Don't you hate pants? (Plus size edition)
October 30, 2017 8:33 AM Subscribe
I have a strong preference for wearing skirts because they are more comfortable. I especially hate jeans. However, winter is coming, so I need pants to wear to work. A few snowflakes inside (and unfortunately, outside).
I am plus size (22) and short (5'4"). I hate pants because they are uncomfortable and restrict movement and because it's so hard to find something that fits. (I also hate tights because they don't stay put.) I would not be opposed to jeans if there are some miracle jeans that are super comfortable. I do not have to dress up for work at all - though I would feel weird in sweat pants. So plus-size ladies, please hit me with your favorite sources for comfortable, easy care pants.
I am plus size (22) and short (5'4"). I hate pants because they are uncomfortable and restrict movement and because it's so hard to find something that fits. (I also hate tights because they don't stay put.) I would not be opposed to jeans if there are some miracle jeans that are super comfortable. I do not have to dress up for work at all - though I would feel weird in sweat pants. So plus-size ladies, please hit me with your favorite sources for comfortable, easy care pants.
My roommate is of a similar size and she loves jeggings. Look for those with a thick band and they won't cut or roll down
posted by raccoon409 at 8:52 AM on October 30, 2017
posted by raccoon409 at 8:52 AM on October 30, 2017
Best answer: Girl, git you a pair of these! Buy a size larger if you like extra comfy. Also, durable and with decent size pockets!
posted by The otter lady at 9:03 AM on October 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by The otter lady at 9:03 AM on October 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: My almost-as-comfy-as-skirts jeans are the Old Navy plus-size Smooth & Comfort boot-cut jeans. Comfy elastic waistband, basically as close to sweats as you're going to get while still being nominally jeans. They come in skinny cut as well, maybe other cuts? I don't know, I just live in my boot cuts, I do not care if they are fashionable. Might be worth a shot.
Should your pants search fail, fleece-lined leggings under a skirt will go a long way toward keeping you warm in the winter, depending where you are.
posted by Stacey at 9:15 AM on October 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Should your pants search fail, fleece-lined leggings under a skirt will go a long way toward keeping you warm in the winter, depending where you are.
posted by Stacey at 9:15 AM on October 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Best answer: I have heard very good things about Universal Standard's jeans, though I haven't tried them myself.
For a few years my I-hate-pants jeans were Old Navy's pull-on Rockstar jeans; these are not the exact style I have but pretty similar. Fair warning, though, most of the pairs I've owned started looking a little shabby after 6-8 months of wear (the dark colors are usually flimsier than the lighter ones), so I look for them on sale.
Jeggings that skew more legging-y might be worth a try. Hue is supposed to be good, and a friend of mine likes the No Nonsense ones.
posted by Metroid Baby at 9:16 AM on October 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
For a few years my I-hate-pants jeans were Old Navy's pull-on Rockstar jeans; these are not the exact style I have but pretty similar. Fair warning, though, most of the pairs I've owned started looking a little shabby after 6-8 months of wear (the dark colors are usually flimsier than the lighter ones), so I look for them on sale.
Jeggings that skew more legging-y might be worth a try. Hue is supposed to be good, and a friend of mine likes the No Nonsense ones.
posted by Metroid Baby at 9:16 AM on October 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
I just got my first pair of Universal Standard jeans and I'm sure they're not for everybody but I'm very impressed with them. Expensive, but--I haven't had a pair of jeans I liked with front pockets in years now.
posted by Sequence at 9:19 AM on October 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Sequence at 9:19 AM on October 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
I can confirm that Universal Standard jeans totally rock.
posted by holborne at 9:28 AM on October 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by holborne at 9:28 AM on October 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: You might like Land's End Starfish Ponte Pants. They come in lots of sizes, including petite plus. I find ponte pants very comfortable.
