These pants may be my favourite make of the year thus far. They are so dead simple but I feel like a million bucks when I wear them! It the combination of drapey red fabric and fun tie options that makes these total winners for me. I have full instructions below on how to make a pair of these for yourself, it’s easy!
Let’s get started! For this hack, you only need the leg pieces. You do not need to cut the waistband or pockets. You do not need to make any changes to the leg pattern pieces, there is plenty of fabric for wrapping because we are not sewing those big box pleats!
First, you will finish the outer seam edge of all the pant pieces. I like to fold mine twice at 1/2″ and sew. You can also serge and fold once, or fold twice at 1/4″, whatever works for you! Do this for all 4 pant pieces.
You can calculate the length needed for your tie by measuring the top of the pant front and adding the amount you want for the ties. If you want really long ties, you may need to piece two pieces of fabric together. You want to cut 2 tie pieces, one to sew to the front and one to sew to the back.
You can make a super skinny tie or a wider one. For my version here, I used a 3″ band. (it results in a 1″ wide tie). Please ignore the loose threads that I excitedly left dangling so I could take these pictures!
Topstitch all around the waist tie, securing it to the top of the pants and enclosing all the raw edges. I like to stitch approximately 1/8″ from the edge.
You have two wearing options with these pants, and both look nice in their own ways!
One thing you may be wondering is, ‘what if a strong wind comes along?’ Well, the wrap pants can blow open on the sides, but I have found there is enough overlap to protect your booty from showing. They also tend to drape open when sitting or crouching down (this I learned while petting a very cute dog!) so make sure you don’t get them caught under chairs or drag them on the ground! Be aware that this hack will show your legs at times.
I paired my Winslow hack with my sleeveless Nikko top! I love this simple black turtleneck for pairing with high waisted pants, it is just a perfect combo! I didn’t make my jacket, but if you want to recreate this look, try the Alina Design Co. Hampton for a nice jean jacket pattern.
I hope you liked this Winslow Culottes hack. Let me know if you have any questions for me about how to make this happen. It does work well for the shorter views, too!
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47 Comments on “Winslow Culottes Hack: Wrap Pants”
This is a beautiful hack, and I love how this version looks in the vibrant red!
OMG! They are gorgeous! So jealous you’re headed into warmer weather, these are perfect for Australian summer. How is it getting in and out of them? Do you have to tie/untie both the front and back?
I absolutely love this hack! I’m definitely going to try this one out for the summer. 😀 <3 Thanks!
They’re beautiful only thing.. I kind if don’t like the apron look in the e back.. I’m going to try and see if I can make one Ty.
Wow, these are amazing….. all the ❤️❤️❤️ for the wrap pants. I will be trying these for summer for sure :-). Thanks for the inspiration.
Thank you for your inspiration! Love, love, love this hack!
You look fab helen. Great hack.
I have some pants like this that I got years ago in Malaysia – I can’t wait to try this! I have the perfect rayon to use for my wrap Winslows 😀
It looks like Winslow met Kieolo and had a gorgeous child! What a winner, can’t wait to try this hack. The pants look great on you!
These look so cute!!
I had a black pair of wrap pants just like this that I got years ago in Mexico. I’ve been on thinking about recreating them for aage because I always felt so chic in them. Thank you!!
I wore these back in 1980-81! They were easy and a great look.
Love this because I tend to suffer from a really flat backside in many pants/shorts designs. The bow in back will distract and the look overall adds some major style. All sorts of new hacks off of this are running through my mind, like using two fabrics or tacking them near the top with snaps or something since we do have some really windy days and while my rational mind knows that they’ll be okay, my anxiety will go nuts even so.
Thank you! I honestly hadn’t even thought of buying this design until seeing your hack!
Helen these are awesome, and I def wanna try this. Can you tell us what fabric you used?
stunningingly innovative…..on a par with the the KIelo dress for simple brilliance…….wouldn’t they make the classiest bridal pyjama bottoms?????
Ah I’m so excited to make these Helen! Just ordered some fabric! Awesome hack
I was confused on the proper way to wear them. Will give it another go.
