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Jeans fit issue- legs vs. waist fit

Megan

Hi all,

I wanted to ask your advice about brands of (premium denim) jeans that might fit me better. I had a great collection of jeans that are now too tight in my legs I've been doing lots of weight training and yoga so my leg muscles are bigger BUT my waist has also slimmed down.

My regular size is a 24 and the waist still fits well (the tush is a little tight but wearable) but the legs are too tight causing them to pull across my thighs.

I nearly cried when I realised that my expensive jeans collection is now almost all unwearable

Any suggestions for brands/cuts? I prefer skinnies, straight leg or boot cut jeans (my jeggings are the only ones that still fit because of the amount of stretch)

Dressing

17 replies

Latest reply was from amyreh

Auburn

Veteran

Megan,

I tend to put my weight (muscle and otherwise) in my thighs (vs. bum or waist), so I can relate to your problem. The key, I've learned, is jeans with STRETCH in them--at least 2% lycra. Most premium denim offers stretch in at least a couple of their styles and that has been enormously helpful in getting something that doesn't pull across my thighs but doesn't gap at my waist.

Some brands that I've come back to over the years:
-Citizen of Humanity: many stretch styles here and I think even their straight/skinny jeans tend to be a bit more generous through the thighs than, say, Rock and Republic or J. Brand (except for the J. Brand leggings--because of all that stretch!). Definitely my go-to brand.
-Paige Premium: these are a bit more hit or miss for me, but the Hidden Hills have worked out great, though I've had to size up.
-Joe's: like COH, they aren't cut super straight through the legs and so they've been a good option.
I just purchased these (in the dark wash) for spring and loved the way they fit:
http://www.anthropologie.com/a.....ubCategory

Finally,
-Raven: these are a bit harder to find, but I had a boutique shop owner recommend them to me when I complained about thigh fit and the one pair I have continues to fit beautifully (though my weight has gone up and down).

taylor

Veteran

stick with your true size 24, but try a curvy fit denim.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I wish I could give you some good advice, but I'm struggling with the exact same thing. I don't think my new running regime is doing much to make my thighs smaller, even though my pants are getting slightly bigger in the waist.

If I find anything promising, I'll let you know.

Steph

Veteran

Megan, I have very muscular legs, so I feel your pain. I recently discovered Hudson jeans, which I am loving right now. The ones I have are called the supermodel. I know they are sold at Nordstrom.

I'm also a fan of Joe's, and have had success with both their Honey and Muse styles.

The other solution would be to size up to a 25 in the brands you already like, and then have the waist altered slightly.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'd pop you into J. Brand, Megan. Or True Religion. Try a size 24 and adjust the waist and length.

KristineK

I agree w/ Auburn re: trying to find styles with stretch in them. I think Earnest Sewn may still make a nice pair of bootcuts (containing stretch) which is a little more generous in the thighs than some of the other premium brands. I also recently tried a pair of Habitual bootcuts (once again with stretch in them) which fit nicely in the hips/waist but weren't skintight in the thighs. (for reference, I don't think I have super-muscular thighs, but I used to be a gymnast and did some bodybuilding (!) a few years back, so I've found my thighs are a little large compared to the rest of my frame)

Lisa

Veteran

I'm a fan of Joe's and Hudson's for my thicker legs. Also Gap perfect boot and always skinny seem to work well too.

Megan

There's a jeans outlet place pretty close to my house- I'm going to head there and try on a few of the brands recommended

Megan

Well, the jeans outlet was a bust. I found one pair of Paiges that I love (Jimmy- it's a straight leg) but it ran HUGE and I could pull off the 24 easily without undoing the buttons

The Hiddens Hills fit in the tush and waist but were too tight in the legs.

No JBrand in my size which is a shame and only embellished True Religions which are not my thing at all.

Scarlet

Veteran

I can commiserate with this. I had this problem as well when I was doing regular weight-training. I had to yank my pant legs back down over my thighs when I stood up from a sitting position--very chic. At the same time my butt shrank, so sizing up would not work. I would say that my Citizens are a little more forgiving in the thigh, and my J Brands are the most adaptable to weight fluctuations in general due to their stretch, even though I would not say the thighs are cut generously.

Both Ravens and Hudsons have tiny rises in my opinion, so maybe they would work well for you. Raven trousers are sold hem-to-length (last time I checked), so it might be perfect.

Sorry you didn't have any luck today

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

True Relgion Billys (straight leg). Mine have sufficient room in the thighs. Perfect fit in the waist. They have a slightly looser fit in the leg overall that I really like.

ALL of my 7 For All Mankind fit properly in the thigh. I do have to put up with some looseness in the waist, but I wear a belt or Invisibelt to remedy that.

I have had the biggest problem with thigh tightness in J Brand jeans. I have to go up a size for them to fit in the thigh and rear, making them too big in the waist. They feel like they are cut for rectangles not hourglasses like me.

Don't own any Joe's or Hudson but tried them on a few weeks ago and am regretting not buying them!

Megan

I just snagged a pair of Joes NWT on ebay for a steal in my size in a shorter inseam (32 which I think will be perfect for me which should also get rid of the need to hem making it cheaper overall). Hopefully they will fit ok! The seller does offer returns so that is also an option if they don't work out.

lisaflex

Veteran

i have big things and semi big hips. i usually buy a size up to fit the thighs and have the waist and butt taken in.

i have had good luck w/ David Kahn and Joes Muse.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I also like my True Religion Billy but find my black skinny J Brand's particularly tight in the thighs. Never worn Joes or Hudson.

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Aw tough one Megan. I have no good advice other than to suggest this may take a bit of trial an error (a pain from Australia). Is placing a big order from shopbop with the plan to return the ones that don't work an option?

Sara

(website)

I have the same issues with fit but don't have the budget for expensive jeans. The brands I've had the most luck with are Express (bonus: they come in long and short lengths) and believe it or not, Forever 21. I also have the least amount of "bagging out" after an hour or so of wear with my Forever 21 jeans. Some (cheaper) brands to stay away from in my experience (if you have the issue with thigh tightness/waist looseness): Gap, Old Navy and American Eagle.

amyreh

(website)

Veteran

I'm a big fan of my Citzen's Ava's - they are a straight/slim leg and have some stretch to them - my other suggestion would be to just focus on getting the legs to fit, and then have them taken in at the waist - an easy alteration