Alter or return culottes? - YouLookFab Forum

To those of you more well versed in tailoring and sewing: do you think this pair of culottes can be successfully altered?

Background: I'd been searching high and low for a pair of cropped wide-legs in thick, warm material to wear in winter. It's hard to find (most pairs are made of much thinner fabrics). I finally got this pair on Amazon, and it's a really nice, stretchy, warm, comfy acrylic wool blend. But their smallest size is still too large on me. If I wear them high up on my torso they look OK (Figs. 1 and 2), but are kind of loose and have a little bulge on the sides below the waistband (Fig. 2). If I lower them to my natural waist (not low-waist, just natural), the crotch seam hangs extremely low, which I don't like (Figs. 4 and 5). I'm also not sure of the PPL.

I'm also including a photo where I rolled the waist to shorten the pants to show my ideal fit in terms of length and crotch seam (Fig. 6).

So... what do you think? What's their best fit and length, and can I get there with alterations or should I not bother? I'm including pics of the pants on the floor so you can see how they are constructed. Those pics are overexposed and therefore do not flatter the fabric at all--they look much nicer in person, but I wanted you to be able to see the details.

Thanks for any advice!

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6 years ago

SarahD8

Veteran

With the caveat that I am not an expert seamstress, the construction of these culottes looks pretty straightforward and I think they should be alter-able. It looks like the pockets would have to be removed and moved down so that could add to the expense involved.

Honestly...when I have this sort of problem (which is often) I just wear the pants with the waistband rolled over. But, I never tuck in my tops so it is never visible.

K.M.

SarahDB, I often do the roll-over waistband too! But in this case the fabric is a bit too thick, so it's not very comfortable. I also do like to tuck tops in and to have the waistline showing, so it wouldn't work for this one.

Interesting point about the pockets. My seamstress is not cheap, but she's good. I've often paid her more than what I paid for the clothing item because she can work wonders. (Even on difficult items like an ill-fitting jacket suit for my husband.) I still haven't taken this to her to get an estimate though...

barbaraq

Active Member

It's the low crotch issue that is the biggest problem. No way to solve it without removing the waistband and thereby getting the pockets out of whack when you raise the crotch. If your seamstress could remove the waistband to hike up the low crotch, would you be willing to simply remove the pockets? That would save money. The culottes are basically very flattering to you. You would probably wear them enough to justify the expense.

barbaraq, very good points. And I'm glad they look OK in me! It's a very new look for me, I don't even have cropped slim pants, let alone cropped wide legs!

Good question about the pockets. I must say that one thing that drew me to these pants were the pockets. I love the way they look and also that they are functional. But you are right that it might be worth it parting with them to make the pants work.

Jessikams

(website)

That outfit looks fab on you—slam dunk!

Jessikams, thanks, I'm glad it looks OK! It's such a different silhouette from what I usually wear and maybe I'm on the fence because I'm not sure it looks good on me. I always thought I was too short to wear culottes, but recently I've begun to appreciate how refreshing they look as a winter option.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

#6 looks perfect. The waistband looks fine folded in the pic, K.M. What do you think?

Suz

If you can find a way to alter them I hope you do because the shape is super flattering on you and they seem like exactly what you're searching for. Love them as they look in #6. It might be pricey to alter, yet if they became the workhorses they might become, completely worth it.

It's a silhouette made for your willowy frame!

Angie, I like the proportion when it's folded, so maybe I should fold it when I show my seamstress how I want it?

Suz, it's funny how I always thought I'd never look good in these because I'm too short--with short legs! This came out of the extreme boredom with months and months of wearing skinnies tucked into boots because of our snowy, messy, long winter (I know you can relate!). They were very affordable ($36 I think) so I suppose I can justify a pricey alteration given how hard they are to find...

Thank you for everybody's answers and feedback! You have helped me decide. They are staying and I'll be off to my seamstress very soon!

YES. Good idea.

Vildy

If #6 works for you in terms of pocket placement (not suggesting that it doesn't) then having seamstress remove waistband, cut the top lower and restitch darts if any and needed and replace waistband is close to a cinch to do.

Vildy, thank you! The placement does work because the pockets are so big and deep now--they still work even if they are shortened a little.

I'm so grateful for the collective wisdom of this forum!

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