Ask Angie: Gap Long and Leans Evaluation - YouLookFab Forum

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Ask Angie: Gap Long and Leans Evaluation

Anonymous

I feel more comfortable in a slimmer leg, but apparently that is the opposite of what I should to do as an IT. This looks funny to me, and my legs feel like they're swimming around here but if you tell me they look good I will keep them. How is the length?

edited to add: pics of some Target "Premium Denim" bootcuts that I returned. Now I'm thinking they look better than the Gaps! (5-8)

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20 replies

Latest reply was from

sarah

Veteran

Claire - I love my L&L's - you'll get used to them! BUT, they look a tad big on you, particularly in #2, 4 - do they feel too big? Other than the possible size issue, they look terrific!

Anonymous

Sarah, IKWYM. It's the chicken leg issue. I could not button the next size down (plus they were too short and didn't come in a long). These fit in the waist and high hip but then I had no meat on my thighs to fill them out. Check out the pics I just added of some Target jeans I returned.

Deborah

Veteran

Claire I am with Sarah. I think the jeans look great but just a bit too big. I actually think the ones you returned look amazing.

Marley

Veteran

Hmmmm . . . I'm not sure how the Long and Leans are supposed to fit, but when I think of long and lean I think of something that is more fitted through the legs. These look too big on you, IMO. I think that the Target ones are more flattering on you - except perhaps for the length? I can't tell for sure from the pics, but they might not be quite long enough? Why did you return them?

Anonymous

Thanks Deborah! I agree that the Target ones look better, but I'm suddenly not sure if I like this look. Marley, this might answer your question, lol!

The purpose of me buying bootcut jeans was to have a pair of jeans to wear with my one and only pair of (ankle) boots. They have a a 2" heel and other than that most of my other footwear is all flats (comfort issues). Even now my back and legs are hurting from wearing my boots for part of the day. The boots are great (Franco Sarto's) and I only paid $20 for them, but maybe I shouldn't buy clothes for them.

MUCH prefer the look of tall boots with skinnies tucked in. I have just tossed a lot of things that aren't quite right, so maybe the boots need to go. Come to think of it, a lot of my posts lately have been, "Can I wear X with these boots?" just trying so hard to make them work!

I was trying to talk myself out of wanting tall flat boots because I knew good ones would be pricey, and I can't wear them as much as people in a cold climate. They *would* help balance the bottom half of me with the top, though, and they are MUCH more in keeping with where I want to go style wise. Tall riding boots with skinnies tucked in just seem so to be more of the modern classic look that I'd like to achieve.

Deborah

Veteran

Claire I can absolutely see you in tall riding booties with skinnies tucked in. IMO this is a look that never gets old. Having said that the Franco Sartos look good and are a handy boot to have. Having one pair of bootlegs and those booties in your wardrobe would be great for when you feel like a change. I tend to favor a particular silhouette in most of my clothing but every now and again I pull out my bootlegs and really enjoy the slight change in my look.

Anonymous

I too like the look of 5-8 more. It's about the wash and the fit. I don't know what to say about the first pair. They look ok to my eye, but not a ten.

sarah

Veteran

Clare - you're right - the Target ones fit much better! You must have very thin legs. I think that you would look great with skinnies tucked into boots, and you can achieve a lot of DIFFERENT looks with this, depending on the boots, the upper half, etc- it doesn't have to be "modern classic" - just think about casual Kelly, or Euro chic Nancy, RATE Una, or Euro Mod Angie - they all look very different in their skinnies into jeans. You can make that look whatever works for YOU.

Having said that, I do think it's nice to have flares/bootcuts around to mix it up a bit. I don't wear my L&L's ALL the time, but I love to bring them out periodically, and I always feel like I've got a bit of attitude when I do. But you need to decide for you - I can totally see them working with your style, though.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Before we get to the jeans, may I just comment, madam, that if we are talking about frequent workouts, it looks as if you are giving me some pretty darn stiff competition! Look at those lats!

Seriously, you look incredibly fit, and I do NOT see the pooch you keep mentioning. Maybe now that you are taking pics you will recognize that it is a figment of your imagination...looking down at our stomachs they always look huge. IRL, yours most certainly is NOT.

Onto the jeans.

My sense, Claire, is that the Long and Leans (or THESE Long and Leans) aren't the best cut for you. However, given my own recent Gap shopping experience, I'd say "never say never" because you might try on a different pair (in the same size) and find the fit quite different. So if you have time to do a bit of sleuthing and don't mind hanging out in the fitting rooms, it doesn't hurt to try again. Just remember that the Long and Leans WILL stretch out and you need to size down farther than you can imagine. I got lots of good advice on this. Angie said she prefers hers on the loose side. Well, I bought mine snug, but they are also on the loose side after about ten minutes of wear. Imagine what would happen if they started out already loose.

I really like the look of the jeans you returned, though, and if the length would be okay, I think it might be worth returning for those (or similar) and keeping those booties. I concur with the others that a change in silhouette is very appealing sometimes. I know I will wear my skinnies and straights far more often than I will wear my Long and Leans....but I really enjoy the option of wearing a heel once in a while with a wider bottom and snug fitting top. And I think you would look terrific in a similar look.

However, this is easy for those of us who live in a cool climate to say; boots and booties always seem like a justified expense, because we get to wear them (or have to wear them) about six months a year or more. It's different for you and I can imagine that it might feel extravagant to spend money on tall boots that you'd really only be comfortable in for a couple of months a year (if that). Still, a good classic flat tall boot won't date. And you do make trips to other parts of the country now and then. I would say one pair of booties and one pair of boots are justified. After all, I need about three pairs of sandals to get through the summer here, and the summer is only 3 months.

