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Wardrobe Overhaul 3: Jeans, 7 (sort of)

ManidipaM

Veteran

Background: Trying to tighten the belt on my oversized wardrobe, with help from you kind and fabulous ladies. Thanks for looking and commenting, ruthlessly and honestly

I've shown you my shoe wardrobe here: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....keepreject
You'll notice there that I'm largely a flats girl. Which explains why most of my jeans are hemmed for flats.

Indeed, my sole pair of bootcuts that are hemmed for heels are currently in the wash, so not pictured (will add it one of these days soon, I hope).

Also not pictured, my 'messy' jeans which are just too faded and too unflattering and overall uncomfy to bother you with. We'll keep the door closed on that one.

That leaves me with 5 pairs for you to assess. Please talk to me about colour, length, fit... all of it!

#1-2: M&S ever-so-slightly bootcuts (after cutting off much of the flare to fit my short legs), with stretch. (Not great photos here, because these were taken ahead of the project. Jeans currently in the wash, can attempt further photos later.) This pair is so comfy I have them in two sizes, for 'I'm ok' days and bloated days (I actually put on two whole kilos of water weight, courtesy my hormones, most of which goes to my middle, seemingly. Photo is taken on a semi-bloaty day, ie not swollen to full capacity :-o)

#3-7: Pepe 'skinnies' (or as near as I can get with my thick calves), without stretch. The whiskering is deliberate design, apparently. #6 and #7 show the back with shirt tucked (yikes!) and untucked.

#8-11: M&S stretch bootcuts, my 'fat' jeans. Photo taken on semi-bloated day (like #1-2). They are a size up from my usual and a slightly paler wash than the other one. Shown tucked and untucked.

#12-14: Pepe dark-wash straight legs, w/ stretch. Unfortunately, these are really for skinny days and I photographed them on a not-skinny day :-/

#15-17: M&S high-waisted bootcuts in stone. Ignore length on this one; they were hemmed too short and indeed *cut* too short, so I'm going to have to let them out all the way to the fray :-/

NB: I don't usually tuck, hence do not belt, for any of these jeans. The tucking in some of these photos is just so you can see how they fit.

PS: I cannot thank any of you fab ladies *nearly* enough for your help with my wardrobe alteration project! You've all been so wonderfully generous with your time and advice in my last several. I appreciate it *so, so much*...

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Dressing

24 replies

Latest reply was from shoppingisfun

Makrame

Veteran

I like 1-2, on the fence about 3-7, love 12-14. I think 8-11 might be too baggy even for "bloat" days, what do you think? 15-17 look like they might be useful for the warmer climate you have, even though I am not 100% thrilled about the fit.

Astrid

Veteran

I second Makrame! I really like 12-14 and I think 1-2 look nice too. The ones in 8-11 are definitely too big.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Makrame, thanks for weighing! If you don't mind, can you explain what issues you do see with 3-7 and 15-17 in terms of fit? It'll help me select better next time, I hope.

As for 8-11, alas, there *are* days when I can barely do them up. But indeed, they look godawful on the legs still... maybe I should stick to non-jeans on those days. I'd probably be more comfy in loose pants or dresses on such a day anyway :-/ (Now *why* did I not think of that before? Must have gone shopping on a hormone high when I got these. Sheesh!)

Mrs Moo

I echo the advice above also. Get rid of 8-11 for sure. As you say, just don't wear jeans on bloated days :0). I'd also lose 15-17 also. The others are all good basic jeans with a good overall fit that I'm sure you can but lots of wear out of :0)

Kirti

(website)

Veteran

I like #1-2 and #12-14 are nice too. Maybe you can size up in the Pepe jeans so that the waistband doesn't dig in on non-skinny days?

#8-11 looks really saggy in the crotch area and I personally don't like distressing or bum embellishments so I'm not a fan of #3-7.

#15-17 look a little too high waisted to me. Maybe you want to try a pair of mid rise jeans instead?

