I bought a super pair of wide-leg pleated pants Liz Claiborne brand from JC Penny online. I usually shop there online for solid color t-shirts (good quality and dirt cheap in winter), and I spotted these pants, which were on sale for $21. They fit perfectly with my menopausal thick waist, hang well, and are good quality. Win-win!

OP. Thank you all for responses. I will try them!

J McLaughlin

I own two pairs of pants from them that fit your requests, one in black and one in navy. They cost a hair under $200, are ponte or a fabric like that, have a nice classic tailored cut and the waist works well with my post meno muffin. They have a few styles of these pants with subtle differences, so I suggest you go into a store and describe what you want and the saleperson will pull the varieties first you to try on.

They are workhorse pants and one is almost 10 yrs old and going strong (the other pair are a recent acquisition).

Old Navy Pixie Pants

Anonymous wrote:J Crew Kate pants work for me. They are stretchy but structured. I am wearing a pair right now.

If you're sensitive to things on your stomach, they're super itchy!

J Crew Kate pants work for me. They are stretchy but structured. I am wearing a pair right now.

The Ann Taylor Sophia

My waist is my worst physical feature - disproportionately think no matter what weight/size I’m at and these pants fit me well

Two specific pants at J. Crew Factory (outlet, mercantile, whatever they're calling themselves).

1. The Remy wide-leg pant. They relax quite a bit as you wear them and are super roomy in the waist. They're my "running errands" pants. The reviews say they shrink if they get dried.

They are $100 online, but I got a pair of black and a pair of navy for $15 each at the Fair Oaks store. They had tons of them.

Full length: https://factory.jcrew.com/p/womens/categories/clothing/pants/remy/CL194

Cropped: https://factory.jcrew.com/p/womens/categories/clothing/pants/trouser/remy-wide-leg-cropped-pant

2. Kallie straight leg, cropped pant. These have a more traditional leg and also relax a lot in the waist as you wear them.

https://factory.jcrew.com/m/womens/categories/clothing/pants/kallie/kallie-straight-leg-pant/MF462

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Talbot and Ann Taylor for me - I have thick thighs and a tiny waist, and so get the curvy line from both of those stores

OP said she has the opposite shape of this?

+1

OP, you need the opposite of curvy cut.

Anonymous wrote:Talbot and Ann Taylor for me - I have thick thighs and a tiny waist, and so get the curvy line from both of those stores

OP said she has the opposite shape of this?

comfy: stretch ponte pants, from anywhere.

less comfy but shockingly effective: spanx pants. I'm not kidding. They're really good at basic clothing.

Talbot and Ann Taylor for me - I have thick thighs and a tiny waist, and so get the curvy line from both of those stores

I have a thick middle and I always had good luck with Kasper brand suits and separates

These are sold at Macy's. Shop online and return what you don't want in person. Sometimes you can do ship to store and get faster service than home delivery.

Did you try Talbots? They have a lot of different fits and their pants will typically have a mid or high rise which will help minimize muffin top.

I am desperately looking for these pants. I am generally fit with the exception of the mid-section. I need comfortable, nice looking pants, without muffin top. I am willing to spend up to $200. Thank you.