My standard recommendation for jeans is Not Your Daughter's Jeans. I'm short (5'2") short-waisted and apple-shaped; NYDJ is my favorite brand of jean by far. $$$$$ but look for sales, discount outlets and Ebay.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 9:29 AM on October 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
My standard recommendation for jeans is Not Your Daughter's Jeans. I'm short (5'2") short-waisted and apple-shaped; NYDJ is my favorite brand of jean by far. $$$$$ but look for sales, discount outlets and Ebay.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 9:29 AM on October 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I also like Not Your Daughter's Jeans and am short, short waisted and a little chubby. They are worth the extra dollars in my opinion because they last longer than many other brands I've tried. They've got plenty of stretch in them and I comfortably bike to work in them on a regular basis.
Wool tights are also a good investment that will allow you to continue wearing skirts well into the winter time.
posted by brookeb at 9:33 AM on October 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
Wool tights are also a good investment that will allow you to continue wearing skirts well into the winter time.
posted by brookeb at 9:33 AM on October 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Oh hello, person who is shaped exactly like me. I have found jeans by going to Macy's -- in my town, it's important to differentiate between the lower-class Macy's and the nicer Macy's, and go to the nicer Macy's -- and searching their Style & Co brand in the "Macy's Woman" (aka plus-size) department. They have plus-size petite jeans that fit me perfectly and are not very expensive.
It can be hard sometimes to find all the available sizes/style options in a store, so if you're shopping Macy's online I'd just go hog-wild and order several pairs that are all around your size in order to figure out which size actually fits you, and return the rest.
posted by BlahLaLa at 9:40 AM on October 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
It can be hard sometimes to find all the available sizes/style options in a store, so if you're shopping Macy's online I'd just go hog-wild and order several pairs that are all around your size in order to figure out which size actually fits you, and return the rest.
posted by BlahLaLa at 9:40 AM on October 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
Seconding Stacey - fleece leggings under a skirt are great. I’ve also worn base-layer type leggings under a longish wool skirt with knee boots. No one sees them and I stay warm.
posted by bunderful at 9:42 AM on October 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by bunderful at 9:42 AM on October 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Torrid Jeggings, basically stretchy jeans so it feels like you're wearing yoga pants their jeans are very good too.
posted by wwax at 9:48 AM on October 30, 2017
posted by wwax at 9:48 AM on October 30, 2017
Best answer: I bought a pair of these Lands End corduroy pants last week and they are so comfortable, soft and yielding that I just moments ago ordered two more pairs. I did not know this kind of comfort was available in pants.
posted by bluebird at 9:54 AM on October 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by bluebird at 9:54 AM on October 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Lane Bryant jeans are actually super comfy for me. Ignore the stupid/insulting name and get the "tummy tightener" ones for a wider stretchy waistband that won't cut into your stomach as much.
If you're ok with yoga pants, I actually really like the Tek Gear ones you can get in the Women's section at Kohl's. Land's End sportswear is also really sturdy in addition to their ponte pants.
posted by TwoStride at 10:06 AM on October 30, 2017
If you're ok with yoga pants, I actually really like the Tek Gear ones you can get in the Women's section at Kohl's. Land's End sportswear is also really sturdy in addition to their ponte pants.
posted by TwoStride at 10:06 AM on October 30, 2017
Another short chubby lady who votes for Old Navy. I've got a pair of their boyfriend jeans on now. Stretchy, comfortable, not trendy but not "mom jeans" either.
posted by libraryhead at 10:07 AM on October 30, 2017
posted by libraryhead at 10:07 AM on October 30, 2017
Best answer: Hi, I'm you, only two inches shorter. I live in Canada and exist in a winter world entirely made of leggings and fleece lined tights under a skirt. I find them just as warm (if not warmer) than slacks/pants, and way the hell more comfortable.
I totally know what you mean by "don't stay put" for SOME leggings/tights, but if you can find a brand that works for you, you're golden. Buy enough pairs to get you through a week and a half.
So short answer is, don't give up on skirts for the winter.
