This is the fifth and final post in my Winter Essentials Series – if you missed the other four, you can read them you can check them out HERE (the winter dress), HERE (ankle boots) HERE (leather jacket) and HERE (winter accessories)
{Disclaimer: You may or may not have already read this post – It has been re-posted a couple of times over the years on the blog in different ways, shapes and forms, but it’s back again because these pants are THE BEST PANTS EVER!}
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 wee little tunic top from Glassons 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 poku). 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!
- 1. EziBuy secret support ponti leggings $39.99. 2. Forever New “Pippa” exposed zip ponti $49.99. 3. Portmans coated ponte pants $69.95. 4. Jacqui E ponte seam front leggings $69.95
Convinced? Good.
Until next time,
In Love & Style Always
Cait xo
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Would it be appropriate to wear tight ponte pants with a metallic shell (mid-hip) and a fitted dressy blazer for a cocktail party? I am above average height (5’6″) and thin. I realize I am not going for balance with all fitted pieces, but I actually think it looks all right. I should mention that I am in my 60’s but like to dress stylishly.
Anna as long as you feel amazing in it, the absolutely yes! (my only piece of advice would be to make sure that a) they are VERY thick ponte pants, and b) that you are wearing the right undies so no pantie line) but go girl!! x
The ponte pants are thick with a waistband and zipper. They do not look like tights, which I would never wear with a shorter top (very bad look for anyone over 3 or 4).
They look like tight slacks, and I will probably wear Spanx under them to make sure they are no lines or too much tightness in inappropriate places. Am I too old to wear a red jumpsuit (long sleeve, not low) without looking ridiculous?
they sound perfect!
And NO! you are definitely not too old to wear a jumpsuit – if you feel amazing in it, then go for it! (all the 30 yr olds in the room will be jealous) x
Hi Cait
I am 160cm and have a pear-shaped figure. Could you please recommend a ponte pant for my height and body shape?
Thanks in advance.
Hi Tracey,
Most ponte pants are actually quite long so you should be ok with most brands, but give Jacqui and Max in particular a try. So when it comes to being a certain shape, it’s more about HOW you wear your ponte pants, not necessarily WHICH ones you wear.
As a pear, you still want to skim over your hips and thighs, so look for an oversized top (particularly one that has a slightly scooped hem, either up or down, and is longer at the back that it is at the front) that is long enough to cover your hips, something along these lines: http://www.bluebungalow.com.au/purple-jersey-tunic-top.html, then use a cropped jacket or blazer to define your waist a little – always remember to create vertical lines down your frame too so a long-line scarf or necklace when you are wearing something a little oversized is always a great idea 🙂
My online styling service, StyleMail sounds like it would be great for you! In fact I actually wrote an issue on ponte pants not too long ago – it’s specifically tailored for your body shape – you can have a bit of a look at it here: http://chasingcait.com/personal-styling/welcome-to-stylemail/
I’d love to help you out a little more with the ponte pants mission so as a little gift, if you sign up to the Pear issue of StyleMail, I’d love to send you the back issue all about Ponte Pants for a Pear for free!!
I hope that all helps a little?
Cait
xx
Although I totally get the principle of these pants, I bought the Ezibuy ones you reccomend above and was really disapointed. The secret support rode up and is really uncomfortable, and the fabric whilst it has stretch, but the end of the day was baggy around the knees and generally looking scruffy.
Might have to keep an open mind and try a different brand, but as I think you are usually spot on, I would suggest you remove the above Ezibuy pair.
Oh Kelly that’s such a shame! Have you let the EziBuy team know that? I’m sure they will be interested to hear that feedback. I had a pair from another company that did that too……
I PROMISE the Portmans, Forever New and Jacqui E ones are all amazing – I have them all 🙂
Will try again 🙂
Any recommendations for pontes with a wider leg? I have the skinny leg version (and j’adore) but I have a new soft tailoring black blazer from Metallicus that I’d like to team with a pair of soft tailoring suit pants for work… which seems to me to be ponte pants to a tee. I see a few in your pics at the top, but can’t seem to find any online. Any ideas?
(Ps am posting you the link to my new ponte jacket. Ah, love.)
The link didn’t work: http://www.metalicus.com/collections/jackets/empire-l-s-blazer.html
Also, how rude of me… hi Cait! Thanks for another great post! (an oldie but a goodie!)
haha you were just SO excited to find some new pants right?? 😉
OH my, that is amazing!
LOOOOOOOVE a ponte jacket! Jacqui E is normally pretty good for a wider leg, try this one:
http://www.jacquie.com.au/shop/en/jacquie/ponti-pant-with-belt
Otherwise, Target is always good for that too! see how you go x
Ooh, I love those! Can I ask you an apple question for buying online? At my waist, I’m at least a size, usually 2 sizes, larger than I am at my hips. For ponte pants, seeing as they are a bit stretchy, should I average, and go for the middle size, or go for the larger size of my waist? (PS this is mostly me procrastinating from studying, so if you don’t have time to answer, no worries :))
Haha of course I have time to answer! That’s why I’m here>
Ok with ponte pants you should be good doing exactly what you think and average the two sizes – remember Jacqui E is a generous fit too so you could be fine with your ‘normal’ pants size as they do have good stretch!
Thanks again Cait!
Question re ponte pants – while they look amazing, and I can already see how they would work perfectly with a load of things already in my wardrobe…I’m really short (like just over 5ft short), so are they easy enough to take up or get taken up, or would I have to shop around for a short length so I don’t ruin the fabric in any way?
Hey Maz – they would be SUPER easy to take up! just make sure you don’t go for ones that have a zip or anything at the bottom 🙂 but otherwise, you should be fine. Enjoy them! They are awesome 🙂
Hey Maz, Cait just pointed out some ponte pants at Target to me, and I notice they come in short, regular and tall. I have other dress pants from Target in the short (I’m also about 5 ft) and they are about right for me. I’m going to run myself out to Target pronto and pick up a pair in ponte (ooh, that was fun to say…!). They were cheap too, only $40 – nice. Good luck!
oh nice work!!! Love it when readers share their tips with other readers – nice spotting!!
I can’t believe it’s almost ponte pants weather again, I’m so not ready for winter!
On the other hand, ponte pants are a great to stay stylish during the colder weather so I shouldn’t complain too much I suppose 🙂 I especially love how you paired yours with a dress. It looks great on you! x
I wore my ponte pants out last night for the first time and when I got home I didn’t want to take them off! Wore then with a dress that’s too short for normal tights, but just right with ponte pants. Thanks for putting me on to these! Plus they were BNWOT Country Road on eBay for $15. Even better.
OH gosh! Score!!! I wore then on the plane on Friday and they were perfect, they really do hit that spot of “appropriate pants for under tunics that are too short of tights” don’t they 😉