Hemming the raw edge - YouLookFab Forum

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Hemming the raw edge

BrieN

Veteran

Has anyone taken up the leg on a pair of raw edge or especially on a pair of "let out hem" cropped jeans? I am enamored with that look, but am thinking the inseam would be 1" or 2" too long for me (the length could fall into an awkward territory just above the ankle). I have looked a bit for petite versions of a let-out hem - would love to know if anyone has seen those.

Usually my tailor/dressmaker preserves the original hem on my jeans by shortening the spot right above the hem (and the seam blends into the hem folding), but I don't know if you could do that if there's no hem.

I did let out the hem on a pair of older shorter cropped jeans a few weeks ago and the hem and leg look is darling, but the rise on those old pants is much lower than I want to be wearing these days.

Current/Elliott 'The Cropped Straight' Let Out Hem Jeans (Loved)

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19 replies

Latest reply was from Brooklyn

Ginger

Veteran

I don't see why it couldn't be done, especially if your tailor is used to preserving the original hem. The major difference is that you'll have a seamline and some associated extra thickness, which isn't present in "let out hem" jeans. But if done well, it should be nearly invisible.

Colette

Veteran

I think you can do it or have it done. I've shortened a pair of jeans myself, keeping the original hem, as an experiment and I think shortening these would be much easier.

Keix

Veteran

Please let me know how it turns out if you try it! I love the let-out hem look but I need a 23-24" cropped inseam and I haven't found any petite options yet. My usual tailor is great but very pricey (e.g. taking in the waist on a pair of jeans was impeccably done but cost $40) so I'm leery of trying an alteration that may or may not look right with the extra hem weight/bulk.

The pair you linked to is from Nordstrom, which does offer free alterations if you're a cardholder, so maybe a less risky way to try?

viva

Veteran

I think KL has a great idea! I hope you try. These are so great. (So great, in fact, that I stole the Find.)

BrieN

Veteran

It is unnerving to consider buying a $200 pair of jeans knowing that the necessary alteration might wreck them... I'm a newbie here, but have heard very good things about Nordstrom. If I did have Nordstrom hem them and they ended up looking dorkus would Nordstrom take them back?

Brooklyn

Veteran

I have some shaggy/raw hem flared jeans and I had them taken up preserving the original hem. I got the tailor to simply fold up the fabric and sew a line above the shaggy hem (no cutting). Worked a treat. As Ginger said, it does lead to a slightly thicker hem than the original undone look.

BLANKNYC Blank NYC Skinny Bell Bottom Flare Jeans With Raw Hem

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BrieN

Veteran

Brooklyn: those jeans are gorgeous -- I would love to see how you wear them in a WIW.

Did you wash and dry the jeans before you hemmed them to get them to shrink?

My straight leg "cropped" pants came in the mail and they are likely too long but they are so cute and so comfortable that I've been wearing them around with the thought that I should probably launder them before I get them hemmed. Any thoughts on this very appreciated.

catgirl

Veteran

I just bought these too and was debating the same thing... These are about 1.5" too long on me as crops, yet short to wear as ankle pants (Aida has them and they are a perfect ankle length on her). I am debating whether to hem or just give up on this look.

BrieN

Veteran

I guess the root of my problem is that I don't know how short the crops are really supposed to be. I know someone said 3" (from what? the top of the ankle bone?) but would that hold for a shorter person? but wouldn't it depend on how long your legs are?

alaskagirl - you sound pretty confident about that 1.5 inches. how did you figure that out?

Aida

Veteran

Brie, definitely wash and let dry a few times before taking for hemming. As AG said I have the lighter wash pair of these and am just wearing as ankle pants for now since I don't have the higher shaft footwear for the more cropped length

Una, they're not quiiiite "ankle length". On me that would be just on or at the top of my ankle, these actually sit above my ankle maybe a half inch. So they're an even nerdier ankle length than the usual kind! If I ever find the footwear for them I'll probably take them up 2.5". I wear my normal booties with them for now, are yours too short to do something similar with?

EDIT: Ok just kidding, they're normal ankle length. I was thinking of different jeans!

As for the right length for these, in general you'll want them to be 2-3" above your ankle bone. If you're very long legged you could go further, and if you're very short legged you'd go less. Optically you want proportions similar to what Angie's got in these outfits [1 | 2]. The first looks about 3" up above the ankle, and the second closer to 2.5".

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catgirl

Veteran

I folded them under. They need to be hemmed the length of the let-out part. Oh the irony!

And Aida, yes! I think my legs are just slightly longer than yours somewhere.

Aida

Veteran

Yes they are definitely longer somewhere (about an inch right?) -- probably through the thigh, I think that's my short spot. I still think these could be hemmed by detaching the whole bottom section and moving it up, just like how they do "original hem" style hemming for jeans.

BrieN

Veteran

Thank you Aida - that is great information -- and the photos are hugely helpful. I somehow missed the ones of Angie and those Topshop boots. I think, just to be sure I'm getting the right height, that I'm going to have to purchase those boots.

Right there with you alaskagirl. At this point I need the pants to be about 2" shorter to be crops. I'm tempted to leave them long for a while until I get the newness off and the nerve up to hem them. I wore them today as kind of ankle pants and they made me very happy. I will let you know if I take the leap.

Aida

Veteran

Brie I am actually debating just leaving mine alone because they work so well for me as an ankle pant. I've got other cropped flares that I can take for hemming!

catgirl

Veteran

It's the shoe struggle that is stumping me - because the shoe height changes the length...

Aida

Veteran

Right. These need the "higher shaft ankle booties" or ankle strap footwear with a very high strap (the kind that goes over the ankle), which I have none of hence not being inspired to go hemming I think you do though, yes? If you have the specific footwear you want to wear with them I'd say just hem to whatever looks good with those.

catgirl

Veteran

Well, it depends on whether they will be summer or winter wear! You have pretty consistent footwear heights and a good sense of proportion, unlike me. I don't have a natural instinct for how to wear these - am studying your pics closely!

Aida

Veteran

Hm I'd say hem for winter wear. You can get away with showing more skin for summery looks!

Brooklyn

Veteran

Brie, I did wash my jeans before taking them up - in case they shrank. Only once though. A shaggy/undone hem is fun. I can see why you would want to keep it.
I have also heard about 2 inches above the ankle bone for crops.
BTW If you click on the "i" symbol on the find below you can see "mentioned in 3 conversations" and that will take you through to the wiws I have posted wearing my jeans (which are flares of course). Too hot for them here right now

BLANKNYC Blank NYC Skinny Bell Bottom Flare Jeans With Raw Hem

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