One day, in my normal traverse of the internet I came across these beauties:
(Use this
link if you purchase
them and we will both benefit!)
I felt ecstatic. Pants that I could wear all day. They would simplify my life! I could now stop by the university library on my way to the gym, so convenient!
I technically am in a constant state of on my way to yoga class/club or other exercise activity these days.
It turns out that SAD work pants are actually tight. Tighter and more revealing than jeans.
Unless they are loose and baggy. Like pajamas.
It turns out that work pants are actually tight. Tighter and more revealing than jeans.
Unless they are loose and baggy. Like pajamas.
This Blew. My. Mind. I figured it out in Fall 2014 when I taught my first university class. The last time I needed to dress like a young professional on a regular basis was in 2008. I went with older professional in an attempt to establish credibility as a leader among my peers.
I was about 20-30 lbs heavier and wasn't checking on the low-rise straight legs at Express, Banana Republic or The Limited, if you know what I mean. I was at JC Penney's and Kohl's checking up on the high (natural) waist, flat front, side zipper, conservative pants.
Over the summer 2014, I searched my local thrift stores with no dressing rooms for work pants 6 sizes smaller than last time. I was amazed when I tried them on at home and they were form fitting. In disbelief I ran them by Dan and he said "that's just how work pants fit. They look right." My mind said, "then what is the big freaking deal about leggings after all?" Subsequent observation has revealed that on typical work pants, like those worn by myself and my observable, young, professional, contemporaries, all of the pockets are just for decoration.
On days when I couldn't deal with the tight, typical, conventional work pants I would wear thai fisherman pants. These are huge pants made of swaths of cotton linen, that fold over like origami and tie in the front, then the top is folded down over the tie.
Depending on the material they are made of and how much extra material there is they look very similar to my Tahari dress pants that go with my Tahari blazer composing my one adult suit that isn't from the '90's and is my size. I don't have a picture of myself in that suit. But I do have this gem from high school business club, 1999:
(All of those suits I chose in the 90's are suspect now. They are in colors like turquoise (teal's darker sibling) and rose pink and feature embroidery or rick rack.)
I cast off my fisherman pants for winter, when the weather is more amenable to less drafty pants and shoes that offer more coverage than buffalo sandals. Even though they look business casual, thai fisherman pants are comfortable such that I began to doubt my own credibility as an adult when I wore them professionally or in life. Though I'm sure that when spring rolls around again and from summer wafts forth heat and humidity, I will return to the fisherman pant and a more relaxed sensibility. Enter the yoga work pant!
The
yoga work pant, looks exactly like straight, clean, neat, work pants, but allows me to run right to yoga class after work, and to stop by the grocery store at prime time, chagrin free. Available in black, other neutral colors, and
plaid or
herringbone. Plaid and herring bone are currently in the crowd funding stage (which means they are 10% off too!)
I am enjoying my work yoga pants so much. I have to say thanks designer Sarah James and Betabrand, this is brilliant!
After my original Facebook post, I got so many inquiries about where to find these pants that I decided to blog about it after all. (Link to referenced huff post article, "
Why Yoga Pants Are The BEST Pants.")
What do you think? Tell me in the comments: Is it okay to wear yoga pants everywhere? Would it simplify your life if you didn't have to change your clothes on your way to the gym? Do yoga pants all the time just seem more comfortable? Do you appreciate the similarities between straight leg pants and leggings and relaxed fit work pants and pajamas?
