Who Wears the Pants in This Place?

Who Wears the Pants in This Place?

There was a time – not that long ago – that women simply did not wear pants. Indicative of our more “subservient” roles in life, we were relegated to dresses and skirts, even when doing physical labor, such as harvesting crops on a farm. In fact, before World War II, the closest we came to pants were long ruffly underwear that hung far below overskirts called “bloomers” (some of us may still remember our grandmothers referring to our little-girl undergarments by that name LOL!). 

Although we may remember that scene in “Fried Green Tomatoes” where Idgy Threadgood and her BFF Ruth fully embrace their renegade status and walk arm–in-arm down the street in men’s trousers, the truth is that slacks did not become mainstream for women until almost a century later.  Like Idgy and Ruth, however, plenty of women DID raid their brothers’ closets to put on the symbolic power of men's trousers and lay rebel claim to their own equality and self worth, but it was definitely not an acceptable fashion statement.

In the 1920’s, a revolution began that would take us through the factories of WWII and up to present day.  What began with farmers, female miners – and Calamity-Jane-style cowgirls, went on to become much more than a functional wardrobe piece or the uniform of necessity.  From Brooke Shields’ controversial statement on her jeans that rocked the 1980’s (“Nothing gets between me and my Calvin’s”) to Hillary Clinton’s parade of amazing pantsuits in every shade of the rainbow while campaigning for the Presidency – pants have become an everyday fashion staple in the modern woman’s wardrobe. 

The full-figured woman is no exception to this.  Plus size pants are especially attractive for the plus-size wardrobe, running the spectrum of office attire: from silk and linen palazzo pants to two-piece, suited gouchos for nine to five.  For more sporty looks there are plus size denims, cotton blends and even plus size Bermuda shorts for comfortable, but still great looking, evenings and weekends. 

For the plus size woman, pants are a great part of her wardrobe and the right style can really accent her figure – from slenderizing boot-cut plus size jeans to stretchy leggings for that perfect accent for tunic tops (or even under mini-skirts).  The bottom line is this: For function or fashion, the statement made by a great pair of pants is simply plus-size fabulous and definitely worth a shopping trip or a few minutes online to explore and add to a great wardrobe.

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