What’s with the puddle pants trend? - YouLookFab Forum

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What’s with the puddle pants trend?

nemosmom

Veteran

Hi friends!

I’ve been mostly lurking on the blog lately, but I’ve popped in to ask if someone can enlighten me on puddle pants.

I am looking for a HEWI pant: something more roomy (comfy) than denim, more pulled together than sweatpants. Wide enough leg to be breezy… packable, full length, no ankle elastic…. The trouble is, most of what I am seeing in store check all the boxes with respect to silhouette - but my gosh, what is happening with inseams?! All the models look like they are standing on their hems! How do they walk??!! I am all for a bit of pooling on the top of foot, but these hems are dragging the ground - and not in a cool 90’s retro way!!

I can order a pair and have them hemmed - but, how short? And what will happen to the drape or slouchiness if I whack off the bottoms?!

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General

24 replies

Latest reply was from Helena

Joy

Veteran

You make a good point. I will set this trend out if it feels too unsafe. Anything I wear needs not to trip me going up or down stairs. I would suggest shortening to cover part of your shoe. It must feel safe.

rachylou

Veteran

In the 90s, folks stapled them to the heel of their shoes to prevent tripping… I would never do long like this, esp with open back shoes.

Runcarla

Veteran

If they puddle on models, how overlong will the inseam be on a ‘real’ person? I know I crab a** about not finding pants that are long enough for me, but this is a bit much!

April

Veteran

NM, this doesn't solve your problem if you want something dressy, but check out Rag & Bone's "Miramar" collection.

I have a pair of wide, heavenly soft, comfortable ones with an unfinished hem, so I just chopped it to my chosen length.

Bijou

Veteran

Something that looks good on models but not really workable in real life. I like to have my pants about half an inch off the ground with the shoes that I am most likely to wear - which these days are flats.

lyn67

Veteran

Think if somebody is more feminine built the pants will have to curve on the body's curves taking up from the fabric so their actual length may be just good enough on a real person.

Jules

Veteran

Yeah I’m reminded of back around 2000 when I loved (or wanted to love) slouchy wide leg pants but didn’t wear heels, making the lengths and proportions tricky. I never really figured it out. These days I prefer my wide leg pants as culottes or just above the ankle, but not slouchy - there’s a trade-off for sure.
Obsessed with the Miramars since I first joined ylf!

kkards

Veteran

Yes, 100% to hemming, yes, some of the drape may be lost, but a good tailor will be able to talk you thru that. There used to be a trick/hack about how to tell, something about where the flare starts…need to see if if i can find it.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Thank heavens they’re getting long again!! We can hem pants (& I hope someone comments on how cutting off a bunch affects the drape) but I have never seen pants like the Barbie’s hair that you can pull on to make it “grow”.

kkards

Veteran

Also give Athleta a try. I tried these on last weekend, and I’m not sure why I did not get them. Also they come in 3 inseams and they have a basic black if you’r looking for a more neutral color

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Brooklyn

Veteran

I think the puddling on the floor looks great but is also hopelessly impractical. I think you have to keep in mind that a lot of fashion is about pushing the boundaries of a look. It creates a vibe that we can aspire too. Drape, length, elegance, luxury.

I love this Brunello Cuccinelli skirt, and keep a photo of it for inspiration, but have no plans to wear a floor dragging skirt (even if I could afford the price tag).

I’d choose the pants then choose the shoes you plan to wear with them. Then get the pants hemmed to about half inch off the ground, as Bijou says. They’ll still look great.

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

What Brooklyn said. It's inspiration, not reality. But you would have to hem, for sure.

Peri

Veteran

It doesn't bother me because I'm used to hemming just about everything. I'm just thrilled to see full length might be appearing again soon because I have been frustrated with cropped and ankle length being so dominating. Give me too long that I can fix over too short on purpose any day.

That said, I agree that this extreme is for show and not for real life. I imagine everyone would hem.

Anonymous

Happy to see longer pants again! Of course they can be worn with heels, wedges, or flatforms- or of course be hemmed- so no issue to me!
*snickers at puddlepants*

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Kkards, the pants you posted show a different length for each color, including too short for the model (imho) in black and pink puddles

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

In soft fabric, extra long floor sweeping pant lengths look luxurious when one stands still - to my eye anyway! But practically, it's a nightmare. TREACHEROUS

You can hem to these lengths - although annoying with open-back sandal/mule/slide type footwear because the hems slide under your heels. Fine with sneakers, espadrilles, and loafers though. Or sandals with closed backs.

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kkards

Veteran

SF -All 4 colors are available in regular, petite or tall. Maybe the pictures/model shots aren’t shown that way?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Personally, I'd wear these types of soft and breezy Summery pants, at these lengths. I never wear heels, so that will help:

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Janet

(website)

Veteran

I’ll take the long pants, please. I’ll happily hem them, just to have some that aren’t too short! I agree the puddling is for the photos, for effect. Not practical in real life, but a lot of fashion isn’t!

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Yes a case of fashion trumping practicality again.l love the look but would hate to wear them IRL.l ve just bought a pair of Boden linen wide legs ina regular leg length supposedly but they must have been puddle pants as they are far too long for me at 5ft 8 so l ve hemmed them up,l don’t think it’s spoiled the look at all but l do agree you need to be careful with the drape especially if you are taking alot of fabric off.Linen is stiffer and l only raised them about 6cm so they are floor skimming not floor cleaning!

anchie

Veteran

This post is so timely for me. I just bought puddle pants myself without realizing that they are that long.

nemosmom

Veteran

Thank you all for the feedback (and for the Finds)! Angie, I love those bold prints!

I am 100% loving the full length inseam. It is exciting to see full length PLUS a rise that fits! A graceful bend on the top of my foot would be perfect.

kkards, I’ve ordered a pair of the Athleta (the gold color is fab, but I stuck with black). Thank you for the tip!

I’ve also ordered a pair of the Wilfred effortless pant. Not sure how I feel about the pleats, but I love their shape.

https://www.aritzia.com/us/en/.....color=1274

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Yes, they lose all their elegance when you trip and fall in them . At least you can decide the right length for you this way.

Helena

Veteran

haha, what Jaime said. It's all fun and games until you splat face-first onto the sidewalk!

Those effortless pants from Aritzia look terrific. I think Uniqlo has some similar styles. As for me, I'll be a slow adopter as usual ... still wearing my crops, although the width is growing!!