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Elastic waisted trousers

(128 Posts)
Gogo84 Sat 22-Feb-25 16:10:58

Why are elasticated waist trousers for women sneered at by many people. We are women. We don't need flies and zips so they are more convenient. I don't wear them all the time but I do buy them if I find a pair I like. What do other trouser wearers think?

woodenspoon Sat 22-Feb-25 19:27:35

I’m proud to ‘succumb’ to elastic waist trousers. What a snobbish way of belittling those of us who wear them. My joggers have elastic waist, so do my leggings and linen trousers in the summer. Since I rarely wear jeans it doesn’t matter. I do wear smarter elastic waist trousers and with a nice cashmere jumper over the top I don’t think anybody is peering at me to see if I have a zip waist. Or maybe they are!

Babs03 Sat 22-Feb-25 19:31:07

Is a myth that elasticated waist trouser look shapeless, maybe back in the day, but certainly not now. I bought partially elasticated waist trousers from LandsEnd and wore them with a matching jacket and smart top to eat out at The Ivy in London. Family and friends commented on how stylish my outfit was. I also have elasticated waist jeans from chums that are smart or casual and fitted to the leg.
I don’t care too much what others think at my age comfort comes first and looking smart is a bonus.

Deedaa Sat 22-Feb-25 19:31:46

I wear jeans some of the time, but I have to wear them with a belt and if I don't keep hitching them up the belt starts digging in, Otherwise I wear elastic waisted trousers, including linen ones that I wear in summer. I always wear long tops with them so I don't think anyone notices.

Casdon Sat 22-Feb-25 19:37:51

I think what Indigo said is right. I have a small waist and bigger hips, and they really don’t sit right on me. The elastic part at the waist is too big if they fit on the hips, which leaves a baggy ridge below the elastic at the back. Jeans and tailored trousers are a much better fit, because you can wear them below waist height comfortably, and wear a belt. Live and let live I think, we all know what works best for us.

twiglet77 Sat 22-Feb-25 19:44:15

Eden jeggings by Dorothy Perkins work better for me than any other trousers. They have belt loops and proper back pockets, unlike some jeggings, they stay up on my apple-shaped figure, not so skinny as to look ridiculous at my age but narrow enough in the leg to easily wear with wellies. I have them in lots of colours, all from eBay or Vinted.

NonGrannyMoll Sat 22-Feb-25 20:12:45

Not all pull-on trousers are shapeless. M&S used to sell nice ones a couple of years ago with a choice of leg shape. Not sure whether they still do, but they watch their sales figures quite closely so they wouldn't take good sellers off the rails. I don't wear zip-&-button trousers - never have done - as I always felt sewn in like a trussed turkey! I have a couple of pairs of harem pants which I wear in summer - it's like floating on air!

Whiff Sat 22-Feb-25 20:19:59

My trousers have elasticated waist and my linen mix ones have draw string fastening all wide legged . Because of my hands I can't do small buttons or small zips. My shoes have velcro fastenings . Most of my clothes are pull on . I do have some shirts but the they stay buttoned up with just a gap for my head.

I love Seasalt clothes so have 3 of their coats and have 12 tunics all brought in the sale as they have between 30-50% off .

I can't wear socks so wear 20 denier tights under my trousers in the warmer weather and 40 denier in the colder months .

And all my vests and tee shirts are longline especially my thermal ones. I now understand why my mom liked them to cover her bottom as they kept her warmer . I do like bright colours and patterns but not stripes .

RosieandherMaw Sat 22-Feb-25 20:50:59

petra

Because more often or not they are shapeless.
I’ve never owned a pair and hope that I never have to succumb.

Precisely what OP means by "sneering".
There are well cut well fitting trousers with a wide flat waistband st the front and elastic at the back.
There are also zip up trousers which are badly cut and look it.
Surely it depends ?

Norah Sat 22-Feb-25 20:58:48

Doodledog

Norah

I wear jeans that fit my waist, blouses and tshirts tucked. I've black trousers, as well, waist fitted. I don't look to fashion, I wear what suits me.

Which is fine, Norah. But do you have an ongoing battle with your clothes, with one of you having to surrender? I doubt that somehow.

Yes I have an ongoing battle with jumpers, shirts, tshirts - and bras. Don't even get me started on the coverage battle I fight.

Minimiser bras are my very best friend.

Surely I don't need to battle jeans as well? smile

Allira Sat 22-Feb-25 21:14:36

Gogo84

Why are elasticated waist trousers for women sneered at by many people. We are women. We don't need flies and zips so they are more convenient. I don't wear them all the time but I do buy them if I find a pair I like. What do other trouser wearers think?

