Help: Styling Cropped Jeans ETA more options.

Lynne

I love cropped jeans on others, but I'm struggling to style these. I'm 5'4" and they feel stumpifying.......Help!

I shortened the pants by a good 3", there's still plenty of fabric in the hem so I can lengthen them if that would help?

I tried tucking, but on my short waist with high hips it really wasn't right.

I've tried all the flats I'll be realistically wear with these; I do have platforms and heels that would be leg-lengthening, but IRL, I live in flats.

Perhaps I need to buy a fitted, cropped shirt? Or something navy with a deep V neck?

I was hoping these could be dressed up for work, but I'm really not feeling it :(.

Thanks for your honest, but gentle feedback and suggestions.

ETA #4, a darker, fitted top plus 3"heels.
ETA#5, as per FashInterns suggestion, a column of colour with a shorter jacket.

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4 years ago

Dressing

29 replies

Latest reply was from Deborah

Lynne

Veteran

For comparison, here's the pair that I'm returning ( a size up), at the original length; they hit right at my ankle. And by OBGs, which feel just right :).

Perhaps I could exchange the pair I'm returning for this, more fitted silhouette:
https://www.davidlawrence.com......MID%20WASH

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4 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I HAVE NO IDEA. That's part of why I so dislike the whole trend to crops (that and tallish-person "unsafe" memories of being the kid in "floodwater pants" at school).

Wait--I have one idea. How about a boxy topper over the first one, so the top & pants are a column of color? That feels like a good answer to me, but Idk if it's right.

ETA You look so comfy in the OBGs! I think I like the longer length better.

4 years ago

Lynne

Veteran

I'm inclined to agree, FashIntern; longer pants are easier to style on a shorter frame! ETA, another pair of OBGs, also cropped but fitted. I think it's the combination of width plus cropped that's putting me off?

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4 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Do you have a cropped topper you could try on with the pants in question, just to see? Try it open.

4 years ago

hereforthecake

Active Member

I try and try to like the cropped look on my 5'3" frame and just can't. I just look like a stumpy mess.

I'll follow this thread in the hopes that we both get the answer!

4 years ago

kkards

Veteran

5”4(ish) serial crop wear checking in...
here’s my take for what it’s worth.
#1 totally works and is in no way stumpifying. The oldie but goodie column of color creates a solid line and is automatically lengthening. Either shoe works
#2 i think part of this is the angle, but I also think that its the light dark light stripe effect that is making you feel less than wow.
#3 love the version with the sneakers...i think the dark stripes in the tee help to ground the outfit, and the sneakers just feel fresh and clean to me. Normally the adage of showing skin would make the sandals the footwear of choice but for reasons I cannot see to find words for, this option is just not working for me...but the sneakers, really for me its a total win.
#4 quite like this, and i think the darker top works well. And i would try this with either of the lower shoes in #1
#5 see comments on #1! Works great with and with out the topper

re the last picture you post with the lighter crops and striped shirt...again IMO this works and is not stumpifying. I think the v neck and the light jeans with light shoes work to create a modified column of color that helps to create long line

hope this helped
but also realize that how we feel vs what others see if not always the same.

4 years ago

Bijou

Veteran

Hi Lynn, firstly, these are nice on you, just a different colour and shape to your skinnies, which require a different approach to styling.

I would like to see these about 1.5 inches longer to give you a longer leg line. I have the Mother “The Hustler” cropped jeans, in finds and mine are quite a bit longer than your jeans. In terms of tops, I like #2, #4 and #5 best. These shirts and jacket are cut into the body and give you a nice shape.

On me, I prefer my cropped flared jeans with tucked in or cropped tops to lengthen my leg line, also wedge heels help and they don’t have to be as high as 3 inches. How I often get a shirt to the right cropped length is to wear it untucked and tie it in the front, my shirt is in finds and I would wear this with heels and cropped jeans at work.

When it comes to hot summer weather, I much prefer wide leg crops to skinnies for comfort, so whilst they may not be your favourite jeans I think they will be useful and a nice alternative to shorts.

