How would you hem these shorts? ETA Pics of the result - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

How would you hem these shorts? ETA Pics of the result

Astrid

Veteran

I got these as a replacement for my navy shorts that are much too big now. They won't play a big part in my everyday summer wardrobe, but I always like to have at least one pair of shorter shorts for holidays, super hot days etc. I got these secondhand for almost nothing. They are a rather unflattering length (just over the knee) and definitely need some hemming. I thought a stitched down cuff would be nice - I don't like the messy look of just rolling them up.

I'm only wondering if this length and the width of the cuff look alright? Would you go longer or shorter? Or change the width of the cuff?
Thanks.

ETA

Got them back today - they did a perfect job (and for only 5€)!

This post has 4 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Dressing

23 replies

Latest reply was from Astrid

donnat

Veteran

Those shorts look really cute at that length. I like the cuff.
You could go an inch shorter if you felt like it. You have nice legs and could easily carry it.

crutcher

Veteran

I would go for the shorter...and the same width cuff...You said you needed shorts for hot weather..I wish you were here and I could take you to my tailor..She does some magic with a pants hem that the original is the new hem...If that makes sense...I think she cuts it or something...
All of this good advice coming to you courtesy of someone who puts hems in with scotch tape...smile...

Greyscale

Veteran

Cute, classic shorts! I like them at this length but I'm always conservative about shorts length. You could certainly go an inch shorter if you want.

So you're thinking of a rolled, stitched cuff, or do you want a new hem with no roll? I like the way they look here. Since the leg tapers and the fabric bunches up a little bit under the roll (for a casual rolled look), I'm not sure you could stitch it flat, but you could tack the roll in place to keep them that way. Just thinking out loud - I'm sure you've got various solutions in mind.

Alassë

Veteran

I like them like this (different versions would look good too, I'm sure).

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks everyone! These are roughly 4.5"/5" inseam length and I'm not sure I want to go shorter. Especially because the back pockets would dissapear in the cuffs if I go very short!

Crutcher, I think I'm going to take them to my alteration lady too. I sometimes hem pants myself, but with the cuff I fear the legs might get wonky if I do it myself.

Greyscale, I cuffed them inside for the pics and then rolled them once. If you roll them starting uncuffed you get some very bulky cuffs. I think you need to cut off some length to work with them - I thought you could then roll the cut off legs and stitch them down. I think the shorts look strange without a cuff, so basically I want a permanent one and wouldn't roll the shorts at all afterwards.

Aida

Veteran

I like this length, but would opt for another inch up myself (I like more "committed" shorts lengths, particularly for roomy/fluid pairs).

EDIT: Just saw your comment about the pockets. This length is good

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Aida! I think a tad shorter than is shown in the picture is definitely possible. I just need to remember to have a look at the back in the end.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

I like the length. And they certainly look like great summer shorts. Yes, I think cutting off the length and then rolling once to stitch like that will remove bull and create a neat line too.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Aarghhh--- remove bulk and create a neat line. I hate auto-check!

KikiG

Veteran

Hemming shorts is trickier than hemming pants. I hemmed some for my son and didn't enjoy it. Those are very cute at the length you've rolled them, and I like the idea of preserving the roll and having your person tack the roll.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Maneera! Yes, I think it's going to look neater - I definitely want that.

Thanks Kiki! I agree, I'm better off going to the expert.

annabelle

Veteran

Have you considered no cuff? Just thinking out of the box for another clean look without the bulk of a cuff.

I just created a pair of ... crops?... by hacking off some men's jeans, and we didn't hem them at all, just kept the raw edge.

I got the idea from the shorts below. (those are from shopbop)

I actually just love my hacked offs. I haven't seen anyone wearing this look except one blogger we stumbled onto.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Dani Mid Rise Relaxed Bermuda Shorts

Sale

View Info

Top Pick

2

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I like the length! I was always been more into medium-length shorts, though, even when I was younger. But this look seems in keeping with your style, as in, classic and flattering.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Annabelle! I did, but honestly I don't think it looked as nice without a cuff. And I don't think just hacking them off would fit with the style of the shorts. For distressed denim, maybe... And I don't want them to look too casual. My outfits are casual enough as it is, with my tees and sandals. I also don't think the cuff will very bulky if the length is cut off and it's then cuffed and stitched and ironed down.

Thanks Sharan!

Aquamarine

Veteran

IMO this length is perfect. Sometimes an inch or two shorter can make the legs too tight, which isn't obvious until you sit down and they ride up a bit. I do like the cuffs, too.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Aquamarine! I dropped them off for alterations an hour ago. Hopefully they will turn out just like I wanted.

tulle

Veteran

Please show us the finished product when you get them back--I love engineer-stripe pants, and shorts seem like an even better idea!

Astrid

Veteran

Bumping to show the end result of alterations. They're a lot more stylish now than they were to start with, that's for sure. They cost me 8€, alterations included.

Alassë

Veteran

Wonderful!

Sara L.

Veteran

The new length looks great. I hope you enjoy them this summer.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Alasse and Sara.

Aida

Veteran

They turned out great Astrid! I like the length, juuuust a little shorter than what you showed originally. Super length on you. Did you get the waistband altered as well? The whole fit overall looks quite a lot better now.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Aida! You're right, I did pin them a tad shorter and it turned out great. I only had the legs altered, didn't do anything else. Might be some small weight fluctuations causing a bit of a different look, there are always some small changes from week to week.