Running in Converse: The Drawstring

Jumpers, pants, dresses, handbags, both high and low end, all at some point in their design history have all been created with drawstrings.

What I want to know is why? Why a drawstring? They do not really cinch at the waist like a belt, but rather loosely gather fabric. I have yet to see any drawstring on a garment that was physically appealing. It does nothing for any body type or shape. They are distracting as they limply hang from the garment. No matter what they price point of the garment they appear on, from Givency to H&M, they cheapen the item and make it drastically appear more casual. I have seen drawstrings on $1200 dresses! No garment ever wants to look cheaper, so they question remains, why add one? If it does not serve a purpose aesthetically or structurally, it is time to nix the whole drawstring idea.

When they are positioned on the hip of a garment or the natural waist, they do not necessarily fall here as people’s body types are of those of different proportions. What could hit someone very appealingly at the waist could fall on another person awkwardly at the stomach. The way they gather the fabric is enough to send a garment off the fashion radar. Unless one is paying constant attention to the scrunch of the fabric, it is going to shift here, there and everywhere, ridding up and ridding down. When they are positioned around any neckline of a top, they look ugly if tried to be tied and yet again, dangling down it just looks plain sloppy.

My disdain for drawstrings has grown over the years. The items that I do have in my wardrobe with drawstrings, I have either pulled them out or cut them off. As with anything, there are a few exceptions. My athletic wear, track pants and running shorts have drawstrings that I have managed to leave alone. I try to discreetly tuck them in as I hate the way they look hanging down. Yet when they are tucked in, they are still annoying as I can feel them inside my pants. Either way, I cannot win.

Bottom line to all designers out there, do not add a drawstring to any garment. Go for a better fit, and when in doubt, add belt loops! Belt loops not going to work? Then it is time to go back to the drawing board and possibly add darts to alleviate the fit issue. Can we just all put a ban on drawstrings? They are an unflattering detail that needs to go the way of stirrup pant. They compliment no one. The only drawstring I want to see is on pajama pants, which as we are all well aware, should not be worn outside the house.