So, today I’m sharing pair number 3 of the Bisque trousers by Vivian Shao Chen. These are the tapered view A of the pattern.

The Bisque trousers cater for a maximum hip measurement of 51.5 inches (131cm) and maximum waist size of 41.5 inches (105cm). The pattern comes with a wide-leg, tapered leg and shorts option.

Today’s post isn’t actually going to have a whole lot to say – since I have just made this pattern very recently. If you would like more information abotu what I thought of sewing with the Bisque Trousers pattern, I would suggest that you check out my first post on this pattern.

The only changes I made when sewing the Bisque trousers this time around was that I lengthened the leg by one inch, as while I find the length as designed cute when standing up, it just makes me feel silly when I sit down!

I’m very satisfied with this addition.

I also used the back patch pockets this time, which I didn’t use my first time around, as I am always wary of how patch pockets can look on loose fitting and high-waisted trousers – the potential for getting the placement wrong is signficant!

I am actually happy with these patch pockets. Well, to the extent that one can be. Confession: I actually generally hate patch pockets but nonetheless, admit that they can sometimes be useful. I am pleased to report that I find these patch pockets unoffensive – which I consider a total win when it comes to patch pockets.

On my body, the suggested pocket placement actually works well – which is a change! I usually always have to adjust back pocket placement!

These Bisque trousers are made from a lovely deadstock wool blend Prince of Wales check, that I purchased from Meter Meter. Between these Bisque trousers and my recent Fibre Mood Amira Skirt, I’m quite loving this classic fabric at the moment!

Perhaps a blazer should be next on this trend…

Dressing Lessons

Since I don’t have a whole lot to say about the making of this pattern – it was easy and enjoyable, go read my first Bisque trousers post if you want to know more.

Instead, I thought I would reflect a little upon how working from home for a considerable chunk of the last couple of years has given me a newfound respect for comfort.

I’m not going to lie – pre-lockdown Beck wouldn’t have made elastic waisted pants in a fabric designed for workwear. It would have seemed a contradiction in terms.

Even when working from home, I generally dress in “nice” clothes which I could wear to the office. I tried working in leggings or trackies – just doesn’t make me happy. I have a huge wardrobe of me-made clothes and it gives me personal pleasure to wear them everyday – even if I know it’ll be only me and my family that see them.

In a way, it’s kind of nice to realise that I really dress for the joy of it and how it makes me feel, rather than for the validation of others.

But, I digress.

The one thing, however, even as I continue to dress “office-ish” at home, is that I have entirely lost my tolerance for any discomfort.

Even if there is a new normality somewhere over the horizon, you will not see me going back to underwire bras or uncomfrotable waistbands.

Which is why I have developed a new found respect for the humble elastic-waist band.

They move with you, not against you.

They are forgiving.

They can be fairly easily replaced if your waist changes.

I also wear a lot of belts and half-tuck style tops, so to the extent that they may be considered “unsightly” by some, they are very often hidden the majority of the time!

And if you want to see something unsightly, you should check out the red, squishy lines all over the skin of my waist after I’ve been wearing a pair of non-elasticated jeans all day long!

So, I thought I would round up with an ode to the fact that elastic-waisted trousers can, indeed, be as stylish as we make them, by sharing my own favorites of the genre.

Elastic waisted wonders

Quite possible my favourite pants pattern ever (elastic waisted or otherwise), is probably the Arthur Pants by Sew Liberated. And yes, I have another blog post on them. And another – here I’ve turned them into jeans!

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The Arthur Pants fall into that sub-set of the elastic waist that I like to think of as a mullet – business at the front, party at the back.

There is also a variation of the Arthur Pants that uses elastic all the way around, but I haven’t sewn that one yet.

Another member of the mullet elastic family is the Pietra Pants by Closet Core Patterns. And more over here. Again, you can see its firm favourite status in the fact that multiples of them inhabit my closet.

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I’ve also hacked the Deer and Doe Dressed eBook culottes to add in an elastic back.

And waist bands aren’t the exclusive domaine of pants – I’ve also added elastic back to the waistband of the Fiore Skirt!

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So, you can probably guess, I have a soft spot for the smooth-at-the-front, elastic-at-the-back thing! Leaving the mullets behind and going full-elastic – the Miller trousers by Paper Theory is another pattern I’ve enjoyed – and which is actually quite comparable to the Bisque trousers.

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All in all, it is very clear to me that elastic is here to stay, as far as my wardrobe is concerned. And these new Bisque trousers, find themselves in some solid company.

What about you?

Are you team elastic or team torture?

Just kidding!

I won’t judge you if you hate elastic.

Much!

Any favourite patterns using elastic waists out there?

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