Search Finally Ended For White Jeans - YouLookFab Forum

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Search Finally Ended For White Jeans

Colette

Veteran

I LOVE the look of white jeans so last year I started my search for a pair of white straight or skinny jeans and never found a pair but did pick up a pair of white flairs that Angie recommended. (Full disclosure, I never wore them because they are not for my daily life, just for going out and I couldn't decide which shoes to wear with them so I never had them hemmed.) This year I was determined to find them but I've tried on so many pairs over last the few months my head has been spinning while my frustration has been growing. I thought I finally found a pair but today, after analyzing the fit for days, I realized white straight and skinny jeans just don't work for me. So I'm giving up my search.

Here's why, in addition to being a pear with large thighs, my calves measure 14 1/4" and 14 1/2" AND I have large knees that measure 15". The only way I can describe my knees is to say they have fat on the inside that makes them bulge out. I figured out that it's my knees that are causing most of my fit problems. Every pair of straight or skinny jeans bunches at my knees. I do have the problem with blue and black denim but the darker color masks the problem a bit so I can get away with it or at least I think I can. It just looks horrible to my eye in white. Sizing up doesn't work because the jeans just get too big in places they cannot be altered and they still bunch at my knees. I did pick up a pair of kick crops from Gap, that I've worn a few times but after catching a glimpse of myself in store mirror I don't think I should wear them anymore. Plus, getting the length of crops right has me in a tizzy. I'm wasting way too much time and making no progress. It just shouldn't be this hard, so I'm giving up on white jeans.

FYI, the Kut Cameron's and Chrissy fit great on a pear.

'Cameron' Stretch Straight Leg Jeans

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AUTHENTIC 1969 crop kick jeans

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KUT from the Kloth 'Chrissy' Flare Leg Jeans (White)

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Dressing

27 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Colette, why didn't you keep the KUT Chrissy and the Camerons if they were a great fit? Or DID you keep them?

Anonymous

You know, there is a great tip in Andrea Linnet's new book How to Be Cool or whatever it's called, regarding white jeans. I'll go find it later and send it to you , but the crux of it was that with white jeans, you have to watch the fibre content (when it comes to any added stretch factor) in order to avoid that creasing/sausage look at the knees and on the back of your thighs. I remember reading this and having one of those lightbulb moments. She's dead right - too much stretch in white jeans makes them look too tight and bad on the back of the legs - regardless of how thin you are. I swear it's one of my biggest pet peeves about white jeans. *runs off to make sure hers aren't doing it* The same jean in blue or black often doesn't' have the same fibre mix because of the colour and/or thickness required of white denim- which is why we don't notice it as much in those colours. You're not crazy

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What a great analysis, Colette. I am still puzzled, though, because I think 14.5" is a pretty average calf width -- it's what many boots measure in the calf, anyway, if I am not mistaken. And I just measured my knees and they are about 14" (this is in relation to a 13.5" calf, which sounds about the same, proportionately.) Admittedly, I do have issues with my own knees, but let's not go there!

So I'm really curious.

You know, for years I believed my calves were fat. Yes. And I endured the pained eye rolling from some sales associates as I fruitlessly tried to do up knee high boots.

But guess what? My calves are actually on the slim side. Which makes sense because I'm not tall -- they're not slim proportionately, really. Just normal. What they are is SHORTER than average so their curve comes in a different place. They curve out where the boots are going in.

I wonder if there is something similar going on here. Are you taller than average or shorter than average or are your legs shorter or longer than is typical for your size?

Joyce B

Veteran

I also hate when straight jeans bunch up on the knees and behind the knees plus they pull up when I stand because they are small in the calves. I have a few pairs I am working on but not sure I will keep, those are 7 Kimmies, Kut Dianas and Current Elliot, all in white as well.

Colette

Veteran

Angie, I'm sorry I didn't make myself clear, I didn't keep the Cameron's because of the bunching at my knees, they fit great otherwise for pears without my knee issue. And I didn't return the Chrissy Flares, they are sitting in my closet, unworn and unhemmed because I can't figure out the shoes.

Lisa, that is very interesting. The Cameron's have 1% spandex, do they even make jeans in 100% cotton anymore?

SuzyQ2

I have men's Levis 511 and 513 in white. Both are straight leg but the 511 fit a little lower in the waist and the 513 are at my belly button. Also the 513 have contrasting thread where the 511 have white seaming. Both are 100 percent cotton which I love for the summer. No bunching in the knees or calves. I actually prefer the Levis to my 7 kimmies because of the spandex.

Anonymous

My calf and knee are both at 13.5 ". I cannot say I have ever measured them before - lol and why do I even have a tape measure right here? . But I'm about 2 sizes bigger than you, from what I can guess, proving it's all in proportions and where we store our body fat. Do you not think that the Camerons will give and loosen up after their first wear? My favourite /getting dodgy BR's are so loose after one wear I don't even need to unzip them to get them off. They're not near me right now or I'd check the fibre content, but they have a lot of stretch.

Colette

Veteran

Suz, thank you for chiming in. As I was analyzing the fit I was trying to figure out if the knee area of the jeans is hitting in the right place. I made a mental note that I need to figure out my proportions because I was thinking that may be part of the problem. For a second I thought maybe I need a tall inseam. LOL. I'm 5' 4 1/4" tall and my inseam is 29 1/2". I've always thought I had average proportions. I also have fit issues with tall boots.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

AHA. Got it.

What's the challenge with the shoes and the Chrissys? Light and heeled, and you are good to go. I wear pointy toes with mine. I'd love to help you out. I bet you look STUNNING in those white flared jeans.

Have you tried the KUT Catherines?