Meredith1953

Veteran

Hi ManidipaM
First pair looks ok maybe a little short but should be fine with flats.
Not wild about the second pair. Whiskering is not something I like and the fit isn't smooth.
The third pair seem like a slightly wide leg version that looks ok to me and they are long enough.
the fourth pair (dark wash fit well and look nice - they are my favs of the group)
The stone colored ones fit fine and look nice

I am still working on recognizing PPL but since you wear flats, these all look fine.
As I said that second pair is the only pair I though wasn't a particularly good look for you.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Thank you so much, everyone! It's all helpful advice not just in terms of assessing these particular pairs, but also what to look for in future pairs.

Going to be strict about avoiding the 'worn' and distressed looks, excessive embellishment etc. Clearly the plainest and bluest are easiest to wear!

::musing:: Guess I need to figure out other solutions for bloated days. A straightforward sizing up of the same fit doesn't work --- bags in the bottom and thighs (last thing one needs when already feeling oversized :-/). Must actually *shop* on a bloated day to get it right. If I weren't so lazy, I'd have worked that out before now, huh?!

Makrame

Veteran

Hi Manidipa, my reasoning was the same as Kirti's - whiskering on 3-7 is not my favorite look, and the last pair looks a bit high-waisted.

Beth Ann

Veteran

You've already had good and pretty consistent feedback, Mandipa. I agree that 12-14 is the best for fit and flattery, 8-11 is too big, and 15-17 might work with longer tops (fit isn't perfect -- I have lots of pants like this). I like the rise in 4-7, but I'm with the others who say that the whiskering is not an improvement to the look. Also, the embellishment on the pocket (Thank God there are no rhinestones!) is low -- making it look like that's where your booty is. Incidentally, number 1-2 has low pockets, too, but I believe these blend in more. How tall are you Mandipa? Are these petites?

I'll check in later -- off to get my haircut!

jayne

Veteran

I think the stone and 8-11 ones should go. They don't flatter your bottom...but the rest are good fit

ManidipaM

Veteran

Beth Ann, so excited to see your haircut --- soon! I'm 4'10" but have a very long rise, so I actually wear regular size rather than petite, and lop off the legs. Not all shapes therefore work on me (things meant to flare from knee for example).

shoppingisfun

(website)

Veteran

The butt on 8-11 is doing scary things (sorry) and they are too big! I like 12-14. The pockets on 15-17 are doing something weird with your posterior. Hope this helps!

cinnamon fern

Veteran

Keep 1-3 and 12-14. I wonder if you should stay away from flares and bootcuts? If you can't wear petites, the knee break ends up in the wrong place - too low down on your leg - and I think this is leg-shortening. I'm obsessed with leg-shortening though, you might not care.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Cinnamon Fern, unfortunately skinnies and straight legs tend to be worse still --- if they fit my legs, they are much too large in the hip. The straight legs everyone has liked so much are actually a men's (or at best unisex) pair, bizarrely! My husband and I have the same ones --- his hemmed longer

The biggest problem is that retailers in India simply do not have petites lines --- which is strange, seeing that more of us are petites than most Caucasian populations. In M&S, I get a choice of Medium and Tall lengths --- but *never* Short, which befuddles me! My height is hardly unusual here, after all.

I'm really not sure at this point what the best solution is. Assume dicey fit on top and keep shirts untucked and long always? Or live with the leg-shortening effect you so astutely pointed out?

Anonymous

Manidipa, you and I are bloating twins! I easily grow an entire size too, but just in the belly. My bum and thighs stay the same. I think a dress is in order on these days, or knit pants under a long tunic.

I will defer to the group's evaluation of the jeans fit. I just wanted to add that any jeans that are too short could have the legs taken in to become skinny tailored to your specifications.

Regarding your latest comment, I think untucking is a good idea, but your tops don't need to be super long. Anywhere between high hip bones and crotch should be fine for non-tunic tops. Your hips are slim so this is a good place to draw a horizontal line.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I agree with the consensus about which ones to keep (1-2 and 12-14) and agree with the reasons for rejecting the others.

