Becky 05/09 - YouLookFab Forum

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Becky 05/09

Becky

Veteran

Here's what I wore last night for a casual cookout at home with friends:

http://i285.photobucket.com/al.....oo/028.jpg

I am especially interested in feedback on the jeans. They are the Worn jeans recommended for me by truejeans.com, and I'm considering whether to duplicate them or range farther afield and try another brand. From a fit perspective, they are probably the best-fitting jeans I've ever owned (no waist gape). My only complaint is that the crotch hangs a little too long sometimes. Does this mean the rise is too high, I need a size smaller, or what? Also, I had them hemmed and they ended up a bit shorter than Angie's PPL. Is it enough to go back and have them let out more? I seem to have lost objectivity as to whether they are flattering. In all my photos, I seem to have short legs (I do), and they seem to look thick (they are). So is it the problem of the clothing, or is that just how I look? Thanks for your help!

17 replies

Latest reply was from Becky

Maya

Veteran

I think if your legs are short you should let your jeans run as long as possible, so definitely get them taken out and re-hemmed. It might also help to wear your tops a bit shorter. I have the opposite problem as you and I like to wear my shirts on the long side, so it seems logical that the opposite solution would work for you. Adding a belt might help too by breaking the torso, and you have the waist for it. I think very few of us here have a perfectly proportioned torso and legs, so it's all about the clothes and how they help create illusions. The jeans look like they will fit well once hemmed.

I love the color of your sweater though. Try rolling it up a few inches and see if that helps create a longer leg line.

shiny

Veteran

I love the crisp white shirt collar under this sweater - what is the color, not quite brown is it aubergine?

I have short legs too and I agree with Maya - see what happens if you roll up the sweater a few inches. Not all the way to the waist though, how about an inch or two lower than the waist? I tend to wear my tops shorter with jeans, for the illusion of longer legs, especially if I'm wearing flats.

But, also recognize that the angle of this photo is part of the issue! Whoever took it, is taller than you, and so the angle makes your legs looks shorter. Ask your photographer next time to scooch down a bit, so he/she's taking the photo at a lower level. Or better yet, have them sit on the floor and take a photo from that position - you will look taller!

If you look at all my photos, you can see that those taken at a higher angle definetly makes my legs look shorter!

If you do get the jeans hemmed - and they are hemmed long enough for a heel - then wearing a high heel with this would probably balance it out enough the top length would be just fine.

As for the "thickness" - I don't think your legs look thick. I personally got the impression these were simply wider leg jeans. That can make for good proportions, when you are petite on top (as you are).

P.s. I love your haircut. One of these days, I'm going to go that short again too!

Tanya

Veteran

I agree with Maya and Shiny, try to let out the jeans to be as long as possible and a bit shorter top. Lovely sweater by the way. I also have a long waist/short legs combo and it usually helps to wear wedges for some height ( more comfy than heels) and super dark jeans fitted trough the thigh and almost grazing the ground, with a top that hits just a tiny bit below the hipbone.

Becky

Veteran

Maybe part of it is the length of the top, Maya. I wondered about that. I tend to choose tops that are about hipbone length or just below, and this is a bit longer than my usual. When you suggest rolling the sweater up, do you mean scrunching it around the waist, or literally rolling it up just to see if the length is better?

Shiny, I would call the color aubergine; it's a very dark purply color. And yes, my photographer (DH) is about 9 inches taller than I am, so that would be an issue! I'll ask him to take it from a lower level next time. He, he, maybe if he were lying on the floor, I would look tall and thin! Thanks for the compliment on the haircut. It ended up a little shorter than I wanted this time, but that's the great thing about hair...it will grow back!

Tanya, I'm going to have to try some wedges. I just don't wear heels much because I don't find them comfortable at all, but I have had luck wearing shoes with a thicker platform that rises an inch or so to the heel. What brands do you like best (and do they come in WW?)?

Dana

Becky,

I really don't have much input yet as I'm still very new and learning, but I wanted to say that the aubergine sweater is very pretty and you wear that color well.

I agree that the angle of the photograph doesn't help but we are always our harshest critics. You look very cute!

I don't have issues with finding wide shoes but I have very fussy feet. I have had good luck with Clarks and it looks like some styles come in wide & X-wide.

Nicole

Veteran

I agree w/ everyone's comment about the top length. I probably wouldn't have been able to my finger on it if they hadn't said it first though. I do think the pants are a tad short. If they've been hemmed that length for any time and washed, you may have a hard time letting the hem out. Denim will fade where it's been folded. Maybe you could try the pants with really flat sandals?

Tanya

Veteran

For everyday running around, I like wedge shoes which have the wedge part made of rubber, since they are much easier on my ankles and provide more cushioning. Cork works similarly in the summer. I avoid the wooden ones most of the time since they are much harder on my feet.

Something like this works for jeans:
http://www.piperlime.com/brows.....=591878002
they do not come in WW tough, but mine always stretch so much they they end up falling of my feet.

