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Help with pants fit?

Helen11

Veteran

I want to update my work pants, so have ordered a few pairs online. These pairs "fit" in that they do up, but the front of the pockets stick out in a weird way. If I hitch the pants up a bit it smooths out.
Taking the photos has made the K/R decision easy!
What I'd like to know is how can I improve the chance of a good fit when ordering on line?

About me: short, shortwaisted, supposedly hourglass, wider on the outside of thighs.

The pants: Dorothy Perkins "straight " UK/AU 10
From The Iconic
The fit issues are much easier to see on the black dot pair.

Thank you in advance for your thoughts

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Dressing

29 replies

Latest reply was from Helen11

Beth Ann

Veteran

Firstly, it's the pants -- not you! You look great!

Pockets are of the devil, in general. It doesn't take much to make a pocket pull on a 3D body!

I'm hoping that some Aussies comment, since I don't know your brands, but I find that just shopping for the lines and styles that "get me" makes the difference. Even though you're quite slim, you might try a pant marketed as a "curvy" fit, just in a small size. It would have a little bit more room in the high high area -- where the pocket it. Of course, you don't need more room in the thigh area (and curvy fits can be quite generous there, too). I think this is why, in the US, Banana Republic has 4 different fits in their pants.

Anonymous

Yes, those are the wrong cut for your body. Bad pants! I usually try to avoid those kind of pockets because they always do that to me.

Diana

Veteran

It is the pockets, not you or even the fit of the rest of the pant. That typical trouser pocket design is the devil when it comes to anything other than a super straight hip. What I do is look for pants with a more "jeans" style pocket, where it comes in more horizontally, or with a zippered pocket. As a last resort you can sew the pockets closed (but then of course you cannot use them as pockets.)

Ginger

Veteran

It's definitely the pocket design. I also echo Beth Ann's advice. On the side view of the black dot pants, you can see how the side seam curves suddenly to the back, then below the pocket it straightens out again. That means the pants don't have enough room in the back for you, so material is pulling from the front (where you don't have a tummy). This pocket design enables the pulling, too. I've always had a lot more booty than tummy, and sizing up doesn't fix this problem; sizing up just adds more room in the tummy as well. But a "curvy" fit tends to allow more hip room.

kkards

Veteran

i'm no expert, but one sentence made me think...
If I hitch the pants up a bit it smooths out
I wonder if you actually need the waist taken in....maybe the pants are riding to low because the waist is to big.

unfrumped

Veteran

Possibley what kkards said, but mostly it's the pants style--not right for you.
I have this problem all the time.

I used to assume I needed pants pockets, but since all fits are sleeker nowadays, I can't rely on them for carrying anything anyway, so I have learned that front pockets are the enemy of the best pant fits.

I look for:
no pockets OR
designs like Diana said OR
if they lie flat as-is sewn shut in the store, I leave them shut.

But, at a minimum you may need a curvier hip style.

catgirl

Veteran

This happens to me with this style of pants, and I have NO hips. I think sewing the pockets shut can help, but I can sometimes feel the strain of the seam. I find that low-rise chino styles are the worst offenders for me in this regard.

Dee

Veteran

I've got a similar shape and this happens to me all the time. I try to avoid those types of pockets, keep them seen shut, or look for pants with a higher rise so they don't need to be pulled up as frequently.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Ginger's analysis is spot on. I would look for options made in a curvy cut.
And yes, it's the pants, not you. It's a wonder any pants fit any of us off the rack, given all the differences in body shapes and the fact that all ready-to-wear clothes are made to fit dress forms.

Diana

Veteran

So, I should add, a higher rise/curvy cut does fix some of the pocket problems because the pocket can sit higher, away from the widest point of the hip. However, for me a true high rise is a bigger deal breaker than wonky pockets, and almost all curvy cuts have higher rises than I like. They accentuate my short waist and pearishness, neither of which I want, plus I find them uncomfortable.

Banoffi

Veteran

Do you have a tailor you can take the pants to? He or she will be able to tell you if it's a fit issue. Maybe you just need the waist taken in a bit? The tailor can also sew the pockets shut or remove them so they don't stick out. I had to do both of these things to many of my pants.

Anonymous

I have the very same issue with slant side pockets. It's the length of the rise that exacerbates the issue - as you noticed when you hitched up the pants. I actually prefer this type of pant to hang off the hip like a true menswear trouser , rather than be up around my waist, so I tend to wear them bigger, and then the pocket lies flatter. But fitted like yours? Same thing happens to me. I also find it more flattering on the tummy (mine, anyways) ( and such a dumb word, but what else do we call it?) when they sit down a little lower and looser.

Anonymous

I'm curvy, and some pants have that pocket pulling problem. You need pants that are cut for curvy gals. Also, doing without pockets altogether is best.

MsMaven

Veteran

Does it help if you wear a belt to hold them even? I usually have to wear a belt with jeans to keep them level so they hang right.

Taffy

I learned from Tanya on this forum about sewing pockets shut. I've had a few that I liked other than that pocket gap. And an added bonus, it removes some fabric to leave a little more room for my hips. If it doesn't help with these, it's a tip that could come in handy down the road.

Helen11

Veteran

Thank you so much everyone. I do appreciate your comments and suggestions. It's nice to know I'm not the only one that this happens to.

