Some thoughts about elastic waists

[Chokkii]

It was a welcome variation after almost 2 decades of skinny fit dominance.

Trouble is, there's no variation from the v v v high waists now, so in a similar vein, we still have little choice. I wasn't a skinny trouser/jeans fan, so the relaxed styles were a godsend, but it is the waist heights that puzzle me.

Worst of all, for me, is how it has taken over pyjama bottoms. I prefer how they used to sit, straight legs with flat mid high waistbands that just didn't pull on the skin. Now they are all super high rise with scratchy exposed elastic, so bunch up around me with tons of waist fabric when I sit down.

And they seem to have taken over everything, growing higher by the year. Now I can't find a sensible middle (what used to be high!) rise anywhere apart from young teen stores, and as someone who used to buy a lot of stuff from Toast, I can't get past the inordinately massive wide legs on everything and enormous elastic waistbands that sit like a rolled up carpet against my ribs. They don't even sell anything tapered anymore.

What do others think? Is it going too far? A high waist used to look neat and decent, but they have really gone nuts now.
I do believe the stores are stuffed full of elastic waists to minimise customer returns. Also probably connected to higher BMI's and are easier/cheaper to manufacture, without having to worry about shaping or higher standards of tailoring.

Most of these offerings are in the £145 mark, and if you go higher, it seems to get worse - consider brands like Oska for instance, over £200/300 for a drawstring sack. Even if there are nice shapes and fabrics, the 'duffle bag' style waists look cheap.

If they don't want to put buttons on things (it's a fair enough idea) then why not create more flat, elastic waistbands that streamline the belly and hip area without the dreadful pull string bunching?

Thank you for listening to my grump

Wanted to add, that I do find elastic waists comfortable, just not the bunched up folds that make me look like a 'box'. And they're everywhere! This pic is an example of what i mean.

I do think we could make attractive elastic waists, but no one seems to want to.

I only wear elasticated waists because my waist and top is a size 12 and my bottom is a 14, but the ones I buy are fairly low rise with flat elastic that's really comfortable. Mind you it takes a while to find places that sell those. I don't buy anything that bunches round the waist.

I tend to buy things like this. They are very flattering and no bunching. Sorry photo refuses to load. Will try again.

Well I had wondered if it was just me, since they must be popular!

I am 5'4 and pretty average proportions, am slim, so no idea why they make me look so awful.
I just think I need a more streamlined fit, maybe.

It's all that extra pelvic fabric, it never sits well if waist is elastic - do you lot cover that area up, and if so doesn't the top bunch up all lumpy ?

I totally get this.

Interested to know which ones @Gettingbysomehow buys - could you post a link please?

I do think that it is about saving costs, it would be VERY east to manufacture loose, flowing clothes with darts and a neat flow from the top of the arse downwards.

I have some old wide legs trousers with a flat elastic waist (that does not bunch), that flow beautifully over the arse. I think they were from Next in the early 2000's.

I think we have trained our eyes to accept badly made clothes.

I completely resonate with this, I like elastic waistbands and I suffer with bloating but they look boxy on me. Flat fronted elastic waistbands are the dream but I rarely see anything around.

here for the inspiration from others!

I'm not finding waists are that high. Typically they sit just above my belly button which, to me, feels normal and comfortable and is still below my natural waist. Once they start to fall below the belly button they become increasingly uncomfortable until they reach a point where I just give up buying jeans or trousers until the trend reverses.

I agree with you about elasticated waists though. I don't even dislike them but it's a very specific style that I don't want to wear all the time. I'd noticed that Toast do little else now unless you can pay over £200. They must be much easier and quicker to produce than trousers with a fitted waistband so it's hard not to conclude that it's about cutting costs.

