The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Yea or Nay: Jersey Cropped Pants




So yoga pants/jersey cropped pants and such have replaced sweats, and they're nothing new, but it looks like they're not going away anytime soon so I figured, what the hey, I might as well get you ladies to weigh in on these uber trendy, ultra popular albeit controversial pants: Are they hot or not? Sure, they're comfortable as all get out, but they have elastic waistbands, for godsakes. Personally, though it makes me cringe to admit this, I think they can look pretty cute on certain women, especially when paired with a long tank or tee that extends below the waistband (which should hit right below the belly button, not over), a jersey cardigan, and some stylish flip-flops. There, I said it. Just please make sure you have absolutely no visible panty lines, and do not push your luck by trying to wear these casual pants to work. They are good for running errands, going to the gym (hey, there's a novel idea!), doing YOGA (ha, yeah right), walking the dog, etc. Please don't sass them up with heels and a tube top and try to pass yoga pants off as club wear. Ok, I'm done. Now's your chance to speak up!

Featured above from left: Rachel Pally cropped beach pant at Standardstyle.com, $172 (yowzers!); Splendid lightweight slub crop pants at Shopbop.com, $83 (ouch!). If you guys give these a yea, I will look for budget friendly versions.

Comments
Nay! This pants should just be worn in the gym or yoga class. It is just so tacky to wear it outside there. And I don't think it looks good on any woman or any figure no matter what you paired with it. It looks really fugly.
#1 bingkee on 2008-07-13 07:08 (Reply)
You're absolutely right, this style is definitely more of a casual wear. Going to the mall, grocery shopping and even the gym. I think if the hem of the pants get too long, like in gauchos it just looks so sloppy, but i like how they're kinda like a straight style which is a lot more flattering on many shapes. I cant STAND gauchos (not to offend) but this is definitely a better style for casual wear.
#2 Neira on 2008-07-13 07:09 (Reply)
pyjamas are comfortable too but you don't wear them outside the house, right? at least most sane people don't. i'm against slopping down 'just to go grocery shopping', etc. this is very casual wear, for the gym or at home. nothing else. period.
right up there with the dreaded track suit, which in some parts of europe became an everyday staple, worn with heels and jewelry.
i'm not even going to go there.
while we're at it, here's some more items that should not be worn outside in a city (country living is different):
- plaid flannel shirts (great for north woods and college campuses , no for the office)
- flip flops (yup, i'm in the minority judging by what i see, but it's beach and pool wear)
- tube tops (ok only with something covering them up)
- short shorts (when you sit down, just think about what your skin is touching and who's been there! - think park benches and movie theaters - eeewww)
- exposed bra straps (never never ok)
- chipped nails (if you can't be bothered using nail polish remover, don't do your nails)
- pyjama bottoms (see above)
- super baggy t-shirts and shapeless baggy bermuda shorts (apparently the uniform for tourists in vegas - where DO they come from?)
:-)
#3 maggie z on 2008-07-13 09:31 (Reply)
Worn correctly, I think this pant can be a "Yea." This is clearly a great pant for yoga, gymming, or taking your dog outside in the early hours of the morning. (As I, and I know you, BB, have to do!) With the right top, I feel casual cropped pants can also be a fashionable beach cover-up option. No matter what some readers might say, too, we all know that everyone (including those who are crying "Nay"!) does not look fashionably on-target EVERY time they run to the post office or go to the market (6:00 AM Saturday farmer's market?!). Let's face it - Sometimes you just don't feel like it, and sometimes it's not worth it. After a long day on the water, dear hubby and I don't go home, shower, and get ready just to run to Blockbuster! No, I want something I can throw on over my bikini. Enter the cropped pant. You can wear them without letting your look go completely to h*ll in a handbasket and still be comfortable; and while I don't own a pair (yet), I think they're an especially cute low-key look for those with lean, athletic body types. I'd love to see some examples of budget-friendly versions - Just please don't let me see anyone wearing these with Uggs!
#4 Katie on 2008-07-13 13:29 (Reply)
They're okay. Sometimes, after yoga, I run to Whole Foods, the gas station, the drugstore, etc...but I would wear them only on post-gym errands. They are comfortable for yoga, and for around the house, but they look like workout wear. They ARE workout wear. I live in Austin, which is a very casual, outdoorsy, city, so the fashion expectations are lax. Today at brunch, have the restaurants were in cycling jerseys/cycling wear!
#5 barchbo on 2008-07-13 21:42 (Reply)
I fear them. I have NEVER seen a pair of these babies worn in a way that didn't make me cringe.
#6 Sal (Homepage) on 2008-07-14 11:04 (Reply)
Sal, you've hit the nail on the head. one of the comments stated they look good on 'lean athletic types'. however, it's NEVER the lean athletic types that you see them in. it's always the ones who should NOT be seen in them outside the gym/house/beach who are wearing them. be afraid.
:-)
#7 maggie z on 2008-07-14 11:47 (Reply)
Hi BudgetBabe,

I'm going to have to disagree with everyone and be alone on my team. I personally only wear this after yoga classes because I have short legs and I think it makes me look even shorter. However, I am in Canada and Lululemon is a super popular brand that started here. The style is fitted and does not look anything sloppy. People love it and guys think it looks hot on women. They are famous for their yoga pants costing over 100$ a pair so not really budget-friendly. It still looks good on people and I have seen many athletic bodies wearing them.
#8 Kay on 2008-07-16 13:30 (Reply)
Nay!!!
In fact I say "nay" to all cropped pants that are not tapered in the leg. Makes everyone look shorter.
#9 Sarah Wittmer on 2010-03-22 01:03 (Reply)
Leave a comment
E-Mail addresses will not be displayed.
Enclosing asterisks marks text as bold (*word*), underscore are made via _word_.
Standard emoticons like :-) and ;-) are converted to images.
E-Mail addresses will not be displayed and will only be used for E-Mail notifications.