Can't get straight-leg jeans to work - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Can't get straight-leg jeans to work

Gigi

Veteran

I'm wondering if anyone else has this problem...I simply can't get straight-leg jeans to look good on me. I am starting to realize it is because I have a very curvy body type, with a smaller waist and bigger thighs. So instead of seeing the nice long line that models have in the product photos, my thigh area bulges out and then comes back in at the knees, and then the rest of the leg (below the knee) just looks wide and stumpy. It looks this way even in heels, which is my usual method for fixing stumpiness.

Does anyone else have this problem? What do I do? Is my version of straight-leg jeans going to have to be wide-leg jeans, so that the thigh area doesn't bulge out? I can do straight-leg crops and cropped flares, but there's something that happens when the straight leg goes all the way down that looks just terrible on me. Help!

Dressing

24 replies

Latest reply was from nemosmom

The Cat

Veteran

I am sorry, but I haven't heard of this problem before. Could it be that your straight-leg jeans are too narrow? (Personally, I think that a lot of people, including myself, don't look their best in SKINNY jeans ...) Have you tried a wider version? Or perhaps a slight boot-cut would be better?

Gigi

Veteran

Cat, yes, it would seem that the straight-leg jeans are too narrow, but I haven't found any straight-leg jeans that are wide enough in the thigh to have any give there. That's why I was wondering whether I should look for jeans that are specifically wide leg because my thighs seem to be too large for a straight-leg jean look. But I have very small calves and wonder whether wide-leg jeans would just emphasize that...so, I have small waist, large thighs, and spindly calves. What a combo, lol!

I just ordered a pair of straight legs (and their failure led to this post)...I see that my local Nordy's has the same style in two sizes up. Maybe I would try those on and see if a couple of sizes up gives me more room in the thigh.

I really am wanting to try a pair of straight legs. You are correct that bootcut does look better on me, though! I think there is something about the flare at the bottom that balances out the silhouette.

bj1111

Veteran

I have this problem. I switched to wide leg jeans for the same reason. High waist helps a bit to define the waist and make the proportions a bit better.

Are you committed to jeans or would other fabrics work? I like palazzo shapes too for the thigh issue

Chiara

Gigi, I have a pronounced low hip- around a 11 inch difference between my waist and my hip, and have a lot of problems finding jeans that work. For trousers, I typically need a fit that has 2 or 4 darts in the back, so that the fit can be adjusted. Jeans are just not made with darts, they are cut straighter! That said, I have had some success with Boden straight jeans, a year or so ago. They have a bit of stretch, which helps with fit.
I now use a ‘silhouette’ approach when I look at trousers or skirts, for that matter- in my mind, I superimpose my shape on the shape of the jeans or whatever I’m looking at. Helps to guide in terms of what is just not going to work from the outset.

Staysfit

Veteran

I can relate to having fit issues. Mine is the opposite. I cannot wear a curvy cut.

Vildy

Veteran

I used to have that front muscle bulge - used to walk miles every day - and no longer do and miss it. I had come to like it. Isn't everyone always trying to get a buff body? Don't suppose I could talk you around to finding it sexy and attractive?

Anonymous

Yes to trying a wider style! I'm very curvy too, and straight leg trouser style jeans worked for me.

Liz

Veteran

I have exactly the same issue. A straight-leg jean is tight on my thighs and then looks wide and floppy below the knee, just like you describe.And I even have very curvy calves, too!

I have two solutions. One is simply to accept that I am never going to have that long straight leg line that you see on models wearing straight-leg jeans, because my legs themselves aren't straight. The other is to have my straight-leg jeans tapered from the knee down, into a slim fit that skims my calf. It's still not the straight-leg look that I'd like to wear, but it does lessen the stumpy/floppy effect from the knees down.

You could try to look for tapered mom jeans, or even tapered jeans with a paperbag waist or pleats. They would give you the room in the thighs and the narrower fit in the calves, and might fit you more like the straight legs you're looking for.

unfrumped

Veteran

I am having the same problem because most “ straight leg” jeans are quite skinny! They sometimes say “ stovepipe” fit but not on curvier types.
I feel like there are now “ wide legs” which are TOO wide, and not as many “ trouser jeans “, which were sort of in between, that seemed to be more available maybe ? 10-15 years ago.
Also, it is hard to find as many options in dark wash.
Then, bootcuts. The oft- recommended style for curvy or pear shapes. But, most bootcuts and flares are very fitted at the thigh and knee, so yes you get some balance with the flare, but a tight fit overall, so again, hard to find “ ease “ in the fit.
I have been continuing to try BF or mom jeans for looser fit but then have issues if they are too pegged, or always cropped, since I need some to be full-length for cooler weather.

