booty gap problem
- Look for jeans that are made for those with a bit more curves- the Gap’s curvy fit, Apple Bottoms
Jeans (excellent, excellent jeans for those with this problem and can be found at Macys)
- Try jeans with a higher rise (at your waist or about an inch below your natural waist).
- You can also make your own jeans at http://mejeans.com and http://www.makeyourownjeans.com/. LandsEnd also has a custom made jean service, but the items aren’t very fashionable.
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Fashion Advice: Pants For Those of Us with a Little Junk in Our Trunk
Dear Budget Fashionista,
I have been trying to find pants that fit forever! Any advice for someone that is 5’ 10”, size 12 with long legs? I am also on a budget and too pear-shaped to wear “normal” pants. Help a girl with some junk in the trunk?
A: I have a bit of junk in my trunk (for those of you who are a bit lost—junk in the trunk means a big bottom) and at 5 ft 11 inches it’s also a problem finding them long enough. The best brand of pants that I’ve found is the curvy fit low rise flare pants in tall online at Gap.com. Unfortunately the pants are only available online—but they are specifically made for those whose waists are smaller than their bottoms and rarely cost more than $48.00 (usually they’re on sale for around $30).
Where Has All The Pants Lining Gone?
I refuse to pay $100 bucks for a pair a pants without lining. Lining, the cheap satin-like material that lines your garments giving them additional weight and drape, costs less than $1 per pair including labor. To not put lining in a pair of pants, especially a pair that costs over $100, is ridiculous and the epitome of cheap. Budget Fashionistas revolt!
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