Confessions of a commitment-phobe: cuff not crop, pls thx

Disclaimer:

In my world necessity is not only the mother of invention, it's pretty much the driver for jeans- (or pants-) shopping.

At heart my proportionately short legs and I are pants-to-the-floor types. I don't even really like skinnies on myself and have owned 2 pair since the trend began a billion years ago. Yet I do have a soft spot for cuffed/rolled pants.

So CROPS = HOT TREND = WHYYYYYY?

...plus flashbacks to me in turquoise cropped culottes at 16/mid-80s.

But last week I shared photos of me in key pieces of my spring/summer work "uniform" -- tunics and shirtdresses -- knowing my (cough vintage) dark wash bootcuts couldn't carry all the weight for weekend or work-day variations.

I've looked at the inspiration (model) posts. I've read the YLF threads and looked at the lovely member pictures and followed the labs and shoe-related discussions.

Post-shopping*, I confirmed my bias:

I like shortpants to hit at lower spot A or higher spot B. And I like the ability to decide which via a roll or cuff.

ankle-length medium blue denim with a non-uniform wash to wear down and cuffed/rolled at A or B
black and dark wash skinnies to wear down or cuffed at spot A
full-length flares, even though they're also a bit leg enstumpening

I now have 7 pairs of casual pants. DONE

IIRC a few other YLFers are avoiding crops -- will wait to see how lonely we are, ha!

*Thankfully high-rise (10") denim is in again, since amusingly/sadly I still have inches left before they hit my navel.

8 years ago

rabbit

Veteran

Lol yes Vix, I also have a couple of inches between the top of my high rise jeans and my actual navel.

I'm generally in the same bandwagon as you so far, cuff/roll to show ankle, otherwise the skinny jean needs to hit about at the top of the boot, but I am going to dip my toe in to the cropped trend I think. For me it's ultimately all about the ankle, like pants to wade at the shoreline in (Riveria, not Oregon Coast), or to show off laceing, or ankle straps, or to go a bit mod with a chelsea boot. Then the whole outfit has to unfold upward from the ankle, maybe the top has to form a column of color with the jeans or something to make it work.

Often I dress in a sandwich style. Weather and activities dictate the coat and shoes on both ends of the column and I pick the filling to be visually pleasing. It will be fun to try out ankle-based dressing a little though.

lyn67

Hi Vix! I understand your perfference for beeing able to to decide by yourself which via to roll or cuff (A or B) for achieving different but perfect looks(depending on shoes, or other details). But no matter what all of these will have the rool or the cuff there to stand for a strong horizontal line on your leg. Think the crops are generally meant to work the same just sans that pronounced hem...so, you decide:-)

Anonymous

Waving to my fellow long-rise, proportionally shorter leg sister here. (Though, truly, Vix, your legs look a million miles long in all your photos!)

I am also sticking with you on cuffs over crops right now. I may change my mind in future, but unless a cropped pair has a deliberate raw edge or released hem, they just look weirdly unfinished on me. And, like Lyn says, I roll my jeans to different lengths depending on my footwear.

Adelfa

Not embracing the crop trend either. We shall see if I change my mind come summer

Meow

You clearly know what works for you as you look fantastic in your outfits. I'm surprised this trend doesn't work for you. The one big lesson I've learned here is that we don't have to embrace every trend - as hard as that is to accept. I can't do the pointy toe flats for example with my high volume feet - which is causing me much frustration and of course all I see when looking at shoes is pointy toe flats.

Gaylene

Another member of the cuff, not crop, club. I'm justifying my decision on the basis I'm fine with the short pant trend, but I want to do it MY way.

I suspect, though, my decision isn't about independence, as much as from my observation that the cropped flare pant is currently huge in my area--on the 70+ set. Since I'm only a few years away, I somehow doubt my sporting this particular look will be deemed fresh and trendy by the average person in the street, even if my cropped flares aren't pastel polyester flood pants.

Suz

(website)

I just don't get your "short legs" thing...I never see it!!

Anyway, as another who has proportionately short legs and a long rise, I'm still embracing the crop. Heaven only knows why. Maybe because with a column of colour it is just flattering enough, and, you know...because I am so sick of skinnies and boots up here? Crops and booties are a spring/ fall (but not deep winter) alternative. And I am all about having options.

I do strongly prefer the look of an ankle length or rolled skinny, though, to show off shoes and for flattery. I wear the kick crop for fun more than pure flattery. Oh, and I think it's better with a mid-to higher rise, for sure.

Vix

Long risers Rabbit (and Aloina and Suz) -- Paige Margot actually has an 11" rise but I couldn't find it on sale or to try. When she hits 13" I'll be set from the front but my butt will look a mile long!

IIRC my inseam is 28 - 29" (at 5'4) which based on hemming needs and the variety of body types in my exercise classes seems below average. When I'm in 2" heels I feel like my center of gravity is in the right spot but I'm weird that way. I do dress to offset that, so glad the smoke/mirrors works a bit!

Lyn -- Yes, that damn horizontal line is still there, isn't it? But at least with rolling it we can have the illusion of control/more footwear choice, right?

Rabbit, I hear what you're saying about the lure of ankle-based dressing; and Suz, I can definitely see why you're up for an alt to skinnies/boots and why you want to play. I do think it can look fun/sporty or sophisticated casual when all the elements are in place so look forward to seeing more of your results!

Aliona, Adelfa (big wave!), Gaylene -- Oh good, company (for now, anyway)! And a big yes to the (specific/personal) need for a raw hem vs just a stop -- maybe that's why I prefer the cuff...more deliberate? Gaylene, you never know where the cool hunters are...maybe they ARE the seniors and they decreed this is their summer!

Sarah -- Thank you and yes, cherry-picking trends for whatever one's reasons is the smart thing to do. It sucks when something we want to wear but know is a "no" is everywhere. Maybe once sandals arrive the pointy-toed flats will subside!

Yes, horizontal line is still there, but in my opinion it can be more subtle on crops. Cuffs/rolls on jeans especially are always a wider band of lighter material(as the reverse), if you know what I mean:-).

catgirl

I am with Suz - I have yet to see this proportionally short leg thing that everyone says they have.

Now, yesterday I was shopping with a friend who is exactly my height and size. Tees that were short on me were long on her, so I knew her torso was shorter than mine. But when people are dressed, it is very hard to tell. Your legs always look long to me, Vix! My inseam is 28" at 5'2".

Lyn -- had to give you props for wisdom though ironically I have a "Yes but...." My darker skinnies don't show any or much color variation when rolled so it's a crop equivalent to me. The medium blue does show that lighter reverse but I like it...maybe because I'm so pale the lighter eases the transition? If I liked light washes life would be easier but I ended up dying my light pair dark.

AG -- I think having lower legs that are on the average side helps the illusion, as does having the high waist (when it comes to skirts). Proportions are such crazy things, aren't they? I bet if I'd been with you 2 I'd have been trying to stretch the top down!

Momo

I have to say I always thought you were like 6 feet tall! Long legs too!

Category