Finding Pants that Fit
 

I know some of you are in the same boat I'm in, finding pants that fit. What brands/cuts do you wear that fit you?

I wear lots of suits and while I was big bellied it wasn't really an issue. Since October I have been on a diet and cycling more and have lost 45 pounds. Now finding pants that fit has been a problem for me. My belly is getting smaller and so has everything else, but my thighs and quads have been staying about the same size. Now I'm proud of them because that is pure strength, I can get a 30 pound bike with over $200.00 in groceries moving uphill with no major issue. But when it comes to getting pants that can fit my waist up past my thighs, it becomes an issue.

I'm still wearing my pants from when I was heavier because they still fit me when I put my belt onto the last loop, but they are all bunched up, although comfortable, they aren't the best looking. When I get pants that fits my waist okay, I have a struggle to get them past my thighs. I found one size up fits best around my waist and gives my thighs some room to move, but it's still tight enough that if I bend down enough they may rip.

What have you guys found that gives us strong cyclists a good look in pants?

Dunno. For me, forget about the thighs (though I don't have monster thighs), just get me cargo pants that will fit my waist tight enough and get over my nine inch (no that isn't a typo) larger hips while looking reasonable. Oh, and just to stir the pot a bit, make them with 36" inseams while still fitting my waist that could comfortably wear 30" pants.

Short of going to a tailor I'm not sure what to suggest, although I suppose that you could afford custom fit pants with what you save from not driving - and are healthier to boot.

Tor

I have a pair of levi button fly's (501?) that I cant wear anymore because my quads got considerably larger since I started riding again. how would sweatpants look w/a sport coat and tie?

Lou Binik at http://foxwear.net will tailor make cycling pants for you at a reasonable cost.

Don't know about dress pants specifically, but relaxed fit dockers, jeans etc fit me best. They are looser in the thighs than regular fit.

I wear a 36 waist and have rather large thighs from biking and find that Express dress pants fit ok, still tight in the thigh but they are designed to look a little tight.

Look for relaxed fit trousers. If/when you get stuff tailored, get one or two sizes up and have the tailor take in the waist (although you'd also run the risk of having a long crotch-to-beltline distance, possibly putting the belt over your belly button).

Hike up your pants before bending down. I always think of the older guys on the Tonight Show when Johnny Carson was the host, guys the age of Johnny and Ed McMahon. For some reason, that generation, and not so much later generations, had a practice of pulling up their trouser legs with a quick flick of the wrists right below the pockets. It works so well to relieve fabric tension that it even prevents wrinkles.

If you're concerned about your socks drooping below the cuffs of your pants and exposing your shins, become a well-dressed gentleman and get some shirt stays:
http://www.beltoutlet.com/shsogakeshdo.html :thumb:

Thanks for the suggestions! I actually started the trend of wearing shirt stays around my area. I have a guy I get them from on Amazon, and they are so cheap I just buy several pairs at a time. My shirt is always tucked in with no issues, and always looks sharp. I wear wool socks all year round and they usually go all the way up to my knee so that is never an issue for me, during the winter I mostly where my long legged under armor (thermal or summer ones depending on what I'm doing that day).

I do find that boot cut jeans fit me quite well in a size up, for regular ones just don't. I'm going to be visiting the Mens Wearhouse down the street from where I work to see what they can conjure up for me.

Local Alteration shop took a pair of durable polyester black charity shop pants
and tapered the legs, for cycling.. 2nd pair offered the double seat panel..

After I started riding a lot I had to take all my suits to the tailor to have them altered. On the pants, the waist went in and the seat went out. It wasn't cheap, but that's good incentive to keep fit.

What he said. We have this little asian lady that I swear is 300 years old that has a shop close to us.... all our stuff goes there. My wife will buy clothes she knows don't fit knowing that woman can do magic.

Just take the good ones to a tailor, and congratulate yourself for needing to.

Marc

A good clothing store will offer a tailoring service as part of the price or for a small fee.

It's like that one commercial -- Special K, or Jenny Craig, or something like that -- where the woman takes her clothes to the dry cleaner/tailor and says, "I need these pants taken in, please." The clerk says, "You mean taken out, right?" She says, "No, taken in," and turns to show off her flatter tummy.

I'm very happy with my Novara Headwind Pants http://www.rei.com/product/724365

they are snug but not tight. I wouldn't suggest buying any pant online though

If your current pants fit your thighs but not your waist, take them to a tailor and have them altered. Alterations are cheap (much cheaper than buying new, anyway), and it's easy enough to go from too-big to right-sized. The reverse (starting with too small) does not work so well.