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Cross with myself - too short again!

Sal

Veteran

Why do I make the same mistake of buying pants that are too short?

My cords are just a bit short and I purchased these luxe joggers in Autumn - and really they are a bit too short. With sandals they are okay, and I can hide the gap with a black sock and black sneakers, but now I see it, I cannot unsee it and I may end up donating or selling them.

It is something I need to be more fussy with length. I am 5ft 8/174cm tall and have long legs. Hem allowances are short mostly now,

Anyone else a slow learner?

Shopping

19 replies

Latest reply was from Sal

MsMaven

Veteran

For the first part of my life when not many choices were available, I usually had to deal with too-short pants. Years later, the problem became finding pants, especially jeans, that weren't too long. Some styles can be hemmed, but others, like bell-bottoms that only come in a 24" inseam, lose a lot from having inches cut off.

I always look at inseam length online, but this isn't perfect--the style and cut can make a difference, so I can sympathize with you.

Now I'm having problems with inseam length. No idea what would be ideal for me. Trial and error.

*meant to say 34" jeans.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Too bad I can't send you the extra length from some of my pants! Although I am surprised how many fit just fine - which tells me that finding long enough pants must be very challenging indeed.

Joy

Veteran

I was 5’4” now 5,3”. Most pants I buy are a bit long before the washer and dryer treatment. I tend to buy slightly long or big to allow for shrinkage. About a 30 or even 31 inch inseam is ok. I have some skirts to be altered but hate to spend as much on alterations as the cost of the piece. Good luck. Your jeans look fab on you.
What Jaime said. I wonder if regular lengths fit me, what do those who need more length do?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh, bummer! I was doing this for a while too, some years ago, and now am much better at saying no to anything that feels too short on my long legs. Considering that shrinkage is a possibility too, I won’t be talked into too-short pants! Or too-short skirts and dresses either. One such old dress just went into the donate pile.

I have salvaged some short jeans in the past by releasing the hems, but I think all of those old jeans are gone now (one may be on my camping capsule). Of course joggers and other pants don’t always afford that possibility.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Bummer!

I am super particular about pant lengths.

I bought some cargo jeans that were too long. I asked for them to be shortened by 4 cm. But the dressmaker cut off 4 cm and then hemmed them. So I lost about 7 cm. I am livid about it. I suspect I will end up donating them. I might try letting out the hem so it’s a raw edge. Will never specify a length again. Always pin!!!

Sal

Veteran

Thanks for the commiseration. I think it's a mix of lengths getting longer after a number of years of cropped pants, manufacturers becoming more skimpy on lengths and hem allowances.

I agree Janet - it's an issue with dresses and skirts too. We rarely have long or tall options here - if between sizes I pretty much always go up a size for the length - although it doesn't always equate.

I wore them on a mall expedition with my son and sister (and her children) yesterday and I really chose a bad combo of pants, socks and shoes and caught my reflection in several mirrors....

VioletMyra

Before the drop in the AUS$ against the US$, I purchased my jeans and chinos from Lands End because I could get a 34" inseam. Have you looked there? (Just a thought.) Best wishes to all.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Oh, sweet Sal

I am Queen Pedantic About Lengths. It's my thing. Can't handle things too short, OR too long. I greatly empathize!

I was going to suggest you try TALL sizes and longer lengths. Failing that, I have clients who are 5 ft 10 and taller, and we simply look at inseam lengths before we purchase. That helps! You probably need 34 inches.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Angie - I could do with being more pedantic as I really don't like the feeling (and there has been a swing back to full length trousers/jeans/pants)

Thanks Violet - I am in NZ so US purchases are rare due to the shipping cost.

Brooklyn - how infuriating!!

Helena

Veteran

I think it's the clothing cuts failing you Sal, and Angie's got you sorted out

I am not great at sizing overall ... I think perhaps I find it hard to gauge fit until I start wearing things ... I'll sometimes get too small and sometimes too big *sigh* ...

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sal, with platforms trending big time, the hems of pants and jeans are longer. THAT is in your favour

Runcarla

Veteran

I feel your pain, Sal. I’m 5ft 7in, with a long inseam. I find it nearly impossible to find proper full length pants. I have 9 pairs of pants, including jeans, and they are all cropped, though I think 2 pairs of jeans are meant to be full length. :-p

On the styling front, I’ve learned (from Angie) how important footwear is, and I try for interesting shoes and boots. In warm weather, I don’t mind a flash of ankle. In cold weather, it’s boots that close the gap.

I don’t know how you feel about proportions, but I don’t mind having horizontal breaks that shorten my leg line.

Yesterday I walked away from a long sleeved striped t-shirt that is one size too big. It’s haunting me because the fabric was fab, and the unusual colour combination was in my wheel house. I was sorely tempted to get it anyway, but knew I’d grow to regret the purchase in the long run due to the oversize fit.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Oh dear,so frustrating!I am your height but have regular length legs and l also favour a crop which does away with the leg length issue on trousers but l really feel your pain,For me it’s in the skirt and dress department,l have long thighs and like a minimum of knee length these days which ,unless it’s a maxi,isn’t always achievable l find.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Can they fit into tall boots?

Sal

Veteran

The pants are a jogger style. They work okay as a cropped pant with sandals, and are not too bad with black sneakers and black socks.

They don't work with any of my boots (I knew that already and did not intend to wear them that way)

I have three choices

- Sell or donate - I would probably recoup $50-$80 as they are a decent brand in excellent condition
- wear as loungewear - they are very comfy
- wear in more limited ways with the shoes that do work.

I like a crop too, I think however this style is better longer and in a more slouchy way.

Bijou

Veteran

The good thing is now you know to be really pedantic about the length of pants, they need to be long. Personally, I would sell or donate, as when I feel frustrated about something I can't unsee it and it continues to bother me.

My worst habit that hopefully I have broken was to buy something that was slightly too tight with the view that I would drop a couple of kilos and then it will be perfect... nothing worse than having something gorgeous in your wardrobe that does not fit.

Anonymous

Maybe they were ok before and shrunk in the dryer? When DH was doing my laundry, I noticed my pants getting shorter. He no longer does my laundry!

Sal

Veteran

They may have shrunk-I don’t know!

I think there is a lesson to err on the cautious size - I don’t think I will make this mistake again.

I am considering selling - as I agree Bijou that I can’t unsee the problem now. I am a better second hand buyer than seller but it’s worth a try!

Sal

Veteran

I have listed them to sell on TradeMe (NZ equivalent of EBay). If they don't sell I might donate them - but selling does mean someone wants them and will wear them).