For comfortable everyday wear M&S do some pull-on trousers in a stretch jersey. The waist has elastic but is flat and smooth and the trousers are a neat fit, not at all baggy.

If anyone's ever had abdominal surgery or other medical conditions they would be ideal. The only thing is they shrink slightly in length even on a 30C wash but can be pulled down when damp. Or buy a longer length than normal!

I sent all my jeans, some nearly new, to the charity shop last year.

Nanato3 Sat 22-Feb-25 21:43:38

I have medical conditions which means I can no longer wear fitted waist bands so I live in elasticated one's.
Skirts and trousers are so much more comfortable with an elasticated waist.
Sadly I had no choice and had to succumb .

Allira Sat 22-Feb-25 21:46:49

Nanato3

I have medical conditions which means I can no longer wear fitted waist bands so I live in elasticated one's.
Skirts and trousers are so much more comfortable with an elasticated waist.
Sadly I had no choice and had to succumb .

www.marksandspencer.com/jersey-straight-leg-trousers-with-stretch/p/clp60506862?color=DARKNAVY&extid=ps_ps-pla-pmax_ggl_ww_ch__-_UK_-_-_bau_smec_counterfactual&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAiOa9BhBqEiwABCdG86n9qJpB8ws8z4VU8izovmX-rLPfXnCNYIxxAlA73qWRrAiB0c-iURoCre0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

These are comfy and not at all "bunchy".
The waistband is slightly elasticated but flat.

Oreo Sat 22-Feb-25 21:49:03

Oh yeah, so comfy, anything with an elastic waistband.😃
I have all kinds of fitted jeans with zips, smart trousers with zips and many elastic waistband kinds, particularly for Summer, the patterned ones from M&S that you can wear with a tee.
My parents were tailors and Mum always made trousers for herself with a flat waistband and a side zip and the same with skirts, as they give the best shape for a woman to wear.

Allira Sat 22-Feb-25 21:51:28

I have some slim fit trousers with a side zip but have to be a contortionist to do them up, giving myself a crick in the side, neck etc.
I'm too old for all that palaver!

Oreo Sat 22-Feb-25 21:52:44

😂
Poor you, no fun getting old is it?

Allira Sat 22-Feb-25 22:10:09

Oh, it can be wink

Not caring what people think of you can be so liberating!

Oreo Sat 22-Feb-25 22:12:35

Do you wear purple? With a red hat which doesn’t ‘go’?😂

gulligranny Sat 22-Feb-25 22:20:40

All my trousers - slim-fit, flared, wide-leg - are pull-on; so much easier and certainly smart enough for any occasion. I wear jeans too, but am starting to find the button & zip combo more difficult as my fingers are becoming somewhat arthritic. I only wear leggings for my weekly keep-fit class.

But each to her own; as long as we're comfortable with whatever we choose, that's all that matters.

Oreo Sat 22-Feb-25 22:23:28

I love leggings with a short dress and ankle boots.

Allira Sat 22-Feb-25 22:25:50

Oreo

Do you wear purple? With a red hat which doesn’t ‘go’?😂

😂😂😂

Now, that's an idea!

I've tried leggings but can't bear the feel of them, can't explain what it is.

Catterygirl Sat 22-Feb-25 22:59:48

I suffer from IBS. It’s been some 30 years now but under control if I don’t wear tight waistbands so if I wear jeans I would be in agony within half an hour. Any stretch waist trousers are a dream for comfort and my latest are suedette from Marks.

henetha Sat 22-Feb-25 23:04:47

Is there such a thing as clothes snobbery? Seems like there might be.
At 87 I just want to be comfortable so all my indoor leisure clothes have elasticated waists, thank goodness.
I have smart trousers for when I go out, but even some of those has them too. .
Yippee for comfort.

whywhywhy Sat 22-Feb-25 23:49:17

Sorry but I have “succumbed “ to elasticated waist trousers for around the house. So comfy! Jeans for outdoors. I love my jeans but I like to be comfortable while sat knitting at home.

nanna8 Sun 23-Feb-25 00:35:10

My trackie daks are elastic waisted and I have one pair of elastic waisted jeans that I got from Temu. They are good for odding about and don’t look at all bad with a longish top over them. I don’t care anyway, I am not overweight and they have straight legs. I can’t see the difference, frankly. The days of people inspecting my bum are gone.

Grammaretto Sun 23-Feb-25 05:03:27

It sounds like most of us wear pull on trousers!
I don't own a single pair with zips or fitted waists .
I have some elastic waist cords in an unusual colour bought at great expense and am now going to dressmaking classes to learn to adjust a pattern so I can save money in future.