Why do my jeans do this?

Sarah

I'm starting to hate jeans. I've been noticing that all of my jeans fit me very poorly in the top thigh/crotch area. It's either super baggy or cameltoe, and I can't figure out why. I'm wondering if I'm just short through that area?
Here are some photos for reference. I need help!
Photo 1: These jeans are too big. I throw them in the dryer before each wear, but now it's just pointless so they're in a give away pile. But notice how I have excess fabric in the upper thigh/hip/crotch?
Photo 2: These jeans fit perfectly everywhere except they were too tight in the same area.
Photo 3: This isn't the best angle because I deleted the front shots because they were so bad. I look like a guy in them.
Is it a rise issue?
I tried on five pair of jeans at the Gap last week and not a single pair worked.
I miss jeans!

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13 years ago

Body Type

31 replies

Latest reply was from Ashley

san

Veteran

Sarah, I would never ever think you don't wear jeans well. I know you are particular about details and that is what makes your whole style picture work so well. Remember that clothing is made for a fit model, and many of us are not shaped like that fit model. You are shaped better than the average. Have you thought about finding a seamstress who would make jeans that fit you perfectly?

13 years ago

biscuitsmom

Veteran

I think you look great in all of those pics! Even looking closely doesnt reveal any flaws that anyone but you would see....try looking objectively and hopefully you will see what I mean- sometimes things dont feel 'right' but still look good. I think that is the case with these pics. You look HOT in jeans! Dont give up on them!

13 years ago

Debbie

Veteran

I agree with San. Also I think it may be a rise issue. I'm interested in what Angie has to say.

13 years ago

amyreh

(website)

Veteran

I don't think any of these look bad either, obviously can't see the front view on #3 but they look great from the side. Do you feel like a little nipping in of the waist in the back would help some of your fit issues? I have this done all the time and it is amazing what a difference it makes in around the whole top of the jeans/pants. Only other suggestion is to try other stores? It doesn't sound like you want to go spend a whole bunch on designer jeans right now, have you tried Ann Taylor's denim? (I am assuming you have given you have a lot of stuff from there) Or maybe if there is a designer denim you like a lot you can keep an eye out at The Rack online? They have some really good prices if you can find the right thing. Only other place I can think of that I have had any luck on reasonably priced denim is Express occasionally... Oh wait, I have seen these ads for Levi's Curve ID - anyone tried those? They look interesting...

13 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

If you don't want to go premium try DKNY. They sell it as Macy's.

13 years ago

tarzy

Veteran

Me too! I would never look at your pictures and think there was something wrong - but I have the same issue. I always assumed it was because I have hefty hips/thighs, and a long rise. I can't stand the way most pants pull in the crotch area. Ugh!

With jeans I also get excess fabric on the outer edge of my leg. I think it may be because I have a very short thigh span, in addition to them being large. (My expensive Paige Hidden Hills seem to fit much better.) I've worn the DKNY SOHO jeans, and they're great for the rise, but the denim does stretch out too much.

It's not just jeans for me - I have trouble with regular pants, too. I just have to try on a million pairs until I find the right cut. Recently I tried on the Sloan BR pants that Angie had in the store. They were fabulous - fit everywhere except they really pulled at the crotch. I was so disappointed, because I loved them otherwise.

13 years ago

san

Veteran

I agree this could be a rise issue. I have a long rise and it makes for fit issues.
I always thought I had a long waist, now since YLF I know that I have a long torso, but a short waist, long rise.
Do you feel you have a long rise?

13 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Lets get you into a pair of Paige Hidden Hills (size up) and COH Ambers.

13 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

Sarah, a good friend of mine had the camel toe problem, too. We put her in sooo many jeans and it turned out she needed a higher rise. She ended up in plus-sized little girls' jeans from Walmart! The jeans industry just can't keep up with all the body variations out there. :T

13 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I SO sympathize, Sarah. I was just lamenting my jeans situation in my WIW post today. I have a litany of requirements for my next pair of jeans:

- long enough (34" inseam or more for heels)
- forgiving in the hip and thigh (damn near impossible these days)
- a rise that is neither up to my belly button or down too far
- a relatively dark, uniform wash (no damn whiskering or faded thighs!)

