So what IS the perfect pant length?

bitsofpieces

I know Angie has a pet peeve about pant length. I've been searching the archives, but can't find the answer. What IS the perfect pant length?

(Mine are always too long. I get them professionally hemmed 'cause I'm short, but they still end up dragging on the ground. I always give 'em a little extra length because I fear they'll end up too short...)

16 years ago

General

10 replies

Latest reply was from Violet

Tanya

Veteran

Here it is:

http://youlookfab.com/2006/05/.....hs-please/

16 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

It depends on the cut of the pants. Anything wider than skinnies (or straight legs cut straight from the calf down) needs to virtually skim the surface of the ground. Anything shorter (for a long pair of pants) is too short and shortens the leg line. Does that answer your question?

16 years ago

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I have a question for you petites... My sister is nearly 5'3". It seems that when she purchases petite length pants, they are WAY too short if she wears any sort of heel. I don't have her permission to post the photos, but they made me giggle. So do you petites find that you are better off purchasing regular length pants and hemming them? Does that cause problems for the rise/crotch at all?

16 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Sarbear, lately BR petite pants haven't needed any hemming (I always wear dress slacks with a heel - but a small one). I used to have to get them hemmed. I don't know if they've shortened the length, or if my eye has changed for what is PPL.

That's pants -- I don't wear petite jeans. The rise is too short on me.

16 years ago

danielleCT

Active Member

I think it just depends on the person and the pant. I am 5'0" with a 27" inseam and find a lot of petite pants are still too long. Most places I shop do a 30"or 31" inseam for their petites. A 29" inseam is my perfect length in heels unless I want to pull out my hidden platform heels for those 30" inseam pants. So I can definitely see how your sister at 5'3" might have trouble with these lengths, especially if she's proportionally longer in the leg.

16 years ago

Maya

Veteran

Sarah, I was never able to wear petite jeans. The inseam is usually 29" which is way too short for me. I also do not have a petite rise, so they were ill-fitting in that respect to. I'm an oddball though. I'm 5'2 but my arms, legs, and rise are all too long for petites.

However, I know petites who find 29" too long. Some of them need to go as short as 26"!

Petite women are no more uniform than anyone else. Whether you wear regular or petite depends on your individual needs and preferences. Personally, I would much rather have a pair of jeans that's a little longer in the rise but still maintain PPL.

16 years ago

bitsofpieces

(website)

Active Member

I am petite and almost always buy regular pants and get them hemmed--mostly because I buy a lot secondhand and it's easier to find the regular stuff--but also because I have some pants for heels and some for flats, so they're all different lengths anyway.

Thanks for the answer to my question! I guess my problem is that my pants end up doing more than "skimming" the ground... the bottoms get frayed quickly.

16 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Bitsofpieces, Angie has said that gently frayed edges on jeans looks nice.

I have a pair of jeans that have gently frayed only on one leg - apparently I'm lopsided!

16 years ago

HannahC

Active Member

Sarah,

I am 5'3'' like your sister, and petite length pants don't even cover my ankles! I buy regular length pants and I don't need to hem them either - but bear in mind that I love heels (about 2''). Looks like this is also the case with your sister. She might need petite tops and regular length pants.

16 years ago

Violet

Active Member

I am petite (5'0") and I have found my perfect dress pants at Victoria's Secret (Christie Fit) that have a 30" inseam. I'm able to wear them with around a 1.5 inch heal without any hemming. I have jeans in varying lengths that I wear with higher heels or flats.

16 years ago

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