Argh! jeans length - my nemesis (updated in comments) - YouLookFab Forum

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Argh! jeans length - my nemesis (updated in comments)

Greyscale

Veteran

Update - photo of jeans folded up to a cropped length in the comments. And I'm going to the Everlane store today to try the full length.

I don't know how I can be so comfortable with my style in general but so hopeless at jeans lengths.

I just bought two pairs of Everlane jeans in their new faded black wash: high-rise skinny and 'cheeky' straight. I bought both in the ankle length, which is almost but not quite full length on me. I almost wish I'd gone for full length for both.

I think I just find full length more flattering on my short legs, but maybe it's hard for me to see?

So, the questions are:

Photo 1-3 The cheeky straight jeans - should I keep these? How should I hem / chop them? (Would a raw hem be best?) Alternately, I could return for the full length, which are only about 2" longer, and wear them full length. I'm not planning to roll them. (Photo 3 added because I realized the tag was making the waist area hard to see)

Photo 4-5 The high rise skinny: tags are cut and I've worn these a few times. Should I leave them this length or hem them? And, since they're inexpensive, I could even duplicate for the full-length style - what do you think?

Photo 6-7 (repost) The straight jeans are meant to be a replacement for these Gap 'mom' jeans (their name not mine) which are perfect except for the strong chemical scent of the dye that hasn't faded after multiple rounds of odor-removing detergent and drying in the sun. I feel sick within an hour of putting them on. At this point the only remaining option is bleaching them to almost-white for a totally different look, since I suspect the odor is from the dye itself. *sob*

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The Cheeky Straight Jean

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The High-Rise Skinny Jean

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Dressing

23 replies

Latest reply was from karen13

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I am no length expert so take this with a grain of salt. Both pairs look great but I would go for the first one in full length - it is just a bit too long for cropped and a bit too short for full length and I think they would look great and current full length. Love the high waists on you -worth trying out full length to see if it makes a difference.
Regarding chemical smell - new clothes are worse for your skin than well cared for used clothes.

Style Fan

Veteran

They look great on you. I am useless when it comes to pants lengths. I also do not see short legs! I do agree with Shevia that the first pair is in between cropped and full length. They would look great in full length.

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

Oooh, distracted by your closet’s lovely minimal color scheme...

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

The second pair might be ok as they are.
The first pair look like they’re trying to be full length but didn’t quite make it. You’re wearing them for work? Get the longer and hem them. If they’re just for play, you could hem these at a cropped length, but they are at an awkward in-between stage now.

Anonymous

Another that thinks you should keep and go full length on the first.

I like the second and love the idea of a raw hem. And certainly duplicate them in full length because they fit you great.

I'm so sorry about they dye smell. I HATE when that happens. Ick. Ick. Ick.

jussie

Veteran

Well to be honest I think the lengths look fine as they are. But I’m a struggler fashion wise lol so don’t take my word for it.

Kathie

Veteran

Another vote to get the full length version of 1-3, and play around with cropping 4-5.

RobinF

Veteran

I agree with the votes to get #1 in full length, they look great on you. I like #2 also but if you want them to be a little shorter I love a raw hem on jeans and it's easier to do, although a regular sewn hem would probably have more style longevity. Bummer about that dye smell, I am occasionally sensitive to smells and sometimes there is just nothing you can do about it.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I find these lengths to be just a bit short, which drives me crazy because of a lifetime of jeans that are supposed to be full length but hit me at pretty much the same spot these are hitting you -- I need to either roll them or only wear with boots so the shortness is hidden. However, I do have a new strategy that I've done with a couple of old pairs -- I've released the hems for a whole new look and full length. Might you release the hems on your second pair? Bummer about the smell on the last pair -- I did successfully get the dye smell out of a pair of jeans after much washing and hanging outside, but it's not easy.

Joy

Veteran

I like the first ones best but would get full length, wear these with boots, or release the hems for the frayed look and a bit more length. It may be with bleaching the stinky Gap ones to a grey or dirty white. The fit looks good on you from what I can tell.

Joyce B

Veteran

They look good to me. I always have trouble with lengths of straight pants because if you get them longer, such as for photo 1, they will crease in the bottom.

karen13

Veteran

I have been doing the self done release hem on a few pairs as I seem to be between petite and reg on full length pants. It has worked well, but does casualize the look, and may not have the same style longevity. I love the first pair and struggle with PPL for straight legs. It looks great with the monochromatic boots, but might look too indecisive for sneakers or flats. Straight legs are so hard.

