The best elastic pants
I don’t miss buttons – anything about them. The difference between a form-fitting pair of pants and an assault on my waistline is so subtle, it can shift with one sip of seltzer. I’ve long questioned why we do this to ourselves, but our other options were minimal until athleisure rose to prominence and then became the norm. Now, for many of us, the coziness can extend beyond weekend brunch and into our business hours. Prominent fashion designers are showcasing versatile pieces that pull double duty in every aspect of our lives. Elastic is a fixture instead of a reprieve. We are saying goodbye to the daily button and not looking back.
In my own shift to remote work, I’ve scoured the internet for the best stretchy bottoms. And trust me, there are clear winners. These are pieces that carry you from school drop-off, to Peloton yoga, to your basement desk, to long conference call walks, to the kids’ play mat, and even to happy hour. We do so much. Let the following pants do something for you.
Spacedye is otherworldly, with fits flattering enough to accentuate what you want seen but thick enough to hide what you don’t. Everything stays put, too. Beyond Yoga walks the walk with size inclusivity, offering many styles in an ever-changing variety of seasonal colors. The best part is piecing together a full monochrome outfit, because almost every bottom has several top options available. It takes the thought out of getting dressed, and as I continue to shop my feelings through the color wheel, I can truly dress my mood. (See below.)
Lulu has come a long way from its see-through butt scandal of yesteryear. I will admit that in the wake of its PR and quality troubles, I searched elsewhere for running tights, but nothing would ever stay up, suck in, and breathe, quite like them. But we’re not running today. The Align High-Rise pants are like wearing nothing. Truly, they feel like you’re Donald Ducking around town with no pants on. They are thin, and yet somehow, avoid being see-through.
Don’t call it a jegging – that’s last decade’s fashion illusion. rag & bone has made sweatpants that look exactly like jeans and could fool almost anyone. They come in different “washes” and even have buttons and pockets printed on them. The price is a heavy lift, but I purchased mine on sale through ShopBop and would encourage you hold out for a deal, too.
Have you returned to the office a couple days a week? Can’t bring yourself to take the Ann Taylor work dresses out of the dry cleaning plastic yet, or ever? Athleta offers versatile crossover pants, which feel like joggers but look like chinos. Dress them up or down with ease. Athleta has many great city/commuter pants, but I like the Brooklyn cut the most.
Look, here’s the truth. These Spanx leggings are harder to get on than tummy control panty hose, which I haven’t worn since someone guilted me into them during an internship in law school. But the results are flawless, chic lines for your legs and a little extra suck for your gut. Pair them with a t-shirt by day or a blazer by night. They’re worth the struggle.
The little things
I originally chose this photo to showcase a Spacedye set from Beyond Yoga, but there’s more to it. In August, we planned to spend several weeks away with family and then BOOM, another near miss with COVID upended our plans. Instead of doing what I’d do in the past - sulk, do nothing, and feel sorry for myself - I sprung into action, rearranging my vacation days from work and finding us a last-minute beach rental at the Jersey Shore in a new town where we new absolutely nothing except for the address of the house. It was so incredibly unlike us. And so incredibly amazing. When I look at this photo on the deck during happy hour, I smile.
Also
Kristen Stewart as Diana. November 5th. This trailer. Wow.