Universal Thread Pants

Hey friends! I’m back today with an in-depth buying guide all about Universal Thread pants. If you’ve never heard of Universal Thread, it’s Target’s new apparel brand that offers super affordable and stylish clothing. I’ve really been loving the pieces I’ve picked up from Universal Thread, especially their pants.

Universal Thread has a great selection of women’s pants in lots of different styles. They offer everything from classic jeans to trendy wide leg pants. The brand is also size inclusive, with most styles going up to a size 20. Since trying out several pairs from Universal Thread, I wanted to share a detailed buying guide covering everything you need to know before you shop!

Styles of Universal Thread Pants

One of my favorite things about Universal Thread is the variety of pant styles they offer. Here’s an overview of the main types of pants you can find from the brand:

• Jeans – Universal Thread has several jeans styles, including high waisted skinny jeans, mom jeans, distressed jeans, and jeggings with stretch. The jeans come in both dark and light washes.
• Wide leg pants – For a trendy look, check out Universal Thread’s wide leg pants and culottes. They have dressier styles as well as casual printed ones.
• Ankle pants – Ankle length pants are perfect for showing off your favorite shoes. Universal Thread offers knit ankle pants along with cropped jeans.
• Joggers – Universal Thread joggers come in both relaxed and slim fits. They have drawstring waists and cuffed hems for a sporty look.
• Dress pants – You can find work-ready styles like pleated trousers, slim leg pants, and ankle length dress pants from Universal Thread.
• Leggings – Universal Thread has standard leggings along with faux leather and moto leggings for edgier outfits.
• Skinny pants – Choose from ponte knit skinny pants, stretch twill skinny pants, and classic five pocket skinny jeans.
• Printed pants – Universal Thread offers several printed pants with fun details like floral designs and camo prints.

So whether you’re looking for everyday jeans, office appropriate trousers, or trendy printed pants, Universal Thread has got you covered!

Where to Buy Universal Thread Pants

Universal Thread clothing is sold exclusively at Target stores and on Target.com. The brand was created specifically for Target, so you won’t be able to find it anywhere else.

I prefer browsing the pants selection in store so I can check out the fits and fabrics in person. But Target’s website has the full range of Universal Thread pant styles and they offer free shipping and returns on all orders.

The Universal Thread pants are affordably priced between $12-$35. Target frequently has sales on the brand too, so you can likely score them for even less. I always check the clearance racks and sections when I’m at Target since you can find real hidden gems for like $5!

If you’re not near a Target store, online is definitely the way to go. Just be sure to reference the size charts to help find your best fit. Bottom line – head to Target to get your hands on Universal Thread pants!

Sustainable Materials Used

One of the things that drew me to Universal Thread is their focus on using sustainable materials in many of their products.

The brand’s jeans are made using organic or recycled cotton with added stretch. By choosing organic cotton, Universal Thread reduces the amount of pesticides and chemicals used in production.

They also offer pants in earth-friendly fabrics like TENCELTM Lyocell which is made from fast-growing eucalyptus trees. This material is breathable, soft, and requires less water to produce than cotton.

Some of the joggers and knit pants contain recycled polyester made from recycled plastic water bottles. Repurposing these materials decreases waste and the brand’s carbon footprint.

Universal Thread also utilizes linen and cotton blends that incorporate linen made in a certified sustainable fashion. Overall, I’m impressed by their efforts to offer stylish pants focused on sustainability.

How Universal Thread Pants Fit

Finding the perfect fitting pair of pants can be difficult, but Universal Thread makes it easy. Their pants are designed to fit just like your favorite lived-in staple pieces.

They fit true to size but lean towards a relaxed and comfortable fit through the hips and thighs. I love how their pants move with you and have enough stretch to be comfy, but still hold their shape.

Compared to other high street brands like Old Navy and LOFT, I find Universal Thread pants offer a bit more room through the hips and butt. They do have some slim fit skinny jeans and ponte pants, but overall the fit is more forgiving.

This makes their pants great for everyday wear and running errands. They aren’t clingy or tight fitting. But you can still look polished and put together in their ankle dress pants or pleated trousers.

Make sure to check the fabric content when choosing your size. The jeans and pants with added stretch will have more give to them. The structured woven fabrics like their chinos and trousers won’t stretch out as much.

Overall Universal Thread pants are true to size, inclusive, and made for feeling comfortable!

