Drawstring Pants: From Silk Evening Pants to Summer Cotton, How to Choose and Style Them

Drawstring pants are trousers with a cord through the waistband that you tie to fit, which makes them easier to size and more comfortable than a zip front. In cotton they are relaxed daywear; in silk satin they are smart enough for dinner. Choose by fabric first, then rise and leg. Below are six drawstring pants from SIR the Label at Coveti, from the silk satin Sorrento Bias Cut Pant in Black to oversized summer cotton, and how to wear each.

How to choose drawstring pants

Fabric decides the occasion. Silk satin and silk read as evening; crinkled silk as holiday; cotton voile and summer cotton as weekend. The waist decides the fit. A drawstring alone gathers the fabric; a drawstring with an elastic waistband sits flatter and holds better. The rise decides the proportion. A low rise looks relaxed with a cropped top; a mid rise works with tucked shirts. The leg decides the shoe. A straight leg works with heels; a wide and balloon leg works with flats.

Six drawstring pants from SIR the Label

1. Sorrento Bias Cut Pant in Black

The dressiest. 100% silk satin, cut on the bias, slip on, with an adjustable drawstring at the front. Unlined, not sheer, no stretch, fits true to size. Wear it with a silk cami and a heel.

2. Gabriete Pant in Burnt Orange

Silk, with an elasticated waistband, an adjustable drawstring and beads at the tie ends. Unlined with no stretch. Let the beaded tie hang over a cropped knit.

3. Marlowe Harem Pant in Monochrome Stripe

Crinkled silk with an elasticated drawstring waist, beads on the tie ends, an adjustable rise from low to high and a second drawstring at the hem to gather the leg. Sheer, with a removable mini short lining. The holiday pant.

4. Alva Drawstring Pant in Laila Stripe

An oversized, low rise wide leg in smooth summer cotton, with a drawstring over an elasticated waistband and pockets. Laila Stripe is a SIR designed cotton stripe. Wear it with a white tank and slides.

5. Sola Pant in Camel

Lightweight summer cotton with a mid rise, an oversized balloon shaped leg, a contrast sporty drawstring, a fly front and pockets. Also in ivory. The most casual of the six.

6. Azura Pant in Black

Not a classic drawstring, but close: a pull on wide leg in semi sheer cotton voile with an elasticated back waist and a removable waist tie finished with beads. Wear it with a bodysuit underneath for coverage.

How to style drawstring pants

Show the tie. A cropped top, a tucked cami and a short cardigan all leave the drawstring visible, which is the detail that makes the pant look intended. For evening, the Montparnasse Halter Top in Black with the Sorrento is tonal and polished. For day, the Aela Cardigan in Ivory with the Gabriete keeps it warm and soft. For the beach, a bikini top and an open shirt with the Marlowe. More silk pant outfits are in our guide on how to style satin pants.

Are drawstring pants smart enough for work?

In silk satin with a straight leg, yes: the Sorrento with a buttoned knit and a loafer passes in most offices. In oversized cotton, keep them for the weekend. If you need a tailored waist, see our SIR the Label tailoring guide.

Frequently asked questions

What are drawstring pants?

Drawstring pants are trousers with a cord threaded through the waistband that you tie to adjust the fit. Many also have elastic in the waistband so they sit flat when tied.

Are drawstring pants in style?

Yes, and not only in cotton. SIR the Label now cuts drawstring pants in silk satin, crinkled silk and summer cotton, which takes the shape from weekend wear to evening.

Can you wear drawstring pants to a wedding?

In silk satin with a matching silk top and heels, yes. Keep cotton drawstring pants for daytime and casual events.

How should drawstring pants fit?

They should sit at the intended rise without the tie doing all the work. Choose the size that fits your hip, then use the drawstring to fine tune the waist.

What shoes go with drawstring pants?

Flat sandals and slides for cotton, loafers for the office, and fine heeled sandals for silk satin in the evening.