Whether you struggle with inconsistent sizing, waist gapping, or pocket problems – well, Goldilocks, we’ll help you find pants that are just right.
Does the idea of shopping for new pants fill you with dread? We’ve all been there. There are few things worse than walking into a dressing room thinking you’ve finally found the dream pair, only to try them on and find they’re actually a nightmare. This might lead you to a frustrated tirade known as the pant rant. “I’m only wearing dresses for the rest of my life, even if there are two feet of snow!” you might shout. “I’d rather have a root canal than do this again! Pants are the enemy!”
Before your fellow shoppers take out their cellphones to post your meltdown on YouTube, take a breather. We feel your pain, and we want to help. That’s why we came up with the most common grievances women have when choosing a pair of pants and curated some perfect pairs that are guaranteed to flatter all bodies – and take the guesswork out of finding your perfect fit. Check out our picks, all available at Talbots, and you’ll never have another trouser tantrum again.
Problem: Pants are always too long for me
A frequent issue shorter women face is that most pants are too long and need to be tailored. If you want to avoid the extra cost of tailoring, you can roll up the bottoms, but that’s a really specific, casual look that you might not always be in the mood for. Plus, cuffed pants tend to draw attention downward, which detracts from your fabulous outfit! Luckily, we found a style that’ll have you looking as tall as you feel.
Solution: Talbots Portland Trouser
Courtesy of Talbots
The Portland pant works for all heights. The stretch fabric makes them easy to take on and off (meaning you won’t have to spend five minutes forcing them down every time you visit the bathroom!) and the extremely subtly flared leg leaves the ideal amount of room at your lower legs while still providing a slim, elongating cut. As if that weren’t enough, these pants (like all the styles here) come in petite, so you won’t have to spend a fortune getting them tailored.
Problem: No matter what size I wear, my pants either bunch in the front or pull in the back
The awkward, uncomfortable bunching in the front occurs when pants are designed with excess fabric on the top with a tighter leg. If you’re tempted to go down even one size, it can cause pulling in the back. These issues are exacerbated if the material is too thick or too thin, and it might feel like there’s no middle ground.
Solution: Talbots Hampshire Ankle Pants
Courtesy of Talbots
For all of you who are looking for that elusive style that’s neither too loose nor too tight, we’re thrilled to introduce you to the Hampshire pant. These pants virtually eliminate excess fabric in your belly area because of the flat front cut, which completely eradicates any bunching or pulling. The fabric is also thick enough that it won’t gather in any unwelcome places, and the elastic in the back means the pants will even out your midsection without any bunching. As a bonus, the Invisiflex Comfort Waist Technology quite literally adjusts to your body, so it will also smooth over any other fit issues you might have in that region.
Problem: I can’t find a pair of pants that comfortably accentuates my backside
Having fabric riding up your backside is extremely uncomfortable, but nobody wants to wear something that looks saggy in the rear. Unfortunately, many brands only model their designs off one body type, so they don’t take women with curves or more boyish figures into consideration when designing pants. That’s when backside issues arise.
Solution: Talbots Greenwich Pants
Courtesy of Talbots
If you’re looking for a pair of pants that offer a great “rear view,” look no further than the Greenwich pants. The knit fabric is thick enough that it physically cannot ride up in the back, and the fashionable wide leg cut combined with the high waist will make any woman look like she’s spent the day doing squats at the gym. No matter your size, this style is specifically designed to balance your proportions. The positioning of the side buttons creates a silhouette that will have you looking in the mirror and saying, “Wow! I feel amazing!”
Problem: Pants that look great on me in the morning stretch out two sizes by the afternoon
Picture this: You’re in the dressing room and finally find that elusive pair of perfect pants. Hooray! You’re so excited when you put them on the next morning, but after a long day you look in the mirror and do a double take — are these seriously the same pair of pants I put on this morning? After just a few hours, your new favorite pants are all bagged and stretched out, looking three times bigger than when you put them on that morning. “Jeggings” seemed for a moment like fix for this issue, until people realized they looked a bit too much like workout pants disguised as real pants. So what’s a gal to do?
Solution: Talbots Chatham Pants
Courtesy of Talbots
The slim leg is the hardest cut to pull off when it comes to warding off loosening throughout the day, but the Chatham pant has cracked the code. They’ve got that natural cotton look you crave, but there’s also a slight stretch to the fabric so they’ll look just as great at the end of the day as they did when you first put them on. Plus, they come in more colors and prints than you could possibly imagine, so you can get a pair for every day of the week. Also, it goes without saying, but these pants are unbelievably chic.
Problem: When I wear pants for too long, I chafe between my thighs
There is absolutely nothing more uncomfortable than thigh chafe, but it’s something that almost every woman has experienced at some point in her life. Unfortunately, it’s generally not appropriate to wear soft and comfy sweatpants all day, every day (except maybe if you’re still working from home) so most women have just sucked it up and accepted the discomfort as a fact of life. Ladies — we deserve better.
Solution: Talbots Tribeca Pants
Courtesy of Talbots
The Tribeca pants may look like a normal pair of slim-leg trousers, but don’t be fooled — they’re comfortable, but also have the tailored, professional look of a starched pair of slacks. The magic ingredient in these pants is the front pleating. It will give you some extra breathing room around your thighs whether you’re walking or sitting down, and the illusion created by the pleats will make you look professional even while you feel like you’re snuggling in your favorite PJs. With the ankle-length style, you can pair them with your favorite shoes and strut your stuff in comfort all day.
Problem: I can’t fit anything larger than a piece of gum into my pants pockets
If there’s one way women’s fashion has failed us, it’s the lack of pockets. Even if you’re lucky enough to find a pair of pants with pockets, they’re usually so small and close to the underlying fabric that you can see the exact bulging outline of whatever you’ve stored in there. Possibly even more offensive than a pair of pants without pockets are those with fake pockets — a cruel joke from the fashion Gods. Women have stuff to carry, too — arguably more stuff than men — yet we’re always expected to carry around a bulky purse. It’s time to put an end to this injustice.
Solution: Talbots Weston Pants
Courtesy of Talbots
The Weston pants are the pocketed pants we all deserve. The wide leg and high waist are comfortable and on-trend, and the pants have pocket space for days. You can carry your phone, keys, and wallet in them, and the pleated detail will keep you from looking like you’ve got pockets full of rocks.
No matter your problem, Talbots believes that women of all shapes and sizes deserve to wear pants they love to live in because the perfect fit changes everything.
Love these looks? Get an exclusive discount now at Talbots with code PANTS30*.
*30% off regular-price pants plus free shipping valid online and by phone 9/5/23-9/17/23. Online use promo code PANTS30. Not combinable with other offers, Exclusions apply. Free shipping offer applies for catalog, phone, and online orders shipped by standard delivery (3–7 business days on in-stock items) to one shipping address within the continental U.S. or Canada. Additional charges may apply for express delivery and/or multiple shipping addresses. Cannot be used at Talbots Outlet or Clearance stores. All promotional offers exclude third-party brands. For a full list of exclusions, please visit www.talbots.com. Offer is subject to availability and Talbots reserves the right to change or withdraw the offer at any time without prior notice. Taxes, shipping and handling fees, purchases of Gift Cards or e-gift Cards, and payment of a Talbots Credit Card are excluded from the discount. Offers may not be combined with other offers, coupons, or discounts and cannot be used for prior purchases. No rain checks. No price adjustments. No cash value. Not transferable. Associates of Talbots and its affiliates are not eligible. Retirees and corporate accounts of Talbots and its affiliates also are not eligible.
