Fashion advice?

Okay, I'm turning -- not in desperation, not yet, but in hope -- to those of you who are better equipped to handle the difficult questions of female fashion. And that's pretty much all of you!

So here's the question, or rather a series of questions:

My usual attire is either blue jeans (preferred) or chinos (for work), but neither of those seems particularly good for traveling, since jeans are heavy and distinctly casual and chinos need ironing. So my thought for the South Africa trip (during which the weather during the day will be 70s, with cooler evenings) had been knit pants, since they'd be comfortable for the plane and for walking and would be easy to dress up for the couple of occasions that are slightly more formal. And if they're nice enough, maybe I could even add them to my teaching wardrobe, which would be a nice bonus.

So, first question: Do knit trousers seem like a good idea for the trip? I've never really worn them, but they seem like they would work. I'm talking about a looser sort of trousers, not anything like tights, heaven forbid!

Second question, of greatest importance: Er, how does one not have a visible underwear line when one wears knit trousers? Because I simply cannot run around South Africa -- or any other country, for that matter -- with the outline of my underwear showing. But the Lands' End knit trousers I tried on tonight were most egregious in this area; the pair that fit pretty well were beyond the pale in the underwear-showing arena, and the pair one size up that didn't show anything were way too baggy. So that option was a bust. Those of you more in the know: Is what I seek a possibility? Can one be simultaneously modest, comfy, and tidy?

If the answer to the second question is such that I can move forward with this idea, then do you all have any suggestions for brands, stores, etc. where I might look? Lands' End was a bust. L. L. Bean has "indispensible knit pants," which, like Ford's Model T's, come in any color you like, as long as it's black. There are also Travelsmith options, for which I think one pays a bit of a travel premium, but I'm okay with that as long as they work. Any other suggestions?

And if knit trousers seem like they won't work, any other suggestions?

Thank you for workshopping my clothing with me! This is what happens when one doesn't like shopping; these shopping-necessary moments throw one for a loop!

Comments

[New Kid on the Hallway]

JJill has a lot of knit stuff - especially its Wearever collection, which is made from a kind of stretch rayon jersey (personally I think non-cotton knits tend to look better than cotton knit - to me cotton knit always looks like sweatpants - but that's just me), and its pure Jill (?) collection, which is more cotton-based. Also, I find non-cotton knits heavier than pure cotton, and a heavier weight, for me, usually helps with the VPL (visible panty line) thing (although I don't wear knit pants very often).

(The other solution to the VPL problem is changing your underwear - personally I refuse to wear thongs, but boyshorts can be very comfy and less panty-line revealing.)

I had some Travelsmith stuff ages and ages ago, but I liked it. They usually have wrinkle-resistant fabrics - if you look for microfiber- or poly-blends, you can probably find stuff that looks more like khakis without having the same wrinkling issue. Also, last time I traveled abroad (Turkey), I found some good capri-type pants at Bass Pro Shops - similar outdoors-y stores might have some options. Though, honestly, I mostly didn't worry too much about wrinkles!

[meansomething]

I love Travelsmith. They are more expensive, but everything I've ever had from them wears and washes beautifully. Unfortunately I don't have any specific pants recommendations, but those microfiber shirts absolutely rock. If a skirt is an option, crinkle skirts pack great, of course. Excited for you about your trip!

[Dr. Virago]

Ann Taylor or Ann Taylor Loft might have something.

As for panty lines, if you don't want to go the thong route (and I don't blame you), Jockey has a line of panty-line free panties in a range of basic cuts (bikinis, hipsters, French cut) called No Panty Line Promise. They work for me.

[meg]

I second the recommendation of J. Jill's Wearever line. Although in my traveling days (when my mother told people "My daughter is a vagrant"), I made do with two pairs of no-iron chinos and a skirt.

Speaking of my mother, she swears by Land's End "French terry" trousers, and they do look good on her. I don't know what "French terry" is, but it's a thick knit, not like terrycloth at all.

Also, no VPL issues with either the Wearever or my mother's pants. Now I will stop before I conjure up images of my mother's underpants.

(PS: Wouldn't she be so proud of her daughter talking about her unmentionables on the Internet!)

[What Now?]

Meg, I know you'll take this the right way when I tell you that I've been conjuring images of your mother's unmentionables ever since the de-linting episode this Christmas!

Thank you for the advice, everyone. I anticipate a trip to J. Jill this weekend! I don't know why I tend to forget about that store; maybe it's because there's just not one conveniently nearby, and I don't tend to buy clothes over the internet because I need to try them on to see how they fit. Anyway, clearly worth a bit of a drive this Saturday!

[o]

Hi, it's me again. Have you considered non-iron chinos?

[Rev Dr Mom]

I personally find knit pants not to fit well or be very flattering. But I do like J Jill clothes; maybe their Pure Jill would work for what you need.

I second the recommendation for no-iron chinos, and what about a couple of simple skirts? Cotton or denim? with tops you can rotate?

[Susie]

Was it Lands End knit pants or their starfish pants? I can't wear the knit but the starfish pants are very similar with a better fit.

[Dame Eleanor Hull]

I left a comment yesterday that seems to have been eaten: nylon or nylon-blend hiking trousers from REI or similar outdoorsy shop. They can look perfectly respectable but take hard wear in both city and outdoors situations, and if you wash them in the sink they'll dry overnight. I have 2 pair, one black (can be worn with wool suit jacket and look dressy) and one khaki.