Anyway, please don't chuck the booties yet and don't give up on the idea of a flared bottom jean to vary your look. Have you tried the Perfect Boot or one of the Gaps other boot cuts? That might be a solution.

Hang in there, sister in jeans-questing!

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Did you try these boots:

http://www.target.com/p/Women-.....A-12465642

They are light colored leather and would be super with your hair. I think they would make a nice tucking boot.

I have two pairs of leather boots from Target, they are some of my favorite boots. I have these in both colors, sadly they are sold out:

http://www.target.com/s?search.....category=0|All|matchallany|all+categories

Anonymous

Deborah, thanks for the advice. Perhaps I'll just hang onto the booties for now. Thank you for always being awake for me when it's late at night here!

Sarah, right you are. Tall boots tucked into skinnies are not just for modern classics! I was searching for the right words and didn't want to offend any one else's style. I guess the 70's silhouette I associate with flared jeans and heels is not my favorite look.

Suz, your words of wisdom are invaluable to me! Yes, it's nice to have different looks, so perhaps I won't toss the booties just yet. Themoney I would have spent on bootcut jeans might be better saved for some tall boots. The Target jeans were very tight, very long, very dark (and hence very dressy). I wouldn't have too many occasions to wear them as a MOTG. Perhaps I'll just move them further down on my list and regroup.

Modgirl, those boots are beautiful. I have very thin calves so this hunt will be interesting! I haven't even thought about colors since I had ruled out tall boots. I have a lot of research to do (and saving).

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Hi Claire!

(Are you sure you're an IT? I don't see that in these photos).

The Target jeans look much better than the Gap ones. They are a better fit all round. Good job finding them!

Jonesy

Veteran

I'm wondering about your thoughts re. ITs and slimmer legs (you mention you shouldn't wear slimmer legs as an IT)? I know of no prohibition or rule against slimmer bottoms, and I think plenty of ITs here at YLF rock volume on top, slimmer on bottom (e.g., Una and MaryK among many others). I wear volume on top, slim bottoms all the time as an IT--it's my go-to silhouette. OTOH I really don't feel good in bootcuts (all of mine have now been relegated to dog-walking duty). I'm trying to say that maybe you are feeling boxed in by some rule that you really don't need to follow :).

ETA: Angie and I posted at the same time! I too was wondering about the designation as an IT, but I figured that your shape had been "vetted" by Angie and other body shape experts and deemed correct :), so I kept my trap shut!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ditto what Jonesy said, Claire, about body type. I didn't see IT looking here, either. It's a bit hard to tell with the first pants because they are baggy so make your hips look wider, plus you are standing with legs apart in all pics, but I see a very slim hourglass in these pics. FWIW.

Anonymous

Oh, I would just die to be a slim hourglass! Perhaps I'll get brave and post some swimsuit pictures. I don't have any leggings....

Jonesy

Veteran

You mean because it seems like it would be easier in terms of the rules? I would say that the body shape information is meant to be a guide that helps you out and makes things easier in terms of dressing, vs. rigid rules that make things seem more difficult! So if you find that you are twisting yourself into a pretzel to follow some sort of rule, maybe it's not so helpful, you know? Maybe you could let that particular bit of info. just slide right on past you :).

Anonymous

Jonesy, *chuckle* I have always wanted to have more curves like an hourglass. A curve-y figure has always seemed more womanly to me. I promise I will try not to obsess over the guidelines. I do however want to be open to anything instead of assuming I've got it all figured out. If you can see something I can't see, please tell me!
Sage advice, and I thank you for it. Especially coming from someone who has found her stride!

Marley

Veteran

Just want to pipe in that I too was wondering about your IT label. I've never seen it in any of your pics - and I most certainly didn't see it IRL! You maybe want to re-think that one!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Claire, I definitely see those curves and don't see the shoulder line wider than the hips (or not significantly so).

If you look at the guidelines for hourglasses (and especially at those for hourglasses without a large bust) can you see yourself looking good in any of those styles?

Because you are so slim, you might also look at the guidelines for rectangles.

Angie typed me as a smack dab between a very slim hourglass and a rectangle. We are very different in the particulars, of course, and you have the benefit of several extra inches (oh, how I long for your long slender legs!) But there are enough similarities for me to suggest you give those guidelines a good hard look, compare them to guidelines for ITs and think about items you truly love and find flattering or the KILLER and other positive ratings you have received here.

You might also want to take a look at Imogen's real life body types, if you haven't already. She shows photos of actual women who fit the type; it is quite instructive. http://www.insideoutstyleblog......ody-shapes

Anonymous

Thank you all for taking all this time with me, I really appreciate it! I guess I diagnosed myself as an IT when I read the line about "your shoulders are broader than your hips". If we are going strictly by measurements (and we're not, of course) my shoulders are 40" and my hips are 36" so I thought that settled it.

Since many of us are composites, I may just be a not-very curve-y hourglass with a strong shoulder line. If I gain weight, apple tendencies come into play as I carry weight in my tummy and my waistline becomes undefined. Having just gotten over a bad cold, I could be at my thinnest right now, and ergo: I have a waist!

I have looked at Imogen's site, but I will revisit it with fresh eyes. Also Suz, I will go back through my pictures and re-evaluate. One thing I do know, when I stopped wearing puffed/flutter sleeves, epaulets and boat necks, I felt a lot more fab. This afternoon I went to the body type archives and read the guidelines for the hot hourglass. I could see a lot of them applying to me, even though I feel a little silly there with my puny curves!

Do you think I need to post a "what's my body type" thread or have we settled it? I really don't want to put swimsuit pictures on here. ;d