I like the length on the skinnies

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The footwear you wear with the different lengths makes a difference - so does the width of the hems.

To my eye, #4 to #7 look best.

#1 needs a hack or extra length.

LaPed

Veteran

I think you could get away with the regular length in the Cheeky Straights, and leave them full length (or maybe you'll need to take an inch off). For casual wear, you can always roll the cuff when you want a cropped length. I'm finding this cut to be really versatile because of how nicely the cuffs roll. The two pairs I have are the regular length, fwiw. The skinnies look good as-is (and seem to fit you the way the Cheeky Straights fit me!).

Greyscale

Veteran

Thanks, everyone!

I agree that the first pair don’t work as-is - but I’m still not sure if I could hem them to a more cropped length. Would that be more on trend than full length? Maybe I’ll fold them under and post another photo for comparison.

But if full length is best, no objections here!

I’m so glad I finally found high rises I like. The proportions are so much better on me.

Anonymous

I like the one in 4 best, the first pair seems a one off length-not short enough to be intentional. Id say crop or get the longer one, whichever youd use more in your climate! And im glad you got the silver shoes:)

Greyscale

Veteran

La Ped, the skinnies are a size bigger than the straights, so maybe that’s why they look more like your straight fit. If I duplicate the skinnies I might get the smaller size, and full length. This faded denim is a bit stretchier than their solid black.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I would vote for Janet's solution. Keep first pair but release the hems. If you go for the longer pair, you could try to find a tailor that can shorten them with the original hem re-attached. But I have found this to be very hit and miss, and not an easy tailoring fix.

The Gap Mom jeans look so good on you! The funny smell is a reason I've stuck with premium denim all these years, in spite of high price points.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

The jeans all look great, but for length, I think the straights need to be longer. Releasing the hem might do it...

Greyscale

Veteran

Update: I was curious what the Cheeky Straight would look like at the cropped length as shown on the model. So here are two sets of photos with the hems folded up underneath. 1-2 are shorter, 3-4 are longer.

Also, I stopped into my favorite consignment store and found a pair of CoH jeans that have been on my wishlist for ages (tags still on). I think they might be bigger than I want -- they're the Liya jeans which might fit like high waist vintage one size smaller but just look like boyfriend jeans here. Again, showing two lengths: 5-6 show them rolled with a big cuff on one leg or folded under to the same length on the other, 7-8 show one leg at full length and showing what the waist looks like in this size - I think I'd prefer a size down that sits higher on my waist? But maybe these are great in their own way.

And both tops are attempts to expand my long-sleeve top collection for fall - opinions? I think I'll keep the sweater, not the eyelet shirt (uh, and I would wear it with a cami!).

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Citizens of Humanity Liya High Waist Boyfriend Jeans (Extreme) | Nordstrom

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Women 3d Cotton Cocoon Sweater

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Banana Republic

Quinn Boy-Fit Eyelet Shirt

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LaPed

Veteran

I have the spring version of that Uniqlo sweater! Pearl grey and half sleeves. I've been debating whether I want the long-sleeve one too. The blue, rust and black are all tempting. Oh, and try it with skirts, too. I've found it works really well with skirts.

I'm no ppl expert, but I quite like the ankle-baring length in 1/2.

The black eyelet shirt is pretty cool; if it were mine, I could see wearing it with a hot pink cami underneath! The Liya's are okay but they do look a little big to me, especially considering how jeans stretch.

Greyscale

Veteran

Gah, and when I went to exchange the cheeky jeans for the full length (had to order them online so no photos yet) I also tried their new boyfriend jean. I’d ordered these in 26 and 27 and neither looked good, but then I sized waaaay down to a 25. Probably they’re meant to be looser than this but I think I like them?

I’m returning or reselling the Liya jeans. Just too big.

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karen13

Veteran

I really like the new boyfriends in the 25. They fit - not tight at all, so looser would be sloppy. I agree the CoHs were too big. Good choice. Next time I'm in SF, I need to hit your consignment stores! Which are your favorites? I've been to a couple in the Haight.