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08/25/2007
The Quest for the Perfect Lounge Pants
I am tall. I love lounge pants. And I can't find lounge pants in tall sizes. This drives me crazy. Why should I have to suffer because I grew to need a 35 inch inseam? Now stores have done a good job offering jeans and pants in tall sizes but it is impossible to find my favorite pant--the lounge pant--with similar sizing. It is high-water city for me which I can't stand. It really does make me mad--don't I deserve the same rights and privileges that my shorter friends enjoy? It is maddening.
It occurred to me in the last six months or so that I may have to take some drastic measures. I might just have to make them myself. Problem is, knitted lounge pants don't sound all that loungy. I didn't want to think it but I knew it was the only way...I was going to have to learn to (gulp) sew. I have talked before about how bad I am at the sewing thing. In reality, I don't know if I am really bad or just unpracticed. I think it is high time I find out.
Last Saturday was the first of two Sewing 101 classes I am taking. Today is the second class, we are making tote bags. You want to see the fabric I bought for my bag?
Cute fabric=point 1 for sewing
Today's class is the true test of my interest and skill. If it goes well I just might be buying a sewing machine. Think of it, I could line my own knitted bags and add zippers without skilled friends taking pity on me. Am I dreaming too big here?
As to my quest, if there was a "learn to make long lounge pants" class I would have totally taken it. But I am hoping the tote bag project will give me confidence to brave my true dream. Imagine a world where Erin can lounge in pants that break below her ankles. It is almost too much.
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Comments
I have a 35" inseam too. I'm also frustrated with the lack of casual wear for tall ladies. I usually end up buying extra large sizes and hoping they droop enough to make it to my ankles - a poor substitute for proper length pants.
But, like you said, at least we can buy jeans now. I love the fit of jeans from Ann Taylor Loft.
Posted by: Kaitie Tee | 08/25/2007
My 6-foot tall sister shares your woe. The surest way to incur her wrath is to put her jeans in the dryer (the shrinkage!!!). ;) Does GapBody have anything that works? I know that my sister goes to them for her jeans.
Lounge pants are quick and easy to sew, though (just remember to get the right sewing machine needles if you're using a knit fabric - I think they're labeled "ballpoint").
Posted by: Katinka | 08/25/2007
As a teen (we're talking 1980s) I sewed almost all my clothes, and I could sew pretty complicated things. Then I went to college, didn't have access to Mom's wonderful sewing machine, and I stopped sewing. Now I have a basic Kenmore machine I bought 10-12 years ago, but I've yet to try again to sew for myself. I'm panicked at the thought. I have many more curves now (I'm not tall, but I have a 13" difference between my waist and hips); sewing and curves are risky endeavor. However, I can't find off-the-rack clothes that fit well (except sweaters which I prefer to knit--the irony!), so I am accepting that I need to face my fear of sewing, the machine, woven fabric, and the "once-you've-cut-there's-no-going-back" paranoia. I need to conquer this fear as I have beautiful Blackberry Sea Silk to knit into a wonderful lace shawl and NO clothing appropriate to wear underneath. Therefore, I admire your courage, and I look forward to seeing what I am certain will be a stunning pair of long-legged lounge pants!
Posted by: Brenda | 08/25/2007
35" inseams represent!! You need Athleta. Not all of their gym/lounge pants come in tall, but those that do are 35"
Not to discourage your sewing, of course :)
Posted by: Ashley | 08/25/2007
PS Athleta is expensive, but at this point in my life I'm willing to shell out for pants that are long enough.
Posted by: Ashley | 08/25/2007
For lounge pants (if you don't mind the manly look) I always go for the mens xxl.
34" and feeling your pain.
Posted by: becky | 08/25/2007
I recently took a sewing class, also. I love it and made a great skirt.....with the 1point for cute fabric. There is a really cute lounge pants pattern in Amy Butlers new book In Stitches, along with much other cuteness. And I highly recommend going to estate sales and garage sales for machines. You can often get the older, nice ones that still have all the metal instead of plastic parts for between 5 to 20 dollars.
Posted by: Christy/ Not Hip | 08/25/2007
I know what you mean! I'm not quite as tall as you, but I still need a longer inseam than most pants come in. Even when I can find pants that are "tall", they usually don't come in small enough sizes for me. I did make some lounge pants for myself years ago, and I've actually been thinking of making some again. I just hate sewing, though.
Posted by: Cheryl S. | 08/25/2007
i am 5'4". i will send the bottom 6" that i have extra from my lounge pants and you can sew it onto the bottom of yours!
Posted by: dawn | 08/25/2007
34" and sympathetic!! I usually end up buying really large sizes. Looking forward to seeing your first pair of lounge pants!
Posted by: Chris | 08/25/2007
Lounge pants and tote bags are a good place to start. It will just take some practice. Don't be hard on yourself. Time and effort will make you better at sewing with each project.
Posted by: margene | 08/25/2007
Amy Butler's book In Stitches has the perfect wide-legged lounge pants pattern. it's super easy and oh so comfy. and you can make it any length you want. i just bought a bunch of fabric to make flannel pjs for winter. i'm just waiting til it's no longer 90 so i can make them up.
