Keep or Return: Wide Leg Crop vs Ankle Straight (Long) - YouLookFab Forum

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Keep or Return: Wide Leg Crop vs Ankle Straight (Long)

Lisa

Veteran

Hello.

Jenny H's recent Keep or Return: Uniqlo Items and outfit #2 (t-shirt, jeans and jacket) in Angie's blog post Outfit Formula: Tees with Personality had me thinking about PPL. It almost seems like anything goes, but I certainly remember when PPL meant 1/4" from the ground (at least with bootcut jeans) and little to no ankle scrunch (with straight legs or skinny jeans).

I was in Nordstrom recently and fell in love with the Paige Wide Leg Crop jeans in the finds. They are so incredibly soft and I have a pair of wide leg jeans in a lighter wash I've worn a lot this spring and summer, it would be nice to sport the trend come fall and winter with a darker wash.

But I already picked up the Paige Ankle Straight jeans (also in the finds) during NAS and I do not really need two pairs of Paige jeans in a blue wash.

One thing that throws me off with fits is, I am much shorter than fit models (I'm only 5'3") so what looks cropped or ankle length in a stock photo is often longer on me (which has been great, because I don't have to get pants or jeans hemmed as often since the trend went to cropped and ankle lengths).

So that brings me to the keep or return question. I'm leaning towards keeping the wide leg jeans, but I'll admit I'm not sure what hem length works anymore. Or do you just pick what you like best?

Things I'm considering for keep or return vote:

I'm not looking to replicate the fit of the hem in the stock photo, I actually prefer a longer hem, especially as the weather cools down which is when I plan to wear these jeans.
The jean must work with both boots and sneakers. I used to keep jeans and pants of different hem lengths to pair with specific shoes (for example, one for flats and another for heels/boots), but now I prefer my bottoms to be more versatile.

1. and 2. - Wide Leg with Sneakers
All my sneakers are the same height as these (I don't have any platform one's right now).

3. to 5. - Wide Leg with Boots
These are the boots I picked up during NAS and plan to wear when it's too cold for sneakers.

6. and 7. - Straight Leg with Sneakers
Same sneakers as before with the straight leg jeans. These jeans aren't as soft as the wide legs, I'm not sure why as they are both Paige denim.

8. to 10. - Straight Leg with Boots
Same boots as before with the straight leg jeans.

Thanks for looking!

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Shopping

21 replies

Latest reply was from Lisa

Jenny H

Veteran

I’m not an expert, but I think both pairs of jeans look great on you! The straight leg and the wide leg are very different from each other but each good in their own way.

And the sneakers have me (there is supposed to be a heart eyes emoji here). I have saved a couple similar pairs recently for consideration.

Lisa

Veteran

Jenny H - I agree both jeans are very different styles. I think that’s what’s making me struggle to decide who is the keeper. The wide leg is more on trend to me but the straight leg is a true classic. And for sneakers I am a big fan of them. For adidas specifically it took me a lot of trial and error to learn not all adidas are the same. Some have a wider or more narrow toe box and different levels of cushioning for the insoles. For me, the breaknet style here are a perfect fit. I adore the look of gazelles and sambas but they never fit right. Good luck sneaker shopping!

Star

Veteran

I vote keep both.

Dee

Veteran

Well if you can only choose one, I’d go with these dark wide legs, they look terrific on you, right on trend too which I don’t see subsiding anytime soon really. I feel classic straight leg jeans will always be available in some form or another.

kinnick

The wide leg pants look more like a bell-bottom to me. I have never been able to figure out a shoe that I like on me (maybe bc I am short?) with a full length flare. I prefer a barrel leg with a combat boot if I want a wider leg.

Both pairs of pants look fantastic on you. Both shoes look great with the narrower leg. Either shoe will work with the flared leg but, to my eye, are not ideal. I think you could crop the flare pant and it would be great with the sneaker but winter is coming and a bare ankle would be cold.

I am curious how you feel in the pants. I have been wearing wide legs since just before Covid and have only felt comfortable when there is a slight taper in the leg.

bella

(website)

Veteran

Keep both! Wear the wide legs with sneakers and the straight legs with boots

slim cat

Veteran

Personal preference for wider leg - looks modern and works with variety of shoe' styles ( love it on you! ). Straight leg jeans are very practical for cold and wet weather - so probably both jeans could be great investment.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

KILLER wide length pants, Lisa! LOVE them on you! Length is GREAT

Love them with the sneakers and boots! Does your new NAS hoodie work with the pink stripe sneakers too?

As far as the length goes - this is what I called "the new shorter full length". You might find these posts helpful:

https://youlookfab.com/2019/10.....ith-flats/

https://youlookfab.com/2019/12.....ith-heels/

The straight legs look great too!

Have you tried cuffing them once with the heels and sneakers? Might be super cute.

I vote keep both!

Lisa

Veteran

Star - The more I look at these photos, the more I am thinking to keep both. It's hard to find jeans that fit perfectly and these both do. Thanks for looking!

Dee - A great point about straight legs being classics and that may be easier to find in the future. Thanks for looking!

kinnick - At 5'3" I'm in the short gal camp and my legs are what make me short (I usually have to buy the short length or get bottoms hemmed but my torso fits regular sizing). I started wearing wide legs this past spring and summer (I have a summer outfit post here) and I'm really enjoying the roomy fit. I was a big fan of bootcuts and the wide leg has been a refreshing change of pace. These cropped wide legs look really fresh to my eye since they are a tad shorter than my lighter wash version.

bella - That sounds like a good plan, thanks!

slim cat - You make a great point, we have a rainy season here and the straight legs will come in handy then. That's not something I was thinking about. Thanks!

