Bargain Friday’s TPS Report: Perfect Trouser Pants

87 Comments

1. Love GAP pants – but much prefer to buy them at their outlet for $20!

   1. I did some outlet shopping recently & was very disappointed with the quality of BR & Gap outlet items (AT was fairly depressing, too). Not that there weren’t some exceptions, but for the most part I thought it was terrible, and even the 3 tops I did buy lost their shape, etc., after the first wash. Is this usually the case or did I just pick bad batch?

      1. I have found that Banana Republic outlet items are definitely of a different quality. Cotton tees and jeans, sure. But for blouses and suiting, I think you’re better off going to the normal retail store instead of the outlet. Of course, there are always exceptions.

         1. Every single item (mostly tops IIRC)) that I bought at BR in the last 5 years developed holes and fell apart very quickly. Hence, I don’t shop there anymore. Oddly, things I’ve purchased at Old Navy, BR’s far-cheaper sister store, have lasted much, much longer.

      2. I’ve been shopping at BR since I was in high school, both the outlet and the regular store. This past year I am horribly disapointed with the quality. Almost every sweater I have purchased started pilling right away, and even the jersey tops now look faded and pilled. I used to get several years out of the clothes their and now it seems I only get a few months.

         So to answer your question, I feel like it’s not the outlet, just the clothes in general.

         1. I feel like BR quality has gone downhill as well. (I feel the same way about J. Crew, too.) Even though it’s a slightly lower pricepoint and is the same company, I actually have recently found that Gap quality is better than BR quality.

         2. By the way, pilling is a reversible process. You can buy a lint shaver (Brookstone has a really good one) that will get the pills off, or, for looser-knit sweaters, you can try using a razor. I do this regularly for all my sweaters. Doesn’t help with the loss of color, though.

            1. Does it work on cotton/jersey type knits? I started to notice this problem on some tees/dresses (including, sadly, a DvF dress) & I am not sure what to do.

            2. To AIMS:

               Yes it does – not 100%, but it makes a really significant difference. But you have to be very careful. Make sure the fabric is stretched and not bunching at all, otherwise the lint shaver can suck it in and munch on it and make a little hole. I’ve had to fix many a tiny hole due to being careless. The best way is either to stretch the fabric a bit over the end of the ironing board, or over your knee when you’re sitting down, or over you palm. I’ve also shaved the pills off a pair of tight pants and the best way I found for that was to do it while wearing them.

            3. Link to the brookstone lint shaver:

               http://www.brookstone.com/fabric-shaver_8417537_2.html?his=2~46337~2~root_category%40kwd~lint+shaver&bkiid=searchResults|C4CategoryProdList1FDT|8417537

               I have an older model, hopefully this one is as good as the one I have. Cheap drugstore ones, in my experience, tend to jam up a lot; they also run on smaller batteries which drain really fast.

            4. Thanks for reminding me, I did buy a fabric shaver to try to save these BR sweaters. I will give it a shot before I throw them out!

      3. I don’t think you got a bad batch. Like Mellicent, I have some basic tanks and t-shirts from the Outlet that are fine, but for something like this, I like to stick to the regular store.

      4. I have not had that experience — not sure if the quality/variety depends on the location or time of year, but have never been disappointed ( and the Gap outlet is my go to for basics two to three times a year)

         1. JCrew quality has definitely gone down. I’ve purchased a few different tops in the past year that have all developed holes after 2-3 wears (and the tops are all different styles and fabrics, so it isn’t that it was a bad batch of tshirts and I was unlucky enough to buy 3 of them).

            1. Oh, and the holes are all in different places on the tops (otherwise I would have wondered if a pants button, purse rubbing, etc was the culprit – but no, just weak fabric :( )

            2. Just had the same problem. Bought three shirts and two developed holes the first time I wore them! I called JCrew and they agreed to allow me to return the shirts–even though they were final sale. Great customer service.

      5. Outlet clothes tend to be cheaper re-makes of last season’s designs. Since the quality in general of these stores has gone down (IMO), I’m not surprised that the quality of the outlet has gone down.

