An article of apparel may include a waistband for extending around a waist of the wearer. The waistband may have a first layer and a second layer that lay adjacent to each other, and the waistband may have a plurality of strand segments located between the first layer and the second layer. The strand segments extend at least partially around the waistband. Additionally, the strand segments may lay substantially parallel to surfaces of the first layer and the second layer for distances of at least five centimeters. In some configurations, the strand segments may be bonded to the first layer and the second layer along the distances of at least five centimeters.