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by Bijou

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4 years ago

cat2

Veteran

1, 4 and 5, with a semi tuck, a slimmer top, or a full tuck are really flattering. So I would suggest skipping long or voluminous toppers.

4 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Thanks for humoring me. I like 5, have no idea if that’s the “right” answer or if anyone else will. I agree with Bijou that the pants could be a bit longer. 4 is cute but looks unfinished to me.

4 years ago

Lynne

Veteran

Thankyou, Cat2 and KKards; I'll check out your posts, and try your suggestions. Monochromatic and fitted seem like good ways to begin.

Kkards, for reasons I can't explain, I prefer the sneakers, too.......maybe they draw your eye down and detract from the shorter, wider proportions of the leg?

Bijou, I love your cropped jeans, they're much less volumous than these ( see photo on my second post for original length and width). But I am inclined to agree, I probably shortened these a little too much.....I quite like raw hems so I might just unstitch these as there's a good few inches of fabric still in there.

Thankyou for looking, and for your suggestions, All, x. I think I've tried on every top and pair of shoes I own tonight :)!

4 years ago

Lynne

Veteran

I've just found this link, where Angie weighs in on Suz's cropped, wide BR jeans. I think the original length of these probably wasn't right as they don't hit the vamp of my shoe, but I have probably shortened them too much. I'll let down the hem and try again.

https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....-questions

4 years ago

Joy

Veteran

Lynne, in general I like the longer jeans on you best, especially the second picture in your second post. I also like #4 and#5 in the first post. I like the bookending of your hair with shoes and jacket in #5. It is really hard to find good full lengths right now with the sea of crops out there.

4 years ago

Anonymous

Another serial cropped jeans wearer here . My first reaction was that these are quite a bit too short. They have a capri-pant vibe which might be what you're not liking. I'm not much taller, and have that same high-hip, short waist issue, .....and I fully recognize that crops might not be my best look, but I just don't fuss over it. A true crop should stop a few inches above your ankle bone so it's the ankle that's showcased. Aerin Lauder wears cropped flared jeans like no one else, and usually with loafers or mules. She wears Frame jeans, usually. Check out some images of her to get some ideas.

4 years ago

Anonymous

For the most flattering look, especially with the wider leg, a dark top or a dark layer over light will help to create a longer line from your shoulders to mid shin.

I don't think you have to wear heels but maybe avoid a high vamp to keep that longer leg line.

4 years ago

slim cat

Veteran

I like sneakers as a comfy, modern choice of footwear in #3. Outfit #1 is fine, I'd just add a short necklace/chain to draw the eye to the top.
The length of crops could be a smidge longer.
In terms of styling - I did tie a simple white graphic tee in a small knot
( on a side almost ) with midi skirt to make it shorter and more of a cropped look and probably would try it with cropped pants as well
( very thin linen tee ). And I did get cropped graphic tee to wear just for that certain look.

4 years ago

Irina

Veteran

I agree with Lisa p, my first impression, too was that pants are too short. I’m shorter than you but all my pants are cropped Mine are 3 fingers above my ankle bone or so. Shoes wise, I like the last photo with flats. I prefer shorter tops with cropped pants and flats. With longer tops my choice would be a bit of a heel.
First and two last outfits are my favorite.

4 years ago

Lynne

Veteran

Thankyou, Ladies, and apologies for the long thread.

Slim Cat and Phoebe, thanks, I'm going to try your suggestions. I'll pop in to the stores this afternoon, they're full of shorter tops.

Irina, your cropped+ neutral+ leopard outfits are divine! Again, your cropped pants are a lot more fitted than these, and way more flattering! I've posted the original length in my second comment in the thread and I don't like them there, either?

Lisa P, you've made your denim crops work beautifully with your boots! I see yours are quite a bit longer than mine. Thanks for the tip re Aerin Lauder, I'll search Pinterest now.

4 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Lynne, SOOOOO lovely to see you! Missed you

The first silhouette is called a wide crop, and one type of cropped pant. They're a little shorter than I'd have cropped them on you, but totally cute nonetheless! And better for your hot Springs and Summers in Australia.

#1 and #5 up top work really well! Columns of colour magically pull proportions into the right place because of the vertical integrity.

