I have found my new favorite pants! Awhile ago new Athleta catalog landed in my mailbox, as it so…read moreoften does. I do so enjoy Athleta catalogs although they really don't need to send as many as they do. I happily perused this one, not in the market for any new clothes, when some pants caught my eye. On a side note, I'm rather frugal and never pay full price for things, especially at Athleta. So I peruse the catalog and think to myself that I will check back later when styles I like go on sale. Of course, I rarely do that. But this time, I had to investigate these pants. I would soon be flying to London for a two-week vacation. Despite all my travel, I have not acquired a great pair of traveling pants. You know, comfortable for a long flight but not slouchy-looking. I don't want to arrive in London wearing sweats! Athleta showed me several styles of stretch pants that were a notch above leggings and looked quite nice. At least in the catalog. I also had learned, in the past, that new catalog styles do not linger in the brick and mortar locations for very long. So, on Sunday afternoon I dragged my boyfriend to Kenwood Towne Center (which also gave me the chance to finally experience the brand new Lush store!). I'm sure he was just thrilled - but he's a good sport.
I lost track of how many different styles of pants I tried on. The sales associates at Athleta are great! I told them which pants I saw in the catalog and that I wanted something comfortable for long flights but stylish enough to wear after I reached my destination. We gathered a few pairs and went to the dressing rooms. Athleta also has a stylist working the dressing rooms and after I told her what I wanted, she brought several more pairs of pants. I like that the sales associates at Athleta are very helpful, if you want help, but they are not pushy. One gripe I had with the experience was some bizarre sizing. Usually at Athleta I wear smaller sizes. There was one style that I fit into a size four, and another that I wore a size 8! This sort of thing would make it hard to order on line...
The first pair I tried on turned out to be my favorite. They are stretch leggings, but with a somewhat heavier, twill-like fabric so, while form fitting, ever single curve and bulge does not show. Like leggings should be. Also, this is the first time I've purchase leggings. I've never had any desire to wear them before. These have cool zippers on the hips and will look nice with flats or boots. Perfect! ( I will have use of laundry machines in London so I won't be wearing the same unwashed pants for days.) But I also tried on a pair of skinny cargo pants. I'm in my 40s and have no need for cargo pants. But these are fabulous! They fit like skinny jeans. The side pockets have zippers, not flaps, so there's less bulk on your thighs. They stretch a bit, for extra comfort. They are cropped at the ankle to look chic with flats or sneakers. I'm petite. These pants are not sized 'petite' but they still hit above my ankle. I love them. So much so that I bought both the leggings and the cargo pants. At full price even! I never do that!
I decided to test them out before the trip. The skinny cargo pants were snug in the dressing room and when I first put them on, but the waist soon loosened up and had me thinking I should have gotten the smaller size. ( I bought a 6 in these.) But, they do have belt loops so I just have to wear a belt.
Athleta also has a very forgiving return policy. In fact, if you wear workout clothes for a workout, and decide you don't like them, Athleta will take them back! The prices are a bit high, but the quality is good. The Kenwood store has sale racks in the back by the dressing room.
