La Ligne Colby Pant Review: Satin vs. Cotton
Finding pants that fit right, have enough shape to make them stylish, and work with your favorite shoes is not always easy. I’ve tried on more pairs of pants than I can count, but only a select few make it into my closet. La Ligne is one of my most reached for sweater brands and is quickly becoming a favorite for pants too. The Colby pant is one of their more popular styles, and I have the satin and the cotton versions. They’re great for very different reasons, and I’m sharing the fit, the styling, and where I’d wear each one in this La Ligne Colby pant review.
I rarely buy the same style in two different fabrics, but I was curious enough about the Colby pants that I ordered both the cotton and satin versions. After wearing each, I realized they serve very different purposes. One has become my everyday summer pant, while the other feels noticeably dressier. If you’re trying to decide between them, here’s what I found.
La Ligne was also kind enough to give me a code to share. You can take 10% off your first order with TARAT10. This post also contains affiliate links.
La Ligne Colby Pant Sizing
The pants fall beautifully down the leg with a nice wide cut. At 5’2″, they run a bit long, and you can see that in my photos below. Everywhere else, they fit true to size. They’re relaxed but still have a tailored look, and that combination is always hard to find.
I wear a size 24 in denim, and took the XXS in the Colby. The elastic waist has give so they don’t feel restrictive at all.
La Ligne Colby Pants Satin
The satin pants are truly stunning. They have enough weight to make them drape instead of clinging. I love them so much more than I thought I would, and are exactly what I was missing in my closet. A sleek, elegant pair of pants to wear for nice dinners and dressier occasions when you don’t want to wear a dress. These feel dressy to me so I would only wear them in the evening unless I had a very dressy lunch party to go to.
I got the olive color because they are a nice dark neutral that works so well with whites, creams, and soft pinks. I’d style them with gold, light beige, cognac, or ivory shoes.
Even with my 2.8 inch heels, the pants puddle a bit at the floor. I know some people like a little bit of a puddle but I’d get these hemmed to hit just above the floor. I measured a 31″ inseam, so if you’re taller the length should be fine.
The satin pants look beautiful styled with:
- Sleeveless knit + gold heels for a nice dinner.
- White button-up shirt + nude block heels for a more casual dinner
- Cashmere sweater + ankle boots + for fall.
La Ligne Colby Pants: Cotton
The cotton poplin version is more casual than the satin but has the same full length cut. They feel lightweight and very comfortable. Poplin can sometimes look wide and bulky, but these are cut on the bias, which keeps them structured without losing the drape I love.
These are perfect for lunch, work, or a casual dinner. And a great alternative to linen pants when you want something that still looks tailored from day to night. I’m wearing mine with this v-neck tee (I love this one because it has a higher neckline), and my perfect block sandals. I left these at the original length so you can see exactly how it fits on a 5’2″ frame.
The cotton pants look great with:
- A white tee + sandals
- A lace tank top + woven flats
- The Marina Cotton sweater + loafers
If you’re considering the navy version, I also have a guide with outfit ideas for styling navy pants.
La Ligne Colby Pants in Cotton vs J. Crew Luna Pants: Review
The J. Crew luna pants are a thicker cotton (makes a swoosh sound when I walk), and the tie waistband does not have as much give (which makes it a little harder to pull on but not terribly so). XXS petite fits me well, and length allows me to wear flat sandals. They are not full length pants though. These have more of a straight cut and ankle length.
The Luna pants are best for someone looking for an easy pair of pants under $100 to wear on casual days.
The Colby cotton pants are lighter, more fluid, and not stiff (no sound of fabric brushing against each other when I walk). The elasticized waist has no tie but is much more flexible. The size XXS fits a little more relaxed than the J Crew pair, and honestly more comfortable. The trade-off is the length. Even with my 70mm heels, the hem skims the floor on my 5’2″ frame.
The Colby is the better pick if you want a casual pant that still looks tailored, and one you can wear from day into night.
La Ligne Colby Pant Review: FAQ
Do they need to be hemmed?
If you’re petite then yes. At 5’2″ these pants hit at the floor with a bit of a puddle even when wearing 2.8 inch heels. I found that the cotton pants ran about 1/2″ shorter than the satin pants.
If you could only choose one, which would it be?
I love them both for different reasons, but if I had to pick one, it would be the satin version. It’s the answer to “what to wear to fancy dinner when you don’t want to wear a dress”. I love that they can be styled up for an event, or worn to a nice dinner with something as simple as a sweater. These are also great all year round depending on how you style them. I have many different pairs of cotton pants, and while the Colby are the most elevated, the satin are just really special.
Are They Worth It?
I think it comes down to whether or not you’re comfortable with the $295+ price tag. You’re paying for the cut more than anything else. That’s what makes these stand out from less expensive wide-leg pants I’ve tried.
If you’ve been looking for the perfect pair of pants that feel tailored yet relaxed, you will love the Colby pant. They really got the cut right. The rise, leg width, and drape work together so they feel relaxed without looking oversized. Finding pants that are comfortable and forgiving, and that still look polished is way harder then it should be. I have to say that I’m a fan of the Colby.
If you’re still deciding after this La Ligne Colby pant review, ask yourself if you’re looking for the perfect day to night pants, or a special evening pair. You can take 10% off your first order with TARAT10.
