Kind of embarrasing pants question! - YouLookFab Forum

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Kind of embarrasing pants question!

chelle

My greatest fashion crime has been wearing pants that are too big. Since discovering YLF, I have been diligently trying on lots of pants and jeans in order to start finding pants that fit. I seem to encounter a little problem with downsizing...the proper size pants often seem to cause crotch chafing! When I go back to the larger size, no chafing, but too large everywhere else. I don't usually notice until I purchase the pants and them try wearing them at home for a test run.

I found a great pair of Ralph Lauren jeans today...nice higher rise, dark wash, great fit. First pair was okay, but I always try the next size down. Great fit and even the dressing room attendent complimented them, but I had a horrible feeling that they would start chafing again.

Okay...I haven't seen this issue here before. Am I the only one or am I just overly sensitive?

General

15 replies

Latest reply was from chelle

Anonymous

I think I know what you are describing. For me I am always tempted to buy larger pants than everyone recommends because the curve of my hip draws the pants up higher, and well you know what I mean, it's just not that comfy. Do you think that is your issue?

chelle

I'm wondering if it more of a curvy belly issue for me? I'm still cringing that I even asked this question!

Nicole

Veteran

Do you mean the inside of your thighs are getting chaffed? Like when you walk on the beach in wet bathing suit?

Or do you mean the inside of the pants at the thigh are getting rubbed and the fabric is pilling? (forming little balls of worn fabric).

If you are experiencing pain, then you need to find a differnt fit. If you're talking about the pants and not your skin, then I think that's relatively normal.

Anonymous

Mainly it is that clothing is made for some manequin that probably doesn't resemble the shape of a real woman. Last summer I ordered clam diggers in 2 sizes and ended up keeping the larger size which I regret now because they are baggy in the butt. It was a trade off. YLF members advised me that the smaller ones looked better but I chickened out and got the bigger size. I think now that I should have got the smaller ones and they would have relaxed with wear.
And, your question is valid, so don't cringe. Thanks for bringing it up for discussion.

chelle

Nicole, I'm talking about the point in the crotch where all of the seams are sewn together. Ouch.

San, I was wondering if the smaller size would eventually relax and stop being uncomfortable. I'm afraid I must not have much tolerance for discomfort.

Nicole

Veteran

Oh...do you find this particularly problematic with denim or thick material? If you think about the way the pants are cut from a pattern, and then folded and sewn together that center seam in the crotch could be 8 layers thick! I do notice that better quality jeans have a neater crotch seam. Also you could be long waisted, or maybe you're buying lower rise pants and wearing them higher up?

Also, do you wear thong underwear? This could irritate it even more, I imagine. I really don't think you should be embarrassed discussing this. I think it's a valid problem and one we should be able to address and remedy. CLOTHING SHOULD NOT HURT!!!!

Lena

Chelle, I know what you mean very well. I used to think it was because my curvy bottom pulled all the fabric from the crotch area.

Nicole, I noticed this in both denim and regular pants. For example, I gave up on GAP microchecks last fall because they kept digging in. Actually that's always been a problem for me with GAP bottoms. I also noticed it with some 7FAM jeans.

kbosh

I think it has to do with the curve of hips/butt/belly - whatever it may be. I tried on a pair of Theory pants today that would have fit PERFECTLY except they rode a little too high in the crotch/waist. For me it's because my hips/inseams seem longer and/or rounder than normal so the waists of pants fit higher than they should, so it pulls everything up too high.

It's just a trial and error. Figure out what aspect of your body/the pant's cut is causing the issue, and find pants without that issue. For example, I have to buy pants that don't cut in too much at the top so they can hit my body properly and let the crotch be where it is meant to be.

kbosh

Regarding San's comment that, "Mainly it is that clothing is made for some manequin that probably doesn't resemble the shape of a real woman"...

I usually ride the weight train right at the bottom of healthy BMIs, and I have a horrible time with pants being too sung in their waist areas. Last summer I lost too much weight from running, and I was basically underweight. That is the only time I didn't have a problem with the crotch binding of pants. Meaning she is SO right.

Oh - I also find it good to sit and wiggle a little in pants I am trying on in the fitting room. It gives me a good idea of whether they will be binding.

Maya

Veteran

Hm, could you be long in the rise? I am wondering because you have mentioned wanting a higher rise in the past. I find that when I'm in lowrise jeans, I am constantly trying to yank them up farther than they can go because they do not give me enough coverage in the back, and it can be uncomfortable because they simply can't go up any higher.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

It sounds like you need a higher rise, Chelle. (You are very cute!)

chelle

You have all made me feel so much better about asking this! I do have this issue with denim and regular pants so the search continues. It must be a combination of the cut and rise combined because a few higher rise pants do this to me. DKNY jeans for example!

shiny

Veteran

There's a whole series of blogs about this issue on Fashion Incubator:

http://www.fashion-incubator.c.....l_toe_pt2/

The upshot is that it's a goof in the mass manufacturing process.

Anonymous

I got lost in the Fashion Incubator site. I had to forward it to others who I think will find it interesting. Thanks Shiny.

chelle

I didn't even know there was a term for it! Thank goodness for this site!