Gap wide leg jeans - just past JFE? - ETA conclusion in comments

Well, I tried the wide leg, slightly shorter length in jeans... and this is the result. I don’t think it looks as bad as it could but it’s a bit too far past JFE, I think. The fact that the leg is as wide as my upper thighs is the problem. It’s less of a problem in a drapey fabric.

These are from the Gap and they’re really comfortable, if anyone is interested. I won’t make a Find right now but these are the ones: https://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=495911ow

For jeans, I think maybe I need to stick to straight, bootcut and flares for my non-skinny fix. Live and learn! I like trying to stretch my comfort zone anyway. What do you all think? Am I being hasty? I may try them some other ways before I decide.

ETA - I should clarify that the shoes are just ones I had handy. They are wrong for these pants.

ETA 2- see photos below. These are better than I thought but the pulling across the crotch area is worse than usual for me and I expect it’s because the waist is too high. I already sized up and won’t do so again (forcing me to tailor), so I may look for a lower waisted version now that I know this may work. That said, I’’m not a fit expert so maybe these are okay? I’m in no rush to decide about them.

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6 years ago

slim cat

Veteran

I like the fit of wide leg jeans on you. I think the jeans probably need to be tried with different boots/shoes with thicker sole or flashier look like your Blondo snake skin boots. Maybe it's all the pictures from the blog about wide leg pants/jeans that stuck in my mind - expend your fun wardrobe!

Christina F.

slim cat, I meant to add that the shoes were not what I’d wear with these. Thanks for the feedback! I need to do some outfit labs for some other stuff this weekend and I’ll throw this on the pile. Sadly, I hurt my foot (long story) and the Blondos are out for now, though not forever.

kellygirl

I think they would be super with sneakers! I like them!!

SarahD8

I think they are definitely worth trying with other shoes! I think they look nice on you — the wide leg gives a long, elegant line. But of course YOU have to love them!

Sorry to hear about your foot - take it easy, wear only comfy shoes for now ( I go to very old, stretched ones ). You can always make new/fun outfits - it's just another challenge .

Thanks everyone! I tried them earlier before I went out again so I didn’t take lots of time. I am back home now and I tried it another way, with sneakers. It made even more of a difference than I thought! Yeah, it takes a bit of a mental adjustment though. I see the potential a bit better now. The fit is perfect.

Anyway sorry for my usual terrible bathroom photos. :p

karen13

The sneaks look great with them. The black boots are too heavy, maybe? And aren't the wide legs seriously comfy? As a person of short stature, I have struggled with giving up a heel with the wider leg, but I am coming around.

Suz

(website)

I understand what you are feeling -- I think we all struggle with the wide legs a bit, except maybe for ITs. I don't have a pair of the shorter full length ones yet but even with my crops I sometimes think what you might be thinking -- my bottom half looks like stove pipes!!

ETA: I should clarify -- I was an early lover of wide legs and culottes and as early an adopter as I could be (took some time to find the ones that worked for me). So I do love the look...but even loving it, I sometimes need a moment of self-persuasion!

But honestly -- I like the look of these a lot! They are more flattering than you think. Great fit really makes a difference, even if our own eyes struggle to see it in the mirror.

Don't rule them out yet. Do some more styling and thinking. And maybe wearing around the apt.

Jenni NZ

Christina, aren’t they pulling at the crotch?

Suz, thank you! I am considering but maybe what Jenni mentions makes it a dealbreaker?

Jenni, I didn’t notice at first since this is common for me to some degree. I already sized up as I have to for Gap stuff. Sizing up again would be way too much fabric and I won’t want to bother with tailoring for an item that could go either way for me. Hmm. I think the waist may be too high for me, which is the cause of it here. Gap stuff doesn’t fit me great so this may not be too much of a surprise. I may have to see if I can try this style in another brand if I decide to return these.

Anonymous

Do they have them in a curvy fit? That could help the pulling issue. Otherwise they work.

Helena

I think the fit looks great? Definitely don't give up on this cut yet ... They look really smart and polished on you.

Suntiger - no curvy fit. Petite might help with the ride but those we long gone in almost all sizes.

thanks, TG - I’m never sure about these non-obvious fit issues but I am trying to be PPP and all that.

I think this was a useful exercise to help me get used to this look on me. However, I think this particular pair misses the mark because the wash or whatever makes the crotch pulling more visible on me (I usually have some degree of on most pants). It will be very hard to find full length wide legs in a size large enough for me, especially since the high waist often means I need to size up due to my belly. Also, cropped versions are more plentiful, though I'm open to those as well! But now I know this is a silhouette that can work on me. I just need it to be the exact right item, so I'll keep an eye out.

Good plan, Christina. I'm glad you tried them.

Excellent - I think there will be more and more options as the style picks up steam ... better to wait for the (close to) perfect pair than settle when you're not sure.

lyn67

Showing a bit of an ankle will always help wide hems look better on us curvy girls. I just refuse to do full lengths on these. Who wants to walk on stompy pipes!+:-) Can you/are you willing to hack them, and wear with bare ankles or higher shaft anklebooties? Or, what about a darker wash-more flattering all together?

I find the upper fit especially the button fly great for you!

Suz and TG _- as always thanks for your input!

lyn - I've actually ordered a button fly, dark wash cropped wide leg jean by Madewell. So we're thinking along the same lines here I will pass on these due to the crotch pulling. Madewell jeans fit me better in some cases anuwau.

Cropped wide legs are no problem for me. I was hoping the longer length would work too though because I do like how it shows off sneakers. I am actually not concerned about my legs looking short, but I don't want to look too wide!

Good morning ( morning for me)- I went to sleep last night after my comment. I feel a bit sorry to have put you off them seeing they seemed to be making you happy and I’m all for happiness... but if you agree then NEXT.

No, it's okay Jenni - I wasn't 100% sold on them and the pulling issue is one I haven't trained myself to fully look for. I am kind of used to it, as I said above... but in darker jeans and pants, which I often favor, it's less noticeable.

Jules

I also see the potential and can't wait to see a darker version and/or slightly better fit on you!

Gigi

If it were me, the pulling at the crotch would be a dealbreaker. (I have this issue too. Gap stuff is cut very straight, IMO.) And it will just get worse as the fabric stretches throughout the day. Keep looking!

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