Ummmm holy cold snap Batman!! If you’re not in NZ, you may have escaped the brunt of it, but there is not escaping the fact that Winter is coming (G.O.T anyone?? Just me then….)
SO, in light of the cold snap, I thought I’d share an old post that seems to hit the spot every Winter. Read on……
If you take ONE piece of advice from me this winter, this should be it – get yourself a pair of ponte (pon-tee) pants. They are AMAZING! Don’t like skinny jeans? Get some ponte pants. Like wearing pants that are comfortable and fashionable? Get some ponte pants. Don’t want to wear leggings as pants? Get some ponte pants.
So what are ponte pants? They are a cross between a legging and a skinny jean. They are made from ponte – a thick, double-knit fabric with two-way stretch. Two way stretch is important because it moulds to your body-shape and holds you in at the same time – genius.
So now we know what they are, here is why you need them:
1. You can wear them instead of leggings to keep warm
They are thicker fabric than a legging so they are great to wear in winter if you still want to wear a tunic or dress. This longline cardi from Decjuba is a little short for me to wear with just tights – but ponte pants are thicker so I felt more comfortable in them.
2. You can wear them as pants
Because of the nature of the fabric, ponte pants are almost always thick enough to wear as pants (as opposed to leggings – which we all know ARE NOT PANTS!). The thicker fabric offers a little more support and because ponte pants are often panelled (the pants are sewn in several panels with the thick seams creating flattering lines down the leg) they are more flattering than a legging (just make sure you have the right kind of undies on – VPL’s still aren’t a good look).
Wear them like you would a skinny jean – remember, it’s all about balance. Ponte pants will still be quite fitted, so keep what ever you are wearing on top a little looser and more voluminous. Ponte pants are GREAT with oversized jumpers, cardigans and tops.
 
3. They are ridiculously comfortable
It might feel a little like you are putting on a wetsuit when you first try to get them on, but once they are up, boy are they comfy! Most ponte pants are pull-on, so no annoying zips and buttons (especially for that post-lunch tum tum). They are great for travel, long plane or car trips, and for mooching around the house in – BUT they look smokin’ with a pair of killer heels when you’re hitting the town too! (your feet might hurt from the heels but at least you will be able to breath in your pants)
4. Just because I say so
Trust me. Try a pair and you will see. The End.
Where to buy:
Here are a few of my top picks to cater all budgets, most stores will have a pair or two (Portmans and Jacqui E have about 5 varieties each!) Now you have NO excuse, so get going! Get some! NOW!
Convinced? Good.
Until next time, In Love & Style Always
Glad to read your comments about pointe pants! I just ordered two pair in Alabama! USA. Thanks for your reviews!!!
Was looking up what ponte pants were and found you. Thank you for the advice. Will find your blog next. Am looking forward to getting to know you!
glad you found me x
I just bought my first pair of ponte pants and I love them. I am losing weight and all my pants are too big. The first place they get too big is in the legs. These are great. They show off my 67 pound loss and when I keep losing, they will not got too big in the legs.
Are Ponte Pants tight and restricting? I have a blood clot in my leg behind my knee and sit a lot with my work. Will they gather up behind my knee and decrease circulation?
Hi Janet, they are by nature a tight pant, perhaps best to try a few pairs and see how they feel. There are definitely different weights in the fabric so work trying a few.
Can you really wear these if you have “chunkier” thighs? I don’t even own skinny jeans cos they freak me out lol. I suppose more a Tunic on top to hide thighs?
that’s exactly how you do it Kathleen – wear something long enough to cover your thighs (they are not quite pants anyway so the tops of your legs should be covered no matter what your shape)
oh and DEFINTEly give skinny jeans a go! they are far more flattering than you think 😉
I’m a fan of ponte pants and leggings as a replacement for leggings in winter! Great selection – especially the ones from Witchery! xo
So if you are an hour glass figure or pear shape, and you love Ponte pants – and you have to wear long flowing tops – how do you accentuate your waist?? with the longer flowing tops
There are still some great tops out there that are longer but will still accentuate your waist – Or use a jacket like I am in the first and third pics – I’m an Hourglass through and through!
Here is a good one from Max to help with that…..http://www.maxshop.com/shop/newest-arrivals/contrast-panel-shirt-tunic/oliveblack its got great shape through the waist, but still long enough to wear with Pontes.
This style of knit from Decjuba is another good example: http://www.decjuba.com.au/clothing/knitwear/flyaway-knit
The other thing to remember is that you don’t always HAVE to accentuate your waist, because you are wearing something very slim on the bottom, you can get away with a fuller option on top. The rules are there to be broken!
Hope that helps a little?
it does and many thanks as usual
I recently got the Next ones from Ezibuy and they kind of feel like nana pants with slightly loose legs – how tight should they be? Theoretically they’re the right size but I have a feeling they’re too big?
they should be tight – so maybe try going down a size? Ponte pants should be fitted (like leggings but thicker) whereas jogger pants will be loose through the leg and then fitted at the ankle – does that make sense?
These look cool! What are the Glassins ones like compared to the three top picks…and what’s your number one out of the top picks? Can you give details for your jeans shirt and also third look with the jacket? LOVE your blog!
Hey Kate! Thanks so much, I’m so happy you love the blog!!
I really rate the Glassons ones – plus they are a good, cheap option to start with. Out of the other three, the Witchery ones I like the most because they look a little more like PANTS. The pockets etc make them feel a little less like leggings if you know what I mean.
The denim shirt was from Glassons a wee while ago now (last year) but Kmart has a good one atm – my bomber is a second-hand topshop number I got at Recycle Boutique in Newmarket in Auckland. I LOVE that place!
xx
Kaitlin – am loving what I am reading. So, Ponte pants will be my first, ‘season’ purchase (how could I say, Winter, living on the GC!) So…. have skinny jean, leggings (for around the apartment) and slim black pants. Ponte will be a great extra as I don’t do skirts very well in the cooler months. Advise on ‘tops’ and footwear would be appreciated for the ‘shorties’…and not so young. Happy Friday!
Hi lovely!! same advice goes for shorties (hee hee) – make sure you are wearing a longer top, and a black ankle boot never hurts 🙂 xx