I’ve spent the last few weeks searching for the perfect black pants. And of course I mean the perfect black pants for me because we all have different issues when it comes to how clothes fit. (A fact that became VERY clear in the robust Facebook conversation my search for black pants inspired. More on that later.) And the answer is not black jeans. Sometimes it is, but my search was specifically about NOT wearing jeans.
Why did I suddenly need black pants?
I had invitations to a few events that fell between dressy and casual and my wardrobe broke down into three limiting categories: 1. Jeans. 2. Workout clothes. 3. Dresses–either of the fancy variety for the occasional wedding or the synagogue type.
I could have worn one of the synagogue-ish outfits to these upcoming events, but I wanted something less stuffy yet still appropriate. I own several pairs of “nicer” leggings (are leggings ever really nice?!) I’ve worn over the years with longer tops, but I wanted a real pair of pants that I could wear with a regular-length blouse. I wanted grownup pants!
How have I managed to let so many years pass without purchasing real pants?
In my social life and when I teach twice a week, I wear jeans. And when I’m writing, I’m in workout clothes more often than not. Furthermore, I spent 2004-2012 pregnant or nursing. It was legging all the way. Now that my youngest is six, I was overdue for some pants shopping.
BUT, what is the problem with pants these days?
#1. All the pants are cropped, and I can’t figure out what to wear for a top or what shoes to wear with them. It’s just too much fashion confusion for me. Also, I live in Minnesota, so exposed ankles is not a practical option most of the year.
#2. The wide cropped thing is even worse than the skinny cropped thing. I’m a bit under 5’5 with a size 9.5 foot. I’m too short and my feet are too big to pull off that look. Everything at Anthropologie seems to fall into this category except for the Sanctuary pants that they (and Evereve) carry, which are really just leggings.
#3. Most of what is out there in a normal length and width still looks like a legging to me. I already have leggings. I want PANTS.
#4. The nice, black trouser type of pants I remember from the late 90s and early 2000s are still around or are coming back (I LOVED Theory pants back in the day), but those only look good on me with heels and I needed an option I could also wear with flats.
All of the above is why I took my search to Facebook, and the post got more comments than any question I’ve ever asked there in a decade.
Here is what I wrote on Facebook:
You guys, there are currently 71 comments on that post! Most people agreed that pants are a problem and that frankly, just getting dressed at all is a problem. I summarized my friends’ thorough suggestions and feelings below ALONG WITH my own attempts to follow up on their ideas:
CROPPED PANT + BOOTIE: Some people really love the cropped pant trend and suggest wearing them with a bootie to handle the cold ankle issue. Is this something I’m going to have to learn to wear? I feel like someone cut off my legs when I see the look on me, but I’m open to thinking about it in the future, which would follow my own personal trend of being two years behind. Something like this, I guess? I’m not that inspired as you can tell.
PANTS PEOPLE LOVE BUT DIDN’T WORK FOR ME: A few friends swear by the Mia Ponte with Faux Pockets from Evereve. Didn’t love them on me. Same goes for the Ann Taylor Loft pants and the Old Navy ponte pants. Though of the three, I liked the Old Navy ones the best, but not enough to buy. The ankle length was too short and the regular length too baggy in the knees. Usually when I don’t like a pant on me, it’s because it bags in the knees and the crotch. Several friends suggested Athleta pants, but I didn’t like any of them for the kind of nicer event I had in mind. (I tried on five different cuts from Athleta.) I heard a lot of love for Betabrand, but this didn’t seem to be what I was looking for. I did not try those on though, to be fair.
OTHER PANTS MY FRIENDS LOVED: I liked all of these enough (ordered them all online), but not more than some other options I ended up buying so I returned these at the end of my search. Rebecca Taylor; Theory; Vince Camuto Stretch Twill. Note: There are several by Vince Camuto that were decent, but I like the Halogen ones I ended up with more.