I buy trousers with the soft flat elasticated waists, sorry these happen to be cotton traders, not everyone's cup of tea but I've found them in lots of places, just a matter of looking, halara also, next, various others. There is no bunching and they are just so comfortable.
https://www.cottontraders.com/leg-lengths/stretch-jersey-denim-wide-leg-pull-on-trousers/AC16615011.html?src=SGL3&utm_source=GoogleShoppingUK&country=uk&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22697850169&gclid=CjwKCAjw-svEBhB6EiwAEzSdrmwfYy8lIqLjpbRMEaLdqDU8wbWeoYNyd1Zv022y4B7PIJ7KVJVpZhoC3XgQAvD_BwE

Yes, I agree, have no idea what happened to Toast. No variation at all, and considering the cost I would expect much better tailoring at the waists, too.

I don't mind high, just not too high. Some in M&S have a tiny zipper then a foot long crotch, no matter what the style of jeans, and it really looks dreadful unless fully covered up.

I feel as if the oversized trend has accelerated, and it looks almost comedic at the moment. I much prefer the more subtle flow of the oversized stuff when it first came back to the stores. COS were great, too, at the time.

It is definitely a laziness and cost issue.

I am attaching a pic of a pair of yoga pants, but I want to use it to illustrate that even jersey can have a streamlined waist if they'd just try. No need for yards of scrunched up fabric at the waist, it is uncomfortable to sit in and far too hot for summer.

I’m 5ft 10 so love high waists as they hit around my belly button. Also love elastic waist as they stretch when I swell up
Might not be flattering but I often look heavily pregnant due to swelling so comfort is my thing

I bloat a lot too, and still think a flat, smooth elastic waist would be far more comfy than a ruched tie string. You'd still have the comfort but less lumpy stuff so tops could sit better and we'd have more choice what to wear. I think we are so used to the crap designs that we accept them :(

I high waist wide leg would be lovely with a flat elastic waist!

'duffle bag' made me laugh!

Yes I expect the elastic waist is to make one pair of a particular size fit more people.

It used to be bit of an old-fashioned style of 'trews' to have an elasticated back but this style can give a more streamlined look but still accommodate a few extra pounds! I have a few pairs of linen trousers from M&S that have elastic at the back only, so no duffle bag effect!

I've enjoyed the oversize look but what I like is a well tailored, mannish looking blazer and it's gone quite a bit further than that. From what I can gather though, it's now on the turn.

Regarding Oska, I cut them a bit more slack than I do Toast because they've been putting out that style of trouser for as long as I can remember so it's not like they've jumped onto a trend. Plus they've always used (and I hope they're still doing so?) a much heavier fabric than other retailers so their clothes just hang a lot better.

The Hollister livvy high waist have that and are v comfy

It used to be bit of an old-fashioned style of 'trews' to have an elasticated back but this style can give a more streamlined look but still accommodate a few extra pounds!

'Sure, deck your limbs in pants,
Yours are the limbs, my sweeting.
You look divine as you advance . . .
Have you seen yourself retreating?'
(IOgden Nash)

I have rejected umpteen pairs of linen trousers at the scrolling stage because the flat front gave way to an accommodating but unattractive elasticated rear.

I totally agree that the oversized look has gone a bit too far. I like a wide legged trouser but tried these on yesterday with DD aged 8 in the changing room with me and she took one look at me and said "No Mummy, just no." She was absolutely right!

https://www.fatface.com/style/su498855/au7887

Those tan coloured yoga pants above look great, but on me the waist would have doubled over to my navel the minute I sat down. Just the way my body is made, and I've tried many!

I am a big fan of elasticated (I call them "comfort" waists 😊) since at my ancient age I really don't care much anymore for what's in style. The oversized stuff is a total joke now though. I am a size 12, and a lovely little waistcoat/vesty thing with pockets that's perfect for throwing on over a T shirt was too big in a size XS, that's extra small. I'm no fool to think I am actually that size lol.

I’m not sure that high waist necessarily means elastic waist, or vice versa. I get what you mean with the bunching and lots of extra fabric. Ive been wearing stretch fabric or elastic waists for years and I don’t think they’ve always had this effect. You mention PJs, but my PJs are perfect, flat elastic on my summer ones and a very thin elastic threaded through on my winter ones. I wish day time clothes were more like this.

