My mother is about 4'10" tall and has a huge belly. Her legs aren't fat, all the weight is in her belly and hips. Normal petite pants are too tight around her middle. She gained more belly fat and now nothing fits. Where do I get her pants??? I'm at a loss. Casual pants are perfect, even sweats, just something that she can pull up. HELP!
Definitely buy to fit her belly. Sweat pants can easily be cut off and hemmed on a sewing machine. Same for cotton knit pants. If you don't sew, trade skills with a friend who does -- she hems the pants, you bake her banana bread, or work out some kind of barter system. (Always wash before hemming, to be sure the pants won't shrink after you hem them!)
Maternity seems like the ideal solution, but I don't find it to work for me. It would be worth trying for Mom -- just don't buy a half dozen without trying one. It must depend on how the weight is actually distributed.
Capri pants may be the right length for a 4'10" lady.
Once you find something that works right, buy it in every color, or buy six in navy -- stock up to minimize the search. I can almost guarantee you won't find the exact same item next season!
Also my daughter is high waisted and these pants sit high. Which is hard to find--so many sports wear/ casual pants are low risers! Not good for a girl ( and her Mom ) who is short, chubby, high waisted and flat a22ed!
We tried capris but the crotchs hung low. We tried maternity and it worked some but not great. My daughter also has tactile issues and will not wear lots of materials ( " too soft, too itchy, they make her march - seriously - she says that ) so we deal with that also. But the Basic pants from Kmart she likes and I go and gather up a bunch for fear they will discontinue.
We also did have a pair of jeans specially made for her from a site for special sizes ( but I think mostly kids clothes) awhile ago ( like years ago). I cannot remember the name of the site exactly but I think it was something like, Jellybean (?). The pants turned out well but she refused to wear them due to the texture.