Please help me find pants

February 8, 2020 10:16 AM

I am looking for women's cargo or work pants with specific criteria. Please help me find them.

-Must be available in Canada or shippable to Canada. I'd prefer something I can try on in-store but will order online if neccessary.

-Full length. No ankle pants or capris please. 32" inseam I think (Idk I'm tallish).

-Relaxed fit in the hip and thigh. I cannot stress this enough. I need to bend, crouch, kneel and lunge at work. I need to be able to move freely. I don't want a sausage casing clinging to my tush. Anything designed to "make your butt look great" is right out; my butt should remain an eternal mystery to those around me.

-Cut suitable for a pear-shaped body. Smaller waist, more generous rear, midrise. I can have the waist tailored if neccessary though.

-At least one functional utility pocket at the sides.

-No drawstrings please.

-Dark colours.

-I've tried scrub pants. They haven't worked for me.

-I'm usually a size 4/6 but who even knows what sizes mean any more.

I've checked out L.L. Bean, Columbia and Mark's Work Wearhouse and haven't had a lot of luck so far. Please help.

posted by windykites to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (12 answers total)

Duluth Trading Company ships to Canada. I linked women's pants, and there are cargo pants.
posted by jgirl at 10:29 AM on February 8, 2020 [5 favorites]

Yeah I was just coming here to rec Duluth Trading as well but as usual I got distracted by the buff and capable beflanneled women in the catalog.
posted by poffin boffin at 10:37 AM on February 8, 2020 [6 favorites]

I was going to recommend Duluth as well. But try a pair of the Men's firehose-fabric (both softer and more durable than you'd think) pants. I say so because they'll be broad in the seat and thigh. Duluth makes its clothes for fat-assed workmen who bend over for a living (for instance, they make their tshirts several inches longer in the back, to cover up the inevitable 'plumber's asscrack'); I don't know if the same idea applies to their women's line.
And such pockets! Pockets like you've never experienced before in your life!
posted by bartleby at 10:42 AM on February 8, 2020 [3 favorites]

Dovetail Workwear only make work clothes for women, so something in their range might suit you. They get great reviews from plumbers, chippies and others who actually... work in them, and so have to kneel, bend, squat etc. (I don’t own a pair as they’re in the US and I’m in the UK and don’t want to pay return transatlantic shipping if they don’t fit, but might be more doable for you).
posted by penguin pie at 10:54 AM on February 8, 2020 [4 favorites]

If you don't need a ton of pockets, as in like full-on cargo pants, but can get by with one or two functional side pockets, you might want to look at hiking pants like Prana's Sage pants. Some of Prana's other styles are well-established pear-shaped favs (like their Halle pants) but they don't have as many pockets as you're looking for. MEC and Sporting Life both carry most Prana styles, so you should be able to find something to try on in-person.

Also, Eddie Bauer has curvy fit cargo pants. Whether they carry curvy fit styles in store is hit or miss, but they have everything online as well.
posted by blerghamot at 11:07 AM on February 8, 2020

I am more hourglass but for pants I guess it doesn't really matter, and the "men's" DTC pants are a little baggier than they need to be through the crotch (as in, I think even people with more external genitalia might agree). If you're okay with the "make your butt look great" thing and just can't let it have priority over function, the "women's" line will probably be what you want. If it messes with your gender identity to have that look all day every day, head on over to "men's" and if the reviews say to size down, definitely consider it. I think ideally I'd have the waists tailored for both lines (substantial gap at spine when standing) but they fit okay anyway, and there're definitely plenty of free movement and pockets to be had.
posted by teremala at 11:58 AM on February 8, 2020 [1 favorite]

WOMEN'S CARHARTTS. They take a while to break in if you buy them new, but it's worth it. The Kane dungarees come with or without the double fronts, and in dark brown and black colors.
posted by bink at 12:04 PM on February 8, 2020

Hmm, but they don't have big cargo pockets. They do have side pockets for wallet or phone, but not a big cargo pocket. Sorry.
posted by bink at 12:06 PM on February 8, 2020

I was going to recommend scrubs until I got to the part about no drawstrings. I worked as a massage therapist and found that scrubs allowed me to crouch, bend, twist etc. freely. They have multiple deep pockets. They are very comfortable. The drawstring would let you have as snug a fit on your waist as you want. If you've never tried them, I think it's worth it.
posted by nirblegee at 1:44 PM on February 8, 2020

Carhartt changed their women’s cut a few years ago and no longer curve in over the butt the way they did which makes them useless for my pear-shaped person. I could keep a lunchbox in the gap back there. (I had an old pair to compare with the new cut and it’s a big change. I am so miffed.)

My current best physical-work pants are all military surplus, but it really doesn’t matter how I look.
posted by clew at 6:54 PM on February 8, 2020

I’ve had amazing success with pants at Talbots. There are several Canadian locations. Their slacks are professional looking and some models have pockets in the front.

They refresh their designs often, so if you wait and watch, awesome stuff pops up.
posted by rw at 9:08 PM on February 8, 2020

5.11 Tactical Pants. No, really. Generous cut for movement? Check. Pockets? Check. Durable? Check. Full-length? Yep. Dark colors? Yep. No drawstrings? Uh-huh.
posted by Wild_Eep at 7:20 AM on February 9, 2020