Hi Helen! I am definitely going to try this hack. One thing about which I am a little confused: based on the pictures above, it looks like the pants remain two pieces. Is that true? If so, then you must end up with two bows/ties, one in front and one in back, regardless of whether you wrap in the front or the back? Thanks for your help!
Hi Nori,
Yes, you will end up with a tie in the front and the back, that way you can choose which way to tie it. If you know for sure you want to always tie it one way, you could use a hook and eye closure one side and a tie on the other, for example. Thanks!
Thanks! I think I may try that, though I do like like the double ties too…hmm, decisions decisions ;). I’ll let you know how it goes!
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These look so fantastic on you! Thanks for the tutorial!
Super cute! LOVE the color!
Exactly what I was looking for! What fabric do you recommend besides rayon?
Lightweight cotton or linen with drape would be amazing!!
Curious about sizing when making this hack. Should I cut the size I would if I were making the culottes as originally designed? Or should I cut a larger size for more overlap? I feel like I need these in my life immediately! I have so many beautiful vintage rayons from the 40’s that would be perfect!
Great question! I cut the same size I usually do – the large pleats in the design provide plenty of overlap when they are left out. Happy sewing!
Did I miss something or is there no sizing of the different pieces? How much fabric is needed. And how big is each piece?
The sizes are included with the Winslow Culottes PDF pattern available in our shop 🙂
I can’t seem to find where to purchase the wrap pants pattern. Can you please help? Thanks, Lorraine
Hi Lorraine! The wrap pants are a hack of our Winslow Culottes pattern – available in our shop! https://helensclosetpatterns.com/product/winslow-culottes/
These look amazing! I saw your ‘story’ on Instagram and now I think I need to purchase the Winslow pattern!!! Thanks for your brilliant mind and the ever-flowing hacks for your patterns. You are a genius!
Thank you Marsha!
Hello. Do you reckon this hack would work for maternity trousers as bump grows, or would a gap develop as the overlap gets smaller at the sides?
Hi Jen,
I do think this could work well for early maternity but as you said, the gap will grow as the bump does, and eventually, it may gape too much to be comfortable for wearing. It also is impractical for using the washroom which would get old fast as your bump grows 😉
Apologies if I missed this in the instructions, when cutting out the ties, should the long edge be parallel with the grain?
Hi Amy,
You can cut the ties along the grain or cross-grain, provided it is a non-stretch woven fabric. Cutting along the grainline is easier to get a straight cut, so I would try to do it that way if possible. Sometimes cutting cross-grain will save you fabric though!
Hello! I am about to embark on this sewing adventure! Did you use interfacing at all for this hack? Just checking! (I’d rather not run to the city unless I absolutely have to lol)
Hi Lisa,
I did not interface my straps for this hack, but you could if you wanted to strengthen them and add structure.
This is amazing, I’m going to try it! Thanks Helen!
I was talking to a sewing friend about these after she mentioned a tiktok she had seen featuring wrap pants. I just read your tutorial and realized these don’t involve any changes to the pattern pieces, and the sewing instructions are actually *easier* than the original Winslows. Whaaaat?! I just might have to make these!
I made some and I love them! I added (without modifying the top layer of pants) a very long slash pocket (so that the weight of my phone would be where the pants are flowy enough to not show the lump). I used a deep slash to help keep the pocket pretty discrete. It’s not totally invisible, but I love my pocket. I recommend tacking the inside, bottom corner in place as well.
For this wrap hack would that solve the issue of a fabric that isn’t as opaque as I’d like? Bit if a loose weave . Or would they need to overlap even more?
In this case, a lining would still be a good idea because it is still a single layer in the crotch/bum areas.
I love the look but am wondering about the practicality of going to the bathroom. How does that work?
Hi Kelly,
Great question. It is a little tricky. You untie one half of the pants and hold them up while you go to the bathroom, then you have to put them back on again.
Instead of attaching the ties to each piece, could you use a stretch fabric to make a waistband and attach both pieces to it? You’d lose the ability to decide which piece overlaps the other, but you could pull them up and down for easier bathroom trips. And depending on the height of the waistband, you might even be able to get them up and over a pregnant bump.