Sigh. I bought some sweatpants at Walmart in the US while we were there. I buy men's because they have pockets and I need them, and they usually have elastic at the bottom which helps keep cold air out. Critical when I am outside a lot.

Anyway, the pants are "flapping in the breeze" at the ankles, so I just thought "I'll slit open the seam where the elastic is, shorten it and sew it back together. Easy, right? Holy shit. They use rubber bands instead of elastic. (no wonder these waists/ankle areas get brittle and break)

Because it is also sewn/intergrated into the inseam, I can't even replace it with elastic. Any bright ideas? I guess I could just cinch the ankle and sew that, but it won't be very comfortable.

edited to add: I don't have a sewing machine. Any stitching will have to be done by hand.

Bicycle leg clamps?

LOL! I think I've figured something out. Thanks

Add on the elastic top(s) of an old sock?

I have elastic and I think I'd need a sewing machine for that. What I decided to do (until these things get brittle and break and maybe even after) is just tuck the bottom of the legs into my socks. LOL Since they are my slouch around home sweats who cares? It keeps the cold air out.

I didn't realize how cheaply made they were until I started looking closely. Of course I only paid $4.97 for them.

Duct tape.

As a Southern red-neck ( in the nicest sense of the words), I already thought of that.

If they are a little bit too long or won't be too short why not just cut the hems off and create a new hem with the elastic? You could do it and lose less than an inch.

Red Green beat you to it.

Figured it out. Since hubby and I wear the same size, I tried on a pair of his new ones. The pants ankles are smaller, lol. So we traded since his ankles are bigger.

Ahhh....that's sweet. After all this time he still likes getting into your pants.

I like it too!