Price Range

Here’s a breakdown of the typical pricing you can expect from Universal Thread pants:

• Jeans – $22-$30
• Joggers & Knit Pants – $12-$25
• Wide Leg Pants – $22-$27
• Dress Pants – $20-$35
• Leggings – $15-$18
• Printed Pants – $22-$30

The MSRP pricing puts Universal Thread at an extremely affordable price point compared to similar styles from mall brands. And you can almost always find discounts on top of these prices.

Clearance prices bring styles down to the $5-$15 range. I snagged a pair of culottes for just $10 during a recent sale event. They also frequently offer discounts like 20% off Universal Thread.

For the quality and fit of these pants, the price can’t be beat. They often cost a fraction of what I would pay for the same style elsewhere. If you’re on a tight budget, Universal Thread is a fantastic option for stylish pants at bargain prices.

Color Selection

A versatile color palette is another reason to love Universal Thread pants. They offer classic shades along with fun prints and patterns.

For jeans, you’ll find all the staple washes from light to dark denim. Black jeans are available for those who embrace the dark side like me! White and khaki chinos can be dressed up or down.

Joggers come in both neutral and bold shades like olive green, blush pink, and bright red. There are also patterned and tie-dye printed joggers for making a statement.

In dress pants, standard tan, black and grey shades dominate. But they also offer versatile colors like mauve, olive, mustard and dusty blue.

Leggings are available in essential colors like black, grey, and navy along with fun prints. So you’re set whether you prefer traditional styles or want to experiment with patterns.

Overall Universal Thread delivers both staple shades and adventurous prints across their pant collection. The color options make it easy to build a versatile wardrobe.

Caring for Universal Thread Pants

To keep your Universal Thread pants looking and feeling like new, proper care is important. Here are my top tips for caring for your pants:

• Read the garment tag – This will have the full cleaning instructions from washing temperatures to drying guidelines. Follow these to prevent shrinking or fading.
• Wash in cold water – For the best results, use cold water to wash your pants. Hot water can cause fading and shrinking. Stick to a delicate or cold setting.
• Air dry when possible – For jeans and pants with stretch, air drying helps them keep their shape. Lay flat or hang to dry.
• Use gentle detergent – Skip the bleach and fabric softener, instead choose a gentle detergent without dyes or fragrance. Woolite or The Laundress products work well.
• Treat stains promptly – Don’t let stains set in. Pretreat any spots or spills as soon as possible using a stain remover or dish soap.
• Inspect before drying – Check for any lingering stains or heavily soiled areas and pretreat before drying. This prevents stains from setting in.
• Wash darks separately – Wash black, dark denim, and printed pants separately from light colors to prevent fading and bleeding.

With the right care, your Universal Thread pants will look great wash after wash. Just be sure to follow garment tag instructions. Let me know if you have any other pants care tips!

Reviews of Universal Thread Pants

Since Universal Thread is an exclusive Target brand, reviews are mixed between Target’s website and third party review sites. But overall the feedback on their pants is quite positive.

On Target’s website, most Universal Thread pants average between 4-5 star reviews. Customers praise the comfortable fit, flattering silhouettes, and affordable prices. Some noted the pants run large, so sizing down is recommended.

Reviewers on Influenster and YouTube seem to share many of the same pros for Universal Thread pants. They highlight the stretch fabrics, cute prints, and current style trends available. Popular styles are the mom jeans, tie waist joggers, and wide leg culottes.

One consistent con is that the pants seem thin or lightweight for some. This doesn’t impact durability according to most, but it’s worth noting if you prefer thicker fabrics. Overall though, most reviews indicate the quality far exceeds the affordable prices.

Based on the reviews, the consensus is Universal Thread offers stylish, quality pants that feel great to wear. The vast majority of customers have had positive experiences and recommend the brand.

Do Universal Thread Pants Shrink?

To provide the best fit, many of Universal Thread’s pants are pre-washed before production. This helps reduce shrinkage when you first wash them at home.

Their jeans are made with cotton and stretchy fabrics like TENCELTM that are low shrinkage. As long as you wash in cold water and air dry, you shouldn’t experience noticeable shrinking.

The joggers and leggings made from polyester blends are also designed to minimize shrinkage. Following garment care guidelines prevents excessive shrinking for all styles.