         1. I guess I shouldn’t be either. I appreciate all the feedback.
            It wasn’t 100% bad, I suppose, but some of it really struck me as sort of WalMart quality or worse. I feel like such an old man, but so many things just suck these days ;)

            1. It’s not just you. I purchased a skirt and pants from the BR outlet this year, and sadly, both went to Goodwill after a few wears because they were misshapen within an hour of wearing, made awful swishy noises when I walked, and looked terrible no matter what I did with them.

               I’ve been happy with Gap outlet’s workout clothes, but that’s about it. Honestly, though, they’re not really cheaper than the workout clothes at the regular Gap, so I wouldn’t go to the outlet specifically to get them.

2. I definitely want to try these on. The deal is great, and they have gotten good ratings, but on the model — they look waaay too low-rise to tuck anything in. Sure, her shirt is tucked in (just like the J Crew models are shown with shirts tucked into the City Fit pant – HA!) but if she moves, I could see this turning into yet another low-rise slouchy nightmare that has me either feeling like I’m in PJs or sticking my hands down my pants every time I stand up!

   Will try on and report back :)

   1. i know the picture looks low-rise but i’m wearing the modern boot today with a t-shirt tucked in and am not having any problems. the front part comes up to my belly button when i am sitting down and the back is still well above my panty-line (bottom of the belt loop is above my underwear). i guess it would also depend on the length of your torso/lower bum area though (mine is not long by any means).

      1. Good to know! I find it so frustrating how most stores continue to produce low-rise trousers that make it nearly impossible to tuck in button-up shirts. T-shirts are usually easier to deal with. Either high waisted pants need to become the norm or longer button-ups need to be more widely available. It’s annoying and unprofessional to be re-tucking your shirt all day.

         I think these trousers might be worth trying out, though.

         – Meredith
         cubiclechicblog.com

         1. I actually really prefer low rise pants and find anything at my navel or higher unflattering and uncomfortable. It would be nice if stores made both though so you could decide. I am fairly thin (5’7″, 135) yet high waist-ed pants/skirts with a tucked in shirt give me a pouchy looking belly. I haven’t had kids yet either so its not that.

   2. I tried these on today and really didn’t like them–the fabric was more like a rough, heavy stretch denim than a suiting fabric, and the fit of both the “True Straight” and “Curvy” models was terrible on me–very big, gappy waist and too low-rise to bend or kneel in without showing the top of my butt. Definitely, definitely not office-wearable for me.

3. Most “outlets” these days are not outlets but rather “factory stores” which means the majority of items for sale have been made specifically for the outlet – they never saw the light of day in a “real” store. Of course, you may find a few items that have been sent in from a store to clear out, but it is not like it used to be with outlets where stuff was out of season or slightly off quality. The factory stores usually have a different tag to differentiate from the regular stores (J Crew has two diamonds on the tag, Brooks Brothers is 3-4-6, Coach paper tags say Coach Factory).

   1. I’ve found that for AT/Gap/BR/BB its a mix of the factory store stuff and last season’s stuff. You have to dig and be very careful about what you are buying, but I have been able to find things such as BB no-iron shirts for fantastic outlet pricing. You just have to be very careful about what you are buying and don’t get swept up in outlet fever.

      1. I agree with you on Brooks Brothers and Ann Taylor (that it’s a mix), but with Gap and BR, it’s generally all factory store stuff, with very, very rare exceptions. I have quite a few friends who work for Gap corporate and it’s a company policy.

         1. Good to know! I miss the days when outlet stores were really the same brand as their mall counterparts. Although I guess they might have just been replaced with the online clearance sections.

   2. Banana has three diamonds on the tag.

4. I just tried nearly all of these cuts on last week. Having almost no hips, I found the “perfect trouser” a little big in the hips and wound up buying and loving 2 pairs of the “modern bootcut” instead. also – the modern boot is not that lowcut. that being said, i loved the cut of the “perfect trouser” and the fact that these all come in various lengths. also, i don’t see how the “boy fit” could be flattering on any but a rail-thin model. i just wanted to say that those smaller-hipped ladies may want to order the modern bootcut (if you’re ordering online instead of able to try them on in-store).

   1. This will help me in the opposite direction! I’m going to try to stop in a store to try these on, but now I know that I should start with the perfect trouser to accommodate my hips instead of trying to start with the modern bootcut!

