Elastic waisted trousers

Norah

Doodledog

Allira

I wouldn't wear the type of trousers which I remember my friend buying for her mother years ago. M&S polyester with a very gathered back waistband and a stitched seam up the front of the leg.
They always seemed very baggy but the ones I wear for every day have a flat waist and are a good fit, probably more flattering than those with a front zip and fastening.

I know the ones you mean, and wouldn't wear them either, but more modern ones (eg Sahara or Masai) can look better than zipped ones which have a button and fly to spoil the line of your top.

Out of interest, what line is spoiled?

Line?

Silhouette might be a better word, but line is easier to spell . Maybe I meant 'outline'? I don't usually write about fashion .

If you have a top lying over a zip and button you can often see the outline of them, whereas a pull-on style has a smooth outline.

I think in the past they were sneered at, but not any more. Most fitness types prefer elasticated waists. I think it depends on the style of trousers (and skirts as well for that matter).

I have some very nice linen trousers, sold for all ages, which have an elasticated waist - not that you would know unless you looked closely. From Fat Face. I also have a couple of Seasalt maxi skirts with elasticated waists which are also popular.

It depends how well they are made.

Doodledog

Allira

I wouldn't wear the type of trousers which I remember my friend buying for her mother years ago. M&S polyester with a very gathered back waistband and a stitched seam up the front of the leg.
They always seemed very baggy but the ones I wear for every day have a flat waist and are a good fit, probably more flattering than those with a front zip and fastening.

I know the ones you mean, and wouldn't wear them either, but more modern ones (eg Sahara or Masai) can look better than zipped ones which have a button and fly to spoil the line of your top.

Out of interest, what line is spoiled?

Line?

Doodledog

Allira

I wouldn't wear the type of trousers which I remember my friend buying for her mother years ago. M&S polyester with a very gathered back waistband and a stitched seam up the front of the leg.
They always seemed very baggy but the ones I wear for every day have a flat waist and are a good fit, probably more flattering than those with a front zip and fastening.

I know the ones you mean, and wouldn't wear them either, but more modern ones (eg Sahara or Masai) can look better than zipped ones which have a button and fly to spoil the line of your top.

I'll take a look, thanks Doodledog

Camilla's dresses are lovely. Very flattering too.

Calendergirl, I also have a pair of elasticated waist smart trousers that I have had for over 20 years and they are still as wearable today as they were when first bought. For a while I was able to purchase elastic waisted jeggings from Pep and co but they have stopped selling some of the larger sizes

I love elasticated waists. I too have big waist but small bum. Lands End do a range called starfish and offer about 5 different leg styles in 3 lengths. No baggy areas and very comfortable, the high waists with a deep waistband seem to make mid-riff bulges disappear.
My grandmother lived to a hundred and three quarter years. She never wore trousers in her life. When she was younger until she was about 70, she always wore a smart skirt with a nice blouse and cardigan. She looked elegant. After that she said she could not bear anything digging into her midriff and she started wearing dresses that skimmed her waist, just as Queen Camilla does but without her sort of clothing allowance. Oddly, she still wore a corselette, vest and full length slip under her dresses along with tights and quite large knickers. Post-70 she went from being a reasonably well-covered ,healthy looking ,lady but not obese, to a shadow of her former self and only weighed about 7 stone. She walked every day and followed her doctor's instructions to stop digging the garden when she was about 75. My parents with whom Grandma lived both died quite unexpectedly in their mid-50s and Grandma came to live with me, my husband and two small children. She lived with us for 12 years until she was 92. Shen then went to live with her daughter in Ireland in the community that she had spent her life in, until she was 50. She took up smoking and drinking whisky when she went to live with my parents when she was in her early 60s. She was an amazing character. I am now in my late 70s, I know exactly what she means about not wearing anything tight around the middle and I too refuse to do so.

Allira

I wouldn't wear the type of trousers which I remember my friend buying for her mother years ago. M&S polyester with a very gathered back waistband and a stitched seam up the front of the leg.
They always seemed very baggy but the ones I wear for every day have a flat waist and are a good fit, probably more flattering than those with a front zip and fastening.

I know the ones you mean, and wouldn't wear them either, but more modern ones (eg Sahara or Masai) can look better than zipped ones which have a button and fly to spoil the line of your top.

Barleyfields

You also, I think, are a very gifted musician?

Thank you.

Thanks "grans" for such a lively discussion. When I posted I didn't think that the post would interest many people. Long live choice and no more sneering or "having to succumb "

I too have an abdominal medical problem so thank goodness for elastic waists ! 👍😀

Used to think I wouldn't be seen dead in them but recently bought a pair of very expensive trousers and the waistband at the back is elasticated. They are a lovely fit, not at all baggy and I would have bought another pair in a different colour if they had cost less.

I have a linen pair and a silk pair of trousers with elastic waists and one pair of "emergency" shorts (also linen) bought on holiday.

