What a bummer about the Talbot's pants! I'm glad it seems the WHBM ones may be a feasible option.

Have you looked at Boden? Angie and others are raving about the quality on another thread.

Test wearing is so important for EVERY pair of pants! I recently bought a pair of lounge pants, tried them on briefly, and cut the tags off because they seemed fine. Well, when I put them on again I found that as soon as I started moving around they rode up in an uncomfortable way (basically, I felt like my sweatpants were performing a gynecological exam. Not a feature I need in my loungewear!). Argh. Well, it was a learning experience for sure.

Thank you for stopping by, Delurked. Your suggestion was exceptionally helpful (helpful at a time I was really feeling down and depressed).

I bought "regulars" in the store because the sales staff felt the rise would be too long for me in "longs" or "talls." I really like them a lot.
Because I liked them so much, I went to their website this morning and ordered several more pair in "long" for comparison purposes. I also ordered one pair of jeans in "long" to try them on.

I have been slowly evaluating all of the bottoms in my closet and, depending on their fit, I have been culling them as needed. So I found these pants at just right time.

Sarah -- Thank you for the smile today (and the reminder to wear things a bit ... with the tags on). I can't tell how many times I did exactly what you did. Felt great about something and then cut off the tags too early.

Such a bummer about the Talbot's pants- so disappointing. If their fit was good it might be worth trying another fabrication.

I am so glad the WHBM pants seem like they are going to work. That must be a relief. Kudos to you for not excepting "just good enough". That can be so tempting when you are feeling tired and frustrated.

I am going to toss out an option for you if pants are a continual frustration and you are not able to find RTW that you feel satisfied with. You might want to consider having your pants made. The American Sewing Guild can usually give you local referrals. It likely will be more expensive than RTW, especially for the first pair that will require fitting. However, once the initial fit is done actually making the pants is pretty easy. If you decide to go this route I can give you resources for good fabrics.

Thank you for taking the time to chronicle your quest. It is very informative and also inspires me to take a good honest look at some of my own pieces. Those pants look fantastic, good for you that you have identified what was important for your body in terms of fit. So crucial.

Thank you for sharing your experiences, Sterling. I love the IDEA of Talbots, but have yet to get a good fit from enough of their styles to shop there regularly.

Like some of you, I am taller than most, but not a "tall" because I am not over 6' (5'10"). I prefer "longs" to "talls", but "longs" are hard to find. I am also fairly straight through the waist/hips/thighs, so no curvy for me.

Have you looked at NYDJ? NYDJ Samantha straight jeans/slacks' inseam in their "regular" fit runs about 31", so they are a good length when I wear flats. I don't wear skinnies, so these are a slim alternative that works. I have also found that the Theresa trousers are long enough (about 34" inseam) to look good with boots, moderate heels and clogs (sorry, I can't help myself. Love me some clogs). In NYDJ, I size down as they suggest. Might be a smidge snug at first, but the recovery is good. Fairly high rise though . . . at this point in my life, that's OK by me.

I get it if you say that NYDJ aren't dressy enough. I can get away with a little more casual look for my office - I just keep the top looking polished and it works for me.

Love reading about your experiences!!

Thank you, ChrisM. I hadn't thought to try NYDJ yet. To avoid discouraging myself, I have been going to the mall one day per weekend and shopping principally at one retailer. Breaking this project down into itty bitty steps has helped me stay focused and removed a large degree of the frustration and indecision. I will certainly try NYDJ before I am done. I am looking for a lighter-summer-weight bottom right now. They are just starting to appear in my stores.

I am 5'10" (or 5'9", depending on whom you ask) so I need longs as well. They ARE hard to find. I think in the past, I compromised and settled for the wrong length. I am not willing to do that this time.

Thank you, Krishnidoux. It is so nice to have your support. I have to admit that taking a deep dive into my closet has been enlightening. I am currently washing and putting things away for the season, so there is yet a second and third opportunity to really evaluate each piece.

Lynn -- what a fabulous suggestion!!!!!! I will certainly consider it in the future. I will reach out to you for fabric suggestions. Thank you so much.

Argh. I know this is Sterling's thread but I just need to vent briefly on the topic of shopping for fit. Y'all, I ordered FIFTEEN pairs of jeans. NONE of them fit. I am...feeling rather demoralized at the moment.

Somebody tell me my jeans are out there!

SarahD8, I know! Recognize the situation. Still have not found “my” dressy pair of dark washed jeans.... But found a pair of BF jeans I wasn’t looking for at all, and for a great price. Do not give up

DO NOT GIVE UP, SARAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your jeans are out there. I absolutely promise you.

FWIW, in case you ever try Express slacks (which also come in Long), note that the size can vary a bit from pair to pair, even in the same style, fabric, and color. It is also a place that is always running sales/coupons so you should never pay full price. But it is also a mall store so you can always test ahead of time. Quality is not as good as Talbot's, but the price point is lower.

Thank you both for the commiseration and pep talk, Katerina and Sterling! Sterling I will hang tough, secure in the knowledge that my jeans are out there! And Katerina, great reminder to keep my mind open to something else that may not be my holy grail, but that is perfectly fitting and perfectly useful as well.

Hang in there. You'll find your pant. I did, by happenstance, about five years ago, and when I realized I'd lucked into the holy grail of pants, then found Aritzia had discontinued them. Oh Oswald pant, how I love you.

So I'll suggest you take a look at Aritzia for pants, specifically the Wilfred and Babaton lines that use the bi-stretch Italian fabric. All of my non-denim pants are from Aritzia, and there's not a loser in the bunch. I find jeans a lot harder to fit, because they all tend to bag and sag on me. Even the Rag & Bone Dre jeans that quite a few Forum members have and like, are prime offenders for me in bagging and sagging. It's pretty dispiriting. But I keep slogging onward.

Good luck!

Kate --Your post was inspirational to me and informative to Sarah. I'll make sure she see it.

Thank you, Kate. This is very helpful! I will check it out!

Glad you found it useful. Shopping can be a hard slog sometimes.