Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Orange Linen Pants

I've been wanting wide-leg pants for a while, but I loathe pants shopping. I knew I would sew some wide-leg pants eventually, but I was held back by the complicated fitting and finding the right fabric weight.
But then my sister showed up to our (socially distanced!) backyard firepit fun wearing flowy black linen pants and that is exactly the right outfit on a muggy evening when the mosquitos are out. I actually started down the online pants shopping path until it occurred to me that these are not fitted pants: they are essentially pajama pants and I have made lots of pajama pants! I found this heavy, soft orange linen in my stash; it was enough for a dress, but orange is not a color I wear next to my face. I used my standard pajama pants pattern, modifying the crotch to be higher and cutting the legs to fall straight and wide instead of taper.  I added patch pockets and a paper bag waist, using a casing of bias tape inside. The drawstring has 20" of elastic for comfort. I also finished the hems with orange bias tape because they were just the right length and proper length pants are so important. These photos were taken by my husband on a (socially distanced!) beach family getaway. The beach in the evening means fewer people, no sunscreen, fabulous light, and (ugh) biting flies. The pants kept my legs protected - my husband, wearing shorts, spent a lot of time whacking flies off his legs with my flip flops. 
I'm  really happy with these pants! I plan to wear them with tops of all colors.
Are you wearing wide-leg (public pajama) pants? Do tell!

14 comments:

Jennifer Jo said...

So pretty! They actually look almost peachy....

Maggie Frost said...

Those are great pants! And yes, I have two pairs, I love them.

Becky said...

Love those pants! I love orange! I'm pretty much a skirt girl, but now I'm thinking I need pants like that.

Margo said...

I'm a skirt girl too, but these keep the summer bugs off SO WELL. Go for it!

AmyK said...

They are great! I have a pair of green ones that I cropped last year because I thought I would try them with the midi length trend. I like them and have gotten complimented by strangers in public when wearing them but my daughter always asks why I’m wearing those pants, in a tone that lets me know she’s not a fan.

Margo said...

Oh dear, that stage when our kids don't like our style anymore- hahahaha!

Margo said...

I bet you have fun colors, too :)

Nancy In Boise said...

Photos look nice and cool! It reminds me of some pants I saw online the other day from the 1930s. Women had really really wide leg pants and a lot of women were wearing them in France as well. You're so chic!

Zoƫ Rohrer said...

Well I'll be. Now I want me some public pajama pants!

Polly said...

These look great! I have some seersucker summer trousers; otherwise I just do dresses (or, yes, shorts) in summer. Love the orange. Very summertime chic. ;)

BLD in MT said...

I kid you not. Yesterday I was looking in my closet thinking "You know what I need? Some really loose flowing kinda pants that feel just as comfy as my stretchy leggings or a lose skirt, but don't show off my curves or open me up to sunburn and mosquitoes. I want yours!!! And now I feel more confidant trying to make some. I've made PJs, but not "real" pants.

Yay for the beach!!!! (though not the flies...)

Margo said...

Yesss, you can do it! Use your pajama pants pattern like I did :) :)

Unknown said...

I just saw your name over at Auntie Leila's 'blog (Like Mother Like Daughter) -- my name is Margo, too! No one else ever has that name! So I thought I'd come over and introduce myself. I'm a Margo Lauretta; how about you?

Margo said...

Well, hi Margo!! I love your name :) My given name is Margaret Louise and Margo is the nickname I acquired in high school. I run into Margarets and Megs here and there, but rarely a Margo!