Microcheck pants saga - YouLookFab Forum

I bought a pair of the Gap black/white plaid cotton (microcheck) pants. The size 10 got YLF approval and I planned to have the hem let out just a bit for flats. However, when I washed the pants first, they shrunk 3/4 inch which meant there wasn't enough hem to let them out any more.

Because they shrunk so much, the Gap store manager said that I could return them. Unfortunately, the black/white plaid is the ONLY cotton plaid pants that does not come in a long. After a conversation with the customer service rep at the 800 number, I order the pants in 8 tall and 10 tall (only available online). Here they are. Obviously they will need to be hemmed quite a bit. They have a longer rise as well as a longer length. I didn't spent too much time on the adjustable waist.

Does either pair look like it fits me properly in the hips and thigh? I really like the idea of these pants but want to make sure I get a good pair and not just a pair. Thanks for your help!

8 Tall
http://i514.photobucket.com/al.....G_1135.jpg
http://i514.photobucket.com/al.....G_1134.jpg

10 Tall
http://i514.photobucket.com/al.....G_1136.jpg
http://i514.photobucket.com/al.....G_1137.jpg

17 years ago

Antje

Veteran

Oh AJ, what a bummer! That shrinking issue is really annoying.

So I think the 8 is not ideal from the rear. The 10 looks so much better from the rear, it makes a nice butt. From the front, it looks a bit big, though, but maybe it's because of all that extra fabric fabric in the length. Maybe you could try it with the extra length pinned inside and take one more photo? (Sorry)

Also, just checking, have you tried other Microcheck pants? If you're not 100% sure about these, then I recommend you try the ones at Express. They have some great microchecks (and other menswear inspired patterns) right now, in midrise. And finally, you could try the Loft. I bought pants there that on me were slightly better than the Express ones; mine are striped but if I remember correctly they had micro checks as well.

Sarah

(website)

First of all, I love your white blouse!
I agree with Antje about fit of the pants. However, I'm wondering if that is partially do to the visible panty line?
Ana introduced me to the ugliest yet most flattering undies I've ever found. If you have a Soma, check these out. They give me a nice bum.
http://www.soma.com/store/brow.....#038;size=

Ellen

Active Member

Hi AJ,

That's so frustrating! Being 5'10 I defnitely understand length issues.

I agree with Antje that the 8s look a little small in the rear and I think the 10s are a bit big all over. This may be a little TMI, but would different undergarments help with the fit and look of the 8s? It might be worth a try, if the fit is comfortable and they will stretch out a little.

I have gone into the store and tried these pants twice. I want them to fit and they almost do, but not quite right. Maybe you're running into that problem here... there seems to be something a little odd about how they are cut, IMO.

Tanya

I also agree with the ladies above on the fit of the pants. If different under garments do not help with size 8, maybe consider tailoring the size 10?

I also desperately want a pair (or two) of micro check pants. These fit me OK, but not great ( same as Ellen). I got a plaid pair at Express, but the plaid is big - macro check, and they are dressy (rayon blend)- not casual. I do like them, but they are not micro checks to me. I really love the ones Sarbear got at Esprit outlet, but there are none where I live. Sigh ...

Munequita

AJ, so sorry about your experience with these pants! That is so annoying that they shrunk. I got a pair of these pants (in petite though), so now you are making me wonder what will happen when I wash them.

Anyway, I actually think the size 8 fits you better around your thighs and front (and agree with the ladies that you might just need to create a smoother line in the back). Try it out, it might work!

The 10's fit you big all over.

Amanda

I've discovered that another side effect of losing weight is that my underwear doesn't fit well any more either! Yes, new underwear is on my shopping list and obviously I need to get to it quickly. If it seems to make a difference I'll post new photos with the hems folded up as well.

I have tried the Express checked pants but they didn't fit me well and I really would like cotton rather than rayon. I'll check the Loft -- I haven't looked at their pants. I may not be destined for microcheck pants this fall -- too bad.

Nicole

Hmmm I don't think the pants are working in either size. I wonder if the 10's are worth the alteration process. I can see a gap at the back waist band, and in the front they are bunching in the crotch because they are too big.

I'd keep looking.

ps. But the shirt is rockstar! You own that sistah!

Here are some microcheck pants I saw at Macy's.

The plaid on these is very micro--minimicro I'd say:

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....sn_results

bigger plaid:
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....sn_results

subtle glen plaid, but with a high waist!
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....sn_results

I'm still not sure what makes one plad micro check---I understand it's supposed to be the size of the plaid squares--so I looked for ones with subtle plaids. I'm not sure if the plaid scale is small enough to qualify as micro check though??

Taffy

AJ,

Did you try the Gap microchecks that are brown? There is a straight leg and trouser leg style. I found that they fit quite different from the black and whites (which I sent back). And I think that they did come in longs..not just Talls.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

What a mission, aj. Sorry

Now, I’d like to know why the initial pair of pants shrunk? What’s to prevent this from happening again? Were they tumble dried?

Angie - I washed the initial pair in cold and hung them dry. The manager at the Gap store said they might shrink 1/4 inch but I measured the inseam after washing them and they had shrunk 3/4. There is so much extra length in the talls that I didn't worry about shrinkage -- although I guess that could still be a problem.

I looked at the brown/black plaid straight legs but I thought that the black plaid would be more versatile in my wardrobe. I'll keep my eyes out -- and look at Macy's since Nicole found a few possibilities on their web site. There still might be a pair of casual microcheck trousers in my future.

Thanks, aj. It sounds like inferior fabric to me. Rotten luck. They looked so good on you!

BUT, I’d start again and send the Gap pairs back.

Sihaya

AJ - Antje and I did find cotton micro checks at Express as well, maybe they're out of stock? And we both also bought cotton pants at AT Loft - ours were wide pin stripes but think they had micro checkes. Good luck and I'd likely keep looking for now.

Sihaya, where/how did you find cotton micro check pants at Express? Could you describe them?

I basically know the inventory of that store by hearth, go there regularly, and both in store and online I have never seen them. There were plenty of checked pants there, but all rayon blend. Mostly they were Editor styles ( I even got a pair) and some were cropped cuffed skinnies. Thank you so much!

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