Finish Your Pants or Skirt with a Good-Looking Waist Treatment

We'll start with the waistband.

A waistband ordinarily sits at the natural waist, with the seam at the waistline and the band sitting above. The skirt or pant "hangs" from the waistband, which keeps the garment in place. 

The band is typically somewhat narrow, but can be wider as a style detail. 

A yoke at the waist is a decorative element.  I've shown a V-shaped yoke here, but there are other options. 

A yoke is typically faced, usually 2 layers of the same fabric and shape.  This eliminates the need for a waistband (as the facing finishes the top edge), but you can use both a yoke and a waistband - I'll show an example of that on a jeans-style skirt.

A paperbag waist is very casual and fun!

It's typically used on "pajama" style pants, but can also be used on shorts or a skirt. 

It should be worn with a top that's tucked-in, or you'll lose the paperbag effect. 

Many waistlines are finished with a simple facing, as well. 

Whether the waist is high, low, or sits at the natural waistline, a facing offers a clean finish. 

It's not a styling detail in and of itself - but that's sort of the point.  If you want to draw attention away from the waist and on to another part of your outfit, a plain waistline finished with a facing does exactly that. 

• Waistbands

• Waist Yokes

• Paperbag Waist

• High or Low Waist

• Waist Facing