#2 and #4 are good too! Shorter high contrast tops worn un-tucked are better with wide crops - (or tucked and semi-tucked tops) - because they elongate the leg line from the hips upward. My guess is that those are the conventionally flattering proportions your eyes are trying to find. An untucked shorter top will also make you feel longer in the waist.

#3 - tee is too long, which shortens the leg line.

Here are my versions for visual aid, and I am not tall (5ft 6). The hems are a little longer. 2 inches above ankle bone is my sweet spot. My tops are shorter or tucked to elongate the leg line because I never wear heels. It makes a visual difference to the leg line to my eye.

Hope that helps.

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4 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I have more to learn from this post than add, so briefly I also see these more as culotte length and think they work best with the column of color in #1 and #5. Thanks for posting, great tips above!

4 years ago

Lynne

Veteran

Apologies for the zombie thread.....I promise we will never speak of the cropped wide pants after this! I've let down the hem on the pair I'm keeping, and left it raw on one side: I love a raw edge on denim. It hits about 2" above my ankle. I've pinned the other hem, it hits about 3.5" above my ankle. For comparison, the original length is shown on the pair I can keep or return: it hits right on my ankle. WDYT?

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4 years ago

Bijou

Veteran

Well I am not much use because I like both lengths in #2, both are flattering and I like raw edge on denim too. I would go with the longer length and if you feel that it is not working, you could hem or give the hem an additional chop.

4 years ago

Lynne

Veteran

Thx, Bijou, that was my thought, too.

4 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I like both lengths in your last pix, but want the shirt to be a little shorter in the second one. That look (with the shorter pants, but longer than what you started with) tickles my fancy for sailor looks—square collar, double buttons on the pants, etc. even though it doesn’t have those details.

“Apologies for the zombie thread”
Really? I much prefer a conversation that goes over several points and where multiple people give examples of what works. It makes it much easier to understand a topic than trying to pull together snippets from here & there. This is a great thread that way.

4 years ago

Anonymous

I could see this working out really well.

In the darker color, less bare leg at the bottom makes ankle to hip look longer and makes them more versatile with different tops.

But later, when they've faded some and the fabric is thinning, you could re hem them, or not! and have really great hot weather pants that will contrast less with your skin tone and be easy to wear.

4 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Lynne, go with the raw denim edge length that’s 2 inches above ankle bone. Super cute! And we can chat about wide crops as much as you like. It’s great when we find solutions to your style challenges!

4 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You are sorted! Glad that worked out. It's not hard once you get used to it -- just a new styling technique. I think wide crops ought to be great in Australia's warm spring.

I am 5'4" and I love cropped pants. Even though I am a bit short-legged. I do find that the shape of the pant affects the length that will work, and a bit of a longer crop is better on me than a shorter crop.

3 years ago

Anonymous

Came back to acknowledge that I misinterpreted "cropped jeans" to mean the slimmer legs that I personally prefer. I have given up with wide crops - don't find them flattering on me or many others to tell the truth - and wasn't paying close enough attention here. I was taking it as a "keep or not" post - sorry !

3 years ago

Dawn

Active Member

Hi Lynne, I’m the same height as you but live on the other side of Australia! I have always admired Angie’s panache at pulling of the wide crop! I’m going to be difficult and say I like a length in between the two you’ve shown...sorry! What’s worked for me also (and I only wear flats) is choosing a pant with a higher waist, wearing my top tucked in or half tucked (this took me some getting used to but it works in terms of proportions). I know you are talking about jeans but I eased myself into this by starting with pants as these are less stiff and seem to fall better and I LOVE the ones with a flat waistband at the front and elastic at the back - I then loosen the elastic further (being an apple) so I can be comfortable! Happy experimenting- that’s half the fun!

3 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

Hi Lovely Lynne, I am 5ft2 and love a crop but I really prefer my crop length to be just above the ankle. I’m not sure how much above (as in measurement) but I like to be able to see my ankle bone. Anything shorter and I feel and look dumpy and not ‘modern’. I think the longer crop length can elongate the legs and looks more edgy. xxx

3 years ago

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