5. Like the option of different fits – and I hear GAP/BR online shopping is coming to Canada very soon!

   Question: I am going to an interview workshop (pre-OCI type of thing) hosted by a Biglaw Firm tomorrow morning (Saturday). It has been specifically stated that dress is business casual. Does business casual Saturday morning simply mean no suits? Will a sheath dress with cardigan or a pencil skirt and blouse be appropriate? Also…thoughts on hose? I usually don’t mind nude pantyhose and will wear them but does business casual relieve me of this obligation?

   1. I would wear hose and the pencil skirt & blouse. Sheath could be fine too but I remember going to one of these & one of the women there was dressed in a cocktail dress. If your dress could in any way be cocktail attire, stick to skirt & blouse — it’s the female equivalent of a button-down & khakis.

   2. Sheath dress or pencil skirt is fine. Hose isn’t necessary for business casual if you don’t feel like wearing it. I’d probably avoid sandals but peeptoes or flats should be fine.

   3. I think either of your suggested outfits sound fine.

      My experience with Biglaw has been that no one wears hose anymore. But I obviously don’t speak for everyone, and as many discussions on here show, there is a huge range of opinions. If you don’t mind them, it can’t hurt.

      1. There are definitely some firms here in DC where hose is all but mandatory with business formal attire. But I don’t see many women wearing hose if they aren’t wearing a suit.

         1. I vote for button-front shirt and skirt, too. But a non-cocktail dress would probably be ok. You’re in Canada? Go ahead with the hose. If it’s too hot, you can always take it off in the bathroom and stash it in your tote.

   4. Thanks ladies! Still thinking on whether or not to wear hose – my legs are lovely and tanned at the moment so I might just chance it where I wouldn’t in the spring pre-tan. I think skirt and blouse is what I’ll do – it will likely be cooler than my sheath dress (which luckily is a grey suiting material so no chance of the cocktail-type look!) with a cardigan, which I won’t be able to take off since my sheath is sleeveless.

6. Threadjack: I posted last week that I was waiting to find out if I got a non-profit job in a different city. I got the job! And it turns out, the pay cut is not nearly as much as I thought (I am not an attorney though, if that matters)

   I am so excited, as this job is a really good opportunity to gain non-profit operations experience, and it’s in a new city that is much better for my career.

   Now, somehow, I have to finish everything up at my “old” job, find an apartment in my new city (already on it!), pack, buy furniture…very overwhelming, but very exciting. Thank you all for your advice, from interviewing to clothing.

   1. Congrats!!!!!

      1. Congratulations!!

   2. Congratulations!

   3. Wonderful, congrats!!

      1. Awesome Congrats!

   4. So happy to hear the good news. Good luck!

   5. Hooray! Best of luck in your new job and city.

   6. Congratulations – so exciting! Try to stay in the moment and “experience” everything that is new.

      1. Congrats!

7. I’m having trouble telling from the website. Does anyone know if these are available in petite in store or are the different lengths only available online? (I know they carry petite jeans in store, but I’ve had trouble with them only carrying other pants in regular in the store, only to discover later that the petites do exist, but online only!)

   1. I didn’t see any when I saw these in store. I would call your local shop though to make sure.

   2. the store that I visited (Willowbrook, Wayne, NJ) carried the petite length in the store in at least the modern boot and perfect trouser. although they euphemized it by calling it “ankle” length. (long, regular, ankle).

      1. Gap’s petites size is not the same as ankle – ankle is shorter, but petite is all around smaller. I’ve been burned on this a few times.

   3. Hmmm…Maybe I will call a few stores in the area to make sure.

      I’m pretty sure ankle and petite are two different things. I think ankle are just shorter and petite are actually adjusted through (i.e. have a shorter rise, etc.)

      1. Yup, I’m 5’3” but not particularly slender so Ankle’s work for me, but Petites (from Gap) do not. Sigh, the confusion.

8. Shopping ban: Ruined. Thanks, Kat!

   (Although it won’t be cool enough for pants for a couple of months anyway so it’s not like I’ve *really* shopped if I can’t wear what I buy, right?)

   1. (Although it won’t be cool enough for pants for a couple of months anyway so it’s not like I’ve *really* shopped if I can’t wear what I buy, right?)
      *giggle* Keep telling yourself that..

