Nothing can drain the energy from me like shopping for pants. Finding a perfect fit from off-the-rack is very difficult—not impossible, but hard, so go into this with the right mindset. If you want perfect pants, you’re going to have to work for it! There is no standard sizing for clothes, so if you’re a 6 in one brand, you may be a 4 or 8 in another. This is why it’s so important to try everything on before you buy it.

Pants need to fit in 3 areas: waist, inseam (length) and rise (crotch.) Ideally, pants would sit at the natural waist. All of us are either short-waisted (short torso) or long-waisted (long torso). Take this into account when trying on pants. A medium rise pant works for most of us. The extremes of high-rise and low-rise pants can be very tricky to pull off! Pants should button or zip comfortably without gaping in the back or pulling in the front. The tush should be gently cupped without any sagging/drooping or tightness. Be aware of back pocket placement. Wide set pockets will make the tush appear wider.  Shop in a place with a 3-dimensional mirror if at all possible. If you’re over 18, do not buy Juniors!

As for inseam, pants come in 3 different lengths: Petite/Short, Regular, and Tall/Long. The majority of women will wear petite or regular. (I’m a petite with a long torso and short limbs.) The ideal length is to cover the top of the shoe. The pant leg shouldn’t drag on the ground, or be above the ankle. When buying petite pants, I’ve noticed that the length may good but the rise is uncomfortably tight. This problem can be solved by buying regular pants and having them hemmed. I realize that taking pants to a tailor is a hassle. It is, however, often necessary. If you truly can’t bother with alterations, buy Capri pants. They fit everyone, but don’t expect perfection.

Most flattering:

A pair of flat-front, black pants is universally flattering. Look for a pair that’s 98% cotton, with 2% spandex. These have just the right amount of stretch without being tight and they almost never need ironing! (Anyone else hate to iron?!) Ideally, you can afford 2 pairs of black pants—one to wear with heels, and another for flats.

Least flattering:

Pleated, tapered khakis are the worst offenders! These pants make even the thinnest lady look huge. Don’t buy them, don’t gift them, and for goodness sake, don’t wear them—especially with a fanny pack, sneaks, and a sweatshirt! That particular look is so bad…

Jeans:

This is such a broad topic, it requires a separate post. The most flattering pair is a straight leg with a dark rinse. I’ll be expounding on jeans in the near future.

Skinnies:

I finally jumped on the skinnies bandwagon this February when I bought some fabulous gray cords. Prior to that, I’d tried skinny jeans, but never pants. I was worried they wouldn’t look good, but they actually do. I pair mine with a longer and looser top. Flowy, peasant-style blouses work great with skinnies! Skinnies can fit a wide range of sizes, but they make not work well on larger ladies, especially if you have big thighs/calves. Try a pair made for Plus-sized. If you’re a petite, these work well since the inseam tends to be smaller. Skinnies are super-cute cuffed if slightly long. I will admit that skinnies are not the most comfortable item in the closet. It’s more about the look. Don’t make the mistake of wearing these while traveling.

White Pants:

From Memorial Day to Labor Day, I live in white pants! Consider this a summertime staple paired with sandals and a colorful or striped top. Look for a pair that’s not see-through. To be on the safe side, wear these with nude undies. For the sleekest look, remove all of the pockets. It’s a myth that you have to be super-thin to wear white on the bottom. These can look beautiful on any size, provided they fit well.

Dress Pants:

These are made from a heavier fabric like wool and are fully lined (a lined garment is a sign of quality). I love these in a variety of colors like black and gray. Try a pair of pin-striped pants if you want to look taller. Dress pants always convey an elegant, put-together look.

Pants to avoid include:

Harem – look ridiculous

Cargo – do you really need extra bulk on the thighs?

Pattern – can be very tricky to pull off

Linen – always wrinkled, no matter what

Synthetics – polyester or rayon pants have a weird sheen to them that look cheap. They also don’t breathe well.

Leather – overpriced pants that under-perform.

 

What kind of pants do you wear most often?