A Leap Of Faith In A Pair Of Pants
WHY PANTS?
Why I started my own business designing women’s pants and why I’m designing pants are two different stories.
That night in the fitting room (while trying to help women survive the relentless pursuit of a decent pair of pants), my idea would never have formed if I hadn’t already been there, done that.
Pants rarely fit the way I want and are even less likely to bring me joy. I’d rather wear a dress every day of the week.
But to be part of our society, to enjoy everything we have the freedom to do, pants are quite often a requirement.
THE PROBLEM(S) WITH PANTS
The first pair of pants I remember seriously disliking were these jeans I had at eight years old. One of the many issues was the awfully awkward length that left my ankles exposed to the cold winter air.
Pants are just plain difficult to get right. Whether it was because of trending styles, cheap fabrics, available sizes and fits, bad design, or my budget, I felt uncomfortable, unfashionable, and even miserable in the worst of them.
I can still hear myself saying “I look stupid.”
Time passed, online shopping arrived with it’s unlimited possibilities (Tall!), but hopes were dashed when the same problems remained.
I was still stuck between lengths and sizes, and I realized that the most interesting, fun, and beautiful designs don’t come in Tall, even online.
Ill-fitting Compromise
The apparel industry has made some progress recently with trendy fashion in larger sizes and various fits, like Curvy. But all the fashions and fits offered are pointless unless you have a size that meets your body’s proportions.
We’ve learned to compromise on comfort or style, or both.
We pay more than we should, hoping high cost means high quality.
We put up with ill-fitting pants, telling ourselves we really don’t care that we’re wearing the wrong size, perhaps without even realizing there could be something better.
But I’ve never stopped hoping for pants that are comfortable, functional, flattering, and in a style I love - those perfect pants that make me feel so good.
I just stopped shopping and started designing.
WHY DRESS PANTS?
Jeans and other pants have their issues, but women’s dress pants are a critical gap that’s been ignored for too long by the apparel industry.
Call them dress pants, slacks, trousers, or whatever, these pants are an essential part of a woman’s wardrobe and are not to be neglected.
Tailored Style
Dress pants require precise measurements, including length, to achieve a truly comfortable and polished look. With a fit like this, only swimsuit shopping surpasses the stamina required to find flattering dress pants.
What could benefit any more from customized lengths than a garment designed for a precise fit?
Form and Function
Women typically wear dress pants to serve a specific function and meet a dress code (perhaps unspoken). But once you throw in desired comfort and style, it’s possible you’ll never find the dress pants you’re looking for.
The days I’ve caved and worn functional, but uncomfortable and unflattering pants were no fun. I’d spend too much energy thinking about how awkward I felt and still try to stay engaged and focus on my work.
If your clothing is malfunctioning, it’s understandable that your day is going to be a little bit worse.
There’s a simple solution, wearing pants that are as pleasing as they are utilitarian. If you can only find them!
Best Foot Forward
No one wants to walk into a special event or spend the day at the office feeling uncomfortable in their clothes - especially when it could have been avoided.
A woman wears dress pants to put her best foot forward, and whether it’s to a social event or the professional arena, it’s almost always for occasions where important impressions are made.
So you put on your armor. The clothes that carry your presence and communicate your personality, dress pants that inspire your confidence and let you feel like your best self.
Whether you want to or not, we all make statements with our clothing.
The questions is, what kind of impression do you want to make and what pants will you be wearing?