https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-shift-mental-hang-up-about-pants-length Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:14:53 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-shift-mental-hang-up-about-pants-length#post-1895687 Fri, 02 Mar 2018 14:14:23 +0000 cindysmith 1895687@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes you can steal the pics, Robin </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-shift-mental-hang-up-about-pants-length#post-1895682 Fri, 02 Mar 2018 14:04:01 +0000 RobinF 1895682@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love your inspiration looks - hope it's OK if I steal them!&nbsp;</p> <p>I love crops, but to look good on me (in my eye) they have to be fairly skinny and just the right length so you want to play around with that. Plus I agree with Gigi, your shoes really show so they have to be right. I can't wear them at all in the winter here but I am looking forward to getting them out again for spring. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-shift-mental-hang-up-about-pants-length#post-1895673 Fri, 02 Mar 2018 13:25:10 +0000 cindysmith 1895673@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suz I've been known to wear a thin pair of socks under a thick pair of socks on really cold days so I totally understand the need for double coverage </p> <p>Linder, I've got a feeling this is going to take a lot of trial and error and posts requesting feedback, which means I'm so goad I have all of you to help</p> <p>Gryffin, I'm definitely going to be trying this with my Chelsea boots and my stiletto ankle boots, because it shows off the boots without making my eyes feel like the pants are too short</p> <p>LaPed, I definitely saw too many ladies with chewed hems when I was at university, and I often wondered how they found pants long enough to do that. It never occurred to me that it might be about the difference in height until I read that from you. True story.</p> <p>Emily, now I'm interested to see a visual on your way off cuffing pants. Pics, please?</p> <p>Gigi, good pointers. I haven't tried any on with shoes before, and that will definitely affect my perception. I hadn't thought of that before, yet it absolutely makes sense. When I'm all barefoot in a dressing room, my mind is in "does it really fit, and fit well?" mode--Not "do these pants work with _______ shoes?" mode. I'll be using you guys as a sounding board as I try out some ankle pants, for sure </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-shift-mental-hang-up-about-pants-length#post-1895541 Fri, 02 Mar 2018 00:04:50 +0000 Gigi 1895541@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Enjoy your style evolution! I am going through one right now too. It is fun but it can also be a little overwhelming as you try to figure out what the new "you" is.</p> <p>As for cropped pants...I read what you said about the hang-up possibly being due to childhood issues. I had the same thing but with regard to bootcuts/flares. I bought myself a cheapie pair from American Eagle Outfitters (I ordered a few styles and selected the one that looked the best), and it didn't take long before I was really enjoying them, much to my surprise!</p> <p>I think it's important to get a pair of ankle pants that really looks good on you; we can offer help if you want to post some pics. Part of the reason I grew to enjoy my bootcuts was that I saw how good they looked on me.</p> <p>I would order several different styles of cropped pants and give them a try. Note that with cropped pants, footwear choices are really important: the right footwear really makes a pair of cropped pants look amazing, while the wrong pair can make the pants look dumpy. Even not wearing footwear (e.g., going barefoot when trying on new pants) can skew our view of cropped pants--so make sure you have footwear on when you're making decisions. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-shift-mental-hang-up-about-pants-length#post-1895479 Thu, 01 Mar 2018 20:21:23 +0000 Emily K 1895479@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Adding: &nbsp;I have developed a method of cuffing that works for me and yields a messier cuff. &nbsp;I fold a big, neat cuff--then I fold the bottom up a second time to meet the hem of the first cuff. &nbsp;I adjust the second fold to be a bit angled from inseam to outseam thereby exposing a varied amount of first fold and hem. &nbsp;The fold is easy, stable, and not too bulky. &nbsp;Rolled hems get too bulky for me--even worse of I try to make them messy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-shift-mental-hang-up-about-pants-length#post-1895477 Thu, 01 Mar 2018 20:16:07 +0000 Emily K 1895477@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm a fan of cropped pants and always have been. &nbsp;I like the accessibility and ease/lack of fuss gained by wearing clothes that leave my ankles and wrists sticking out. &nbsp;I'm a fan of 3/4 sleeves, too! &nbsp;Maybe it also has something to so with my frame--at 5'4", I am just on the cusp of petite sizing. &nbsp;Petites are ALWAYS too short (or, they will be after laundering) yet regular sizes need alterations. &nbsp;I am lazy about completing alterations. &nbsp;Buying cropped or ankle length pants in petite sizing nearly always works out for me as I appreciate the extra bit of shortness. &nbsp;Also, I feel that leaving wrists and ankles sticking out counteracts petiteness by demonstrating that I'm not drowning inside the clothes.