Some shrinkage can occur over time with 100% cotton pants based on user reviews. It seems to be less than a full size though. Properly washing and drying is key to maintaining the fit.

Overall, the pre-washing paired with shrink resistant fabrics helps the pants retain their fit. Shrinkage is fairly minimal if you stick to cold machine washing and air drying when possible.

Wearing Universal Thread Pants for Different Occasions

A perk of Universal Thread’s wide range of pant styles is that they work for so many occasions. Here are some tips for styling Universal Thread pants for everything from work to weekends.

Casual Weekend Wear

• Jeans + tee or blouse + sneakers
• Printed pants or joggers + hoodie + jacket
• Ankle pants + graphic tee + slip on shoes

Work and Interviews

• Pleated trousers + blouse + loafers
• Slim leg ankle pants + button down + ballet flats
• Wide leg pants + tucked in tee + blazer

Date Night

• Black jeans + silky cami + heels
• High waisted jeans + off the shoulder top
• Faux leather leggings + oversized sweater + booties

Loungewear

• Knit joggers + tank + cardigan
• Printed joggers + hoodie
• Leggings with oversized tee or sweatshirt

See what I mean about wearing them for anything?! Dress up Universal Thread pants with blazers and heels or wear them casual with sneakers. They’re perfect for wherever your day takes you.

Discounts and Sales

The amazing thing about Universal Thread pants is that the prices are already so affordable. But Target still manages to offer great discounts and deals fairly often.

The best way to save is to shop their sales and clearance sections. I always browse the sale racks in store for cheap finds. Online, check the sales and deals pages for current promotions.

Target frequently offers discounts like 20-30% off clothing and accessories. Universal Thread is included in sitewide sales like these. For example, they just had a 20% off deal over the holidays.

Subscribe to emails from Target to receive coupons and alerts about upcoming discounts. You may get offers like $5 off $25 on clothing.

Clearance is another great way to score major deals. Both in store and online, they’ll mark down prices on out of season styles. I got a pair of $32 jeans for only $10 on the clearance rack!

With a little strategic shopping, you can build a versatile Universal Thread pants wardrobe on a budget. Take advantage of their frequent sales and deals.

Return Policy Overview

One of the convenient perks of buying your pants at Target is their generous return policy. It makes shopping their brands risk-free.

For any reason at all, you can return Universal Thread pants within 90 days of purchase. You’ll get a full refund in the original form of payment.

Target also offers free shipping on standard returns. Just print out a return label to send items back or drop them at any store. Returns and exchanges can even be initiated through their app.

If you’re a RedCard holder, you get an extra 30 days for returns. This gives you a total of 120 days to decide if the pants are a keeper.

Damaged, defective, or incorrectly sized pants can be returned at any time. So if you notice an issue down the road, you’re covered. Just hold onto your receipt.

Basically, Target makes returns stress-free. Between the 90 day window and free shipping, you can shop Universal Thread pants with confidence.

Durability

Considering the affordable prices, I’m always skeptical of durability with cheaper fashion finds. But overall, Universal Thread pants stand up well to frequent wearing and washing.

The jeans maintain their structure and minimize stretching out. I haven’t had issues with knees bagging or stretching like cheaper brands.

For soft knits like joggers and leggings, pilling can occur over time. But this is typical with blended fabrics. The level of pilling doesn’t seem excessive.

After many washes, some reviewers notice fading with darker jeans. But the color change hasn’t impacted the fit or worn out the pants.

As long as you care for the pants properly, any wear or fading happens gradually. The durability exceeds expectations for the price point. Handle with care and your pants should last multiple seasons.

Fabrics Used

Universal Thread utilizes a range of high quality fabrics selected for comfort, fit and versatility. Here are some of the main materials used in their pants:

• Stretch denim – The jeans contain a cotton/Tencel/polyester blend designed to move and hold you in.
• Chino – Many of the trousers and dress pants are made from a cotton/elastane blend chino that resists wrinkling.
• Ponte – Stretchy ponte knit fabrics made from rayon and polyester spansdex are used in skinny pants and leggings.
• Fleece – Soft cotton fleece makes up the inner lining of joggers to keep you cozy.
• Linen blends – Lightweight linen mixed with cotton or polyester that offer breezy comfort.
• Polyester blends – Sweat-wicking polyester spandex mixes are ideal for activewear like joggers.

