Oh, how I wanted to love these breeches. I truly did. But alas, I don't love them. I like them, and I'm keeping them, but they're not what I was hoping for.
The Good:
They are unbelievably cute. I bought the anthracite with electric coral which is actually just a light black with hot pink accents.
The fabric is nice and sturdy with a good stretchy feel. The construction is superb, and nothing feels loose or flimsy. They are a bit heavy for our summertime heat (it's still in the high 90s!), but they'll be fine for the rest of the year.
The price is also good, especially since I got them for 25% off the regular price of $75.95.
The fabric is nice and sturdy with a good stretchy feel. The construction is superb, and nothing feels loose or flimsy. They are a bit heavy for our summertime heat (it's still in the high 90s!), but they'll be fine for the rest of the year.
The price is also good, especially since I got them for 25% off the regular price of $75.95.
This is just one afternoon's layer of dirt!
The Bad:
The one and only thing that I do not like is the fit. Through the leg and thigh they fit great, but around my hips and butt that want to sag. I have to wear a belt with them and even then I am constantly hitching them up. I know they are a natural rise, but so are every other pair of breeches that I own.
My husband thought they looked just fine, so it's not like they really do sag, and if I just get to work, I quit noticing the sensation that I need to pull up my britches.
I wore them twice before washing them to see how they handled my work load. After dealing with hitching them up, I decided to wash and dry them to see if that improved things. To my disappointment, it didn't help. To the good however, the breeches came out of the dryer looking like brand new.
I know that SmartPak would take them back in an instant, but I really (want to) like them and am willing to live with having to hike them up. I am even considering buying another pair in a smaller size to see if that might help the sag. I doubt it will solve the issue though as I am much pretty a size 28/30 (I go up to the 30s because I like that wee bit of extra room).
My husband thought they looked just fine, so it's not like they really do sag, and if I just get to work, I quit noticing the sensation that I need to pull up my britches.
I wore them twice before washing them to see how they handled my work load. After dealing with hitching them up, I decided to wash and dry them to see if that improved things. To my disappointment, it didn't help. To the good however, the breeches came out of the dryer looking like brand new.
I know that SmartPak would take them back in an instant, but I really (want to) like them and am willing to live with having to hike them up. I am even considering buying another pair in a smaller size to see if that might help the sag. I doubt it will solve the issue though as I am much pretty a size 28/30 (I go up to the 30s because I like that wee bit of extra room).
I think I need a more fitted hip rather than the straight cut of the Pipers.
Overall:
I give these breeches 3½ stars out of 5. If they fit just a little better, I'd give them five stars for sure. That slight sag is enough to irritate more than one star from their rating.
If you're interested in trying out a pair, SmartPak has a 15% off coupon today only; use the promo code PARTY15 at checkout. USEF members get an additional 15% off.
I am very tempted ...
If you're interested in trying out a pair, SmartPak has a 15% off coupon today only; use the promo code PARTY15 at checkout. USEF members get an additional 15% off.
I am very tempted ...
