In Which We Learn to Love Elastic Again

Say the phrase "elastic waist" and we usually have unpleasant flashbacks of our high school soccer coach, who wore unfortunate Hanes drawstring-waist sweatpants. (Loved the guy, but sartorial splendor was not his forté.) We've shunned the whole stretchy-waist genus of trousers ever since then, resisting even during the whole Juicy Couture leisure-togs phase.

Until now.

It's taken a lot to break us out of our elastic-fearing shell, but these Clu banded pants coaxed us out. We love how they combine the comfort of your coziest schlep-around-the-house pants with a dose of city-girl cool. And unlike the sweatpants of olden days, these are made of a sexy cotton-silk blend that's much more "drinks at Japonais" than "huddle around the Gatorade."

We love these because they're endlessly versatile, they're easy to pair with just about everything in your closet, and they're a great alternative to leggings. Would it be a, um, stretch to say that they may be the perfect piece for spring?