Both the linen ones have ties as well so are clearly casual. The shorts make me feel a bit frumpy - but I do wear them if it's very hot. The trousers I feel need a lot more "styling" somehow whereas my "fitted" capri pants look nice enough with almost anything.

I suppose as someone said upthread, it's what we are used to.
My mother was a tailor and all my clothes were always carefully fitted so maybe that has something to do with it (I think someone commented on this too).

If you are layering (like I would do with the linen trousers) it doesn't matter about the waist but you still need to have them hang nicely over the hips, the thighs and below your bottom!

You also, I think, are a very gifted musician?

Auntieflo

Some of us have 'Thunder thighs'! Or legs like tree trunks, as my ma said. Very often these pull on trousers have extra room to accommodate our plumptiousness 🤗.

As to cropped trousers, not all of us have slim, shapely ankles, and want to hide them.

Guess which group I belong to?

This is me to a T. I have a condition called lipoedema, which means that my bottom half is out of all proportion to my top half and diet and exercise have no effect on it whatsoever. My legs probably weigh six or seven stones by themselves. My hips and tummy are also affected - my hips are like those of an eighteenth lady wearing panniers. Smart elasticated waist trousers are the only solution for me - l buy mine from M & S. If I were to buy fixed waist trousers or jeans, I would have to get a size at least two sizes larger than the rest of my clothes, which would also mean that the waist band would be massive and gaping and no other clothes would look good with them. It's horses for courses. I would love to have slim, shapely legs and wear other styles of trousers. Sadly, it is not going to happen and I don't think anyone would look at me and notice that I am wearing trousers with an elasticated waistband. I do have a good head of thick hair with very little grey, which makes up (for me) for my less than perfect body.

I wouldn't wear the type of trousers which I remember my friend buying for her mother years ago. M&S polyester with a very gathered back waistband and a stitched seam up the front of the leg.
They always seemed very baggy but the ones I wear for every day have a flat waist and are a good fit, probably more flattering than those with a front zip and fastening.

petra

SueIId
i wonder how old Petra is
79 soon.

Just a spring chicken, then

SueIId
i wonder how old Petra is
79 soon.

Thanks for this amazing thread GNs. I have just recovered from a nasty bout of phlebitis and all my trousers are too narrow in the leg to wear, plus the weight I gained whilst recovering means all the waistbands are too tight. I am living in two pairs of 'gardening trousers' - lands end starfish cords. I have made notes from all the posts and am off shopping tomorrow...yippee!

Trousers with elasticated waist bands can be very flattering to the figure.
Many makes now do flat waist bands and the trousers are not in the least bit baggy. I have one pair and no one could possibly tell the difference between these and others with zip and waistband. They are rather an elegant pair of trousers.

Also at 80 I still consider myself quite fashionable… when I go out! Bag lady special at home! 😅
I wonder at these various replies ( and some snide expressions of disgust at wearing trousers with elasticated waists) comes from the fact that we GRANS are various ages. I have seen ‘old’ Grans in their early 50s reply regularly, to Grans nearing 90! Soo at these various replies younger end of the scale comes horror at the thought…to those with Medical issues who wear them of necessity? I think many of us are in the middle. I wear both at 80 next year!

I have a big waist (the dreaded bloat) and small thighs so normal trousers would flap around my thighs.. I wear Gudrun Sjoden all the time, great colours, quirky designs, all cotton and they have great tops as well many of which cover the offending area and compliment the trousers.

ferry23

"Succumb"?

Goodness, I hope I never "succumb" to belittling people on a forum.

We seem to be picking the wrong threads today Doodlebug

I wonder how old ‘Petra’ is? She may be too young, or older and very fit, yet to need the comfort of loose fitting clothes.
None of us wish to be old and frumpy as no doubt ‘Petra’ sees us, but many of us have issues that make us need a looser fit. I’m 80 next year and always wear fitted jeans/trousers when I go out, but working at home I am very happy in my smart, but comfy, elasticated waisted trousers. Very good for UTI issues too! I ‘succumbed’ a log time ago…!

Elastic trousers can leave smoother silhouette. No zips poking out or muffin tops. M and S have most amazing pull on trousers wide leg heavy fabric in several colours. Purchased to cope with hip replacements, xrays( no metal) and examinations. Plus hiatus hernia like an alien symbiot in my tummy! Plus thunder thighs. Add to list I have Acromegaly after a brain tumour and Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency both causing weight issues and poor self image. Some are over 3 years old and like new. Little pleats at waist and no ironing! Great for the price. I feel very smart in these trousers. Chunky loafer, ballet flats. Self colour roll neck . Plus I’m 74 and make an effort to looked groomed. No energy for beauty treatments just good haircut. Sod the elastic waste band crew. Oh and I’ve fab pair of pull on Halaracwide leg jeans. My v cool granddaughters aged 19 and 21 often borrow my clothes!!! Onward and Upward❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I love an elasticated waist. At 75 I just want to be comfortable.