Petit Bateau crew neck tee (secondhand via slowre)
Elizabeth Suzann Clyde Culottes (size 8 short, holiday gift from my mother)
James Perse jacket (couple years old)
Naot Pixie sandal (gift from my father) | I wear a US size 8 and took the size 38 in these
I’m home! What a wonderful weekend I had in Florida with my dad and step-mom. More on Friday, possibly, since that’s the day I use to catch up on random thoughts, but I already mentioned that I wore my Sunja Link dress to the art show one day and was so comfortable. I even got a couple of compliments! So…no pillows.
Also, a quick note on the shoes before I get on to elastic waistbands: my father bought these for me while we were there browsing a great “comfortable” shoe store in Winter Park. Haha…by that, I mean they carry Mephisto, Birkenstock, Dansko, etc. Not brands known so much for their style, but man, are they comfortable! And that’s the most important thing, no? I always like to browse there and discover brands I don’t see much here.
I’ve known of Naot for a long time, but never felt compelled to buy a pair of their sandals (I’m rather loyal to Mephisto and Birkenstock), but we were in the store and another customer was trying these Pixie sandals on and I was intrigued. To backup a second, Leo and I are going to a wedding in New Orleans in April and I had been thinking of shoes for that. It’s a Friday night wedding, so I’m cool with wearing one of my black, fitted James Perse dresses, but I wasn’t sure about the shoes. I don’t really have anything that I feel is “evening wedding appropriate” – not even close – and I was thinking of trying to find a pair of shoes that were just a teeny bit “sexy” that Leo might like ( he hates ALL MY SHOES FYI) and that I would also be comfortable in.
Anyway, these are pretty amazing. I love how much of my foot they show (sexy) and that they allow a little height, with also the cushioning and comfort that Naot is known for (practical). I haven’t worn them yet, and I’m not wearing them today because it’s a bit cool for them, but I wanted to try them with these pants and see if I like them, and I do! So I decided to show you 🙂
Now, onto elastic waist pants (hopefully you’ve read this far!). I got a question from a reader a week ago about shopping for elastic waist pants, and how do I choose “the right” pair? I could write a ton on it, actually, and I might later, but I also thought it would be a wonderful question to crowdsource! I always learn so much from you guys…
How do you shop for/buy elastic pants? What do you look for? How do you try and get the sizing right?
Just a couple of notes from me right now:
- I prefer a wider elastic waistband, and one that is elastic all the way around. I have a pair of Eileen Fisher linen pants and the waistband is flat in the front and elastic in the back, and I don’t like the way they fall on me.
- My BIGGEST PET PEEVE IN THE HISTORY OF PET PEEVES is elastic that twists around inside the waistband. You may remember my only Miranda Bennett purchase was a disaster only because of the elastic waistband (the elastic inside was wide and not secured to the fabric so when I would pull the skirt up and down the elastic would twist inside and was impossible to get to lay flat again)
- I look for elastic that is secured to the waistband with horizontal stitching now. Interestingly, both my Clyde pants have that, and my silk florence pants DO NOT. I think the elastic in the florence pants is secured another way though, because I don’t have a problem with them.
- Elastic waistbands are separate from drawstrings, but they’re sort of in the same vein, so I’ll mention that I try to look for drawstring waistbands that also have elastic in them, because otherwise, just a drawstring pant is really more like pajama bottoms, which are comfortable, generally, but sort of a pain IMO
What are your tips for buying/wearing elastic waist pants? Or do you not wear them? WHY NOT?? 😉
I feel like I’m the opposite of you, I like a flat front! Sometimes the elastic waistband looks TOO Elastic Waistband, so with a flat front you get comfort and ease + more normal looking front. Honestly I feel like a lot of the problems people have with some elastic waistbanded pants (poofy fronts, hard to shimmy over hips) would be solved with a dual pronged approach that included some elastic but also a zip fly. I am happy to see more designers embrace the elastic in their designs though. It makes so much sense from a fit perspective.
I prefer flat/no elastic in the front and elastic in the back. I have a little bit of a belly pooch — not a lot (and I’m sure if you asked anyone looking at me they’d disagree) but enough that it gets accentuated with all-around elastic pants and it’s not my jam — plus, I find the flat panel more sleek in general. I do however break this rule often as I have 2 pairs of Clydes, but I am careful with how I style them.
Love this outfit on you, Grechen!! I want to immediately replicate it, but on the fence with the culotte style on me. I’m 5’4″ (long torso, short legs) and worry the wide leg style will not be so flattering on my body type. However, thinking this may be the perfect time to try as I am (impatiently) waiting for the future release of ACxES in May, so if the culottes don’t work I will have ES money in the bank.
I am 5’3” and change 🙂 and my inseam is 26.5 inches so….. I think you should try them! Honestly I don’t get super excited about wearing them for some reason until I put them on and then I love them. And I’m not sure they’re amazingly flattering on me, but I don’t really care 😉
that’s actually a really good point – some combination of zipper/elastic/no elastic might elevate the fit a little more. that’s hard to find though, a real zipper on a pair of elastic waistband pants…so funny because i’m looking at a pair of 6397 pants that have that. might have to try now, and see how it is!
I think this outfit is fabulous on you. I look to you for inspiration because we are similarly shaped though I am 3 inches shorter. I bought the EF wide-leg ankle jeans (in petite) because of your recommendation and LOVE them. Wore them out and about for St. Patty’s day and felt awesome AND got compliments. Thank you!
Gretchen, those shoes are lovely! They make your ankles look tiny!
I don’t have much elastic waist. I’m curious about the Clydes, etc, and love the look, but fear “diaper butt” and worry they’d be too unprofessional for a (pretty casual) law office.
Chewing on the style…
I feel like I’m wearing jammies with a full elastic waist. My favorite Eileen Fisher linen pants are zipper with elastic back – it’s a little narrow and I prefer wider, but the pants are wide leg and so comfy (thrift store find!) Alas, they are a little small for me now – I really need to lose weight! I hate yoyoing.
Love those naots on you! Will be perfect with a knit dress for a wedding and a fun pedicure 🙂
Thanks for this helpful post. I love the look of elastic waist pants–there’s something so easy and laid-back about them, but “poofy fronts” and “diaper butt” and twisty elastic and finding the right fit. . .the struggle is real!
Those shoes look sooooooo cute on you!! I would love a pair of cute summer sandals, but I hate my toes so much because they aren’t straight. Someday I’ll get over it and just wear some sandals. Someday…….
Another great outfit and you are wearing my favorite shoes :-). I have had two pairs of the NAOT Pixie for a year now (brown/silver & black). I wear the black at least a few times a week. It is my go to when I want to look “nice” or when I’m trying to defrump an outfit (or show off my pedi). Super flattering and comfy (looks great on you too). One caveat, don’t leave the ankle strap too loose, easy to turn the ankle, it needs to be on snug (but stays on pretty well).
Used to hate elastic waist now I’m all about the elastic waist in my getting older phase of life. TY for the tips on what worked and what didn’t. I love my Miranda Bennett dress and top but I will stay away from the bottoms based on your feedback as I have a belly so things will twist and irritate me.
ah!! i love that you love these sandals!! i did discover that they’re much more comfortable/easier to walk in when the ankle strap is pretty tight. i feel like it’s going to rub my ankle though until i get used to them, so i might add some moleskin in strategic places. do you find that they irritate your ankle?
This is very timely since I am planning to get some new leggings/ elastic pants. Taking note of all these tips. I can totally relate to having elastic that twists around the waist. It is pretty annoying.