Christina F.

Veteran

The problem seems to be that manufacturers think our calves are proportionate to our thighs. Definitely not the case for me! My calves and thighs could be from different people! I see I'm not alone in this either.

I wonder if the jeans could be taken in at the side seam on the bottom, but I'm not a sewing expert and don't know if that's feasible at all. I feel your pain, though.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I’m in this camp too - I think most plus sized (ugh, but used for shorthand) people are, because our upper legs are almost always bigger than our lower legs. But it’s true for ‘hippier’ folks who are in smaller sizes as well, and maybe more so.

I think part of it is adjusting your eye. You will never look the same in jeans as someone with narrow hips and thighs. I personally have been drawn to slim straight jeans in recent years. It keeps the excess fabric around my lower legs to a minimum, and has a nod to the skinny jeans trend without being skintight. Now that skinnies are slowly on their way out, I’m not sure what the next silhouette to try will be. I’ve got a pair of cropped wide leg jeans that I think are reasonably flattering and current, but they’re not appropriate for every occasion or colder weather. I don’t love full length wide legs in denim because it’s just a lot of heavy fabric.

I’ll be interested to read what everyone’s ideas are.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Gigi, have you tried curvy cuts?

May I suggest wide crops instead?

AND, what type of straight legs are you trying? Classic or trendy. The classics are tight, and the trendy versions more relaxed from thigh to hem.

Lets get you sorted

Janet

(website)

Veteran

What Laura said. I have wide hips, thick thighs and knees, and average calves. I will never look like the models, even at my lower weights. A LOT of jeans just fit too tight on the thighs and I have to keep looking. And these days the issue is compounded by the fact that it's very hard to find mid rises, so there's the rise issue to contend with too -- if your waist-hip ratio doesn't fit the pants, or your rise is short, you are out of luck. Not all of us want mom jeans.

May I recommend DL1961 as a brand that seems to cut a bit roomier in the thigh? The ones in the find worked really well for me. AG and Rag & Bone seem to work better for me too. Anthro's Pilcro line tends to have a little more room too. Paige fits, depending on the specific style, but definitely sticks to my thighs.

DL1961 Women's Coco Curvy Slim Straight Jeans

View Info

Top Pick

6

always trying

Veteran

I have 2 pair..One the legs are the same size all the way down. I don't like that they are too wide at the bottom. My other are more like the ones in photo above-- wider at thigh and straight from knee down. This is what they should be. Seems with the right fit they would flatter more women.

Gigi

Veteran

Such great responses, and lots of ideas to try. Thank you, everyone. It is good to know I am not alone.

Angie, yes, this last pair I ordered was a curvy cut--at least I think. It was Good American, which I have been told is cut for a bigger booty. I've got the find below.

I'm not sure what to answer about classic vs. trendy. I don't know what the difference is (?). I'm just trying to find a pair that fits properly...

I do have some cropped styles (cropped straights and cropped flares), and they look good on me. I wanted to add a different silhouette to my wardrobe.

I know that part of the issue is that my body will not look like the models wearing straight-leg jeans, since their bodies are generally straighter than mine. But I am wanting something that has a bit of slouch to it. Pretty much all my jeans are tight on the thigh. So everything starts to look the same.

Janet, thanks for the brand recos. When I get to Nordstrom next I will try some other brands on.

GOOD AMERICAN Good Straight High Waist Ankle Jeans

View Info

Top Pick

1

nuancedream

Veteran

I'll second Janet's recommendation for AG and Pilcro and the Letterpress jeans, which are a bit roomier in the thigh. When I was wearing skinny jeans, these were my go to brands. I have a friend who likes Kut from the Kloth's Karen baby bootcut jeans and Catherine boyfriend jeans, both of which are mid-rise.

