Pants Too Tight? Here's A Solution!
Struggling to find the perfect form-fitting slim look without a profile that just’s just too tight?
We’ve been there too, which is why we’ve become experts on what factors are the most important in finding the balance.
Whether you’re just trying to narrow down what sort of style and size is right for you, or you’re tired of shrinking pants that once fit perfectly becoming too tight, we’ve got the info you need.
So sit back, relax, and read on!
How Do I Know If My Pants Are Too Tight?
The first step to finding a solution is identifying the problem. If your pants are uncomfortable, there could be any number of reasons—not necessarily that they are too tight.
There are some problems with similar symptoms to excessively tight pants, which can make our discernment job difficult. Many of these come down to the fabric. Tight pants may not be the problem if the fabric of your pants:
- Isn’t breathable
- Can’t stretch properly
- Doesn’t wick moisture
Thankfully, there are certain steps we can take to narrow down the issue. Let’s go through some of the questions we can ask below.
Can You Put Them On and Take Them Off Easily?
This may seem like an obvious question, but there are some important things we can glean by asking it.
Most importantly, this question can exclude the possibility that the problem is a deficiency with the fabric. If you’re experiencing discomfort in the middle of your day, the fabric may be the issue. However, if problems immediately arise while you’re getting dressed, we can safely conclude it’s a problem with the fit.
During the process, pay close attention to what part of the pants is the most difficult to put on. If the pants slide on easily over your ankles and calves but feel tight around your thigh and waist, trying a different size may simply be the way to go.
If the pants feel too tight immediately around your calves and ankle, not only would a different size potentially benefit you, so might a different style. Consider styles with a less tapered fit in such a case.
Are You Comfortable?
Many factors contribute to overall comfort, quite a few of which are tied to the fit of your pants.
While individual preferences always play a part, slim and even skinny pants by no means have to be inherently uncomfortable. Fashion need not be at the expense of comfort, so if you feel like you have to sacrifice some comfort to look the way you want, think again!
Discomfort from closer fitting pants likely means there is a problem with the pair in question. It could be as simple as a misjudged size, so retaking measurements and experimenting with different sizes is one step to a solution.
Consider also the quality of the fabric in use. Some fabrics may lack features such as breathability, stretch, and moisture-wicking, which can result in discomfort over the course of your day.
If discomfort takes some time to set in, it may be time to move on to a better fabric, such as bamboo.
Are They Long Enough?
Finding pants with a greater width is the most likely solution if you’re finding your pants too tight around the waist. Any issue around the leg may better be resolved by a greater length.
While different types of pants work best at different lengths, generally, you want your pants to have at least a small portion of fabric that hits below the ankle. If your pants rise above the ankle, and that’s not a feature of the specific style, this may be an indicator of improper sizing.
Can You Move?
Range of movement is important in any pair of pants, particularly for those pairs that will follow you into an active lifestyle. Contrary to some stereotypes, there’s no reason slim or skinny styles need to restrict your movement.
If you’re unable to achieve a good range of movement, consider that a problem that needs fixing, not a necessary sacrifice of the style.
What Should I Do if My Pants Are Too Tight?
Once we’ve identified the problem, we can finally move on to finding a solution. Some of these may seem obvious, but there may be factors you hadn’t considered, which is why our experts are here to help.
Try a New Size
The first solution you’ve likely thought of is to try a different size. Far from a bad solution, this can often be the difference. However, it’s still valuable to go over some of the details of what can make or break the right size.
For starters, as we’ve mentioned before, changing the length of the pants may be more useful in resolving a tight fit around the legs than changing the waist size. Intuition might tell us that the length should only affect the vertical fit, not the horizontal compression, but that’s not necessarily the case.
The reason for this is that the length can change where the tightest spots of your pants hit. Additionally, changes in length often have minor effects across all aspects of the fit, which can really add up to make the difference when it comes to overall tightness.
Explore Different Styles
Slim and skinny fits are popular for good reason, but there are tons of fashionable alternatives out there as well.
We’re big fans of keeping a diverse closet, so if you’re finding certain styles excessively tight, maybe it’s time to try something new!
A pair of joggers such as our Legendary Midweight Fleece Jogger or our Varsity Brushed Lightweight Jogger is a great solution for a little more room around the waist and thighs without sacrificing the sleek tapered silhouette below the knee.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, our Allways Pocket Yoga Pant is a great solution for the ladies who want to keep a form-fitting look above the knee but want a little less compression around the calves and ankles.
Maybe slim fits aren’t for you at all, or you’re just looking for a break. A relaxed fit like our Carrollton Relaxed Pant or our Nola Pant brings all the best performance benefits of a looser-fitting leisurewear aesthetic.
Don’t Attempt To Stretch Them Out
Whatever you do, you’ll probably only make things worse by attempting to stretch your pants out.
We know there are plenty of do-it-yourself guides out there with innovative tips and tricks, but at the end of the day, such methods typically harm the fabric and leave you with a pair of pants that may not be as tight but now have other problems.
What Makes Pants Comfortable?
We’ve mentioned it before—it may not be the size or fit of your pants that’s causing discomfort. Equally as fundamental as fit to your comfort levels is the fabric your pants are made out of.
Be sure to choose only the most high-quality fabrics to ensure nothing else stands between you and total comfort.
While traditional cotton and synthetic fabrics each have their own benefits, there are also some serious drawbacks. Cotton tends to shrink and hold moisture, while synthetic fabrics aren’t particularly soft, and they require chemical treatment to achieve some essential functions. Plus, both rate poorly in sustainability metrics.
Look for organic cotton as an alternative to traditional cotton for a higher quality feel and better performance, all in an environmentally friendly, chemical-free package.
Bamboo is perhaps the best fabric to look for when choosing activewear or any kind of clothing. Not only is bamboo production highly sustainable, but it’s also got comfort that rivals even the most luxurious fabrics and performance features that measure up to the best of the best sportswear.
Lightweight, Breathable Fabric
Finding a lightweight, breathable fabric goes a long way towards finding a pair of pants that meets the comfort metrics you care about.
Nothing’s worse than feeling stuffy and overheated inside a pair of heavy-weight pants without any airflow for relief. The problem of such a fabric is only compounded with slimmer fits as well, where the closed ankles don’t allow any extra flow.
4-Way Stretch
Stretch capabilities are essential for any pants, especially those with a slim profile. Stretch capabilities enhance the range of movement the pants allow.
Stretch fabric isn’t just important for exercises like running or yoga. Even for leisure activities or a commute, stretch fabric ensures you aren’t fighting against your pants to stay comfortable anytime you have to adjust your posture.
Moisture Wicking
Another factor in the fight to stay comfortable is moisture-wicking.
Moisture-wicking is a fabric capability that exists to keep you dry, so your body can perform its thermoregulatory processes unhindered. Essentially, it draws moisture, like sweat, off your skin and up to the surface of the fabric, where it can evaporate.
This means that choosing a moisture-wicking fabric helps both with comfort and athletic performance in case you’re picking pants for active use.
Conclusion
Whether you’re struggling to pull on your pants in the morning or just feeling cramped throughout the day, there’s a lot to know about excessively tight pants and how to improve such situations.
Sources:
Measurements for Fitting Pants | New Mexico State University