I have these in different pattern for the summer:
http://www.piperlime.com/brows.....=580332012

And I have recently bought of pair of Keds like this for the summer as well:
http://www.endless.com/Keds-Wo.....B000TXWTKM

Aerosoles generally make some pretty comfy ones, but I haven't liked anything they have for this summer. But for fall/winter I got this pair in both grey and black and wore them all the time:
http://www.endless.com/Aerosol.....B0015DOTLC

Unfortunately none of these come in WW, but I put their links up as a reference to what type is usually the most comfy for me.

I just did search on Zappos for WW wedges and I like these:
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/3.....M_768.html
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/2.....M_768.html
and the Sofft Adara of course:
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/3.....M_768.html

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks for the pic Becky. The colour of your top is beautiful and the stylish crew above have been spot on with their suggestions. You are absolutely adorable and your legs don’t look tick in the slightest my dear girl! ( perhaps aubergine specs are in the pipeline instead of red? I use to have a pair of specs that colour)

Do not duplicate these jeans, Becky. You can do better. We can achieve a more flattering leg line on your gorgeous little petite frame . Worn is not the ideal brand for you. You need a shorter rise with a contoured waistband and a less wide silhouette. That’s why you have the “crotch sagging thing” going on. Do not ever worry about jeans gaping at the back. This problem is easily solved with alteration ( $13). You need to focus on what the leg line does first and foremost. Have you tried Lucky’s sweet ‘n lows?

Becky

Veteran

Angie, I just visited the Lucky site and they don't have Sweet 'n Lows listed. Has that style been discontinued? Actually, alterations are a REAL problem for me. I live in a VERY rural area, and there are no good tailors nearby. The one who did the botched hem job on these Worn jeans doesn't do waistband alterations. I may be able to purchase some jeans at Mall of America and have them tailored in Minneapolis when I am there next month.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I hear you Becky. I found the sweet 'n lows and they should have that style available at the mall. I’ve also attached a few more for you try. I am sure you shall get sorted!

http://www.luckybrandjeans.com.....&pn=2

http://www.luckybrandjeans.com.....&pn=3

http://www.luckybrandjeans.com.....&pn=5

anne

Veteran

Becky,
Re- your legs. I have been thinking we must be similarly proportioned - I seem to remember you are about 2" smaller than me at each point and I also have a long waist. And I have been wondering why Angie reckoned you a hourglass and me a pear! The answer must be that you have thinner legs! (esp thighs) Congrats!

Nicole

Veteran

Becky, sometimes you need to ask around to find someone who can do alterations. I'd start with dry cleaners, call them and ask them if they offer the service, if not, then ask them if they have anyone they can refer you to. I'd also check my local paper for someone who might be doing alterations out of their home. You may find someone who makes custom curtains or does some other kind of sewing. It can't hurt to ask them if they do clothing alterations, and if not, ask them if they know anyone who does. And you can always post a request at your local library, Craigslist, church, community bulletin board. Find out if your town offers adult education classes--if they do, get the name of the instructor and ask her/him if they do alterations or know anyone who does. And don't forget that some nicer stores offer alteration services. Just remember that denim can shrink--I always wash anything that needs alterations twice before getting the item shortened or taken in. And if you don't put it in the dryer before you alter it, then don't put it in the dryer after you have it altered. That can definately shrink an item.

Becky

Veteran

Thanks for the links, Angie. I really like the Lola. That might me my "skinny." I also like the Sweet Dream, but I'm not sure a 6.5" rise is enough! I'll have to try them and see.

Anne, I actually think the reason I'm an hourglass has to do with my broad shoulders. I don't remember your height, but I think you are several inches taller than I; I think your figure looks quite trim and attractive.

Nicole, I'm going to do some more research and see if I can come up with someone I'm happy with. I have tried several that just didn't work out, but I'm sure I haven't exhausted all options yet...

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Can't wait to hear how your denim adventure went, Becky. Sometimes a low rise on a petite gal ends up being a mid rise.

Becky wears the same size on both the top and bottom, Anne which is what she does not tend towards a pretty pear.

anne

Veteran

Hi Becky - I always thought I had quite broad shoulders too. I am 5"4 (or 64" as some of you put it - I had never heard this usage before seeing it on this forum) I am reading eagerly all the suggestions for you Becky, because I think you are the most similar to me in figure and lifestyle (how long since you were last pregnant BTW?)
Angie - maybe I have to wear the bigger size on the bottom *because* of my legs *grin*
Also Angie, there are lots of suggestions here about Becky wearing the top shorter to make her legs longer. How does this tie in with your advice on lengths with pants (ie 1 or 2 inches above crotch)? Is it a case of just deciding which is the best thing to work on flattering or hiding?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

*grin* back Anne

So Becky’s “sweet top length for pants” is a little higher than 2 inches above crotch point because her torso is a little longer than yours. At least this is my impression from the photographs. Does that make sense?

Becky

Veteran

Anne, I am flattered that you think we are similar in figure! I hope I look as good as you do! My younger daughter is 2-1/2 years old, my baby weight is gone, and my body seems to have settled into the "new normal."

Angie, will my longer torso affect my ideal top length for skirts, or will it still be around hipbone length?