You Want Dress Pants in a 5X!
ever elusive!
Last week in the
chat, (@nocoastelliot on Instagram) mentioned that Big Undies was missing the mark on clothes that come in size 5X & up—and Elliot specifically mentioned dress pants.I did a roundup of 5X & up swimwear, but I was interested in the idea of dress pants because dress pants can cover so many different occasions—professional events, weddings, whenever you need someone to take your seriously.
When I started researching this, I used the Lane Bryant size chart as my standard for what a 5X is, because sizing is arbitrary and inconsistent. Lane Bryant’s 5X is a 30/32 but measures 58-60” chest, 52-54” waist, 60-62.5” hip. But when I checked with Elliot, they said “I would consider a 5X a 53–56” waist, 60-65” hip. Generally a 30/32 in women’s sizing.” I only point this out to highlight how much of a range there is!
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Elliot also generously shared what brands have worked well for them in the past:
Lucy & Yak Alexa, Billie, Chuck, and Rumi style pants in 3X. The non-elasticated pants do not fit me in UK32 (52” waist) but the elasticated ones I only need a 3X, though they come up to 4X.
Old Navy pants in 4X, but only if elastic waist. Structured/button waist are a little too snug to be comfy.
Free Label pants in 5X if they are the bamboo/rayon type fabric. The styles that have worked are Loretta, Monday, Friday, Sunday crop, Noah, Rai crop. Their stuff generally is a little long for my 29.5” inseam, but I imagine the tall babes would love that feature.
Target’s Ava & Viv skinny jeans in size 30 have been a solid option for 5+ years. Some of their other house brands aren’t sized the same and feel too small. But Target is not in my rotation due to their cutting 3X/4X from stores and rolling back their DEI initiatives.
Here are some dressy pants in size 5X(ish)
Connally Goods Ely Trousers (up to 6X with a 65” stretched waist & custom beyond)
Look, I just cannot say enough good things about Connally Goods! Their stuff is amazing. I’ve had my eye on these brushed 100% cotton pants for a while. I want them *almost* as bad as I want one of their new vests! Connally Goods’ size chart measures the garment instead of your body like the Lane Bryant one so it can be a little hard to compare. But the waist on the 5X Ely trouser stretches from 54-58.”Wray Studio Pant (up to size 28 with a 55” waist and 66” hip)
I love the pleats on these! I think they look very polished.Big Bud Press Trousers (up to size 6X with a 66” waist)
Are these dress pants? I think you could definitely dress them up, with a blouse-y shirt or a blazer!Girlfriend Collective Luxe Wide Leg (up to 6X with a 54” waist)
These are the crossover in the Venn diagram of pajamas & dress pants, but I do think in black they would work for some dress occasions.Baacal Hepburn Pant (up to a size 5 with a 54” waist)
Drop dead GORGEOUS.
Oge Ajibe Relief Pant (up to 6X, 5X has up to a 55” waist)
Classic cotton pants with a comfy elastic waist.Loud Bodies Lilian Wrap Pant (up to 10XL, 5X has up to a 55” waist)
I like the bow here! Bows are fancy!Tamara Malas Pilot Pant (up to 6X, 5X has up to a 58” waist)
Pleated. Velvet.
Altar Houseline Doppel Pant (up to 6X or 62” waist)
Bootcut with a contoured seam down the front! Very sophisticated.Copper Union Floral Plisse Pants (up to size 7 with a 66” waist)
Dress these up! Take them out!Emperor’s Old Clothes Design Your Own Trousers (up to a 60” waist)
You get to choose the fabric and details like belt loops, pockets, and a reinforced crotch!Anne Mulaire New Day Pant (up to 6X with a 67” waist)
These have kind of an early 2000s business lady vibe to me? I like it.Trash Queen Split Tapered Pants (up to 5X with 64” waist)
These are maybe only dress pants for a clown?? But I don’t know, I think if you wore them with heels and a silky shirt it could work!!What Lo Wants Maya Pants (up to 5X with a 57” waist)
These are simple, solid pants that could be worn a million different ways.
A few good fast fashion options:
Woman Within Straight Leg Pants (up to a 65” waist)
Ulla Popken Slim Leg Jersey pant (up to a 66” waist)
Kiyonna Polished Ponte Pant (up to 62” waist)
Universal Standard Tux Double Lux Pants (up to size 40)
You can find all these links in one place here. Most of the small brand links are not commissionable, but I like having them all organized together.
I would love to know if you’ve tried any of these brands or if you know of any great dress pants that I missed!
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For the Wray Studio pants, the hip dimension is 66”. I think for the pleats to lay right, you would want your body dimensions to be quite a bit smaller than that…. Probably at least 4”. I only mention this because I like
Wray a lot but I find their sizing incredibly inconsistent, even across the same style but with different fabrics. I find it is essential to use the garment measures to get even in the right ballpark.
I’ve personally found Bacaal to fit very small so I don’t have trust that their larger sizes would work (I have bought 3x from them not larger sizes).
Also there is Street and Saddle who does free custom for any size and I’ve been loving their pants for me. I actually always check the custom box and give my measurements and have no idea if they are technically “custom” apart from a shorter inseam but they always fit very well. Full disclosure that I sometimes fit test and tech design lite for them.