So just what does "ankle length" mean?

catgirl

What is "ankle length"? Just above the ankle joint, below, somewhere in between? Why is j. crew calling their capris ankle-length? What is the sweet spot that we're all aiming for?

Images would help. I feel extremely impaired in this area.

I feel like I am going to burst out into some sort of Flight of the Conchords song about ankles.

"I'm the ANKLE--OSAURUS,
my questions may bore us -
Capris they confuse me,
Could someone diffuse me?"

14 years ago

Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from Freckles

Kari

Veteran

They call me the Hiphopopotamus, my lyrics are bottomless...
(Sorry, I couldn't resist - that's my ringtone right now, so it's constantly stuck in my head.)

I may be totally off base, but I think of ankle length pants as being at or slightly above the ankle joint, and pants hitting below the ankle joint as PPL-breaking.

14 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Kari, nice pick-up on the reference. I can't get "Inner City Pressure" out of my head right now...

And thanks for the answer!

14 years ago

Aida

Veteran

Una, honestly I think the actual sweet spot will vary depending on the person. If you've got longer legs you can go a little higher above the ankle, shorter legs and on the ankle may be the best. For myself (our legs are pretty similar in proportion) I like the length right on the middle of my ankle to JUST above it (this is my gray pair, look at the later outfits they're much better ).

EDIT: And you'll want a slim opening!

ANOTHER EDIT: Also the new black pants I got I consider "ankle length" and they're just BELOW my ankle. I like this hem size for this length. See here: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....as-edition

14 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Wow, Aida - those are FAB examples. 7/7/11 is an outfit that needs to be posted here! I logged back in just to tell you that. Also, how amazing that you are organized this way with photos - look at all the different ways you've worn these!

I am looking for a more work-appropriate(for me) pair, hence the OOS wool ones from j. crew, but they also have a cuff, which complicates things.

14 years ago

Aida

Veteran

Hmm cuffed ankle pants sound much tricker. What is the leg cut? Skinny or slim-straight seems like it could work at the on the ankle or just below the ankle length, but probably only with flats or kitten heels.

And thank you, that outfit on 7/7/11 is one of my favorites ever I love that website for seeing how I've worn my items, I find it infinitely helpful that I can check any item to see what worked and what didn't!

14 years ago

devon7

(website)

Active Member

Aida - the length of your gray pants looks good! They just look like standard skinny jeans length to me (although we also see the longer scrunched look quite a bit). When I hear or read "ankle length," I think of the "no man's land" flood length that is in the other thread about pant lengths. I guess one really just has to try things on to see if the length suits them.

14 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

In my mind's eye, I thought ankle length meant so you can see your whole foot, hitting right at the middle of the ankle bone. But I think Aida is right, you can still sport the ankle-length trend without literally hitting at that point.

14 years ago

Anonymous

Aida, your gray pants look fantastic, and I'm very impressed with your cataloguing tool for your wardrobe.

14 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Aida, thanks for those examples. They are great. Loved seeing all your outfits, too and Una's totally right about 7/7/11!

You and I are on the same page about what "ankle" length means. And I agree that the exact sweet spot will probably differ from person to person.

14 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sorry to be a spanner, ladies.

Aida, your one pair of black pants are long length with scrunch:). I love pants that length. To me that's the most flattering length of all. The grey skinnies and other pair of black pants are bordering ankle length but not quite short enough either.

The operative word here is ANKLE. Ankle length means just above the ankle so that you can see your ankles and ankle bones. This is ankle length:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/tr.....tback=1703

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/cl.....tback=2401

Capri mean below the calf and above the ankle.

Loved Kari's explanation.

Hope that helps.

14 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

So, Angie - would you say that pants at the length of Aida's second pair are in an unacceptable no-man's-land, or that a length like that might be okay in some circumstances?

Having gone on about liking the look, I discover that I actually DON'T like those Nordie's examples.

What a process of education you're conducting here. Many thanks!

14 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

High five, Suz. I do NOT like the Nordies pants either.

Aida's black pants are regular length sans the scrunch. Aida's grey pants are bordering too short but they are low contrast - and when matched with a low contrast shoe, the long leg line is maintained.

(Thanks for being our smashing example, Aida).

14 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ah! Okay. So what I REALLY prefer (it seems) is "regular length sans the scrunch."

OR scrunch, but only when done with deliberation, to the right degree.

Thank you again! I am figuring out what my eye can accept!

14 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Suz, you like regular length well below the ankle sans the scrunch. I like regular length well below the ankle with a bit of scrunch. I do not prefer ankle length.

My regular length skinnies/pants with a tiny scrunch:

http://youlookfab.com/2011/06/.....ral-jeans/

http://youlookfab.com/2011/07/.....-of-black/

A little more scrunch:

http://youlookfab.com/2011/02/.....kin-shoes/

http://youlookfab.com/2011/02/.....low-heels/

I like both scrunched looks just as much.

14 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yes. I like both these, too. And I must say, they look MUCH different than what I often see around town.

What helps is that the pants fit really well throughout.

I think the overall fit may be a problem in addition to the scrunch, in the ones I don't like.

Thanks again, Angie!

14 years ago

Nakidra

Veteran

The Jcrew ones without the cuff (new cafe capris Summer 2011) are below my ankle and I'm 5'9" with fairly long legs. My shorter girlfriend has the same ones and they are basically regular pants on her. IMO, Jcrew runs a little long in me. I have Jcrew minnies on today and they are about an inch above my ankles.

14 years ago

Carole

Veteran

Oh how I wish I had read the answers to this thread before my final sale crop pant purchase at AT!

14 years ago

Makrame

Veteran

One question that always bothers me - how do you make sure that ankle length pants look like a deliberate choice rather than regular length pants that just shrunk or never were the perfect length to begin with. I guess very slim leg worn with heels or flats (either barefoot or with nude hosiery) gives that more deliberate feel, is that right?

14 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Wow, so enlightening! I agree with Suz that fit throughout also matters. I think I would probably look okay in fitted ankle length leggings, but not something with a straighter leg. Photos are so helpful! I also don't love the Nordstrom photos of "ankle length" - which is sounds like what we're trying to avoid.

And these j. crew pants would be more ankle length than true capris?

http://www.jcrew.com/womens_fe...../49398.jsp

14 years ago

Lisa

Veteran

Loving the photo examples here, thanks for asking this!

14 years ago

Aida

Veteran

Ah thanks for clearing that up Angie! (And happy to offer my pants as examples ^^) Thanks also for the insight into my specific pants, that's fantastically useful for me. I'm used to (and prefer) having scrunch with skinnies, so those shorter black pants feel so short to me (they hit just below my ankle). The gray ones hit mid-ankle and I agree they mostly work because of the low contrast; I don't always wear them with low contrast shoes though, so I'll have to start paying attention to that! I think I can use both of these pants to sort of emulate the "ankle length" trend, without actually having to wear that length

14 years ago

Freckles

Veteran

Thanks for asking Una. Pant lengths drive me crazy and tons of reading still doesn't have reality set in yet.

Aida, thank you for the brilliant pictures.

14 years ago

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