Posted by: Sara | 08/25/2007
I bought my sewing machine second-hand probably 20 years ago and it's still damn sweet. It's a White with basically nothing but forward, reverse, and zigzag. Perfect for me. Even though I haven't used it in forever I won't give it up because I just MIGHT make me some lounge pants someday.
You are very talented--I'm just surprised you're timid about anything! Go for it, with enthusiasm!
Posted by: Alarming Female | 08/25/2007
You can do it! I'm the opposite - I'm only 5'2" so I'm always hemming my pants but that is much easier than adding length (impossible)!
Posted by: tiennie | 08/26/2007
Hi! delurking. I'm petite, so I end up walking all over the bottom of my pants--jeans, lounge, whatever. And, I also do a little sewing in addition to knitting. It's not so hard. I know you're going to be sewing up a storm in no time, just based on the attention to detail you put into your knitting. P.S. I have a little blue Kenmore sewing machine I bought at Sears for less than $100 two years ago and it's a good, basic, reliable machine.
Posted by: *karen | 08/26/2007
You are hilarious. I am sure you will succeed in your quest to sew your own long-enough lounge pants. Best of luck! I love the tote bag material.
Posted by: Cayenne | 08/26/2007
It is so *sucky* that the majority of people can never find nice, comfy clothes that fit PROPERLY. My tops are always too short- i have a long upper body- and it drives me insane.
Here's to sewing, so we can be comfortable in what we wear, and because sewing quite simply rocks! :0)
Posted by: vera | 08/27/2007
Harumpf on the lounge pants sources!
Please don't let this sound creepy, but I'd be glad to sew you some lounge pants. They are loose enough to not require fitting. When I used to wear size 3x I used to sew them for myself. It takes about 2 hours, cutting out included.
The other option for yourself is to sew contrasting extensions along the bottom hem. It would look cute and be very easy to do
Posted by: Eileen | 08/27/2007
All I can think of is the movie "mixed nuts" where she is knitting him a pair of pajamas~
Posted by: annzy | 08/27/2007
Delurking to say I also have the too damn tall issue with my pants and I love Victoria's Secret Yoga pants they come in 36'' inseam!!!
But, there is the special pride that goes along with making your own clothes so good luck!
Posted by: Liz | 08/27/2007
I had the same lament for so long too! Now I buy all my "leisure wear" at lucy (www.lucy.com). They sell active wear from yoga/lounge wear to peformance fabrics. They not only have long sizes in pants, but also in some tops (although I'm afraid this might have been a short lived experiment as I haven't seen them for awhile). Very flattering styles and fits, and bottoms are soon transitioning from s-m-l to # sizes for a greater size range. Sewing lounge pants yourself is a good idea too. Part of why I love knitting sweaters is the prospect of sweaters with long enough (even too long!) sleeves.
Posted by: Gwyn | 08/27/2007
Saw you on Knitting Daily. Of all the photos of cute ladies wearing the Blouson, your photo was my favorite. What a cute sweater! I hope you are having fun at IK. Lucky.
Posted by: Cayenne | 08/27/2007
I have a weird waist to ankle length and normal pants are to long and petite pants to short. It's annoying and I have to hem everything. My first sewed clothing were a pair of pajama pants (I am a quilter too), it seemed to go well. Good luck!
Posted by: nova | 08/28/2007
Erin, for you and all the tall gals out there who seem to be de-lurking, I thought I'd pass on some of my favorite sources for flood-prone (no high water here) pants.
A tall fashion blog:
http://www.verticallygifted.com/
A very good quality UK store that sometimes offers free international shipping specials:
http://www.longtallsally.com/Default.aspx
I have lounge/yoga pants that I had to hem UP (!!!!!) to 36" from the store Tall Girl, but I have not been happy with most of the clothing I bought there. I find that it's cheaply made and overpriced.
How's the running? Have you kept it up after your move?
Posted by: Natalie | 08/29/2007
you know, us short folks have a similar dilemma - only opposite; all (yes all) my pants need to be hemmed. argh. So i wonder how many women are out there with those"average" length legs? (grin)
rah rah on the sewing. Some sewing machine places will rent machines for a few months so you can really be sure you like it before you buy.
Posted by: Teyani | 09/02/2007
I know this is an older post but nobody mentioned it so I figured I'd add it to the list. I found a great fleece set from Eddie Bauer with long inseams. I had to buy a size larger than I normally would but I LOVE them. It's nice to have to pull the pant leg up to let my ankles chill instead of not having a choice. :D
Posted by: Michelle | 09/05/2007
Just read this post and wanted to echo Michelle's sentiment. I need a 35" too and LOVE my pjs from Eddie Bauer. I don't buy many "regular" clothes from them, but their plaid flannel or cotton pants are comfy and the tops come in tall too. I can throw them in the dryer and they are still perfect (how often does that happen?). Just gifted a pair to a tall friend and she told me how much she loves them too! :) Good luck....
Posted by: K | 09/12/2007