WIW: Refashioning pants into bermudas

Last week I finally opened my sewing machine as I had several pants that needed hemming and some other small alterations were due in some garments.
I re-read Angie's post about clams, bermudas, etc. to see what lengths I needed to shoot for and researched some posts here for the same reason (Kellygirl for example).

I didn't wear these pants anymore, thus I thought I could easily try to turn them into summer wear.

1, 3, and 5 were all from Gap over the years. The first one is in velours, therefore the knees got used up very quickly (I had really not worn these that often). 3 was too bulky for my frame and 5 (blue-white stripes) just didn't work with my wardrobe.
8 is actually a very nice pair of pants from AT Loft, but it looked too bulky on me, both long but also at the capri length.

So what do you think? Is the length o.k.? It appears in some pictures that the two legs might have different lengths, but I don't believe this is the case (I measured very carefully). It's just because of the way I stand.

I like 4, 6 (one sees these blue-white striped ones a lot in stores now), and 8, but think to abandon #2 (not the peasant blouse though, I love that one. I bought it in Barcelona 2 years ago.)

Thanks for looking!

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14 years ago

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

Clever you! These look great! Would you like #2 if it were a little longer? Sort of more like clam diggers?

ETA Oh, just realised the knees are worn so perhaps not.

Isis

I like them all! 2 might be a little tight through the thighs; is that why you like it less? The rest are totally great, and 2 is acceptable if you still need shorts!

I have to try this too!

chouette22

Thanks Thunalata. Yes, I would, but unfortunately this wasn't possible because of those patches in the velours. I went as long as I possibly could.

ETA: You have seen the worn parts.

(website)

Great job! I don't sew, so I paid someone to hem my capris into shorts and am so happy I did. I like all of the shorts versions but my fave is #4.

Isis, true, they are a bit tight in the thighs. I think that's why I wore them with the longer top.
Definitely try this, it's easy and done very quickly. The hardest thing was determining the length actually.

CocoLion

My favorites are #6 -- perfectly on-trend and fit well -- and #2. I don't understand why you don't like them, I think they look great. I prefer tapered bermuda shorts. But I can see how a fuller leg is comfortable for summer so I would wear the wider-legged shorts as well.

My hat is off to you for doing this yourself, I have someone else do my sewing.

Melissa

Active Member

#2 looks good to me and I am super crazy about #6! I am confused about less fitted shorts, so cannot offer opinions on the others.

amyreh

I love #2 and #6, I'm not a fan of the looser cuts for these lengths, but that is just my opinion : )

MNsara

You are so clever and ambitious! I actually think they all look very nice and could have their place during the summer.

I agree that #2 is probably the least favorite, but don't you still sometimes need that sort for bicycling, or picnicking, or. . . ?

#6 is definitely my favorite on you

rae

I think these all look great - way to salvage some orphans! I especially like the stripes.

Linn

#6 & #9 are very spiffy!

sarah

Oh what fun, Chouette - I did the same thing, and I feel like I've got a whole new summer wardrobe! My hands down favorite is #6 - absolutely fantastic clams - I can see you wearing these over and over again all summer long!!!! Hooray! And I love the way you've styled them. Given how loose they are, you might consider going shorter with 4 and 9. When I posted a similar post, everyone seemed to think that the narrower ones were better at clam length (slightly below the knee), while the looser ones were better at Bermuda length, a couple of inches above the knee. It might be worth pinning those to see how it looks. I was very happy with my Bermudas just a bit shorter than they'd been. I'm not as crazy about the first pair, only because velour doesn't seem very summery to me. But do like the silhouette.

kellygirl

Super duper, chouette! The striped ones are my fave! All of them look great though. I like the denim ones too--especially paired with the longer top. The two other ones are equally fab--I love the whole outfit in 9. What a clever seamstress you are! Well done!

Kate

I too am a fan of skinnier bermudas, so I like #2. To my eye, 2 and 6 look for feminine and curvy while 4 and 8 are more boxy and bulky, and I prefer the first look. Maybe hold on to #2 and see if you end up wearing them or not before you make a decision to toss them.

I actually just turned a too-short pair of skinny jeans into bermudas last night, and all of my bermudas used to be pants. I just love it! Such a great way to extend the life of your clothes, save money, and save the hassle of trying to find a good fitting and flattering pair of bermudas in the store.

greenglove

You are very clever and I like all the looks. I think #2 looks great tight around the thighs with a full blouse like you are wearing.

Thank you so much everyone for your input!
So #6 is the favorite, it is mine as well. It's really funny, because as long pants, I couldn't do anything with them. They seemed totally out of fashion and now, shorter, I just love them.
MNsara, true, even if it turns out that #2 might not be my favorite, I'll still find ways to wear them. My garden really needs work, so there!
Kate, you just did the same thing too. Great! And yes, it just makes sense. These were all pants that fit me well on top so I knew I wouldn't have any fitting issues. It saves money and is also very "green".
Sarah, oh you were the one who had posted about this too! I was trying to remember who else had done this. I tried to have two different lengths on the brown pants to vary the looks a bit (since they are both a similar color). I will pin #4 a little shorter to above the knee to see how that looks. Thanks for the great suggestion!

Aida

LOVE #6, and I really like #9 too (though would prefer a more fitted top with #9 because the shorts are looser). #4 looks OK but basic (which is fine). #2 I'm unsure of but not sure what's throwing me off, perhaps the light cuff? Hmmm...

Aida, good suggestion on #9. I was actually trying to pull the blouse to the back to have it seem more fitted (for the photo, not for the day) as I too, thought, that it looked too slouchy if I didn't do that. I'll remember to wear something more narrow next time.

Lynne

Well done. You have new pants for old!

Jonesy

I like the slimmer-fitting ones a lot, and agree about maybe trying the looser ones a bit shorter. You are a skilled seamstress, and these are all much-improved!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

KILLER!

Girl X

I think they're all perfect! I wouldn't change the length or fit of any of your alterations. What a great job!

anne

I am with Kate - prefer 2 and 6 for the reasons she said

Vix

Looks as if I am with the majority who like #2 and 6 on you (though I actually think I'd prefer 6 a tad shorter like its pal 2).

I'm also with members who aren't as keen about the looser fit + knee length. As Kate said, it can look a bit boxy. If you are comfortable hacking those off even more, to more of a mid-thigh look, I'd try that.

Suz

Wow! Great thread and inspirational for me. Thank you!

lynne

Thank you for the inspiration! I'm too lazy to do the actual sewing myself, but I did take a bunch of awkward length cropped and capri pants to the tailor to be turned into bermudas. They are now so much more flattering. Those were all basic khaki and navy, so now I think I'm ready for round 2. I'm going to look for something with a pattern. Off to closet shop...

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