Pattern and Instructions: The Yves Trousers
The Yves Trousers are my love letter to one of fashion’s greatest revolutions: the moment women claimed the elegance, ease, and authority of tailored trousers entirely for themselves. It’s hard to imagine now, but there was a time when a woman wearing pants in public was a middle finger to the establishment, and this bold statement changed women’s fashion forever.
Inspired by the iconic pantsuits of Yves Saint Laurent, these slacks borrow from classic menswear tailoring while remaining unmistakably feminine.
With double front pleats, deep pockets, a traditional fly front, cuffed hems, belt loops, and a comfortable partial elastic waistband, they are as wearable as they are elegant. Even better, they can also be made as a stylish pair of shorts to keep you cool in the coming months.
IMPORTANT: You'll find the tiled file (for printing at home on A4 or letter size sheets and taping together) and the A0 file (for printing at a copy shop like ThePlottedPattern.com). Please note that we have two size blocks, so make sure to download the correct files for the size you're making. If you have any questions about which size to sew, don't forget to read our blog post with all the details!
Don't forget to share your makes with the hashtags #yvestrousers and #charmpatterns!
xoxo,
Gertie
ERRATA! The Instructions, A0 pattern pieces, and Tiled pattern pieces were re-uploaded on June 11, 2026 with corrections. If you downloaded your files before then, please re-download new files. Here are the changes:
The elastic measurement was added to the Finished Measurements Chart of the Instructions.
The zipper alignment lines were added to the Fly Facing pattern piece for all sizes.
Comments (77)
can i use a fine corduroy for those or will it be too thick
I haven’t seen much at all in the last year, but these trousers are inspiring me to get out of my creative slump!
no cutline for the shorts? am I missing something?
Please follow the note in the Instructions to use the length adjustment line as the Shorts Length cutting line.
So excited to make these, first as shorts and then as trousers! Maybe leopard print... Question: the instructions say to cut a length of elastic equal to the amount indicated on the Finished Measurements Chart for your waist measurement, but I'm struggling to find the amount. Is it the finished waist amount minus the size waist amount?
We've updated the instructions to include the measurement. Please download them again, and you'll find it in the Finished Measurements Chart.
I've been sewing the shorts, and on step 25 if mentions looking to the Finished Measurements Chart for the length of elastic, but on page 7 of the Finished Measurements Chart there isn't anything about the elastic length. The materials and notions lists an overall 1/2yd, but I don't see anything about the size specific length to cut for the back waistband.
We've updated the instructions to include the measurement. Please download them again, and you'll find it in the Finished Measurements Chart.
Love the pants, but also want the blouse! I see it is a Patsy, not Presley. Is this hack version detailed anywhere? I’ve not been able to find it, if so. I can DIY it, but would love to know what the under bodice is, is it attached, and what structure is happening below the waist
It is a Patsy with underlined cuff and collar for a clean finish! Gertie is wearing a What Katie Did Merry Widow under it.
I’ve been wanting Charm to do pants like these forever! Thank you! I love the elastic back too, my weight fluctuates so it’s very handy. Can definitely see myself making a few pairs of these.
Ridiculously excited about these! Thank you Gertie and team!
PERFECTION!!! I need these! My perfect work pants!!! Thank you!!
I would love to see these in a nice tweed. :)
I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR BEAUTIFUL ELEGANT ELASTIC BACK TROUSERS!! Amazing!
Stunning xxx
OMG, so excited to try these
YES 👏😍
Love this. Not a huge fan of an elastic back trouser but that easily converted into darts ❤️
Yay for tailored pants, but will there be instructions on how to convert the back to darts and NOT elastic (for those of us who can’t stand elastic waists)?
Thank you! I am thrilled to have you (plural) calmly guide me through the J closure.
Obvi love these pants! But The shirt you are wearing with the lace sleeves!!! Is that based off a pattern within patreon?
It's the Patsy shirt, which isn't a patreon pattern but is available from Charm Patterns
Yes! Pants with elasticated waistbands are one of my favorite things to make! They’re so comfortable and work great with fluctuating weight. Very excited to make these!