9. Personal threadjack: Would it be at all possible to try a long-distance relationship as a new attorney? My significant other is most likely heading to New York to work for a rather impressive firm, and I will be staying in Virginia/DC. Based on what I know about attorneys just starting out–or any first-year positions, really–I’m thinking we won’t get time to drive/fly to see each other. Anyone have any experience–good or bad–to share?

   1. My now-husband and I did the long-distance Biglaw thing for almost two years – he on the East Coast and me in the Midwest, a 3 hour direct flight away. We tried to see each other every six weeks or so. About every third visit, one or the other of us would have to work a big chunk of that weekend. It was very frustrating, but we went from dating not seriously enough for either of us to give up our jobs, to engaged, to me moving to the East Coast, to married – so it worked.

      I would recommend trying it, but just know that while Biglaw makes it easy for you in one respect – dropping $400 every 6 weeks to travel to the other person – it will stymie a lot of your plans.

      Actually, as I write that – it’s a good trial period to see if you could be together, and both in Biglaw, period. That last statement is true for any relationship where both are in Biglaw (the money makes it easy to buy schedule “fixes” / splurge at the last minute, but the hours will screw up even – or especially – the best-laid “couple” plans, like weekend getaways). Both my husband and I quit Biglaw, preferring the hours over the money.

      Good luck, and congratulations on your new jobs.

      1. Agree. Also, DC and NY are not that far apart. Acela is 90 min, runs frequently & doesn’t involve the hassles of airports. If anything, you will be working fairly awful hours anyway, so you wouldn’t get to see each other anyway. It does not sound impossible. I had friends who did the NY/DC long distance & it worked for them. Best of luck!

         1. its also a LOT easier to work on the Acela, rather than a flight. I’m not in law, but my old company was based in NYC and I would get a TON done on the train. Every time I try to fly DC/NYC something happens. Amtrak has always been great for me.

            1. OP here–thanks for the heads-up. It would be much nicer if I could get a little work done, plus not have to deal with the craziness at airports these days!

         2. Nope, acela is 2.5 – 3 hours. You’ll probably end up experimenting with Acela vs. airplain.
            Give it a shot. In my experience, doing long-distance for a year is fine; more than a year starts to really strain the relationship. So, give yourself a year to figure out what to do next; after a year, figure out what the plan is, so you at least have an end in sight if you have to keep doing long-distance a bit longer.

   2. Ditto the Acela recommendation. Much better and more flexible than flying.

      Its definitely going to be a test, but if you survive, then your relationship will be even stronger, and if you don’t, it doesn’t mean you were wrong to try.

      My recommendation is to go into it knowing you will both have to be flexible. I had several friends do this for a year or two out of law school; some made it, some didn’t, but after a year or two everyone had either broken up or 1/2 of the couple had moved to be with the other. Good luck!!

   3. I would say go for it; if it works, you’ll appreciate each others’ presence all the more when you can finally live in the same area. If it doesn’t work, then at least you know you tried.

      Also, you didn’t say whether you are working in a big firm in DC. If you’re working in government, there is a chance you’ll have some flexibility within a few months of starting (you start with no vacation and accrue it pretty quickly). I was a DC government lawyer dating a Midwest firm lawyer for a year, and I was often able to leave DC Thursday afternoon and get back Monday mid-day (and it worked out!).

   4. Yes, its doable. In fact, it might be preferable, in that during the work week, you can focus on work, your aren’t rushing home to your boyfriend, neither is disappointed when you Thursday dinner plans are squashed by the other. Particularly between DC/NY – you have shuttles every half hour from 8 am to 9:30 at night. The tricky part will come when you are in the stretched of weekend working if the other person in the relationship is not, but even then, you manage.

10. I think business casual on a Saturday is pants, a tailored shirt or a polo shirt, and a jacket. These should coordinate. Shoes should be closed toe – no one wants to see your toenail polish the first time they meet you – well, almost no one.

    1. I think that’s fine if that’s your style. I rarely do pants and much prefer skirts or dresses. I’d never do pants and a polo shirt. Never. Ever. Ever. Ever.

