This isn’t a radio station, so I rarely take requests. That is, until my very dear friend Camille wrote in with an inquiry I kicked around in my head for a couple of months.

“Can you write a letter about great pants that aren’t jeans?”

The prompt is simple, at least at first glance. But after plenty of time to ruminate on its real meaning, I’ve created my platonic ideal of Pants That Aren’t Jeans for the readers at home.

• Ideally, elastic waist. Not mandatory, but really nice to have.

• Should be formal enough to wear to dinner but comfortable enough for an airplane.

• Being able to machine wash is another nice to have.

• Can be paired with a silk button up or worn-in graphic tee.

• It’s also worth caveating that I am 6’2”.

But why a great pant that’s not a jean? Well, for starters, some days, jeans are a lot! And maybe you’re trying to take a half step up from PJs into something a little friendlier. Or you travel all the time and need a pant that can play multiple parts for a week-long trip. I’d venture that every person needs a pair of Pants That Aren’t Jeans. And I can help.

Stretchy kick flares

I’m not a High Sport girl for two reasons: length and my geographic background. You think my Midwestern grandmothers would welcome me into their homes knowing I spent almost $1,000 on pants? Think again. I know they look great on. And the branding is fabulous. But there are mutual funds I’d rather spend that chunk of cash on if I’m being real.

Fear not, thrifty shoppers. This Gap pair, pictured below, happens to be a great dupe that comes in tall, regular, and petite for $40. I think they look very 60s chic with a bare ankle and loafers.

Go bold with this red pair from Banana Republic that’s still 1/8 the cost of High Sport.

Here’s a secondhand tall medium pair for $40!

Other styling ideas: a matching black tshirt and colorful button down on top or a gauzy white prairie top with flip flops and a basket.

Overalls

Not pants necessarily, but I’m taking some creative license. Wearing overalls is a pretty clear indicator that it’s going to be a cozy day in my book. I like how simple it makes the rest of the outfit, and I especially like pairing a blousy top with them for a little juxtaposition. Plus, no real waistband.

I always size up in overalls. The last thing I want is something tight on the hips! And I have a few secondhand favorites I’ll share below.

Search “vintage big mac overalls” for a treasure mine of very long inseams. Short people, roll a thick cuff or just have your tailor chop.

Carhartt rocks in this department. You can always buy a new pair, but it’s worth checking secondhand sites, especially once you know what size you are.

Vintage Gap overalls—always a good find!

Other styling ideas: a striped turtleneck with a big silver bangle or dirty sneakers and a linen blend shell tank.

Elevated pajama pants

In some senses, I could have just called this the Donni pant since it feels like

A few things to look for: I like solid colors but stripes or gingham can be cool, too. Ideally, I’m wearing these with a big button down or sweater. I don’t like mixing with blazers or short jackets. And 100% linen or 100% cotton is the play here.

Nikki Chasin does a VERY cool take on this style that I would again devour if there was a plus five inches option. These are only $140, run up to 3XL, and come in a ton of colors.

These are vintage Jones New York, which is another trusty dusty search term.

For my tapered leg enthusiasts, I present this Etsy pair.

Other styling ideas: baggy striped tshirt (I just got this and can’t stop wearing) and crossbody for school pick up or tie cardigan with nothing underneath!

Karate pant

Here’s a little secret me and my friend Hayden share: karate pants. If you can scoop up a pair, you’ll get what we’re talking about. They’re anatomically similar to the pants above, but usually they don’t have pockets and usually they’re white. The leg is nice and wide for, I guess, kicking, and I cried when I thought I lost my pair last year.

My pants were a Ruby find somewhere in Delaware. But you don’t need a lucky BFF! Try ordering the real deal, if you want to start somewhere.

Blurry pic but for $10 pants, we’ll live!

These pants are on preorder in some VERY compelling color choices.

You can approximate my pants with this J.Crew pair pretty easily—these have pockets and mine don’t.

I (clearly) love to wear mine with loafers. But also extremely cute with sandals in the summer.

These are a size small and $13 on eBay.

Other styling ideas: big old white fisherman sweater with a turquoise necklace or a bikini top and blue mesh slides.

Elastic waist trouser

This might be the best trick up my sleeve. A lot of vintage trousers, usually with at least a touch of polyester, come with elastic waists. So they’re not ideal for a tight tuck in look, but I find them dressier than jeans and worlds more comfortable.

These really are best sourced IRL at a thrift store because sizing is almost impossible, but here are some picks you can shop at home.

A grey pinstripe pair! And the big cuff could be taken out for more length.

You know it took a lot of restraint not to buy this brilliant pink cotton pair before sending this letter…

A chic wide leg option from La Ligne.

My other trust pair. These only have elastic in the hips, like toddler pants, and I can’t recommend finding a secondhand pair similar enough.

$15 and the color combination potential is making me drool.

And why not go for the lighter silk option, too?

Tapered check realness and $20.

Other styling ideas: silky tank and strappy sandals or a silver knitted bag and pink polo.

Intentional sweats

Hear me out: vintage sweats worn ON PURPOSE can be a great pant option. I’m not talking about the cotton ones with your alma mater written down the leg. I’m describing something retro and swishy.

There are some great new options, but like the pants above, shopping vintage is a sure way to get something way cooler.

Immediately proving myself wrong with this Collina Strada x Puma collab.

Excellent color combination for $30.

I know what I said about alma mater before but can’t you picture

I’m partial to a “break away style” sweat but I played basketball in 2011, so that’s me.

Other styling ideas: cardigan buttoned all the way up and a headband or a white tshirt and sweater over the shoulders.

Midi skirt

My newsletter! My rules! So yes, I’m counting a midi skirt as a jean alternative. Hear me out. I was on the fence about embracing the style after the chokehold Tibi had on me in 2015. But I started slow—this Doen skirt is the only midi I own. And almost six months later, I’m open to bringing in another midi!

It’s so simple to trade your jeans for this and make your outfit feel instantly more Uptown. Look for elastic waist if you’re making a comfort call.

Go for historical accuracy with this Tibi number.

Cute red lace option, PLUS elastic waist.

In love with this vintage suede option.

Other styling ideas: a blazer with nothing underneath and the sleeves pushed up all the way or a denim baseball hat and monochromatic vest.

Honorable Mentions

Saving shopping inspiration can get chaotic fast. And despite my best efforts, it's always a little better in theory than in practice. Until I tried Carted—an app that lets you save any item from any store into a single wishlist. No more jumbled notes or drafted emails. It's everything you're shopping (secondhand or otherwise) in one place. My favorite part? Carted will send price drop notifications or stock updates. I love that it takes the immediacy out of shopping while making sure you're getting the best deal possible.

I fell off my game, but I’m back to say Skin Food is the best travel hack for highlighter + under eye care.

Do you like romance novels? I loved Quicksilver if someone wants to recommend me my next fantasy read.

Thank you for reading Long Live. It means so much to me. You can preorder my romance novel, Exit Lane, on Bookshop or Amazon. You can shop my favs here, follow along on Instagram + Tiktok, and shop my Notion template. You can book my Office Hours to talk shop here. Get matched at EV Salon. And if you want to partner on a future Long Live, email evan@communite.co x