These fabrics allow for great stretch, structured fits, and all-day comfort. The quality is impressive, especially considering the affordable price tags.

Ethical and Environmental Factors

Universal Thread has shown a commitment to ethical production and environmental responsibility in several ways.

They partner with factories that pay fair wages and monitor working conditions. Target’s Standards of Vendor Engagement aim to ensure safe and ethical operations.

Many of their fabrics incorporate recycled polyester from plastics or sustainable materials like Tencel from eucalyptus trees. This eco-friendly production reduces waste.

Organic cotton is used in many styles to limit the harmful pesticides used in standard cotton farming.

Overall, I’m thrilled to see Target/Universal Thread making responsible sourcing, materials, and production methods a priority. It’s a very positive step towards ethical and eco-friendly fashion.

Warranty Information

Universal Thread pants don’t come with a specific warranty from the manufacturer. But you’re still protected by Target’s generous return policy.

If any pants are defective in construction or materials, Target will allow a return at any point. They’ll also accept returns up to 90 days for any other fit or sizing issues.

Make sure to check the pants for any damage or flaws when you first try them on. Contact customer service about defective items right away to get a refund or exchange.

You won’t get a lifetime guarantee, but the standards return window provides peace of mind. Just hold onto the receipt as proof of purchase.

Overall, returns are easy if flaws arise down the road. But inspect new pants carefully since formal warranties are limited.

Size Charts Available

One of the most helpful resources when buying pants online is the detailed size charts. Target provides these for every Universal Thread style.

The charts include all the measurements like waist, inseam, front rise, and leg opening. There are tips on choosing your best fit based on your usual size in other brands.

Before you order, compare your measurements to the size chart. This helps take the guesswork out of choosing your regular size. Keep in mind some styles run large according to reviews.

I also appreciate the product photos on real models rather than mannequins. It gives a better representation of how the pants fit different body types.

With accurate size charts and fit pics, you can confidently order Universal Thread pants online. Taking your hip, waist and inseam measurements before ordering can be helpful too!

Purchasing Universal Thread Pants Locally

The major perk of Universal Thread is that the pants are conveniently available at Target stores across the country.

You can find a local Target on their website by typing in your city or zip code. Most areas have multiple locations to choose from.

I prefer to shop in store so I can browse all the options and actually try the pants on. Some styles sold online aren’t available in every store.

Check the Target app to see if your local store carries the pants you want. You can even check inventory for specific sizes. Sometimes I’ll order online for pickup when a style is hard to find.

Trying the pants on is the ideal way to get your sizing right. But you can also order multiple sizes to try on at home if needed.

Overall, Target makes is easy to shop Universal Thread in person or pick up online orders. The widespread store locations are a major shopping perk.

How Universal Thread Compares to Other Brands

From denim to office wear, Universal Thread pants offer comparable quality to brands charging much higher prices.

The fit and stretch of their jeans rivals Madewell and Lucky at less than half the cost. They also mimic the universal, vintage feel of Levi’s without the excessive price tags.

For joggers and loungewear, I prefer Universal Thread over brands like Zella. The soft performance fabrics feel way more luxurious.

Style wise, they’re on par with contemporary brands like LOFT and Banana Republic. But again, the prices can’t be beat.

When it comes to sizing, Universal Thread runs a little more generous and true to size. Sizing up like with American Eagle jeans isn’t necessary.

Considering both fit and affordability, Universal Thread exceeds my expectations. The pants really do have luxury feels without the designer costs. They’re worth a try for stylish pieces at bargain prices!

The Bottom Line

For affordable, quality pants that can effortlessly take you from workdays to weekends, Universal Thread is an amazing option. If you’re looking to revamp your closet on a budget, I couldn’t recommend their pants selection more.

The wide variety of both classic and trendy styles makes it easy to find flattering pants perfect for your needs. I love the focus on comfort without sacrificing style. Materials like stretch denim and ponte knits move with you while retaining structure.

Best of all, the prices are accessible even on a tight budget. And Universal Thread often offers discounts that make their pants an even better bargain. Target’s convenient locations and free returns remove any risk from trying the brand.

So if you’re looking for your new favorite pair of jeans, work trousers, joggers, or anything in between, don’t overlook Universal Thread. Their pant offering delivers quality that truly defies the price tags. No matter your style or budget, Universal Thread has you covered!