Ask Angie: I keep buying the wrong size pants - YouLookFab Forum

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Ask Angie: I keep buying the wrong size pants

Liz A.

Veteran

Hi Angie,

I'm new to your site, and I've been searching around looking for an answer to this question, but I haven't found it. Hope you can help!

I get so frustrated when buying pants, because I feel like how they fit in the store is never how they fit when I get home. I am very long in the rise with a comparatively large behind and thighs in relation to my waist. I know I need a longer rise (finally), but I can't stand to have the waistband digging into my skin in the least. So when trying on pants, I often end up buying a size that turns out to be too big after they've been worn a few times. I've also been burned when trying to compensate for this tendency by buying a slightly tight pair and then having them not stretch out! Do you have any tips for me on knowing what size is the right size before I take the tags off?

Liz

Shopping

16 replies

Latest reply was from Liz A.

Anonymous

Hi Liz. Not Angie, but that stinks! I think we've all had that happen a time or two. Short of tailoring, the only thing I can think of is to stick with one brand long enough to be able to figure it out. Often YLF members start threads asking if a certain brand and model of jeans bag out, etc. Once you know your size in that brand there is less guess work. And if you're in the US, you can find a store like Nordstrom, Lands' End or L.L.Bean that has a "no questions asked" return policy while your'e trying to figure out your correct size.

Good luck, and welcome!

rachylou

Veteran

Hello! This is my exact problem. Expanding pants. I worry that the only way to get pants that fit is to have them made, which will lead to having frumpy pants.

Liz A.

Veteran

Thanks for the lightning fast responses, ladies. I have also considered having pants made... long rise, short legs, wide hips, small waist, anyone?

I've been wondering if there is something to be said for the fabric content maybe helping to alleviate this problem?

DonnaF

Veteran

Have you considered buying pants in the Tall range for the rise, then hemming them? Of course, this wouldn't work very well for bootcuts. Ann Taylor, J. Crew, Banana Republic, and Gap sell Tall. You may have to order online, but you can usually avoid those S/H charges if you order from a bricks'n'mortar store.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Hi Liz! I'd love to help you get to the bottom of this trouser naughtiness. I have some questions:

- could you provide links to the trousers causing this problem
- how are you laundering them?
- where precisely do they grow?
- what is your height?
- could you post pics of the bagged out fit?

Kalli

I'm definitely watching this thread. Pants always confound me and I believe I should acquire more.

Adelfa

Veteran

me too, especially since I started trying not to buy everything on the snug side. Pants suddenly ripple on me in no time.

Greek Goddess

I buy pants with a certain amount of stretch in them now, but the correct size for me. Not too snug, but fitting correctly. I find they keep their shape much better even through many washes.

Liz A.

Veteran

I will try to take some pictures when I get home, but to answer your questions...

- The most recent pants I have trouble with came from the ann taylor factory store (in a size 8P), which doesn't seem to have a website. These pants bagged out after a few wears. I, then, bought some from The Limited in an 8 and luckily kept the tags on and wore them around the apartment for a bit. After realizing I had, again, bought the wrong size, I exchanged them for a 6. I've also recently bought a pair of ryan fit from BR in a 6 that I thought would stretch out but they didn't (now too tight).
- I generally launder only when truly necessary and then in cold usually tumble dry low.
- They seem to grow all over, most noticeably in the crotch which hangs low and the knees are loose. They don't fall off, but I have tried, and I can slide them down without unbuttoning!
- I'm 5'6.5" 150lbs (but I guess a thin 150, because people don't believe me when I tell them), usually wearing a 6ish size.

Some thoughts I have on the matter are that when I try something on in the store, I really can't bear the look of the waistband biting into my skin at all even though the pants may fit elsewhere, so then I tend to size up, and I just get so confused, I don't even know what size I wear anymore.

Thanks for the help!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks, Liz. It would really help if I saw how the larger size fit. I think it's a question of finding the right cut FIRST and then purchasing the correct size.

Never tumble dry your clothes. It ruins the fit, and makes them bag out if there is a spandex content.

Liz A.

Veteran

http://www.flickr.com/photos/2.....otostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2.....otostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2.....otostream/

i hope this works! first two photos are of the stretched out pants. sorry for the terrible pictures. i'm kinda new to this. the last one is how i would prefer my pants to fit, but notice the waistband issue. these tighter pants are brand new, so i'm hoping they will loosen up just enough to be flattering and not bite at the waist.

Liz A.

Veteran

and thanks everyone for the tips. please keep them coming. the tip of sticking with one brand til i figure it out is worth trying. or i guess just buy everything at nordstrom!

Liz A.

Veteran

Sorry for so many posts, but I also wanted to mention that both of these pants are supposed to be bootcuts. I have a notion that I have an easier time with trouser fits, but I'm hoping you won't say a bootcut doesn't work for my silhouette...

annaj

Veteran

I always buy a "comfortable" fit (which almost always leads to bagging out) and wear belts. My weight will fluctuate a couple of kilos either way, so it is impossible to have the "perfect" fit all of the time.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Liz, I REALLY apprecaite the effort of the photo taking. Thank you! Sadly, I cannot assess fit because of the bad light and your covering camisole. From what I can manage to see, the bagged out pair doesn't look too big. Granted, I do prefer a looser fit on people, AND I can't accurately make out what is going on.

Have you tried the Editors at Express?

Liz A.

Veteran

I know these photos are bad! I will have to work on figuring something out that's not inside my closet. Not to mention the embarrassing Crocs in the background there.

I have tried many pants from Express over the years, and they were pretty much all I wore when I was a bit thinner, but now I have trouble with the fit. The only ones I can wear are the wide waistband variety.