Retail research and pants fit

Hello Fabbers,
A while ago I posted about my need to build a new wardrobe almost from scratch and my difficulty in finding clothing that fits. Several of you suggested that I do some retail research where I would go out shopping for the purpose of trying on items in various styles and sizes without looking at the prices. I decided to start with pants as they are my hardest item. All the pants I tried on (and I tried on a ton!) had the same problem. I am very short waisted and have large thighs in comparison to my very skinny legs. If the pants fit in the waist and thighs there is excessive fabric that hangs in diagonal folds down the backs of my legs. The fronts are not quite as bad but when I sit the fabric folds across the tops of my legs. It makes me feel so frumpy. I have taken pants to a tailor and have been told that taking in the side seams will not do the trick. I do not own a single pair of pants or jeans that fit well and that I feel good in. It is really discouraging. I am humbly posting pictures so you can see what I mean. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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6 years ago

jussie

Veteran

Well actually to my eyes the creasing isn’t too bad really- except for number 4. Number 4 is just too loose I think. With the jeans in number 2, I think they’re just a tiny bit too fitted on the thigh.
But 1,3,5 and 6 all look reasonably good to me.
If it’s any consolation I too find it quite hard to find pants that fit correctly. And to find pants that fit perfectly? I’ve only ever achieved it once or twice.
I currently have 2 pairs of jeans that fit really well. The rest of my pants have problems of some sort with the fit.
Please don’t take this the wrong way- you most certainly do NOT look pregnant, but have you ever tried maternity jeans or pants? Believe it or not they can actually fit quite well on a non pregnant body. I have bought maternity Bermuda style shorts before (non pregnant) and while I was buying them there was another non-pregnant lady in the store buying pants too. My shorts were fantastic.

unfrumped

I sympathize!
I’m not sure what are the fabrications but you may be needing something with more stretch if you’re going for a “ fitted” look on the leg. More of the ponte knits or very stretch wools. Also this issue is simply less noticeable in dark slacks like black and navy.
Another option is to play with truer wide legs. They would be fitted for hip and fall straight- wide over the leg with no intent of appearing fitted on the thigh or leg.

Anonymous

Hi. I am on a similar journey to find well fitting pants for work. Like you, I experimented across all possible retailers and tried on what felt like hundreds of pairs of pants.

I sympathsize with what you are going through and I encourage you to preservere. It is difficult for me to judge the fabrications of the pants you pictured. I am wondering though if they have sufficient stretch? Could a slightly smaller size in a more flexible fabric with great rebound be your solution?

Unfrumped's solution of trying different leg silhouettes is also brilliant.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Lynette, we are going to try to sort this to soon.

FWIW, #1 is a non-issue. This happens a lot because of the lycra in jeans. #5 isn't bad either. Pants can do that to me too. But we will improve the fits for sure.

Lynette

Active Member

Thank you, ladies, for the insights. I wonder if I have been a little too critical of myself? It sounds like others have less than perfect pants-fit as well.

Jussie, I never would have thought of maternity pants! I know they are a lot nicer now than the ones I wore years ago! Unfrumped, wide legged pants do hang much better on me but somehow I just can’t seem to like them again after wearing them to death in my teens. I will give pont pants a try, though. Good idea! I think very stretchy pants or not stretchy at all are best. The ones with a medium amount of stretch seem to be the worst culprit for folds and wrinkles. Sterling, glad to have a partner in the pants hunt! Yes, sizing down is better on my legs but tight on the tummy and thighs. However, occasionally a petite will work. Have you tried that?
Angie, that Lycra is a tricky thing! I know there is a solution out there somewhere. I’m so glad to have your help!

Cardiff girl

Poor you I do sympathise,my daughter has problems fitting trousers too,the hours we ve spent in changing rooms !Have you thought about jeggings? the stretch in them means that they fit well no matter what and you can get some that look just like jeans or trousers.The other option is to forget about trying to fit your legs ,just fit your waist and hips and then choose a wide leg to follow the line from your hips down.Wide legs are very in at the moment so there should be a good choice and you will look very fashion forward to boot!

Lynn

Lynnette- here is my take as a seamstress who struggles with pant fit. The wrinkles you see on the back leg are VERY common in slim leg pants and yours actually are not too bad. They are a fact of life for many of us in skinnies. Common causes include: knock-knees, larger calves, or hyperextended knees (you lock your knees back when standing so your calves extend past your buttocks). You might actually do better to find a slightly wider leg pant (maybe a straight cut) that does not have wrinkles then have your tailor slim the legs until the wrinkles start to appear. If you want to try it yourself pin out both the sides of the legs equal amounts from the knee down to find the minimal width that works for you. Pants with stretch will allow you to wear a narrower leg.

In #4 and #5 the wrinkles directly below your buttocks might be caused by a too high crotch curve for your body. Try "scooping" the back crotch curve with pins and see if it helps. This is an easy alteration if it helps.
See "Low Butt Adjustment" here- https://closetcasepatterns.com.....ing-jeans/

Hope this helps in some way. Pants are SOOOO frustrating to fit.

Thanks for weighing in Lynn. I always learn when you post information like this.

Cardiff Girl, I will have to give jegging‘s a try. I do wear leggings so maybe jeggings could work too! I have not come around to liking wide legs again since I wore them to death in my teens and 20s.

Lynn, So nice to hear from the seamstress. What a great idea to alter a wide leg pant and make it slimmer. I would not have thought of that. And scooping the crutch curve sounds interesting as well. I’m excited to give both of those alterations a try. Thank you so much!

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