What works for one person seems to be a fairly individual things, unfortunately, dependent on individual body shape and preference. For me, my staples come are from Costco, surprisingly enough. I own about 10 pairs of the XXL leggings (cropped and full length), and 6 pairs of the XL fleece lined tights. The fleece lined tights in particular are fucking magical. They are plenty stretchy (and I have a big booty and huge thighs), super warm and opaque, and they stay up. I really prefer my leggings/tights to go all the way over my stomach and stop just short of my bra, and those fleece lined tights do the job beautifully.
If you're hell bent on pants, agreed with above that Old Navy/Gap jeggings are your best bet. Not the most well made, but generally pretty comfy/stretchy.
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 10:15 AM on October 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
I totally know what you mean by "don't stay put" for SOME leggings/tights, but if you can find a brand that works for you, you're golden. Buy enough pairs to get you through a week and a half.
So short answer is, don't give up on skirts for the winter.
What works for one person seems to be a fairly individual things, unfortunately, dependent on individual body shape and preference. For me, my staples come are from Costco, surprisingly enough. I own about 10 pairs of the XXL leggings (cropped and full length), and 6 pairs of the XL fleece lined tights. The fleece lined tights in particular are fucking magical. They are plenty stretchy (and I have a big booty and huge thighs), super warm and opaque, and they stay up. I really prefer my leggings/tights to go all the way over my stomach and stop just short of my bra, and those fleece lined tights do the job beautifully.
If you're hell bent on pants, agreed with above that Old Navy/Gap jeggings are your best bet. Not the most well made, but generally pretty comfy/stretchy.
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 10:15 AM on October 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I despise pants. So much that the occasional days I actually wear pants, everybody says something. I'm short-ish, with a high waist and a high hip to waist ratio and thighs that are wider than my hips. Pants suck in every conceivable way from fit to comfort to always having to be shortened.
The NYDJ pants are okay. I like my Ibex pants--quite casual, quite warm, but slightly fancier than sweat pants. Ureshii makes a made-to-measure pant that looks similar. JJill does a lot of dressed-up lounge pants, which you might check out.
Mostly, I wear leggings under skirts to stay warm.
posted by crush at 10:18 AM on October 30, 2017
The NYDJ pants are okay. I like my Ibex pants--quite casual, quite warm, but slightly fancier than sweat pants. Ureshii makes a made-to-measure pant that looks similar. JJill does a lot of dressed-up lounge pants, which you might check out.
Mostly, I wear leggings under skirts to stay warm.
posted by crush at 10:18 AM on October 30, 2017
Best answer: I agree with Puppet McSockerson, you could really swing skirts if you got great wool tights off Amazon. (Well, I guess it depends how cold it gets). Don't give up on your dream!
posted by karmachameleon at 10:20 AM on October 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by karmachameleon at 10:20 AM on October 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Also, SweetLegs leggings are INSANELY comfortable, INSANELY warm, INSANELY cute, and they stay up. Cannot recommend enough. They have some solid colours, but for the most part they are patterned, but OH THE AWESOMENESS OF THE PATTERNS! Glow in the dark plus size astronaut leggings?!? YES PLEASE!
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 10:45 AM on October 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 10:45 AM on October 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'm short and wide and do pretty well with Lane Bryant jeans nowadays.
posted by 168 at 10:56 AM on October 30, 2017
posted by 168 at 10:56 AM on October 30, 2017
I live in dresses and skirts and leggings (fleeced lined with it's cold) and boots in the winter. Super-comfy and cute!
posted by Aquifer at 10:58 AM on October 30, 2017
posted by Aquifer at 10:58 AM on October 30, 2017
Walmart knit jeggings, believe it or not, are a good in between between pants and leggings--quite stretchy so they adapt to different shapes of plusness, comfy, fairly sturdy, hold their shape, small but real back pockets, actual belt loops.
