I mentioned in a recent newsletter (you’re subscribed, right? If not, you can sign up on this page) that I was looking for ways to cinch the hems of my trousers to marginally participate in the balloon trousers trend. Sure, I could make a pair of balloon trousers for myself, but what I really want to do is to minimize the number of items in my wardrobe and wear the trouser I have as many ways as possible. So instead of making balloon trousers and potentially getting tired of the trend and giving them away in a year or two, I’d rather make trousers that can be balloon trousers AND regular wide-leg trousers and wear them both ways.
If you like that idea here are a few options:
Sew your wide-legged trousers (in my case our Cannes Trousers, which are my absolute favorite and which many of you have said fit you very well right out of the envelope.
Then:
- The more typical, more permanent method: Instead of hemming the normal way, make the hem an elastic casing just the right width to fit an elastic band, and finish the trouser hem like an elastic waistband. Easy-peasy, right? This way is more permanent, of course, but if you’re wanting to make balloon trousers this is the most typical solution. And you can always remove the elastic later if you wish. The fabric may not lay completely flat at the hem if you wear and wash them a lot with the elastic inside, but it’s an option.
- The scrunchy method: Try my crazy self-fabric tiny scrunchy idea. Make two narrow scrunchies and you can simply slip them over your trouser legs to easily cinch the trousers closed at the hem and create the balloon-leg effect when desired.
- The drawstring method: As one of you suggested–and I apologize that I can’t find your lovely email right now–leave an opening at the inseam at the hem. That was you can feed a drawstring through the opening and cinch it when desired. You could use a cord stopper to hold it in place, cinched or uncinched. More or less like this.
- The self-tie method: Sew a self tie from the same fabric as your trousers and tie it around the trousers when desired. Sort of like this.
By the way, if you want to make this a more permanent (but still removeable eventually) solution you could tack the tie to the inseam so you don’t lose it.
- The safety pin and ribbon method: And here’s a clever solution, although it will create more of a barrel-leg shape than a true balloon shape. It requires a couple of safety pins and a length of ribbon (or a self tie if you plan ahead).
This is really cute, the way the ribbon matches the shoes, too.
A few tips for your convertible balloon-leg trousers:
- Be sure to leave your hem long enough. Cinching the leg will shorten them a bit, which is usually fine because balloon trousers tend to look best when they sit at or just above the ankle.
- This style looks best work with a little skin visible at the foot or with a shoe that has a pointed toe, so flip flops are and ballet flats are great for warm weather. For cooler weather you might like to switch to an ankle boot with a pointy toe. But I’ve seen them look cute with a low-profile sporty sneaker, too, so experiment with what you like.
- A higher waist lengthens your leg. That’s another reason I like the Cannes Trousers–the waist is high enough that it balances the volume of the legs.
- Because of the exaggerated silhouette of the wide legs, you’ll probably want to contrast the full legs with a more fitted or tailored top, with a cropped jacket, or by some other method of defining the waist. I’ve been wearing mine with our Leyton Tank, and when the weather (finally) cool enough I’ll probably add a fitted blazer.
Why not have fun with this trend, right? It’s a playful style if it fits your lifestyle (think of it like dressy sweatpants, if you will), and if you sew them with a convertible hem you’ll be able to get more wear from them by wearing them both ways. Personally, I’m exited to wear them for dancing tango!