searching for the perfect trouser
capsule catalog 03: the trials and tribulations of finding a trouser that actually fits me
2025 is the year I begin my hunt for the “Perfects”. We’re first starting out with the hunt for the Perfect Trouser. My criteria for this garment type is as follows:
Elastic waistband
Wide-leg
High-waisted
Machine washable
Black color-way
Lightweight fabric (preferably a crepe-like material)
Passes for business formal
Fits well
With that being said, here are all the trousers I’ve tried on and my review on each.
Vince
Cotton-Blend High-Waist Bias Pant ($365) — For me to ever justify paying over $300 for a pair of pants, it needs to be perfect. Unfortunately, the waistband was quite irritating on my skin, and despite how flattering it looked, I realized I am not a fan of very thin waistbands.
✓ Elastic Waistband
✓ Wide-Leg
𐄂 Machine Washable
✓ Black Color
✓ Business Formal
𐄂 Fits well
Cotton-Blend High-Waist Bias Pant ($365) — Truthfully, I’m not sure if these were the exact pants I tried on in store. Silhouette wise, it looked like the Italian Wool-Blend Easy Pull-On, but the price tag said $365 (matches with the Bias Pant) and the Wool Pants are $395. These were the nicest pants by far, but they were a bit too straight leg for me. I wanted something wider in length at the bottom.
✓ Elastic Waistband
𐄂 Wide-Leg
𐄂 Machine Washable
✓ Black Color
✓ Business Formal
✓ Fits well
Aritzia
Effortless Pant ($148) — Praised by every single person on TikTok and beyond, these pants have the most effortless silhouette and the most beautiful, buttery soft “crepette” fabric. Unfortunately, this did not pass the elastic waistband test. Despite how elegant these pants were on my body, I felt nauseous at the end of the day. I also don’t understand why the “petite” version of these pants were still dragging on the floor for 5’5” me. I don’t think I’m considered petite, so who is making these decisions on pant length? It’s all wrong. I also tried the Effortless Curve line, but it still was extremely uncomfortable.
𐄂 Elastic Waistband
✓ Wide-Leg
✓ Machine Washable
✓ Black Color
✓ Business Formal
𐄂 Fits well
