How to loose inches without even trying

First of all, apologies to those who hoped for miracle dieting tips, this is about PPL.

It is the second thread in the unraveling series of my jeans findings

I just wanted to share something I realized while road testing my new jeans. After suggestions on previous thread I have decided to do nothing with regards to hemming, but leave them as they are and wear them with 2" heels. They still appeared just a bit too long, but definitely worth a go as they were.

Today I wore them to work and I have spotted that they did not appear as long as before, they were about 1/4"-1/2" off the floor, so effectively as perfect as they can be. What I figured out is that the jeans have naturally pulled themselves up (if it makes any sense) by certain lenght AFTER I'd been sitting for a while in them. The creases in denim that form around the hips and knees, where the legs naturally bend, pull the fabric up and shorten it noticeably. Which in case of my new jeans meant that things effectively took care of themselves leaving me with the jeans with PPL.

It may seem obvious to some, but was not to me before. This also resolves the mystery of why my 36" jeans that I wear with flat shoes always seem perfectly long when I'm trying them on in the store and shorter when I wear them IRL. The first case would be about brand new perfectly flat uncreased jeans, the second one after sitting down and the natural creases in denim forming, thus effectively shortening them enough to make me look like I'm breaking PPL rules.

Anyone else noticed the same thing?

14 years ago

Saretta

(website)

Active Member

No, but that's something I will try to notice in the future!

anne

Veteran

I hadn't noticed, but may explain why, despite my informed and concerted intentions to hem my jeans at PPL they always seem a bit short.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Well spotted, Ornella.

morethanbeige

This explains a lot Ornella! Thanks!

Barbara

I've noticed it, too, Ornella. I thought I was the only one.

Very observant, you are!

Carole

Well, you don't say! That makes perfect sense. I struggle to find pants and jeans long enough, too, and when I do I can't bring myself to hem them. I figure they will shrink up over a few washes even when doing everything right (wash in cold water, hang to dry). But I have ruined a few pairs of jeans this way because I don't wear heels with jeans, but I guess I should at least until the jeans have settled in.

Anonymous

Excellent observation, Ornella. Maybe this is why I've put off having some straight jeans hemmed. I start by turning them under and they are narrow enough to stay put (trick from Maya). By the middle of the day, they can be let down. I'd never figured out why.

Ornella

I'm glad it makes sense to you all as well

Kelly

Can someone please tell me what PPL stands for? I am at a loss!

Charmian

Kelly, PPL stands for "perfect pants length". Angie's a bit of an advocate for them: http://youlookfab.com/2006/05/.....hs-please/

Ornella, I'm so glad you got them to the right length without needing to go to the tailor's! I generally take my pants to the tailor's immediately after their purchase, and frequently end up cursing the tailor for taking it in 1/2" too much. This makes total sense now!

Sona

Ornella and Angie- one of the SA's at a local higher end store is always telling me to take the jeans home before i decide on hemming them. I never understood the rationale ( they hem for free) but now realize she was actually giving me great advice!

Aha! Thanks!

Lynne

Ornella, so glad you kept the jeans long. And brilliant observation! I haven't noticed the same thing, but I am mainly standing and moving in mine, perhaps hence the difference. And how many compliments did you get with your new jeans, Ms O?

I'm only just waiting for those contracts to start pouring in Lynne...

Aida

*nodnod* This is a great observation! I always left my bootlegs half an inch too long (for wear with heels), and by the time I'd worn them for an hour or so the length was perfect. Didn't realize why this was though, so thank you!

firefly

Brilliant tip: this makes so much sense, thank you!

Kari

Yep - it happens to me too. I usually don't hem my jeans until I've worn them a few times. I also notice this significantly when I have fluctuations in weight, unfortunately.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

I have the opposite problem most of the time - jeans start out at my waist but as I wear them they stretch out a bit and end up lower on the hip, so the hems are too long. Kari, I have that happen with weight fluctuations too - it's surprising how much changes in girth can also create small changes in length.

Lisa

I have noticed this too. When I get pants hemmed, after the tailor tugs them down, I make them stop and I walk in them. If the pants bunch back up in the knees, I tell them not to tug down again, since this will make them too short after hemming. A lesson I have learned the hard way.

ButterflyLady

I also noticed this - my husband laughs, as I am always saying 'they will ride up with wear' ( I think that's a quote from an old British TV comedy programme 'Are you Being Served?'!!).

I can never work out why stores offer a hemming service without advising people of this though. And also, a lot of denim will shrink when washed (I don't put it in the dryer) so I always buy, wash, wear for a while and *then* hem, if I need too!

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