I’m sure we’ve all been there: you put on that pair of pants that have been your go-to dress pants for a while and discover that they need to be a little increased in size of the dress pants around the waist. Perhaps they shrunk. If you’re like me, your pants stayed the same size, but you grew after working from home in loungewear. There are numerous quick fixes for this solution, some of which are more effective than others.
Few simple methods to increase the size of dress pants!
Here are a few quick and easy ways to make your dress pants a little larger around the waist. Or increase the size of the dress pants? Read this blog to learn a few simple methods to increase the size of dress pants or jeans.
In Place of An Elastic Waist
If your dress pants have an elastic waist, simply replace the elastic. Snip a hole inside the waistband in a hidden location (preferably around a side seam or the back or front).
Pull out as much as You’re you can from that hole. If the elastic is sewn into a seam, cut out as much of it as possible. You’re ready to go if you can remove all of the elastic
By using the same width elastic
- Using the same width elastic, measure around your waist to determine the size needed to make the pants comfortable, then cut it to that size.
- Insert a safety pin into one end of the elastic and thread it through the hole until both ends meet.
- Pin them together, then stitch the elastic together with both free hands.
- Hand whip stitching can be used to close the hole.
If you were unable to remove all of the original elastic from the casing, insert a new casing inside the pants, then insert your new, looser elastic, and finish as described above.
Use wide elastic to replace your elastic waistband
You could also use wide elastic to replace your elastic waistband with an exterior elastic waistband. To achieve the desired look, simply repeat the process of adding an elastic waistband without casing.
To make things easier, open one of the side seams about an inch and add the exterior elastic waist to the pants as a flat waist rather than a circular waist.
When It Comes to Time
If you’re like me, the option you choose to add width to your waistband will be determined by how much time you have. That’s why I started with the ponytail holder method.
It’ll be the first thing I try because nothing beats grabbing one from the bathroom drawer and looping it to form a button extended. I’ve been known to connect two to create a larger space in a hurry.
keeping some waistband extenders on hand;
If this is a recurring problem, I recommend keeping some waistband extenders on hand.
- Hook and loop belly band extenders are a quick fix for zippered waistbands.
- This set of waist extenders comes in a variety of colors and is simple to use with button-down pants.
The “V” Technique
This method also works with non-elastic waistbands. Use the “V” method if you need more than just a little extra room to button your dress pants. This is appealing to me because you can add width to both sides while concealing your alternation with a belt or your shirt.
Begin by estimating how much space you will require. The simplest way to do this is to measure the space between the button or snap that cannot be closed. Divide that number by two because you will add half the required space to each side of the pants. So, if you have a 3-inch gap that prevents you from sleeping comfortably,
Remove the two belt loops on each side of the pants
- Remove the two belt loops on each side of the pants and save them for reattachment.
- Cut from the top of the waistband to the bottom, taking care to line up the cut with the seam.
- Open both seams up to about 2 inches below the waistband with a seam ripper.
- Furthermore, Open the seams to form a “V” shape. Locate a piece of fabric or wide elastic that is a close match to the color of your pants.
- Make a V shape out of your fabric or elastic that is half an inch wider on both sides than the space you need to add.
Cut sides of your fabric or elastic
- If you need to add 1.5 inches to one side, make the widest part of your V 2.5 inches wide.
- Serge or zigzag the cut sides of your fabric or elastic.
- Insert the fabric/elastic into the open seam, align the top with the top of the waistband, and pin it in place.
- Then, sew the V into place with a running stitch.
- This video demonstrates a quick fix using this technique.
- I also like to sew a zigzag stitch down both sides.
- It appears to finish the cut edges better. It also helps to keep fabrics from fraying.
- Other versions of this method require more time to make more professional changes.
Ponytail Clip
Yes, if you don’t need a lot of extra space, the same elastic you use to make your ponytail can also hold your pants together. Use plain hair elastics rather than those with decorations on the ends. Insert the ponytail holder through your pants’ buttonhole.
Moreover, Push the underneath portion of the ponytail holder through the other end and pull tight once it is halfway through. Pull your pants on and wrap the open end of the ponytail holder around your button. This hair accessory turned button extender hack could provide you with an extra inch of wiggle room.
Bottom line!!
In short, your favorite step for pants that I simply cannot part with, use the “V” method simply cannot part with is you lose those extra inches or increase the size of the dress pants. The first time I tried this method, it took me about an hour. If you have everything on hand, it does get faster with practice. It took about the same amount of time to replace an elastic waistband.
