Ask Angie: The rise and fall of....pants

I'm working on style goals and wardrobe holes, etc, basically preparing one of those "fall wardrobe manifesto" posts, and I've realized that I'm at a loss with trousers rises. Help! Here's what I think I know:

1. Wide legs are a great choice for me. These can be either 40's style, with drapey fabrication and a high waist, or Editor style, with a midrise. The wide waistband is crucial for a good fit and no muffin top, and a contoured waistband is best (not always easy to find at my price point).

2. I'm "meh" on skinnies. My body is curvy all over, although I'm pretty well proportioned, but my legs look thick in skinnies. At least in shorts you can see that they have muscles, too! I think straight legs are best for ponte pants and denim choices but.............What rise for would be best for this silhouette and my body type?

3. I love the Leith knock-offs I made. These are fitting at my natural waist, but I think I could use a pair that I make with looser elastic AND a drawstring. This would let me move the rise to accommodate tucking and different styles of tops. I'll have to make these, but it's doable, if I can find the time.

4. NO ANKLE Pants. And they're everywhere. This is why I have no narrow straight cut trousers right now. Are there any brands that are making nice full length straight leg trousers (rather than jeans) for curvy bodies? I'm mostly wearing a 14 now, which puts me "on the cusp."

I'm loving my skirts, but sometimes, particularly in Chicago, a girl's gotta wear the pants!

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I 100% agree with your assessments, Beth Ann.

1. Wide legs - check.

2. Straight legs are your skinnies - check. If you keep the tops UN-tucked with these bottoms, you can wear any height rise that is comfy - mid or high. If you like to semi-tuck and faux-tuck, I vote mid rise. Proportions look better to my eye that way.

3. I want to see the Leiths you made, you clever little thing - check. I vote keep this look untucked (so keep the elastic/drawstring at the natural waist or thereabouts) and wear a shorter blouson top to create different proportions. The pants are baggy, so you can wear shorter tops with the look no problem.

4. Have you tried NYDJ's? They are full length on my almost 6ft tall client. Try Talbots, Chicos, Michael Kors, Ann Taylor and KUT too. I have the best luck with those brands for clients with similar body types to you. And lets wait a little while for full length pants to hit stores. It's only August.

Hope that helps. xo

Suz

Veteran

I love to read Angie when she is sorting someone. I always find it instructive. And I can't wait to see your sewn Leiths!!

Beth Ann

Extremely helpful! I will check out the places you recommend. I did try Ann Taylor again this Summer, and found the clothing fits better than I expected. Wish their dresses were longer!

I have a plan to place a hidden drawstring in some of of my longer looser tops (like the one below in photo 3), so I can make them into blousons when I wish and control their length. I'm going to try a simple casing made with coordinating bias tape on the underside of the hem, plus a pretty satin cord that's narrow enough to lie flat if I choose to tuck the top. I'll let you know how it works.

Leith look-alikes in photo & 2. I lightened to photos so you can see the drape. This top shifts up on me, and it looks a little short in the photos. The pants are a nice matte jersey, a little heavier than the Leiths. I tapered the bottom too much, I wish they dropped over the calf more freely, but I'll fix that next time, and, unlike the Leiths, the fabric gives when I move just fine.

This post has 3 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Oh how many of us wish that dresses were longer.

The secret drawstring alteration is an excellent way to control the blousson-effect of a blouse. Clever you are.

Ah, the Leith look alikes. They look fab. You could make yourself a silky pair with a rib cuff too.

Category