Travel pants

LL Bean Perfect Fit pants have a fair amount of lycra in the fabric, so the knees don't bag out. They come in black, navy, grey, and dark brown, and in petite and regular lengths. The only thing I wish they'd fix about them is the onseam pockets, which are too shallow and allow hotel keys, dollar bills, and chapstick to fall out too easily.

Lululemon yoga pants. Love mine, take a pair on every over seas trip. Great for the plane, mixed with a nice t-shirt and light sweater I look neat and put together. They are very comfortable. I usually wear a pair of Puma shoes with them that are great for walking. I find that anything with a waist closure is uncomfortable for me...I like some stretch at the waist, Yoga pants work for me. Other choice is Prana...I have a pair of pants that are a few years old that have spandex in them and stretch, but no baggie knees!

EB Slim-Fit Stretch pants. Cotton with 5% Lycra. With no waistband, side zip and no pockets, they are minimalist and pack small. They are not clingy but very flattering, and the Lycra helps keep wrinles at bay. They come in full length and capris in petites, regular and tall. Mine dry overnight if washed by hand.

Royal Robbins Cardiff Traveler Pants. Have stretch, zipper pockets, don't wrinkle and since they are mostly nylon they dry very quickly. They come in petite which I was happy to see. I got mine at REI. The zipper pocket was large enough to hold my passport and that was so convenient when I was going through the Rome airport and had to pull it out about 4 times. These pants are so lightweight that they don't take up any space in your luggage. Perfect travel item.

Another vote for Lululemon. I am in love with mine.

Whatever you wear most at home and can stand to wear for a week at a time without washing. Forget fashion or trying to blend in because it won't matter or happen. You won't truly know till you experience it for yourself.

No one has mentioned this, but for those trans-Atlantic flights, I often wear a rather longish, jersey or t-shirt fabric style dress. I find for sitting in those cramped seats, I am more comfortable than wearing pants. A long skirt would also be a good option. Add a pair of slip-on ballet shoes and you are set. The plus is that you then have a dress to wear in case you would like to go out to a nicer restaurant during your trip.

Thanks everyone for your ideas. I now have a starting point. Lisa

I'm with Carole and the RR Cardiff Stretch pants - LOVE them! BTW, REI is starting a sale on 5/20...includes some travel pants.

I second JER's recommendation for LL Bean's perfect fit pants. They are more "respectable" than yoga pants - they look like proper trousers, and can be dressed down with a t-shirt or dressed up a bit with a nicer blouse. They are a nice thick heavyweight stretch fabric - very forgiving - and look nicer than their price point. I wore a pair of black and a pair of grey LL Bean perfect fits on a couple of trips to London and Paris, and they held up magnificently. Then I got home and wore them to work several times a week! Also - COMFY!!!!!

I bought on sale a pair of J. Jill Wearever Full Crop Pants (capris) on sale. I went back to get a 2nd pair. They have petite sizes, too. Only drawback-no pockets. They have tops and jackets that match this line. Not sure yet if they will hold their shape in the long run, but they sure are comfortable.
Barbara

Uh-oh - now I have to try the LLBean Perfect Fit pants LOL! 10% Lycra is a pretty good amount...they OUGHT to be stretchy! And now that shipping is free with LLBean...I'm gonna have to check them out.