No one stays the same size forever. It’s common to go up or down a size (or two) seasonally, wear a size up during the winter holidays, then go down again once you’re back to your normal routine. Or maybe you experienced a change in plans that made it difficult to cook meals at home or go to the gym. Or maybe you got sick, embarked on a healthier lifestyle, or even noticed bloating the same day after eating a big meal or a salty snack.
Living in yoga pants is an option, but there is a better way. Allow us to introduce you to the concept of flexible clothing based on sizes.
Instead of buying multiple sizes of all your favorite clothes, there are clothing brands that make flexible tops, pants, dresses and more that will look good on you at all stages. They do this by incorporating stretch materials, elastic bands, adjustable straps and smarter details.
Fashion designer Alison Bruhn from The Style that Binds Us recommends looking for pants with “just the right amount of stretch” around the stomach, sides and back. To test the stretch, do a squat. Make sure the pants are comfortable while you’re on the ground and that the material rises once you stand up. If the material takes too long to recover, the pants will end up baggy over time. Other ways to ensure that clothing holds up to size changes is to look for garments that are “a little loose” in fabric and design, or that contain frills, which is Very lenient, Bruhn said.
Below we’ve rounded up the best online sources for custom flexible clothing.
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Bad
Bad
Duer clothing includes features such as integrated elastic bands and adjustable drawstrings. The Weightless Reversible Jacket (shown here) has a drawstring around the entire midsection that can be tightened to make the jacket fitted or flared for a boxier look. Many Duer jeans incorporate stretch denim, resulting in plenty of bounce that bounces easily, making them flattering and comfortable through ups and downs.
Weightless Reversible Jacket: $169 at DuerShop Duer
quince
quince
Many of Quince’s dresses are stretchy, so they mold easily as your body gets bigger or smaller. Designs like the brand’s flowy dress (shown here) work well for body changes. Another good option is Quince’s button-front linen dress, which is loose enough in the hips and arms to fit different sizes and can be worn with or without a belt to flatter in different ways.
Shop QuinceFit and Flare Dress: $49.90 (originally $98) at Quince
Summer salt
Summer salt
You probably recognize Summersalt’s iconic swimsuit from social media. After designing cool accessories like a covered skirt that work well with size fluctuations, Summersalt branched out and created clothes made to be worn on land with the same principles of flexible sizing in mind. Her Belted Dress (shown here) and Ruffle Dress are great if you go up or down a size or two thanks to designs that are made to be forgiving. Some dresses have elastic details in the back for even more sizing flexibility.
Shop the Summersalt Tie Waist Midi Dress: $115 at Summersalt
Daily
Daily
Many of Cotidié’s items incorporate SolaSmooth material, which contains a high percentage of elastane. SolaSmooth makes it easier for clothing to expand and contract based on size fluctuations, something Cotidié’s founder refers to. Other styles include pleats and oversized tunics that look great as your body size changes.
Shop CotidiéGrace Circle Skirt: $99 at Cotidié
Covenant
Covenant
Pact may be best known for its use of organic materials, but the clothing has another interesting feature. Many Pact models can easily cope with size fluctuations thanks to the stretchy pant, which has an elasticated back and a drawstring waist. The brand also has relaxed shirts that look stylish despite the size changes.
Shop PactBoulevard Easy Pant: $108 at Pact
DJ from New York
NYJD
NYDJ prioritizes elasticity in all of its jeans. The waistline, in particular, is elastic enough to slip on and off easily. These jeans have a unique elastic satin waist that has the stretch of yoga pants while maintaining the look of traditional jeans. Because all of NYDJ’s jeans have a certain amount of rise, almost all of their styles can take a size up or down. The brand also has wavy tops that can go up or down without looking messy.
Shop NYDJMarilyn Matching Waist Straight Jeans: $100.98 (Was $119) at NYDJ
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skinny shirts
Due to the spandex blend, almost all Skinnytees items are one size fits all. Most Skinnytees only come in two sizes. One fits size 0-12 and the other fits size 12-24. This means that Skinnytees clothes can go through a lot of ups and downs while still remaining perfect. Skinnytees also do roomy cardigans and vests that can easily be mixed with other pieces as sizes vary.
Shop Skinnytees Deep V Neck Mesh Tank: $40 at Skinnytees
Carved models
Carved models
Carve Designs was founded by two very active women who couldn’t find clothes that fit or were designed for typical bodies. The result is clothing flexible enough to overcome whatever life throws at you. Carve Designs’ Carson Jeans, Maui Denim Skirt, and Oahu Shorts all have enough stretch to accommodate size changes. Pair these pants with a casual shirt and still look good. Many of Carve Designs dresses have loose, flowy silhouettes that work well with ups and downs.
Shop Carve Designs Nellie Linen Dress: Blue Marine: $98 at Carve Designs
Court
Wool&
While wool suits come in traditional sizes from XS to XL, many styles are designed to be generous. This is especially true for swing styles that work exceptionally well up or down. Several Wool& dresses have detachable shoulders that can be used to accentuate the waist. Other styles, like the Amalya Buttonfront Dress, can also be worn as a cardigan, so they’re still useful even if they start to feel snug or baggy.
Shop Wool&Rowena Swing Dress: $138 at Wool&
Joyful
Joyful
The designers on the all-female Joyfolie team range in size and know how common it is for customers to do the same. Believing that women need to feel comfortable before they can feel beautiful, Joyfolie incorporates details to make their dresses flexible enough to accommodate size changes, including an elastic waist and adjustable straps. Joyfolie also uses fasteners that make the garment even more flexible in size. Strategically placed buttons and hook and eye closures allow for easy style adjustments to accentuate and flatter certain body parts as needed. Styles that are particularly flexible when it comes to size fluctuations are Joyfolie’s pleated dresses, stretch and ruffle skirts, and fuller A-line dresses.
Shop the JoyfolieAniya Dress: $88 at Joyfoile
I am an experienced author and journalist with a passion for lifestyle journalism. I currently work for Buna Times, one of the leading news websites in the world. I specialize in writing stories about health, wellness, fashion, beauty, interior design, and more. My articles have been featured on major publications such as The Guardian and The Huffington Post.