How to fit pull-on knit pants to fit you best
Woman Within knit pants may run large. Elastic waists are designed to fit your hips, not your waist — measure your hips first, then choose your inseam.
Do knit pants run big?
Directionally, no. We fit true to size based on our Size Chart on the product page. Some shopper reviews of Woman Within knit pants state "runs big," so it's important that you always view our size guide before ordering. The full elastic waistband stretches to you, which means your hip measurement and inseam choice matter more than your waist number.
"These run true to size" one customer wrote, while another noted sizing "seemed large". Neither is a flaw in your measuring — it's the nature of a full elastic waistband, which expands to whatever's beneath it instead of holding a fixed point the way a zip fly does.
How to measure before you buy
Wrap a soft measuring tape around the fullest part of your hip, standing relaxed with the tape level all the way around. This hip number, not your usual waist size, is what decides whether a pull-on knit pant will sit right through the hip and thigh.
Calf room is a consideration worth thinking through prior to ordering a straight-leg style, too. If your calves run large, remember that a wide-leg style will give you more room through the leg opening.
Petite, Short, or Tall: which inseam length is right for you
Inseam length is stated separately from size on many of our knit pant styles. Four length options: Petite, Petite Short, and Tall plus an Average fit is available for shoppers who fall in between. Picking by height first, then size, avoids the most common length complaint in the reviews — hems pooling on the floor or riding above the ankle.
The table below lists the available inseams Woman Within states for select knit pant styles. Lengths are clearly defined on each product page for our pants.
| Style | Average | Petite | Petite Short | Tall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7-Day Straight-Leg Elastic-Waist Knit Pant | 30 in. | 28 in. | 26 in. | 33 in. |
| 7-Day Wide-Leg Elastic-Waist Knit Pant | 29 in. | 27 in. | 25 in. | 33 in. |
| Sport Knit Straight-Leg Elastic Pant | 30 in. | 28 in. | — | 33 in. |
| 7-Day Elastic-Waist Knit Capri | 21 in. | 19 in. | — | — |
If you're between sizes on our Size Chart
Order the smaller of the two sizes. That's what the review pattern for this category supports, and it's consistent with how a full elastic waistband works: it has give built in, so a snugger fit stretches to move with you throughout the day.
"The waistband stays in place without feeling too tight."
That comfort is the trade-off worth knowing about upfront: shoppers describe "no digging" and "ample room in the thighs and calf's area," which is exactly what a size-down choice should feel like. If a pair still feels loose through the hip after wearing it a full day, that's a signal to size down again next order rather than alter what you have.
What the elastic waistband actually does
Every style in this fit guide uses a full elastic waistband built to stay put without rolling or digging in, sitting at a high rise above the natural waist. Two side-seam pockets are cut to add no bulk at the hip, so the waistband stays smooth under a tucked-in top. Some pull-on styles use a smocked elastic construction for extra give through the same panel.
The knit itself is a soft, breathable cotton/poly blend chosen for stretch and recovery, machine washable and tumble dry. Reviewers report very little shrinkage after washing these cotton-blend knits, in both directions — always check our care label before laundering, and wash on the setting it states.
These fit principles come from Woman Within's own product specs, tested on real plus-size bodies rather than mannequins across 100+ years of fit expertise. Browse the full knit pants range to compare styles and lengths side by side.
Frequently asked questions
Should I size down in pull-on knit pants?
Order the smaller size if you're between two. Shopper reviews for this category consistently describe the fit as running true to size. Elastic waistbands are built to stretch and hold rather than fit tightly at a fixed point.
What is the inseam on petite-length knit pants?
It depends on the style. Woman Within states 28 inches for the 7-Day Straight-Leg pant, 27 inches for the 7-Day Wide-Leg pant, and 19 inches for the 7-Day Knit Capri in Petite. Check the product page for the exact style you're ordering.
Will knit pants shrink in the wash?
Some reviewers report shrinkage after washing cotton-blend knit pants, when put into a high-heat dryer. We recommend you wash and dry according to the setting stated on the care label, to ensure the least change in the garment's length and overall fit, wash after wash.
Is there a knit option shorter than full-length pants?
Yes. The 7-Day Elastic-Waist Knit Capri uses the same full elastic waistband in a 21-inch average inseam. Woman Within also carries a separate capris category and a leggings category if you'd rather compare styles beyond knit pants.