Yay!! I’ve been looking for a great trowser pattern! 👏👏👏
I wonder, are these slimmer than the Lucille trousers?
Looks like linen and cotton shorts are in line for summer!
You had me at tailored fit but elastic waist! ❤️🏳️🌈
Yay!!!
Oh I LOOOOVE these!
These are just gorgeous.
Oh man, I cannot wait to make these!!!! I just finished my 13th (!) pair of Lucille's, and I think it's time to branch out. These are stunning, Gertie!
Hot girl summer here I come! These shorts are about to become my new personality
This is just the pattern I need for my menopausal fluctuating waistline. I just purchased some silk suiting deadstock (black and milk color) for a classic 2 PC and this with the elastic back is right up my alley. Since I have a vintage YSL skirt suit pattern, this will definitely be an excellent companion piece to my YSL suit. 😊
Cute! I wonder how these would look as jeans?
Those are amazing!!🤩
I am so excited about these... I can't wait to get them printed and at the ready!
That looks exactly like a pair of pants I need! Fabulous 😍
Perfect - was plannung to hack Lucille for frontclosure and half-elasticated
Yessssss
Love it Can't wait to try and make it. Looking forward to attempting the elastic!
Front fastening!!! I think I might cry, I have been searching for a vintage front fastening trousers pattern in my size for ages 😭
You can cry it’s ok…. I’m peeling myself off the floor. It’s all good right?! 😂❤️
I really love the versatility of these depending on which fabric you chose. Super wearable and in love with having the elastic back for comfort ❤️
I love the elastic while still being elegant, snatched and classy 😍 I’ve been trying to figure out how to make the Elsa adjustable but I think these are my new staple pants !! Love love love 💕
Wow, this is an instant favorite!
love these, yeey for the elastic! Gertie, is your lace blouse one of your patterns also? I love it
it's the Presley!
Love tailored trousers! Not crazy about the elasticated waist part though, I wonder if it could be done with a regular waistband instead?
I'm sure you could easily put darts in and shorten the waistband accordingly if you wanted.
Adorable! And the styling on both versions is just perfect. 🤩
I love this, thank you Gertie
❤️❤️❤️❤️
OMG. These are PERFECT! I've been searching for a pleated, flat front, elastic back shorts pattern that I liked 🥹💜
It looks so comfy for work ❤️
Oh I am about to make 8000 pairs…. Cannot wait to make a linen version for the hot summer but I still have to dress professionally!
Just what I was hoping for! Thank you, LOVE!
I'm actually so in love with this look! Love the elastic backing. Exactly what I needed.
Love, love, love this!
This looks great! But I have a question: if it has a front fly why also the elastic waist? Just for the aesthetics?
The fly lets you put them on/off but the elastic gives a little waist flexibility for comfort!
YESSS THANK YOU! These are gonna be so much fun to make!
Looooooveeeee! This will be a definite first project once I yeet this baby out and know what my measurements are again, haha
I'm not a fan of trousers normally but these are very cute, I may actually give these a go.
Same! They look so comfy and practical.
The elastic back is everything! 😍 I have some white linen at the ready!
Absolutely gorgeous! I'd love to make these into a YSL "Le Smoking" lady tux using a crepe and putting a satin stripe down the side. Is this usually applique'd on or is the satin stripe a sewn in panel? Beautiful pattern, thanks you!!
Love love love it 😍
Yes….. precies wat ik zocht.
Always love a pant or skirt with a partial elastic waist!
Not what I expected but I am THRILLED!!!
Oh wow, these pants look incredibly wearable. I'm very excited!
Yeeeeessss!!!!! I love this! I was even thinking of hacking the Lucile but now I have the pattern of my dreams 😍😍😍
I love these. What pattern is the lace button up?
It’s the Presley looking way more glam than I’ve ever seen it.
He// ya git some! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️love these!
Yessssssssss!!!!!!!!!