Angie - Thanks for the links, I was hoping there was a blog post I'd missed. And you wear non-PPL bottoms?! Wow the sky really is falling! And now I am too. It's amazing how time changes one's perception in fashion. I have not tried cuffing jeans yet, that's a nice idea. I'll have to try that. For the sneakers, the pink NAS items are a blue pink, the pink stripes in the sneakers are a more sour-toned pink. It's not a close match but I'll give the different pinks a try and see how they mix together.

Thanks again everyone for your help. I was only planning to keep one pair, but I think there's enough difference between the two jeans to make them both keepers. I think the wide legs will be fun to wear while our weather is still dry and when the wet days come, I'll be glad to have the straight legs.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I especially like the wide legs on you! The other pair is good too, but maybe the wide legs just look more striking.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Lisa,

I wear classic and luxurious PPL's as you know them too! Absolutely.

I am trendy with my bottoms. (Classic up top). I've found that the length of my pants depends on many variables:

the hem width
the rise length
the shoes
the silhouette

I never wear heels. I have a pair of 1.75 inch pink boots that I can walk in for two hours. Going out shoes! For the rest I wear up to one inch heels (flats). Maybe 1.25 occasionally.

I tuck or semi-tuck my tops most of the time (or wear shorter tops), and find that my legs lengthen from the hips upwards with a visible high rise. So sporting the "new shorter full length" that rests on the vamps of shoes does not shorten the leg line, IYKWIM.

I love wide pants, flares (bootcuts), barrel legs, cuffed wide cuts, and relaxed straights. In full and cropped lengths. I wear ALL the lengths. Cropped, new shorter full length, PPL's, and floor sweeping. It depends on the style of pants and jeans

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I love the wide legs on you, Lisa! Keep them! To my eye, they work with both footwear options.

The straights are also terrific on you, but as Dee, I think, mentioned up thread, they are always going to be available so if you need to choose one, go with the wide legs which are on trend. On the other hand, if you will wear both, keep both.

As someone of the same approximate height, I, too, have enjoyed the crop trend because it means I can get full length jeans sometimes without hemming. My Paige Harpers are full length on me (cropped on the model). Others that are supposed to be short crops are more ankle length on me and that works too.

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kellygirl

Veteran

Love the wide legs especially but both fit like a glove! I think you are wise to keep both!

Lisa

Veteran

Jaime - I agree, the wide leg crop are definitely a more on trend look than the classic straight. It's nice to find a few different jean styles that seem to fit well. Sometimes jean shopping is a really long process to find just one pair that fits. Thanks for looking!

Angie - I will always like the classic PPL look, it's just so elegant and never dates. There is some really nice variety in jeans/trousers/pants right now and I'm enjoying the options. I have a pair of barrel jeans on order (in the finds below) just to try the style because I'm curious. I have noticed with the wide leg jeans I already own, I favor tucking in the top or a cropped length top, something to show a little waist definition. I like to think it makes me look tall when I see my waist.

Suz - Both your wide leg bottoms looks fabulous. It's nice to see the style on someone similar to my height, thanks for sharing!

kellygirl - I think so too. Jeans can be so hard to fit it's nice when they work out. Thanks for looking!

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MsMary

Veteran

I love the wide legs!

Joy

Veteran

I am keeping to the narrower leg to keep from tripping on the stairs, as Angie says. I happens and I usually have full hands.

RobinF

Veteran

I have been wearing cropped pants for so long that I don't know where full length should hit any more. I got some jeans last year that I never wore because I couldn't figure out where to hem them! This year I will though for sure.

These both fit you great and are so different that I say, if you can, keep both. Otherwise you have to go with the wide legs - so current and fit you so well. Are the straight legs a little long? See, I really don't know how they are supposed to look.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Lisa, agree with the high elegance factor of PPLs

Yes, the leg line looks longer in an exposed high rise (with short or tucked top) - and I expect taller too. It's an effective optical illusion!

I have many pairs of barrel jeans - and LOVE them! I have TWO of the first white pair to prevent bottlenecks. Hope you like the ones you've ordered!

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Lisa

Veteran

MsMary - I agree, I am really enjoying wide legs at this leg of my style journey, they've become my bootcut jean replacement. Thanks for looking!

Joy - I haven't had any issues with tripping with wide legs, but maybe that's because they are cropped. A great point about straight legs though, because there's a lot less fabric and movement when walking. Thanks for looking!

RobinF - I found Angie's links in her earlier response in this thread helpful because I was also confused on what PPL is with today's variety in hem lengths. Here are the links:

https://youlookfab.com/2019/10.....ith-flats/

https://youlookfab.com/2019/12.....ith-heels/

Angie - What a lovely collection of barrel jeans. I'm looking forward to trying them out and will post when they come in. Thanks for sharing your collection!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I like both pairs, too. It seems we are jeans twins, Lisa, and Paige has our fit this year! I have both the ones you got at NAS, plus the ones you have on order!

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Lisa

Veteran

Firecracker (Sharan) - *high five to my jeans twin* I have high hopes the barrel jeans will work out, if you already own them and like them, since we have two other pairs of jeans that are the same. I'm honored to twin with you!