I don't understand hemming for straight leg pants.

Peri

I don't understand how they don't bunch up on top of your shoes. It seems like they have to be hemmed to ankle length, worn only with heels, or allowed to bunch up.

I've been trying some on today and rejecting all because they don't flare out enough to cover my obligatory gym shoes. So at first I'm blaming myself and my body limitations and wondering how in the world I'm going to find my PPP pants. Then I started to wonder, how does anyone wear them? They aren't slim enough to fit in boots, they would bunch up on top of any shoes, not just gym shoes, so if worn with anything other than heels they must have to be hemmed short or just pool up on top of the shoe.

Straight legs don't seem very versatile. What am I missing here that they are now so popular?

12 years ago

General

10 replies

Latest reply was from unfrumped

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

This is why I don't wear pants. I have much empathy for you. *hugs*

12 years ago

Niefern

Active Member

I find straight-leg jeans the most wearable of all! I generally have them hemmed so that they hit the ground and bunch just a little when I am standing barefoot. I wear flats or low heels, never high heels (fussy feet).

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Straight legs come in a variety of widths. Some are almost like skinnies. Others are wider. Were you trying on dress pants, Peri?

It's true that most straight legs will look a bit odd with a wide gym shoe. At least I imagine so. But lots of people wear them with flats. They are a bit like skinnies in that you can hem them so that they work with flats OR with heels, and this is a big advantage if you want to wear them both ways. If you leave a bit of length, this is called "scrunch."

Many people do tuck them into boots, too. If you don't mind a bit of bunching or slouching (and it works for some styles) then this is fine.

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Here's what Angie has to say in her summary of pants lengths:

Skinny and straight leg pants and jeans can’t skim the surface of the ground because they are tapered. Personally I like skinnies and straight leg jeans with scrunch because it adds textural interest, lengthens the leg line, and makes the item look less tight. The amount of scrunch is up to you. I also prefer trousers with tapered hems that scrunch because the effect creates a good balance between luxurious and relaxed fit.

12 years ago

Niefern

Active Member

I have just realized you asked about pants, not jeans. But I have my pants hemmed just like jeans.

12 years ago

Makrame

Veteran

Well, first of all I think they work pretty well with flats (hemmed so that there is just a bit of scrunch). Second, longer lengths look good with heels (like wedge pumps or heeled pumps).

What I find challenging is combining then with booties; if the pant opening is narrow, they just don't work. I just tried a pair of GAP real straights and loved how they fit over booties (relatively wide leg opening so that they have enough room for the shaft of the booties) but, unfortunately, they gave me a "baggy butt syndrome".

12 years ago

Beth Ann

Veteran

Men often hem pants so they have a slight "break" of the crease in the front, and then angle slightly down toward the back of the shoe. With more generous leg openings, this technique might work for you!

12 years ago

Anonymous

I like a straight leg style best with sneakers and let mine scrunch on top of the shoe. They can be different widths. The Gap Real Straights are a bit wider than most as Makrame said. You might like them as they cover more of the shoe.

12 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I think whether straight legs work for you depends on the type of shoes you wear. The shoes or boots have to fit under the hem just so. Since I mostly wear boots, I find that my boots are too bulky to go under, but can't tuck because it looks silly with the extra fabric...

12 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

I'm struggling with this. I was so excited to find several pairs of pants that are more straight but still curvy fit. I was so trying to avoid too- short pants so hemmed them a bit long and they probably bunch too much. But at least could still shorten up if needed.

12 years ago

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