My first ever non-bootcut jeans! Has anyone heard of Uniqlo?

Like the title says! Admittedly I'm verrrry slow when it comes to trying new silhouettes, but as an hourglass tending to pear I was always instinctively drawn to bootcut jeans. But I popped my cherry and won a pair of Uniqlo jeans on eBay. They're described on the tags both as skinny fit, and narrow straight; I think they would be classed as straight leg rather than skinnies.

One of my requirements was for a high rise, and these definitely fit the bill! 9.5 inch front rise and 12.5 inch back rise; when I'm wearing them they come up to my navel, and no embarrassing exposure of the top of my bottom when I sit down (though I'd be planning to wear them with tunic length tops in any case). No muffin top either! They are slightly loose around the waist which kind of surprised me; they have a 26inch waist which is my waist measurement; in my naivety I assumed that was the size to buy. Having worn these I'd have liked to try on a size down. However for a cheap eBay purchase I can live with that, and hope they don't stretch out too much.

I have to say these are the comfiest jeans I've ever tried on - I never knew denim could be so comfortable. I'm still wearing them now as I didn't want to take them off! Before I bid I did I read up a bit on Uniqlo and their Japanese denim. Is it all just marketing hype, or does Japanese denim really deserve it's reputation? Some sources even stated that it is comparable to premium denim but at a lower price, but having never owned/tried on a pair of premium jeans I don't have any personal basis for comparison.

Anyway after that essay, my main reason for posting was to ask opinions on whether they should be hemmed or are fine as is. I know skinnies look better with a bit of scrunch, but how about straight legs, and do these have too much? I'd appreciate any thoughts!

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12 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

You can always have the waistband altered if you find it too loose. I've only ever tried the Heat Tech line from Uniqlo, but I like that and hope to get more.

Suz

(website)

No idea about the denim since, like you, I've never tried premium so have no basis for comparison.

On the length question, how about shooting a pic with the shoes you would likely wear?

MNsara

Great find! I, too, have only tried Uniqlo Heattech, but really liked it.

I'd prefer it they were shortened a little, if you are planning to wear with flats. With heels, you can sometimes get a little of the scrunch to drop in the back over your heel, but you'd want to post pics with heels to see how they look. . .

Yup it's easy to take two tiny darts in the back waistband yourself - if you're up to it. If not, you can get it altered when needed.

Lucky you for ebay jeans to work out nicely

firefly

Active Member

(Lots) more photos - well you did ask!

I don't really own flats - arch issues - so the metallic sandals (1 inch heel) would be the lowest heel I'd wear them with. The black sandals have a 2.5 inch heel. Pic 5 where they're tucked into the ankle boots I actually have the hems under my heels which is kind of uncomfortable, but I can also wear them outside the boots. Pic 8 requires a bit of rearranging to get the boots zipped up.

More thoughts?

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Yup, I would shorten! How much? I'm not able to say without pinning and even more pics. Maybe someone will 'know' (like Angie is just able to give out an amount!)

Oh- don't shorten until you wash them several times (like three). They are bound to shrink up a bit.

amyreh

I think they definitely need to be shortened, take some pics with them pinned up and we can let you know when they are right. I wouldn't worry about shrinkage much if you aren't putting them in the dryer (which you shouldn't do as it breaks down the denim), but washing them once first is a good idea

geetha

Too much scrunch. Seems to me you need the next shorter inseam in the same size. However you really like the jeans, and you said they were relatively cheap, so you could keep these, and get the next shorter inseam to see what they look like. You never know, they may fit you even better.

Joha

I love Uniqlo. Its a japanese brand. The garments are simple & classic and there usually almost no patterns (maybe some stripes or other classic pattern can be found, but only very very few garments with bold patterns). I really love the quality though.
When I was living in Tokio 7 years ago, I shopped almost exclusivly at Uniqlo, as this was the only store carrying my size. And I still have some shirts & cardigans from that time. So the quality is really good...
Whenever I get the chance, I return to Uniqlo...

Jenava

My friend's husband is Japanese and little by littler her entire closet has been taken over by Uniqlo items. I think they even partnered with Jil Sander a while back?

Only the heattech line is available for sale in the US, I think?

Charmian

I love Uniqlo. I stocked up on tees (so soft!) whenever I go to Asia ... I dunno why it never occurred to me that I could buy them online -- THANKS!

I would also go shorter on the jeans, but make sure you give it a few wears (maybe just around the house?) and washes before you the make final snip, to account for shrinking -- if any.

Aida

Wear for a bit, wash, and air dry at least once then try them on again (I'd say twice to be safe). They will likely need to be hemmed, even after washing. At this length here I'd say they would need around 2" but of course that may change after washing. Once you get 'em all washed and air dried we can help you figure out how short to go if you pin and share side/front views.

April

Don't get too excited, Charmian -- Uniqlo's online experience is idiosyncratic at best.

A couple of years ago they piloted their Heattech line by offering online shopping for Heattech items for about three months. This venture was phenomenally successful and then, inexplicably, they discontinued it after the Christmas season in 2009, and have not yet brought it back.

They must be the only retailer in existence content to turn away business from people who don't live near their only U.S. storefront, in Manhattan. Two more locations are set to open this fall -- both also in Manhattan -- but I haven't heard of any plans to re-open online shopping.

April, I guess that means I need to book another trip to Asia, STAT!

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