<br /><b><br />LaPed</b>'s suggestion is a good one--play around with cuffing. &nbsp;I have a problem making cuffs that look a little bit messy and yet "too perfect" cuffs are not the look I desire. &nbsp;Weird to think of "messy cuffing" as a skill worth learning. &nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-shift-mental-hang-up-about-pants-length#post-1895467 Thu, 01 Mar 2018 20:01:33 +0000 LaPed 1895467@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love your inspiration photos! They feel very fresh and streamlined but not lacking edge.&nbsp;</p> <p>I've always been an ankle pants person. My worst fashion memories are of floor-dragging flares with chewed-up hems, so I will always happy with my pants well off the ground.&nbsp;</p> <p>I'd say start with your fav straight or skinny pants and try them with a bunch of different cuffs -- single, double, skinny, wide, rolled, folded, etc. I find different pants work best with different types of cuffs, and some end up looking better with a raw cut-off hem or a finished hem than rolled up, but it takes a lot of playing around. And make sure you try with a bunch of different footwear! Different people seem to tolerate different degrees of ankle gap.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-shift-mental-hang-up-about-pants-length#post-1895417 Thu, 01 Mar 2018 17:58:18 +0000 gryffin 1895417@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm with Jenn. I wear my ankle length pants like number 4. High shaft booties often w a small cuff unless pants length is perfect. Since I'm wearing socks it's all weather. You can find cutbout booties for summer. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-shift-mental-hang-up-about-pants-length#post-1895409 Thu, 01 Mar 2018 17:38:34 +0000 Anonymous 1895409@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>There are good ankel/cropped pants, and then lots of bad ones. &nbsp;Just find the ones that speak to you. Ankles are sexy.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-shift-mental-hang-up-about-pants-length#post-1895398 Thu, 01 Mar 2018 17:02:49 +0000 Suz 1895398@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You've had a week of wardrobe losses -- so sorry for that! But I do like the way your mind is going. I think we often feel like streamlining a bit as spring approaches. And a move to a new home is another catalyst, for sure.&nbsp;</p> <p>I like ankle pants and crops and always have -- but for me, it has to be a seasonal thing as well. I do tuck crops into boots at times but mostly need the double coverage in my winters. Brrrrr.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-shift-mental-hang-up-about-pants-length#post-1895387 Thu, 01 Mar 2018 16:41:09 +0000 cindysmith 1895387@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenn, I actually have a couple of pairs of higher shaft ankle boots I can try that with, thank you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-shift-mental-hang-up-about-pants-length#post-1895371 Thu, 01 Mar 2018 15:50:50 +0000 Jenn 1895371@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it's easiest to start wearing cropped pants like in photo #4. Instead of tucking into your boots, wear the pants rolled or hemmed to fall right at the top of ankle boots.. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-shift-mental-hang-up-about-pants-length#post-1895370 Thu, 01 Mar 2018 15:43:58 +0000 cindysmith 1895370@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie, I have tried on some ankle &amp; crop pants. I had a pair of white jeans that were ankle length, and I wore them to death (which, here in the dirty country, meant 3x before they were too stained for even me lol) and I mostly wore them tucked into boots. I once had a pair of Pierre Balmain denim crops, and I wore them a few times before passing them on because they just felt a weird length on me. I think my hang-up a thing that goes back to hand-me-down clothes and growth spurts and all the other stuff little kids can be mean about. </p> <p>Lisa &amp; Sara, I'm actually the opposite of you, kind of like Katerina, in winter, I find it easier to buy a pair of pants that's a bit too short because I can just stuff them into my boots :-)</p> <p>Janet, I think the cropped flares might be what I am picturing in my mind when I think about my distaste for cropped pants. Cropped wide legs don't bother my eye as much; and cropped slim/skinny fit seems more Audrey or gamine or something, I'm definitely going to try rolling some pants up into cuffs to try and find a way to get comfortable with it (like you &amp; Sal suggest), because it would open up lots of options.</p> <p>Scarlet, that makes sense, the whole security thing. Probably goes back to being a kid, when kids would be mean to each other over dumb stuff like growth spurts and short pants.</p> <p>Cardiffgirl &amp; unfrumped, yes, I am seeing myself sporting ankle/cropped styles in spring and autumn, when I want to feel appropriate for warm weather but not have my giant calf tattoo on full display sometimes.</p> <p>Thank you, Aurore I've been so delighted with the way all the members here have been so welcoming and accepting of even my weirdest ideas (like target practice at clothes lol)</p> <p>Rachylou, yes, I have been looking at items that are a bit more fitted, although still not structured. More body skimming, I guess. I've finally found some serious acceptance of my new body since the weight gain and am ok with not hiding it all the time.