Runs With Scissors

Veteran

"Slim wide leg" jeans may come closer to the look you're after. My legs are fairly "curvy", and I have good luck with Levi's Ribcage for a visually straighter look. They do not look loose in the legs on me, like they typically do on the models!

The Ribcage jeans do have a very long rise -- that works for me. The cropped ones are 27" by default, but if you go directly to the Levi's site, they carry a 29" length which may work as a full-length straight for some folks.

Ribcage Super High Waist Straight Leg Jeans

View Info

Top Pick

3

Levi's Ribcage Crop Flare Jeans

View Info

Top Pick

5

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Gigi, I have always had this problem. I seem to do better islim straights (which tend to be more like relaxed skinnies on me) or BF style (I look for higher waisted ones, now) or slim wide legs -- cropped.

I also don't look good in kick crops.

I like a full length flare on me (or boot cut) -- but not the cropped version.

ropeball

I hope this might help. I have slightly thicker calf so I am always on a lookout for straight cut, as skinny cut always look bad on me. Like you, I also like a little slouch sometimes. I find that 7 for all mankind, in particular the Kimmie straight cut work best for me. Some of the kimmie cut may have a wider boot cut than other wash so look out for that. It give me a straight and fitted look. If I want more relax look, I go up one size. They do have very long inseam, almost 32 inches.

There is one other option, which may or may not work, depending on your size. Once, a boy size 16 jeans 7FAM ended up in the ladies jeans rack. I do not know how it happen, but I tried it anyway, it fit great. Straight cut, 100% cotton, fit in waist and hip, relax everywhere else, and have the tough, thick, rigid feel that I always love in jeans. I don’t remember what cut it was. But, it taught me to look out in boys section sometimes to check out their big size version.

Good luck!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I wanted to chime in again to mention that for me, a tapered fit always works better than straight. It is quite a noticeable difference. I wonder if it is generally true for shorter-legged petites? Anyway...that's why BF jeans tend to work for me. Sometimes they are too loose and sloppy for the look I want now, but if I find the right one, it can look almost like a "straight" looks on the models.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

All those descriptors are confusing. Can you just try on a slew of jeans to see what works, even if it is “technically” a pair of wide-legged jeans instead of straight?
I’m among those who finds a curvy figure with a booty and a big waist-hip differential most attractive.
When I was younger, I played soccer. When a new fitness studio, working in conjunction with the hospital, opened up in our town, there was some hoopla. As part of the grand opening, they gave people free trainer appointments. My parents figured I’d like that, since I swam and played soccer. I did all the standard tests and measurements, then sat down with the trainer to see what my “personalized program” was. I’ve forgotten most of it, but still remember clearly that she said I should take a couple inches off my thighs; for my height, they should be 19” each. I told her they weren’t fat—I had quads because I was a soccer player. She agreed that they were muscular, but insisted that they should only be 19”. I thought she was crazy. Still do. Enjoy your healthy body! I wish you luck in finding clothes that fit you, not a standard model someone made up.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Gigi, thank you for chiming back in.

I'm nodding along with Suz and her explanations.

Janet's suggestion of Pilcro is good, but I suspect you need a petite?

Levi's does a good curvy line too. Tends to work on petites.

Try these too. They come in petites:

https://warpweftworld.com/coll.....ght-icicle

https://warpweftworld.com/coll.....-marmalade

Gigi

Veteran

Thanks, Angie! I'll check them out.

I did some shopping today in Nordstrom. I had to return some things and so thought I would try on some jeans. I think part of what I am reacting to is the "blockiness" of the straight leg along with the high rise. I'm very short-waisted, and I think something with a rise that's on the low side might work better, like a pair of boyfriends. Otherwise all I see when I look at myself in the mirror is a blocky pair of jeans! I'll keep trying stuff on.

nemosmom

Veteran

I feel your pain, Gigi. Jeans very very rarely fit me off the rack. I have a small waist, but a meaty booty and leg. Trouser cut jeans tend to be lower in the rise and straighter than today's 'wide legs'.

Tip from my tailor: If you find a pant or jean that fits your widest point, the rest can be altered. I took a pair of larger wide legs to him that looked like sacks when he started. They were comfy in the hip and thigh, but I wanted a straighter silhouette. When I got them back, they were perfect. Don't be afraid to haul several 'ok' pairs to your local tailor for evaluation (before you cut tags!) before you give up!