Help me make my pants fit, please!

ewenner

I am currently 18 weeks, and I am finally outgrowing my pants.  I now officially have one pair of jeans that I can comfortably wear.  The rubber-band trick is ok for the jeans, but all of my work pants have buttons on the inside and those sliding metal clasp things so that the actual front of the pants lies flat from the outside (am I describing that correctly?), so rubber-band trick is a no-go for any of those.  I bought a Bella band, but as soon as I sit down and/or move at all, the darn thing just rolls up to my waist, so it's just a big bunched up piece of spandex that serves no functional purpose for me.  When that failed, I bought two pairs of maternity pants - one with about a four-inch elastic waistband and one with a full panel.  I found myself constantly pulling them up - I guess I'm not quite big enough for those yet.  ARRGGHHHH!!!  Anyway, I am hoping for any other suggestions from you fine ladies out there, so that I can comfortably wear my pants again (I don't wear dresses/skirts).  Do I just need to go out  and buy regular clothes a size larger? Are there less expensive alternatives?Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

NeonNoon

It's pretty uncomfortable and frustrating when pants don't fit!  I didn't find relief until I switched to maternity pants.  I do own a bunch of 'fat pants'.  So, I used those at the start.  I also used the rubber band + Beband trick occasionally.  Do you think the maternity pants you bought are too big?  Another option I can think of are leggings or stretchy pants that look dressy.  Good luck.

supersarah77

Ya, there's that in between stage that's annoying with pants. I have to yank up my maternity pants at this point, too, even though I outgrew regular pants long ago. I have one pair of Motherhood Maternity leggings that stay up. It seems to help if I fold down the full panel a la belly band.

mandyreads

I don't have to work...but I wear leggings with riding boots a lot to church or when dressing up. And just reg leggings. Jcpenneys have a great pair that was thick enough and not see through.

niknak1208

Ugh. I bought a bella band too and I hate that thing.  I don't think it's comfortable at all!!!  When I was in between.. I found the stretchy tank tops at Target to be the most helpful because it's one piece and it doesn't move.  I used those ALOT to keep my pants up. lol  I'm 18 weeks now too and I'm wearing maternity pants and I am so much more comfortable!  I just bought a black pair of leggings and a couple of pairs of work pants and that's it so far but it's so much more comfortable.  I know some people love that bella band thing but I hated it.  

marijaa333

@ewenner said:

"but all of my work pants have buttons on the inside and those sliding metal clasp things so that the actual front of the pants lies flat from the outside (am I describing that correctly?), so rubber-band trick is a no-go for any of those. "

I'm able to use a very thin hair band for work pants. I do need a longer top that isn't too tight at the base, and then it all works out.  I'm 20 weeks and can button all my low-rise jeans fully again (I couldn't weeks 13-19, but then my uterus moved up.)

@mandyreads

I also do a lot of thick tights, boots and dresses!

NicoleWI

Maternity pants with a belly band.

ewenner

Thank you all for your tips!

NeonNoon - I thought I bought the right size.  I just bought the same size that I would in normal pants, so I din't think they would be too big, but I obviously don't know what the heck I'm doing.

marijaa333 - I'm not sure I understand how you can make the rubberband thing work with professional pants - enlighten me, please!  Do you just put the rubberband through where the button is and then not hook any of the metal clasps?  If so, how do you keep the front placket from sticking out without a belly band, which, as I mentioned does not work for me?

hikerlady - I like your idea of trying to take in the elastic panels temporarily!  I have a couple other mending/hemming projects to do, so maybe I will haul out the trusty old sewing machine and give that a whirl.  Thanks!

mandyreads

What about so stretchy band with clips that attach on each side where the button and hole are? Forgive my mind as I cannot think of what they are called lol

marijaa333

@ewenner I thread the thin hair elastic band through the button hole (or holes, some of my pants have two buttons, one on top of the other) and then hook the other end around the metal clasp (it's a tight fit but it does work if you have a thin band). If you have two buttons, this does scrunch up the part where the button holes are, but that's what the longish shirt is for. Also, some of the metal clasps hang out on a longer piece of fabric, in which case you can just make a few knots in the elastic band to make the fit snug, or thread through the metal piece to the left of the button where the metal hook would normally go, instead of through the button.

Here is a photo (version with one-button pants).

mattandlora

I 2nd @nicoleWI with the maternity pants + bella band. I bought a bella band a size smaller so it was tight, like a belt, and wore it over the full-panel maternity pants to keep them up.

ewenner

marijaa333 - This is genius!  Thank you for the picture!  I will most definitely be trying this with my work pants!

mattandloranicoleWI - I will have to try this, too.  I am a little concerned because the bella band rides up so much when I wear it, but maybe it will work better when worn with the maternity pants.  

Thanks again for the tips, everyone!!!