As for the bloat days, I also think we are best just avoiding jeans at those times! I have a jersey elastic waist skirt that comes in very handy at those moments!

I wonder if it is every possible to get "short" or "ankle" length trousers in India as opposed to "petite." Some US manufacturers market these and several list mates prefer them; gfbrenda, I believe, and a few others. I think it works better if you have a regular rise. I used to wear them myself until I learned they are not PPL (oops!) but I am 5'4" so they could well turn out to be PPL for you! And maybe they even deliver to India if they don't sell them there?

It would be great to get one pair, and then, maybe you could have jeans MADE to fit. Steph (mrs eccentric) has made her own jeans!

ManidipaM

Veteran

Suz, those are not yet in shops --- but I'm sure it'll trickle down soon enough. For reasons best known to manufacturers, I've been living at 90-plus degrees for a month while they decide it is warm enough for spring lines to arrive. Half the shops are still in end-of-season (ie winter) sales mode here, stupidly enough! Soon, I hope... because that trick *has* indeed worked in the past for trousers.

crazyone

Veteran

ManidipaM, I would guess it would be because people in India have easy access to tailors (and don't the stores usually provide such tailoring for free)? Even if the population is short, jeans can be hemmed and taken in for much more easily and cheaply than they can be here. But tall women don't have that option...

Could you have jeans made to order, like Suz suggested?

Anonymous

#1- #2 fit you the best IMO but are a tad too short as bootcuts. You have mentioned tailoring. Perhaps they can be salvaged as skinnies so I would tailor the leg narrower.

#3 - #7: I hear you on the deliberate whiskering. I had something similar. I think that wash ( color) is killer on you, but I think they are a tad big and the whiskering might not be too flattering. I would donate unless you think it will be too much to stay with a couple pairs of jeans only.

#8 -#11: The rise is too long and you are getting a lot of unnecessary crotch action. These I would donate.

#12 -#14: I would keep these ones. Again a tad too short but now you know:)

#15 -17: I would donate. They are a tad short and the color is not doing you any favors. I look morbid in jeans that color so I give you a lot of thumbs up for pulling this off for as long as you have.

Now I'm off to read the rest of the responses

rae

(website)

Veteran

My favorites are 1, 3, and 9. I have a thing for "back views" and those look great to me.

8 and the last white ones are the least favorite - although I do think you should get some wide legs like 8, but with a lower rise. The legs look really good. If you want to try to make them work while you are in SYC mode, maybe try pulling them up into a high waist style and belting with a masculine belt.

PS: I love your blue-striped shirt!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

#12 to #14 look best to my eye too.

Manidipa, you'd look great in a pair of straight leg jeans!

ManidipaM

Veteran

Crazyone, I can't get jeans made to fit in my current hometown, no. I will be moving soon, so there is hope yet But I don't think I'll add anything new until I've let the pruned closet play with itself a little bit. I *clearly* can do with some restrictions! (And yes, hemming for pants is free and fast everywhere in India. It's just that, as Cinnamon Fern said above, the knee falls in the wrong place than and so does the flare...sometimes looks pretty terrible.)

Zap, yes, I have a penchant for just-short-of-PPL it seems :-/. Properly PPL seems to be ruined in weeks here, so I try for half an inch shorter and often tailors get it just a 'bit' wrong PPL is not popular in India (messy roads!), so they don't get it --- these are store alterations where the SA measures you and the tailor never actually meets you. On the other hand, they do a better job of the alterations than the regular tailors in the marketplace.

Rae, thanks, I'm fond of that shirt too I'll have to handle my hundred-odd tops one of these days. And maybe I *will* hang on to 8 for a bit. At least for around the house. The legs *are* more comfy in the sweltering heat.

Angie, #12-14 *are* straight legs supposedly. Do they look bizarrely not-straight?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Those are bootcut for sure, Manidipa. They flare at the hem.

shoppingisfun

(website)

Veteran

As far as the knee of the jeans being too low, what if you bought jeans that were just super dark wash, no fading? That way it wouldn't be so obvious where the knee falls...make sure the jeans are just boot cut and not super flared.