posted by drlith at 11:27 AM on October 30, 2017
posted by drlith at 11:27 AM on October 30, 2017
Best answer: I also do the leggings + boots under a skirt option most of the time in the winter. If it's really freezing out and I'm going to be doing a lot of walking, I have a pair of ski pants I wear under my skirt and then take off once I get wherever I am going...it looks sort of silly, but totally works (and then I don't overheat once I get inside). My personal favorite for comfy leggings is these because there are tons of different colors (obviously you can also stick w/ basic black/grey)...I find the waistband is not constricting, and they never fall down like some tights I've had.
posted by rainbowbrite at 11:42 AM on October 30, 2017
posted by rainbowbrite at 11:42 AM on October 30, 2017
Best answer: I’m biased because I wear very long skirts, but I do well in the winter by layering. Skirt + 2 cotton slips + long underwear = just as warm as pants. Maybe you have some maxi skirts you could try to see if you feel warm enough?
posted by epj at 11:58 AM on October 30, 2017
posted by epj at 11:58 AM on October 30, 2017
Best answer: If you're up for yoga-ish pants that are made to your measurements, I sing the praises of Ureshii Designs every chance I get. They have a lot of tops, dresses, and some skirts as well, but I own six pairs of pants from them which are the most comfortable I've ever owned, and all of which have pockets. I have a plus-sized atypically shaped body (my hip circumference is 20" larger than my waist, most of which is in the back) and the ability to get pants that actually fit my waist, do not gape in the back and which do not cut into my stomach at the front feels miraculous.
They ship from Canada, and I usually get my order in about 2 weeks.
posted by telophase at 12:17 PM on October 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
They ship from Canada, and I usually get my order in about 2 weeks.
posted by telophase at 12:17 PM on October 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Another cold weather skirt lover here. In the winter, I usually bike all around Toronto in one of my $10 fleece skater skirts from Old Navy, using as many layers of tights and/or leggings as needed for comfort. Once at a client site, I sneak off to the women's room and strip down to a single layer of tights and a different, office-appropriate skirt.
If you really like skirts, you should wear skirts. I'm much happier going out in skirts than pants because it feels both more feminine and more badass than bundling myself into long undies and bunchy trousers. If you can find an appropriate pair of leggings or tights that fit you properly (and I know that's been a challenge) you're all set.
posted by maudlin at 12:18 PM on October 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
If you really like skirts, you should wear skirts. I'm much happier going out in skirts than pants because it feels both more feminine and more badass than bundling myself into long undies and bunchy trousers. If you can find an appropriate pair of leggings or tights that fit you properly (and I know that's been a challenge) you're all set.
posted by maudlin at 12:18 PM on October 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Lands End Starfish trousers are brilliant, I could not recommend them highly enough.
posted by Ziggy500 at 12:38 PM on October 30, 2017
posted by Ziggy500 at 12:38 PM on October 30, 2017
I am a non-pantser as well! Find some fleece lined nylon/spandex leggings or tights--eBay or Amazon should cover you.
posted by masquesoporfavor at 3:51 PM on October 30, 2017
posted by masquesoporfavor at 3:51 PM on October 30, 2017
Response by poster: Thanks so much for all the great answers. I could have marked them all as "best," but I decided to go mostly with people who made very specific suggestions with brand names. You guys are awesome.
posted by FencingGal at 10:24 AM on October 31, 2017
posted by FencingGal at 10:24 AM on October 31, 2017
I am also not a fan of pants, but I love Gloria Vanderbilt Penelope cargo pants. They have a very comfortable waistband, and loads of pockets. I get them on ebay.
Note that all the ebay photos show them with the roll-tab up, making them short-ish. But I just don't use that feature, so for me they are regular-length pants.
posted by merejane at 12:09 PM on October 31, 2017
Note that all the ebay photos show them with the roll-tab up, making them short-ish. But I just don't use that feature, so for me they are regular-length pants.
posted by merejane at 12:09 PM on October 31, 2017
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posted by rada at 8:47 AM on October 30, 2017