I’m not a big fan of getting dressed up. When it’s necessary, it’s black pants, black shoes, and some sort of nice top that isn’t a T-shirt with a baseball or beer logo on it.
For the longest time, my “dress pants” were a pair of Lands End black jeans that I got on sale for $7.00 at Sears. But I found myself needing another pair…the Lands End ones were a little too tight, and uncomfortable to wear.
These days, I only wear Double L® jeans from L.L. Bean. They make them in plus sizes, and they are the only decent-fitting, high quality, yet still affordable plus-sized jeans I can find. I used to buy my jeans from Lane Bryant, but that store has turned into a joke. I stopped shopping there when they did away with normal jeans, and started offering nothing but “trendy” crap, such as low-rise and/or stretchy, skin-tight jeans. Also, it didn’t help my opinion of them when they got into having skinny models. I mean, LB is supposed to be a fat women’s store…how about selling things that actually look good on us. Just because they make low-rise jeans in a size 22, does not mean that the world wants to see my muffin-top butt hanging out of them. It’s not that I want “mom jeans”, I just want regular jeans with a normal waistline. Is that too much to ask for?
L.L. Bean does sell the Double L® jeans in black, but I was disappointed that this does not extend to the plus sizes. So, on a recent visit to the flagship L.L. Bean store up in Freeport, Maine, I decided to check out other options for plus-sized black pants. Some of them were rather awful, like these elastic-waist pants…if I wanted pants like that, I could have just gone to Wally World to get them. I think they look cheap and tacky. I can’t even find those ugly pants on Bean’s website. But you don’t want those, anyway.
I tried on the Bayside Twill Pants, and really liked how they fit. These are designed for a curvy figure, because not all women look like Kate Moss.
They have a full fly-front, none of those “faux flies” that they sometimes put on the tacky elastic waist pants. The front is a normal waistband, but the back is elasticized for comfort. The pants also have belt loops, so you can put a belt on and cover up the elasticity.
The fabric is not as heavy as jeans, but not as lightweight as many other slacks I’ve seen. It’s also a wrinkle-resistant fabric, which is important to me, because I HATE ironing! If you follow the instructions on the tag for washing (cold water), you will have no problems.
And they have POCKETS. Damn, but I hate it when they don’t put pockets in non-jeans pants for women.
Although I carry a purse, I refuse to put my keys and cell phone into it. Think about it for a minute. If someone snatches your purse, and your keys and phone are in it, you are pretty much screwed. The thief not only has your money and credit cards, but they also have your drivers’ license AND the keys to your home. They’d probably go to your house and clean the place out before you even get home. After all, you’ll have to find some other way to get home if you now have no money or car keys.
And without a cell phone, how are you going to call the cops? Pay phones have gone the way of 8-track tapes. Sure, maybe you can go into a store and ask someone there to call the cops. But if it’s the middle of the night and stores are closed, the only option might be to knock on the door of a stranger’s home. I don’t know about you, but I sure as hell don’t open my door to strangers, even in broad daylight.
This is why I won’t wear any pants that do not have pockets.
Anyhoo, I’m happy with these pants. If you are a plus-sized lady who is looking for some decent pants, you might like these. They come in other colors besides black. But if the closest L.L. Bean store is one that is in a mall, you probably won’t find them there. These are small stores which will not stock all of the sizes. You either have to go to the Freeport store, or order online. L.L. Bean does have an excellent return policy, so if you order something and it doesn’t fit, or you just don’t like it, they are good about taking it back.
If I hadn’t found anything at Bean’s my next stop probably would have been Sears. I’m glad I found them at Bean’s, as I much prefer shopping there than in mall stores. At malls, I always am made to feel like a criminal, with security cameras following my every move. But I never get treated like a criminal at L.L. Bean.
I hate clothes shopping, so I’m glad this is over and done with!
