Help me shop for professional-looking secret pajamas
June 15, 2018 10:26 PM   Subscribe

I need help finding clothes that I can wear to births, as a doula. They should not be scrubs. They should be as comfortable as scrubs, with similar qualities. Among other things, I am searching for really nice black leggings or yoga pants, not see-through or too sporty-looking, available to fit sizes 16-18.

I'm about to be doing more birth work, and I need an appropriate wardrobe. In the past, I have worn knit tunics/short dresses and leggings to births. This style suits me well, but most of my leggings are wearing thin and my remaining tunic has developed a hole.

Qualities I am seeking in my work clothing:
- Professional-looking.
- Washable in hot water, in case of body fluids.
- Reasonable modesty. I am not interested in making my cleavage, my butt crack, or my underpants part of my clients' births.
- Something I can move, bend, squat, lift in.
- Comfortable after 20+ hours of wear.
- Pockets would be a dream come true.

I am a woman in my early 30s, pear-shaped, curvy, and tall. I wear size 16 pants and L or XL tops. When I'm not at work, I am most comfortable in skirts, t-shirts, and Doc Marten oxfords or boots.

Expert shoppers of Metafilter, what thoughts do you have? I'd love specific links or shop recommendations.
posted by linettasky to Shopping (11 answers total) 8 users marked this as a favorite
 
What is your budget?
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 10:34 PM on June 15, 2018


Prana might have what you are looking for.
posted by Toddles at 10:50 PM on June 15, 2018


Wide leg swishy pants are back in style again, but when they weren't I shopped in the pajama department for what I wanted. I ended up finding great looser fitting tops, too.

(Lord help me) Target had great pajama bottoms that were flattering and fit your criteria. I don't know if this is still true. You want nice cotton bottoms and tops, Target sold sets as separates. I often still use a pajama cotton tank I got years ago for yoga becuase the fit and cotton quality is great, the drap of the fabric is perfect.

So, try looking for actual pj tops and bottoms. I often found the fabric quality higher than the same style was higher in pajama separates than regular outerwear offerings.
posted by jbenben at 10:50 PM on June 15, 2018


Best answer: You might like Land’s End Starfish pants. They will never be mistaken for dress pants despite what some of their enthusiasts insist, but they are really on the nicer, thicker end of yoga-type pants and very comfortable.
posted by charmedimsure at 10:52 PM on June 15, 2018 [10 favorites]


Catherine's has very comfortable black yoga pants that are not very sporty looking at all. I wear them to work all the time. A size 0X or 1X is probably what you would need.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 3:28 AM on June 16, 2018 [1 favorite]


Ok these Lane Bryant Livi leggings-- so opaque, high waisted, very, very comfortable. They are very thick cotton/ spandex and kind of 'hold in' a bit without being tight or constraining. I've had pairs hold up for years without the thighs wearing through.

Leggings

Boot leg

I genuinely can't endorse the quality enough.
posted by hellomiss at 4:01 AM on June 16, 2018 [2 favorites]


At the moment in Europe “beach pants” or trousers ar very popular... you can get some that are more slim at the ankle and I think they’re great! The “roxy easy peasy pant” is a good example but you can get them at h and m etc.
posted by catspajammies at 4:33 AM on June 16, 2018


Came in to second the Starfish Collection at Lands End. There used to be only one Starfish pant, but now it's an entire line, with cropped and denim, etc. And I can heartily vouch for the high quality of Lands End clothes, it's the basis of my entire wardrobe. And there's always a coupon or free shipping promotion.
posted by honey badger at 5:40 AM on June 16, 2018


I like the plain black leggings from Marika for this. I go on zulily and buy them discounted (supply comes and goes since it’s a discount site, but it’s a regular brand on there).
posted by brilliantine at 7:00 AM on June 16, 2018


I'm a huge fan of Athleta's pants; the Bettona is what I wear to work when I'm bribing myself with soft pants,* but still need to look professional. They have pockets in front and back, and are soft.


*You know those days when you're like pffft, I'd rather be at home in yoga pants instead of dressing up and going into the office? These are what I wear for those days, when I tell myself, okay, you still have to go to the office, but you can wear the soft pants.
posted by culfinglin at 12:51 PM on June 18, 2018


Duluth has some pants that seem to fit your needs; I don't know if they're professional-looking, and you should verify with them about the hot water.
posted by The corpse in the library at 3:16 PM on June 18, 2018


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