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More cropped wide leg questions -- help requested!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

So, I am on the hunt for wide leg crops. I'd like a pair in dark wash denim and/ or a pair in linen or some other summery fabric, maybe chambray. Here's my dilemma. Because I'm short legged and crops can be challenging for me to wear without careful styling -- plus, wide-legs can be a bit overwhelming to my frame -- ideally I'd like a higher rise, but I'm worried that is going to prove impossible.

Here's why: I'm long in the rise for my height/ size.

High waisted jeans often give me a "wedgie". I'm having flashbacks!! This was my constant frustration back in the 80s and now that the higher rises are coming back it looks to be happening again. A mid rise seems more "adjustable" somehow, or at any rate, I've never had this problem with any mid or low rise pant. (A low rise can occasionally be too low, and was also "leg shortening" to my body type, but that is a different issue.

I ordered these great GAP high rise wide legs in my regular size and a size up (even though people said they fit large). Guess what? Not on me. The problem is, you guessed it, the rise, which isn't quite long enough in either size. If I size up any more, they will be too big all over.

To describe the fit problem more specifically -- they fit in the waist/ hip. They fit in the bum (from side to side, if that makes sense). It is from the waist to the crotch point that they feel "grabby" and uncomfortable. They look (and generally feel) okay in the front. You would never know there was a problem, looking straight on. But the back rise feels awful. I have very bad memories of wearing pants like this all the time in the 80s -- now I remember why I wore skirts all the time back then when I could!!

So, does this mean I should simply stick to a mid-rise? J. Crew has a cute chambray mid-rise version I could try, for instance. Or I could order the ones LisaP found (though I'd rather not have black).

Another possibility -- more voluminous ones might work...I used to get a better fit sometimes with pleated trousers back in the 80s or ones that had more drape, or maybe some elastic in the waist for adjustability up and down on the body -- I don't need it for the width but for where the pant sits on me vertically.

Anybody have thoughts? If you are also long in the rise have you had success with this style yet?

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20 replies

Latest reply was from verdant

Sheryl

It may seem counterintuitive, but you may want to try the Tall versions of styles if they are available, and have them shortened if needed. I find that some Talls (Gap and J Crew) do have a longer rise, in addition to more length.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Now that is an interesting option! I had not thought of that. I'd have to hem anyway, so it wouldn't matter from that perspective. I don't think those Gap ones come in a tall, but what a great idea. Thanks, Sheryl!

Tanya

Veteran

I have just received this style from Loft and I adore them (could post pics tonight). The rise is high, but not too high, and they fit me perfectly in 0. As you know, I have both very long rise, and waist, and torso :). I also love the lack of pockets and side zipper, makes them look much sleeker than zipper front versions.
The only thing is, the material is a little on the heavier side ( similar to BR Sloans and J Crew Teddies), but that makes the drape really nice.

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Greyscale

Veteran

You and I have similar figures. The Gap ones were ok on me in the very lightweight black denim - but definitely fit as a mid rise not high, so I know what you mean.

I just bought some Everlane wide leg pants that fit me better than the Gap ones and go up to my real waist without tightness. I'll report back once I get the package - I tried them on in the store but very briefly.

But I like your idea of a lighter fabrication than denim. I'll watch people's suggestions with interest.

Anonymous

Have you checked Aritzia? I seem to remember some pleat-front wide leg crops.....but that's only a vague recollection. I also haven't bought anything there in quite awhile either - they are stuck on such a specific look and there is rarely anything new and interesting .

Re: the BR pants I bought - i wore them yesterday , and all through the workday (in and out of the car, sitting at my desk etc) and into the early evening for a drink with a friend. They really didn't crease much at all, and are probably the most comfortable pant I have worn in ages. I can't speak to your rise issues because I have my own problems there

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

"Grabby" is a good word. I would have said, "the privates aren't happy", but grabby is dead right.

(Personally, I think you will drown in Talls because the hip width will be in the wrong place).

You can try mid-rise. But you know - I am SHORT in the rise for my height, so the opposite of you - and wide crops can feel grabby on me with whatever length rise. I think it's more of a hip-thigh-fabric fit that causes the grabbiness. I vote persevere with softer fabric and a different hip fit.

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Greyscale

Veteran

Oh and I was also going to suggest tall sizes. Gap talls only go down to a 4, fyi.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ah...

Okay. Well, you are all a fund of knowledge. Greyscale, that is fantastic about the Everlanes. Please do keep me posted. Those worked on La Pedestrienne, too, and her body type is also similar. They now ship to Canada!!! My only issue is going to be fit -- I won't be able to try on so it will be a nail biting experience since I'll then have to pay for shipping back, etc. plus whatever other associated costs there are. I really love their essential-type items, though, (silk tops and such and sweaters) and would be happy to shop with them.

Angie, that is sooooo interesting!! So the "grabby" feeling is not just due to the rise! Hmmmm. I am glad you think a softer fabric might work. I'll try a few. It costs me nothing to order some from Zara. The options right now are polyester, which is too hot for my summer, but worth trying nonetheless.

LisaP, that is great about your new pants!! They also come in royal blue, I see. I am completely, 100% with you on Aritzia!! I went in there the other day and had exactly the experience you describe. I just felt like they had been doing the same thing forever and it is not working for me. But you are right, also, that they do occasionally stock a looser crop of some kind. I'll take another look.