I first noticed it on some jeans from Joules a few years ago, they were 'slim girlfriend' jeans and looked lovely on.
When I returned home and wore them, I noticed that a pool of denim fell into folds when I sat down - there was so much fabric in the crotch that it literally spilled down my legs

I tried some on in john lewis recently, can't recall the brand but a wide linen drawstring affair.....the legs were so wide I looked like a crumpled disney princess.

I think it's because the fabric is so cheap they don't mind giving us lots of it - since they don't have to worry about chucking any money at such bothersome details as tailoring or fit.

What we need is variety in waist styles. I suspect that when @Floisme stops buying trousers because the waists have fallen too far, I will be heaving a sigh of relief and starting to restock a wardrobe that's becoming threadbare (literally) and perilously depleted thanks to the predominance of high-waisted styles. As a slim pear I like waistbands that rest on my hip bones: comfortable, no need to choose between a gaping waistband and unpleasantly tight fit round my backside and plenty of breathing or bloating room.

The commercial imperative to minimise online returns has probably driven the spread of elasticated waists and the addition of elastane to almost everything (at least in my price bracket) but I don't think that the swathes of viscose everywhere can be accounted for in the same way and I've started to dislike this stealth colonisation just as much.

It's obvious that the ubiquity of elasticated waists constrains designs, but the effects of always using fabrics with stretch and give are more subtle. Viscose doesn't hang well, it clings, drapes and droops limply. Unless you have Olympian glutes or an elephant arse there's a good chance that wide-leg trousers or a loose-fitting skirt will leave you becalmed in acres of lifeless, unstructured fabric. Of course the photos show the models swishing their skirt, captured mid-stride or in some weird pose: it's the only way to disguise the shapeless bulk of fabric.

I'm not sure why the flared yoga pant-style the OP posted isn't more popular (never worn yoga pants). I can only guess that there are too many women who don't like the way the fabric clings to their large or muscular thighs or arse, then droops limply. The thinner women probably don't appreciate the wrinkles.

I actually think sportswear is where the elastane/lycra revolution has been wholly positive. I spend a decent proportion of my time in cycling shorts or running tights with anything up to 20% lycra and it means I don't have to worry much about fit. It also means that there's still a choice of waist styles, because no-one has to worry about stuff falling down. I can choose a lowish, thinnish, relatively non-compressive waistband that’s comfy during intense cardiovascular exercise and someone else can choose a wide, compressive waist to hold her flabby tummy in. The last trousers I bought are nominally for golf and 98% cotton, 2% elastane: I'm sure the 2% elastane added to the cotton allows women who actually wear them for golf to bend and swing freely with confidence that nothing's going to rip embarrassingly!

Apologies for the essay. I can rant about the deleterious effects of elastic and viscose on the design of mid-market clothes whenever you like. And before anyone suggests polyester, I have ecological objections to oil-based synthetics and no, recycling doesn't solve the problems.

I haven't noticed waistbands being excessively high.
The bunching can be an issue though. For wide legged bottoms I often size down one so they sit flatter on my middle.

I absolutely love elastic waistbands and the wide leg trousers. So much more comfortable than a button and zip.

No no! Thank you for the essay, you speak my mind!
I live in dedicated hiking gear, thankfully (!!) in a rainy area, so have an excuse, always comfortable, always happy. It's the in-between occasions that wreck me, weddings, meetings, etc.
I live in Arcteryx and Fjallraven, scout holiday areas for sales.

It is most obviosulsly an effort to reduce returns, that awful sack of mustard yellow linen trousers in my earlier post from Toast serves to illustrate that, and at any perceivable price point. This used to be the preserve of Bon Marche, and now it's at Toast for £250.

Do people gaslight themselves and just adapt?
This is what confuses me the most - women 40+ really ought to recall a good fit, whether loose fit or neat.

The photo of the yoga pants I posted does beg the question of why can't linen and wide legged trousers have a neat and comfortable waist, that doesn't bunch or billow pointless reams of cheap fabric? It's obviously easily done.

Perhaps the 'market' are less decisive, less discriminating, due to the permanent pushing down of inflation on clothing goods.. If it's cheap, it's good.

I sometimes wonder about young women, in their teens, this is all they've ever seen.