Best Plus Size Pants with Stretch
I'm just gonna say it - the best plus size pants with stretch are Vikki Vi Pull On Pants. And Vikki Vi Slim Leg Pants. And Vikki Vi Wide Leg Pants. Oh yeah, Vikki Vi Crop Pants are also the best, just shorter (literally - they're the pull on pants with a shorter inseam).
Why are Vikki Vi pants the best? Because they have the right kind of stretch. They stretch without clinging so much that they're showing what some people call every lump and bump. (And I call the gloriously unique topography of your body.)
The Waistband
We use a nice, strong elastic for our waistbands. It doesn't bind or pull, but it does stay in place. It's one of the main reasons why you can wear Vikki Vi pants and go about your day without thinking about them. It's amazing how much more your can get done when you're not adjusting your clothes several times an hour.
Most of our customers are firmly against tucking in their tops (which is in keeping with the current styles), but these waistbands look nice enough that you could.
The Fit
Our pants are cut to have a relaxed fit that means the inner thighs don't wear out. Even with the Slim Leg Pants - that's why we don't call them leggings even though they're legging-ish.
The Fabric
We use high quality fabrics that drape instead of just hanging limply. The Classic and Silky Classic fabrics are a finely ribbed knit that stretch as much as you need them to without binding. The acetate fabric holds on to dye like you wouldn't believe, so it doesn't fade. The Jersey is a flat knit that stretches nicely, though not quite as much.
The Styles
Personally, I love a Wide Leg Pant. They're dramatic and unapologetically voluminous.
The Pull On Pants are the unsung heroes of your wardrobe. They don't draw attention to themselves in the best possible way.
The Slim Leg Pants have a slimmer fit without clinging. Unlike leggings, you can wear them with tops that don't cover your entire rear end.
The Lengths
Which length you should get depends on your actual inseam measurement. It's possible to be average height, but long waisted, which means that you need petite length pants.
Your absolute best bet for a great fit is to get a friend to measure your inseam. You can also measure the inseam of a pair of pants that fits you well.
We go with the industry standards for lengths - 28" for petite, 30" for regular, and 24" for crop (aka extra petite - some customers wear our crop pants as regular pants).
The Pockets
I'm the first to complain about the lack of pockets in women's clothing. And we do have Pull On Pants with Pockets. But they're a bit of an engineering challenge.
Knit fabric stretches when you carry a lot in your pockets and the entire garment can become misshapen over time. And an elastic waistband can get pulled down by the weight.
You can be sure that when Vikki Vi pants have pockets, they're made to be actual, functional pockets. We use a different, stronger elastic for the waistband when it has pockets to hold up.
They Really Are The Best
It's OK to fall in love with these pants. They fit well, look great, are super comfortable, and don't wear out. The first time I wore Vikki Vi Pull On Pants, I wished I'd found them years earlier.