Tanya, thank you so much! The Loft ones might be an option also. It helps to know they work on your long rise. I will check them out.

It sounds like I will be sized out of talls at Gap. So that option won't work.

Anonymous

I think mid rise is a good option and I like Angie's softer fabric idea. I like those chaps she posted. Good luck.

Anonymous

The Aritzia site isn't enabled for finds, but I did have a quick look and found quite a few pair of cropped wide legs! Including a cute looking athletic-type pair. Check it out when you have a moment.

MTBGirl

Veteran

https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....s-ensemble

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, Lisa -- will do!

Donna, I love that outfit so much. The Rayners are all gone, alas, at least in my size. I tried in store, too.

MTBGirl

Veteran

Sorry Suz, I've been having problems on my computer lately, I meant to say:

The J Crew Raynor Jean is fantastic and is high-rise. I've attached a link to my post from my first wearing. I'm wearing them again today. You might want to try them. I also tried on a pair at Gap, I think they were called super-high-rise. They were awesome, just way too long. I'm long torso, long rise, short legs. The Gap ones in the find are about the same but not as high rise.

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Donna, the Rayners are gone (at least in Canada). Can't get them in my size, alas.

The Gap are the ones that don't work on me -- not long enough in the rise.

Tanya

Veteran

Suz, I haven't decided on this yet, but I have dark wash trouser Rayners that Angie has in two sizes (25 and 26) and am likely to return them both, as I am not the biggest fan of how the pockets look on my hips. I am going to post photos of both pairs on me in about a week, when Angie gets back from her trip, for her and forum input. If the decision is indeed to return them both, I can send one or both to you instead if interested. They were pretty cheap at around $35 each, I think.

Staysfit

Veteran

I recently tried a slightly different high rise crop from JCrew. It was made out of a woven twill material. The rise was long enough for me in the tall size. I decided to return. They were a very pretty pale blue, which I thought would be nice, but when I looked through my wardrobe, I had a hard time finding the right tops to coordinate.

They also seemed very stumpifying. I think the wider the pants, the more they need to be cropped if your legs are proportionally short. My legs may seem long, but in vertical proportion to the rest of me they are short. My rise is long. I believe the rest of my vertical measurements are proportional. The inseam on these were 27 or 28 inches, which is typically a good length for my crops, but they looked silly and stumpifying at that length. I needed to roll under at least 4 additional inches which allowed enough of my leg and calf to show to make them flattering. I think this alteration added what I have heard Angie refer to as "structure". I'm letting you know this because even though you are shorter than me, your vertical proportions seem somewhat similar. I'm not sure if the the need to do this would change if the fabric was softer and draped more fluidly? I suspect it would vary depending on how the proportions work with your frame.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Tanya, what I sweetheart you are! I might indeed be interested. I expect I'd need the larger of the two sizes, if they would work at all...but do post! I actually found a pair on the J. Crew site right now in the dark wash (the trouser ones) -- but had not hit the buy button yet as they are still $65 here. Wanted to consider.

Staysfit, you might have a really good point here. I wonder if you are correct. I find slim crops the easiest. The minute I add a flare or width it becomes a bit trickier, although not impossible, I think. I do have denim culottes which seem to work (although some on the forum did not care for them on me and even I will admit they are JFE.)

Gaylene

Veteran

Regarding the "grabbiness" of the rise, the problem you've described might well be due to the curvature of the U commonly used in high-rise designs.

If you put one pant leg into another, you can check the different shapes of the U yourself. High rise designs often use a deep U with a very tight turn at the bottom, while mid-rises commonly use a shorter, wider U shape. The difference in the width at the base of that U can be quite significant. Women with very flat stomachs and very small bottoms usually find the deep U design works well for them because it eliminates the droopy butt look that can sometimes happen with a high-rise design. On the other hand, women with a curvier stomach or bottom often find that tight U shape grabs at them whenever they move.

It's possible to adjust that curve at the bottom of the U by re-contouring the rear seam so the bottom part of the U isn't as tight, as long as there is enough ease in the hip area to keep the side seams from pulling to the back. It seems counterintuitive to take in a seam which is too tight, but that adjustment can make quite a difference in the fit.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Wow, Gaylene, that is fascinating. Imagine!! I think you're right. I have a curvy bum. My stomach is also not as flat as in the old days! It's not a true apple but it's more straight, and meanwhile my bum is uh, substantial.

And of course, all the trendy pants are made for young girls with flat bellies and no bums....

It is not a trend I have to partake in, if it does not work for me. But in my experience, switching up my bottoms is the fastest way to make me feel current, plus, I like the idea of a truly breezy pant for summer now that I consider my legs less than shorts-worthy in pubic. I do (fortunately) still have my tapered wide leg pants from J. Crew (four years and still going). These are not the most current, but they still feel relatively fresh and I can scootch them up on my waist for a higher waisted look -- the rise here is long enough that it works. But ideally I would like a similar, non tapered pair.

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verdant

More votes for rayner. The dark rinse trouser style is still available in many sizes. I have heard the two rise styles as "U" & "J." I am definitely a long "J" and the rayner fit like a dream, but I sized down. Good luck!