KUT from the Kloth Women's Catherine Boyfriend Jean

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Aida

Veteran

Colette, I get that knee bunching when the knee break is too low in relation to where my actual knee breaks! At 5'3" I don't have petite proportions anywhere except for the length of my thighs and find it extremely frustrating. I have just been wearing the bunchy jeans in regulars, or dealing with the too-short-everything-else petites. Recently I've decided I probably shouldn't settle, especially since getting the knee break taken up is actually a fairly straightforward alteration. I have a pile of pants that need this (along with a back dart)! Trying to get myself motivated to go and do it -_-

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Colette, I'm 5'4" too. I think it is a proportion issue -- where the knee break happens, as Aida said. I'm the opposite to her -- I only have petite proportions in my calf (not my thigh, which is normal) and I'm also a tiny bit short waisted. But I can't wear petites pants as a rule because I am also long in the rise. Sometimes I can get a fit from petites if I size up. Occasionally, this works. The pants will be looser up top but often not in a bad way.

I would experiment with petites, talls, and whatever you can find. Take a bunch of different sizes into a dressing room. It becomes an art, really...

As to the stretch in white jeans, there's some truth to that. You really don't want them tight so many people size up. Though I sized up for my most recent pair and they stretch out rather quickly, to my dismay.

I love my Kut Diana skinnies in white. The denim is substantial. They do stretch out, but in a good way. And they are better than any skinnies I have tried in the knee area. I would recommend you give them a try.

Colette

Veteran

Joyce, I have to wear tight belts to keep my calves from pulling most of my skinny or straight jeans down. It's frustrating!

SuzyQ2, I love my old 100% cotton Levi's. I didn't even think to try Levi's for white jeans.

Lisa, it is all about proportions. I think I'm just smaller on top. The reviews say the Cameron's stretch after the first wear but white jeans need to be washed after every wear, Ginger makes sure of it, even when I'm super careful, and they usually stretch in the waist and butt which already fit loose. I had my C/E crops altered at the waist because I was able to pull them up and down without unbuttoning them. I keep a tape measure in my office and kitchen because I'm always measuring.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ooh. You might have luck with Levis. Beth Ann and Ingunn had them and loved them a few years ago....

carter

Veteran

I get the calf pull and wrinkly knees as well. Have you tried the Gap real straights? They don't even touch my knees or calves.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ha, Carter, they do touch mine!! But I admit they fit more loosely there for sure.

I always have that issue with the calf pull and need to wear belts if jeans are very stretchy esp. if tucked into tall boots. So I aim for denim with a lower stretch content.

Colette

Veteran

Angie, I tried the Catherine's, in multiple sizes and they just looked horrible on me. I NEED to find a pair of shoes for my Chrissy's. I will only wear white in warm weather so I prefer a sandal. Light color footwear is a challenge for me, but that is definitely what I need.

Aida & Suz, you guys are amazing. Can you recommend a book or website to help me determine my proportions? And I had no idea you have problems with fit, you both look impeccable, the effort does pay off!

Aida, I'm interested in how you alter the knee break, I've never even heard of that. But I recently had my first pair of jeans taken in at the waist and it made all the difference in the fit.

Suz, I tried the Diana's and they were way too tight in my thighs. When I sized up they were just too big everywhere. I have been trying on all brands and sizes but I did not try petite or tall. I have tried Gap petite but preferred the regular.

Colette

Veteran

Carter, I saw you recommend the Gap real straight the other day and I collected them but didn't try them. I will put them on my list.

Anonymous

If you are trying on gap, you may want to also try the white 1969 girlfriend jeans from them too.

Colette

Veteran

delurked, I'll add them to the list.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

How about metallic heeled sandals, Colette?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ah, yes, if you are a pretty pear the waist alteration can be absolutely crucial. Go for fit elsewhere and then do that.

Imogen Lamport has some good posts on proportions. You can measure yourself according to her guidelines -- there are a few videos there. https://insideoutstyleblog.com.....ons-2.html

Even though I'm not entirely sure that I measured correctly in all parts, I found this exercise very interesting and helpful. I actually think the vertical proportions are at least as important as body shape in finding a good fit and clothes that are JFE or figure flattering. It's bee really helpful to me to know that my calves are on the short side (no wonder I love a 2 inch heel so much -- it totally balances my legs out!). I knew about my slightly long rise already but it was useful to confirm that. I found out that my head is relatively large -- this is one reason short hair works on me. (Not that one needs a large head to wear short hair -- but I will look taller with shorter hair.) Lots of little details like that help me to understand Angie's recommendations even better.

Colette

Veteran

Angie, yes to metallic heeled sandals! I've been looking at casual metallic flats but will expand my search to include heels.

Suz, that is really so helpful. I'm going to go figure out my proportions.

Anonymous

Aha - and I'm taller than all of you,which surprises me, and have evenly proportioned thigh/calf-to-leg ,and explains why this knee-break thing has never been an issue.......how is it I have never heard of nor know anything about a knee break in a pant? Interesting.

Joyce B

Veteran

At least the belt works for you so that your calves don't pull the pants down.
I have the opposite problem, my calves scrunch my pants up and I have to pull them down when I stand up, so annoying! I tried the Gap girlfriends but they did not work for me. I'd be curious to know if the ones that Carter suggested work for you.
Your topic is very interesting, straight white jeans are harder to fit than I thought.

Aida

Veteran

I never realized the knee break thing until reading on Alterations Needed: http://www.alterationsneeded.c.....ing-2.html

Now I can't unsee it

Colette

Veteran

Aida, thank you and wow. I think this is the alteration I need on a pair of pants that I love but think the fit is off a bit.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The flares look best with heels to my eye.