So, to summarise
*these 2 pairs are no good for me (no problem, free returns, I'll keep looking before I add alterations to the cost)
* look for a 'curvy fit'. I will see what I can find. I haven't noticed this in Australian stores so far. Suggestions for brands appreciated.
* watch the pockets. Try for more slanted or horizontal, or no pockets. (No pockets?! Might take some getting used to)
* consider sizing up, and or having waistband taken in.

Helen11

Veteran

Very kind of you all to reply while I was sleeping

BethAnn, I would love to find a brand that "gets me". I can see a lot more try- ons in my future.
Xtabay, Bad Pants made me laugh : )

Ginger, thank you for your detailed review of the issues. If I sized up, I think the waist would be way too big, and the legs much looser than I want in this pair.

Diana, I can see now to avoid this style of pockets. If I'm shopping online then I'll look for good photos or product descriptions to help. I don't really like a high rise, either. Like LisaP, I generally prefer the fit to be lower on my tummy (that's what I've always called it!) as it's more comfortable than my 'waist' which is above the curviest bit.

AG, Dee, bettycrocker, unfrumped and Tafffy I used to keep lots of things in my pockets, in my previous jobs. I do have a couple of pairs of pants without pockets, (they fit well, surprise!) and can cope with those, so might have to live without pockets more often.

Ms Maven, I had thought about a belt, too, though it didn't help with this pair.

Banoffi and kkards, with these ones, I think the alterations would cost more than the pants! But it's good to be reminded that most of us don't have a perfect fit off the rack (thanks, Firecracker) and that some simple alterations like sewing pockets shut, can help a great deal.

Luckily I ordered more than just those pants, and I had success with some other items, which I'll put in another post.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Helen, commiserations on the pants. I have not seen curvy brands in Australia either. I would look for pants with no pockets or with zip pockets. I think they might be more flattering and easier to find

Anonymous

I forgot to mention size zippers. I like curvy fit pants that have side zippers.

Tanya

Veteran

it is the pants, not you, and you have gotten some good advice. These types of pockets are best avoided, they look worse on me then on you. If I really like the pants otherwise I just have a tailor sew them shut and remove excess fabric.

Helen11

Veteran

Brooklyn, that was my fear about curvy fits. I might be back to Rockmans and Katies. I don't need statement pants for work, just a flattering fit.
Bettycrocker I had some side zip pants many years ago. I'll keep that style in mind, too.
Thanks, Tanya. I don't love these pairs enough to keep them. It's good to have other options in future, though.

JAileen

Veteran

If they look better hitching them up, then altering them by taking in the waist as kkards suggested, is essentially making them a curvy fit. If that fit isn't available in Australia, then it seems your option is to alter pants like this. It's true, though, that the problem is the pants, not you. I have problems like this with nearly all pants.

Helen11

Veteran

Thanks, JAileen. I learned 'it's not you, it's the clothes' here at YLF.
I don't think I am very curvy, so I hope I can find a better brand or style for me without needing alterations. Commiserations on you having this issue too.

Anonymous

Helen11, I don't think of myself as being overly curvy, either; but I need curvy fit pants.

Helen11

Veteran

Bettycrocker, that's good to know. I don't think we have much in terms of Australian stores that do multiple 'fits' . I consider myself lucky when there is a Short length in pants, or a couple of things in a Petite section.
I will keep in mind that alterations can be done......and I'll keep on looking. : )

JAileen

Veteran

I'm curvy in the sense that my waist to hip ratio is smaller than normal, not that I'm fat, although I am fat. But this was a problem even when I was very very slim. Anyway, that's why the waists are usually too big. I started wearing Angie recommended Levi's curvy fit jeans for daily wear and am a MUCH HAPPIER camper. They actually fit!

Gaylene

Veteran

One tip about fitting pants I learned during my tailoring course was to pay attention to the lines of the wrinkles. My instructor was fond of saying "follow the wrinkle to the problem".

If I was custom fitting your pants, I'd release the side seam at the hip/pocket area until the side seam was a straight vertical line along the entire length of the leg. I'd also alter the front to back curve by releasing a smidge of fabric on the upper inside leg seam (probably front and back) so the inner pant leg also fell in a straight line. Both are easy fixes IF there is enough fabric on the seam allowances. .

The real problem, of course, is most women's mass-market pants don't have sufficient seam allowances to make these minor, but ever so important, adjustments. Today's manufacturers save money by skimping on seam allowances and relying on the stretch component of the fabric to "fit" the pant to all the curves and variations in a female body. With just those couple of extra millimeters, though, pants shopping would be much less frustrating and women could avoid having to use "hacks" like sewing pockets shut.

OK, climbing off my soapbox now.

Gigi

Veteran

Early on in my fashion journey, I read that pants with pockets like this should be avoided if you're not straight up and down. So I think if you're ordering online, the best thing would be to avoid this style entirely.

Helen11

Veteran

Good to hear you have found what fits you well, JAileen .

Gigi, seems that advice applies to me, too : )

Gaylene, thank you for your detailed information. I can't really sew, therefore don't think about garment construction in the same way. You're right that these items don't have any seam allowance to use! I'm a mass -market shopper at the moment...something else to think about.