SPANX: Lots of people told me to get faux leather leggings from Spanx or Hue. I’ve had a pair from Aritzia for years, but that doesn’t solve my issue of wanting pants I can wear with a shorter blouse. Those Spanx are still leggings, you guys!
OTHER SUGGESTIONS: I did not end up trying any of these because I ran out of time and already found two I liked enough and ran out of steam for shopping both in malls and online: Eileen Fisher, NYDJ, Talbot’s, J.Crew, Forever 21, Gap.
HERE ARE THE TWO PAIRS I ENDED UP BUYING
Are they the perfect black pants? No. But they’re good enough for right now. There is no perfect. That’s pretty much my life’s motto, to tell you the truth. And not just as it pertains to pants. It has worked for me so far. There is no perfect.
#1. Banana Republic Sloane pant. Thank you to Bre R and Caryn B who encouraged me to give Banana another try. I was not a believer as I find most Banana pants fit me strangely, but I went down a size and they worked well enough. Not perfect. (See my life’s motto above.) And this pant does sort of do the short ankle thing that annoys me. But it was great for the dressy flat I had in mind.
#2. Halogen Seamed Leggings
from Nordstrom. Yeah, I know it’s still kind of a legging, but it’s more pant-like than it appears in the picture and for sure more pant-like than any of my current leggings. Thank you to Lesley W for the Halogen tip!
Did any of you who went on this Facebook pants journey with me find something new since we last discussed the issue? Let me know!
[Edited in 2024 to say I’ve since gone to giveaway these pants in favor of the slouchier ones in style now from Aritizia and Abercrombie.]
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8 Responses
I appreciate a good shopping conundrum. I’m currently on the hunt from a short trench coat. Not a pea coat, not a long trench, a short trench. Suitable for fall, and dressy events, but I can also wear out on a week night and not think I’m overdressed. This coat exists, but no one seems to be selling it right now.
I followed that FB post, Nina, and clicked on so many pairs of black pants! I actually own the BR pants you ended up with, and I just bought another pair in black velvet for the winter. Straight leg, flats or heels or boots – I’m hoping to get lots of use out of them.
Thanks for telling us what you ended up with!
I totally hear you on this! Pants make me feel like I’m a back at the 8-6 work grind and I shudder just thinking about it. I go to LivingwithLandyn.com for most fashion advice and found ViciCollection.com as a result. They have black work pants on sale right now. 🙂
This post is so helpful! I just put on plant pants (for work) this morning. I don’t like them. They’re cropped, wide-legged and look ridiculous with the new booties I purchased. I kept the pants on and slipped into an old pair of black pumps – but my ankles are cold!!!!
I’m scared of the wide-leg trousers too, because I’m short and have skinny legs. I clicked on all your links and ordered a few. Thanks for doing all the “leg” work for me! xoxo
Since I no longer work outside of the home, I’m no longer searching for nicer pants/trousers, but ones that DID work for me quite well were from New York and Company, especially since they had a higher rise (which helped after having babies!).
I work full-time in financial services so I have about 5 – 6 pairs of black pants and 1 pair of navy pants.
You’re right – it is very hit and miss, and so if I’m anywhere and I see something suitable, I buy it and tell myself that I can always return it.
I have a pear shape with thighs and bum my problem area, so I don’t want to see a legging! I like a heavier material straight leg and because I’m short too, I like a bit of a heel (an inch).
PS confession – I’m wearing a pair of elasticated smart black maternity pants
Like you, I went on the prowl for semi-dress black pants. Between the ran-out-of-material vibe and blaring “music” (hey, I’m a Motown kid) chasing me away, I gave up — with the women’s departments. I learned: get everything from the men’s dept. where selections are plentiful.
Bonuses:
1️⃣ looser in the crotch, so no bite-me syndrome
2️⃣ higher quality at more reasonable prices
3️⃣ uniform sizing 😍🤗
4️⃣ fit like tailor-made
Women’s sections now see me only re undies.
Those are great tips!