       1. Ha I’m wearing pants and a polo shirt today – love it :)

    2. I think this could work too – but if I had a jacket wouldn’t that almost be a suit? And pants and a polo seem too business casual for the type of business casual I think this is going to be…I will wear pants and a polo to the office I currently work at which is very business casual, but I wouldn’t wear it to an event I’m trying to impress at.

       1. Honestly – nothing at all wrong with wearing a polo – but if you wear that to this type of event, I guarantee you will be the only girl dressed like that. Doesn’t mean it is “wrong” to wear, but just be aware of that fact.

    3. I’ve never seen a woman wearing a polo shirt in a professional setting in my field (law). Polos on women are casual casual, not business casual.

       1. I agree – my office is casual casual (not business casual) on Fridays, and that is the only day I will wear a polo (many others do the same, tshirts are acceptable on Fridays, etc)

11. The search for decent pants for me is never ending, so I really appreciate this heads-up. I’m making a trip to the mall this weekend, thanks!

12. I love that Gap is doing size 20 in certain things. I never thought to check and just always ordered stuff from Old Navy but got desperate for a skirt to wear to graduation. I found it in a 20 and it fit great! I’m definitely going to try these too.

    1. How does the Gap 20 fit you compared to an Old Navy 20? I’ve found that I fit into an Old Navy (not “plus size”) 20 on the bottom, and XL on top, but that with Gap clothes I need an XXL on top. I haven’t tried Gap pants yet (I’m recently out of “plus size” only stores/websites, so I’m experimenting).

       1. I’ve got an ON 18 in their skinny jeans and a Gap 20 in trousers like these. I’d say size up 1 from your ON size, though you never know.

          1. Thanks…that was what I expected, which means I haven’t gotten myself into Gap bottoms yet, but I’m MUCH closer than I used to be, so that’s something!

       2. I wear 20s bottoms at Old Navy and XXL with the occasional XL tops. The skirt I got had reviews that said it felt bigger than marked, so that might make a difference. I am going to try these pants in the perfect trouser and modern bootcut fits and see how it works.

13. I posted a few weeks ago about preparing for my performance review. Just wanted to say thank you for all the suggestions — I finally had the review yesterday and it went much better than I expected! I’ve created a kudos file that I will maintain religiously for next year’s review. Thanks again for the tips!

14. question-
    I just ordered my first item from JCrew, a dress, and it is a little too large. I ordered a size 2, which is what I would wear at BR, but this dress is a little bit big all over. Is JCrew normally sized differently than BR and I should be ordering size 0 in the future, or is this just the particular dress? Thoughts?

    1. I wear a size bigger in JCrew than BR when it comes to number-size items. JCrew has had consistency-in-sizing issues recently, so it’s already really helpful to check the JCrew Aficionada and Gigi’s Gone Shopping blogs (both on blogger) when you’re unsure on sizing.

       Also, JCrew customer service has the exact measurements of every item in every size, so if you call/chat with them, they can tell you the hip size of the size 2 vs. the size 0 or whatever. It’s really helpful if you know your measurements.

       Which dress did you try?

       1. http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/suiting/super120s/PRDOVR~23219/99101930020/ENE~1+2+3+22+4294967294+20~15~~20+17+4294967033~15~~~~~~~/23219.jsp

15. I just went to the Gap – these pants are made of very cheap material. Wouldn’t buy.

    1. I just tried these on in the store also and I agree: scratchy, cheap feeling fabric. And the fabric is thin, so it reveals bumps and dips in the body underneath. For the price, these wouldn’t be worth it for me. AT has similar pants on their sale rack for about $50 that feel much nicer (though seem to be available in black only, a color I don’t currently need).

16. I have some perfect trousers. Bought them because they were cheap. The boocut ones manage to hit me EXACTLY on my side chub and emphasize it, but I bought them because I am losing weight so wanted cheap, acceptable pants. If I wear a button down and blouse it, this effect is camoflauged. But I did want to say that they are pretty low cut for work pants, and, at least for me, not in a good way.

17. For plus-sized black work pants, I love Target for thier Merona black pants. $25, lined, and they come in my size– 22W. I never would have thought Target would have work pants that actually look good and fit me well, but I discovered them by accident and have bought several pairs.

18. I’ve seen some very nice slacks from Jones New York a few times.

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