|| 5 December 2023

Hidden Stretch Waists: How They Work Pt 2

The photo at the top of the page shows the front of the hidden stretch waist chinos. White arrows indicate the expansion points.

The photo below gives you a closeup of the right expansion point with the fabric covered elastic visible between the two parts of the waistband. You can imagine the two parts spreading apart to accommodate a larger waist size.

image: closeup of hidden stretch waist waistband

These hidden stretch waist chinos are generously sized pants even before expansion. In the photo below is a comparison photo between Coldwater Creek's chinos in size 4 regular and L.L. Bean jeans, also in 4 regular. Though it should be pointed out that chinos traditionally have a more relaxed fit than jeans.

image: comparison of waists of hidden stretch waist chinos and jeans, both in 4 regular

The waist measurement of the chinos is 31 inches unexpanded. The 4 inch expansion will take it out to 35 inches. The black jeans, also size 4 regular, measure 28 inches at the waist, and the waistband is fixed at that measurement. The inseam on the chinos measures 31 inches and the jeans measure 30.5 inches.

So what are the benefits of hidden stretch waists?

Not all women have bodies with the proportional difference between waist and hip measurements the clothing designers dictate. Slim women deal with this problem as well as those who are overweight. For conventionally sized pants, these women would have to buy pants to fit their waist — then alter, or pay someone to alter, the too large for them in the hips pants.

Others might have medical conditions or side effects from medication that would cause mid-section swelling. The stretch waist pants would accommodate these problems without calling unnecessary attention to them. Then there is the dreaded middle-age spread that comes with ageing, even for those who are a healthy weight.

No doubt you can think of other conditions in which these hidden stretch waists would be useful. But as you can see from the photos, anyone wearing them would certainly be aware of the feature. I should not have worried.

be chic, stay slim — Anne Barone