</p> <p>Jane, I'll definitely check out All Saints for ideas and inspiration, thank you XOXOXOXO</p> <p>Jussie, I'm hoping it's as simple as wearing ankle pants in discomfort for a while as I wait for it to feel more natural. I've gotten some ideas from the comments on how to do it and find the length that works for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-shift-mental-hang-up-about-pants-length#post-1895350 Thu, 01 Mar 2018 15:01:15 +0000 Angie 1895350@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Cindy,</b> I enjoyed reading about your shift. Sorry about the passing of your clothes this week. ONWARD.</p> <p>Style evolution is guaranteed. Follow your feelings.&nbsp;</p> <p>As for the length of cropped pants - do you have a pair? Have you tried them on at least?&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-shift-mental-hang-up-about-pants-length#post-1895343 Thu, 01 Mar 2018 14:44:54 +0000 Anonymous 1895343@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I prefer cropped pants to regular length pants any day of the week. &nbsp;(as the expression goes) In winter it's trickier, obviously, but I don't think I have worn full-length pants covering my shoes or boots in a decade. &nbsp;To my eye it's crisper, sleeker, and somehow more modern, but also has that 60's Hepburn/Jackie 0 look that I like. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-shift-mental-hang-up-about-pants-length#post-1895337 Thu, 01 Mar 2018 14:22:41 +0000 Sara L. 1895337@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting post.&nbsp; I'll be curious to read about your closet purge.&nbsp; I wear cropped pants a lot in the summer and it feels natural then.&nbsp; I have a harder time in the winter when boots and socks are involved and everything needs to match up just right.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-shift-mental-hang-up-about-pants-length#post-1895324 Thu, 01 Mar 2018 14:02:42 +0000 Katerina 1895324@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Exciting style shift! I think I understand what your goals are and refined RATE sound really chic and cool. The inspirational outfits are really great. I look forward to your posts.</p> <p>I am not a fan of ankle pants and I really try to find straight legged full length pants regardless the trends. I have a few pairs of cropped pants too, but unlike many of the other fabbers, I wear mine almost only in cooler seasons. I wear my ankle pants mostly with boots. My ankles is not the part of my body I like to emphasize. The boots is therefore the deal breaker. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-shift-mental-hang-up-about-pants-length#post-1895314 Thu, 01 Mar 2018 13:39:54 +0000 Janet 1895314@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I totally understand your shifting preferences. As for cropped pants, they’re not my favorite either, but it seems they’re almost the only thing available now! For me, a cropped length that follows the leg line without being too snug looks best — cropped flares just end up giving me a chopped-up look and emphasizing the relative width of my legs (especially with an exposed ankle rather than filling the gap with a boot shaft that comes up the leg a bit). I think narrower crops are easier to work with and to adjust to. How about just trying rolling or cuffing the hems of your full-length jeans first to get used to the look on yourself? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-shift-mental-hang-up-about-pants-length#post-1895292 Thu, 01 Mar 2018 11:59:53 +0000 Scarlet 1895292@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sorry about your wardrobe losses. I clicked on this thread specifically because I am still struggling with cropped pant lengths. I think part of it for me is that I am still getting used to the fact that after that I moved (two years ago) I no longer live in a very cold climate, although winter is still too cold for bare ankles. Long pants just make me feel more secure, YKWIM? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-shift-mental-hang-up-about-pants-length#post-1895281 Thu, 01 Mar 2018 11:17:46 +0000 unfrumped 1895281@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What Cardiff girl said.<br /> I don’t wear ankle pants in winter. I still prefer full- length pants for a number of outfits and footwear combos.<br /> That doesn’t answer your question. I had to try on a lot of pants to understand what kind of fit and taper worked for me for the ankle look.<br /> The biggest problem I have to guard against is that it drives me to wear nude knee- highs instead of socks ( yes there are footies, but harder to do in most flow- vamped shoes and actually cut differently from real socks) so it may be worse for my feet than fitting a good shoe or boot with a dress sock if I am not careful.<br /> Congratulations on fun with style shift! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-shift-mental-hang-up-about-pants-length#post-1895271 Thu, 01 Mar 2018 10:37:58 +0000 Cardiff girl 1895271@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think for me the bare ankles thing is a summer thing.I look forward to seeing how you get on with your wardrobe audit and style refresh. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-shift-mental-hang-up-about-pants-length#post-1895253 Thu, 01 Mar 2018 08:50:44 +0000 Aurore 1895253@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love your dystopian aesthetic (and shotgun item customisation)&nbsp;and I'm really looking forward to your wardrobe audit! RATE and refined makes perfect sense&nbsp;and sounds like a thrilling style goal. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-shift-mental-hang-up-about-pants-length#post-1895250 Thu, 01 Mar 2018 08:27:42 +0000 Sal 1895250@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting - it is good to change things up and a big long awaited for move is bound to bring to the fore some different emotions.</p> <p>I have always liked cropped pants- from capris down!!&nbsp;</p> <p>But I think trying ankle pants is a good idea - dipping your toes in - and see what you think.&nbsp; However full length pants can look just as great and are probably on the way back in as all things cycle.&nbsp; I would cuff some jeans, or crop some pants yourself, and see how you go.&nbsp; There may be one length that you love and one that you dislike.</p> <p>I added some boots this week and definitely found myself drawn to the more refined shapes.&nbsp; So maybe there is something in the air. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-shift-mental-hang-up-about-pants-length#post-1895248 Thu, 01 Mar 2018 08:15:29 +0000 rachylou 1895248@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting interesting shift. RATE, but more neat and trim in terms of fit?</p> <p>The ankle thing... for me it’s all about weather and temperatures. I need it to hit 80 to bare ankle, otherwise I’m literally, physically uncomfortable... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-shift-mental-hang-up-about-pants-length#post-1895245 Thu, 01 Mar 2018 07:53:40 +0000 Jane 1895245@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So im guessing that may be the kind of look of some of the clothes in All Saints. I like that look very much. The fabrics / knits of the images, jumpers in particular are very soft and drape beautifully. </p> <p>I’m kind of okay with the ankle length. But it did take a bit of getting used to. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-shift-mental-hang-up-about-pants-length#post-1895231 Thu, 01 Mar 2018 05:31:32 +0000 jussie 1895231@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It’s exciting that you’re having a style shift! Best of luck with it. I like your inspiration pics. Once you get used to bare ankles you’ll wonder how you ever wore full length pants </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/style-shift-mental-hang-up-about-pants-length#post-1895229 Thu, 01 Mar 2018 05:19:20 +0000 cindysmith 1895229@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's been a rough week for my wardrobe. A tunic I really liked got ripped, a pair of sneakers got ruined by black sticky mud that I swear had superglue in it, I shrank a sweater I loved, a much loved pair of joggers got destroyed, and a longline top got chewed by a goat. The longline top can be saved by letting the guys use it for target practice, the rest are hopelessly doomed.</p> <p>I think it's telling that, of the 5 items ruined this week, there's only one I want to go full-on dystopian with.</p> <p>I still like my dystopian stuff: my tactical boots, my Benenato sweaters, my shotgun peppered jeans. I have 2 sweaters with slits at the elbows that I love and will wear frequently (weather permitting). The really, really RATE stuff and the full-on dystopian stuff definitely still fits my job, and it still works for my rural homesteading lifestyle on some days. I still have a need for things that I won't cry over when they get a stain or a rip.</p> <p>Maybe it's the changing weather (I think we're getting an early spring). Maybe it's the new house; it feels so RATE, so dystopian--maybe I'm getting my daily dose that way and want my clothes to be a stark contrast to it.</p> <p>Whatever it is, I feel like my style might be shifting. I'm completely ok with that, since we humans do evolve and our tastes change. I've been drawn to a lot more grey and black lately, and simpler shapes/cuts. It doesn't feel like a seismic shift to polar opposite or anything, it just feels like I'm refining my aesthetic (if that makes sense). I still want it to feel RATE, just a bit more refined. </p> <p>Over the next few weeks, I'll be posting more of my wardrobe audit, preparing to purge things that don't fit or otherwise don't need to move into the new house with me. I'll be doing some try-ons and getting input from you guys about fit and proportion and general worthiness.</p> <p>Here are some pics. I'm fortunate that I already have pieces similar to a lot of these inspiration pics, so all I have to do is start putting them together to get this sort of look from them. And get over my mental block against bare ankles ;-)</p> <p>how on earth do I get over the mental hurdle of the pants length? I really feel weird in pants that don't cover my ankles. I know I don't have to copy these looks exactly 100%, but being able to get over that mental hang-up would definitely expand my options.</p> <p>Anybody else struggled with getting used to the idea of ankle pants? How did all of you cropped pants ladies get used to them, or did it just come natural to you? </p>