I think I must have a fairly short rise, because I try on so many jeans that have that extra lovely bit of fabric in the crotch that makes them look like I'm packing some guy parts or something. Not attractive. Oh, I could pull them up so the crotch fits, but then the top is up at my belly button and I get the Mom Jeans look. But then if the rise is too low, I get the dreaded muffin top or plumber's crack thing going on when I bend over.

Rant over.

It never used to seem this difficult. I suppose I'm getting pickier?

13 years ago

Barbara

Veteran

It's definitely a rise issue. I'm tall, but my rise is somewhat short. Go figure!

That's why I have duplicates of my favorite, perfect-fitting jeans.

13 years ago

Lisa

Veteran

Sarah, it's certainly not you. I go nuts trying to fit in trousers, always too much bum and often also camel toe. Ugh. I don't think any of these jeans look bad, not the pristine lines of your other outfits, but not bad. Perhaps heavier weight fabric in the jeans would help? Or trouser style cuts? I find I have to try variations in: rise (not too low and not too high work for me, those high rise styles are not flattering on me), wash (lighter washes just make me look heavier on the bottom), fading and whiskering (I have one pair that's a tad crazy with that) all affect how tight or not they appear in the upper thigh/crotch areas.

13 years ago

marianna

Veteran

Sarah, I have the CT issue too. I can't figure it out. SO many jeans I try on look unsightly in the crotch area. I do think it's a rise issue because the crotch issue isn't as severe in high wasted pants.

13 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Sarah I think these jeans look fine. But if you don't feel great in them, then you need to find new jeans!

I recommend going to a department store that carries many brands and try on those that Angie recommends as well as:
7FAM bootcut (classic cut)
7FAM straight leg (I consider this a skinny jean)
7FAM Dojo (wider leg)
And anything else you like!

Find some styles and washes from your dept. store efforts, write them down and then start looking on line. I manage to pay less 80% of the time for my premium denim by using this approach. The discounts have been anywhere from 20 to 70%.

Amyreh asked about Levi's Curve ID. I own a pair of demi curve skinny boot cut and I really like them! I have them in a plain dark wash; they fit well and don't get baggy -- I paid around $60 which is their full price. A good jean for the money.

13 years ago

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I'm glad it's not just me! I have a few higher rise jeans that actually make the problem worse I think, so I'm excited to try the Paiges. I love that wider waistband - something I KNOW immediately makes pants/jeans fit better.
I wonder if Macys sells them because I'll be over that way today anyway. If not I'll probalby have to wait till next week.

13 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

Sarah, I think you look great in those pictures. However, if the jeans don't feel good, it doesn't matter how you look!

If it makes you feel better, I have to take nearly every pair of jeans I buy into the tailor right away. I always have to get the seat taken in, but it makes a world of difference.

Good luck jean shopping!

13 years ago

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for your comments! I tried on quite a few pair of premium denim yesterday (my Macys doesn't carry COH or Paige, Angie, so I'll be trying those at Nordstrom next wek). Out of the 7FAMs, Joe's, and Hudson's I tried, I ended up with the Hudson Signature Bootcut in "Elm".
I'll post pictures for feedback asap. It is interesting to me how similar they look to the Paige jeans Angie recommended...
http://www.zappos.com/hudson-s.....in-elm-elm

13 years ago

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

Sarah - I can totally see what you mean about the too-tight areas in photos #2 and #3 - glad to know I'm not the only one with that fit issue from time to time...and it is definitely the JEANS and not you!

Can't wait to see you sport some new denim in your fab supermodel style!

13 years ago

Audrey

Active Member

I have the same problem and it can be quite frustrating. However, every so often I come across a pair of jeans that fit perfectly and I snap those up. I've tried Hudson's on in the past, and they're very flattering--excited to see yours. My favorite jean for fit is Big Star Liv bootcut. Too bad most of their washes are super distressed--not what I'm looking for right now.

13 years ago

Isis

Veteran

Sarah,

I've often seen Paige jeans @ Nordstrom Rack, if you are near one. I seem to remember that they run 40-60$ a pair......

13 years ago

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I have this issue, too. I think it's partly from too much fabric around the hip/thigh area, and partly from the fabric being a bit thin.

I tend to size up and then tailor my waist in, since I have full lower-bum and upper-thighs. But depending on the cut this can result in too much fabric in the hip area which is when I really notice the creasing around the crotch area.

I have a pair of Paige Hidden Hills that don't have any stretch and are a nice, thick weight. I am not fitting them ATM, but they did not have this issue. (I had to have them pinched in the waist, too). COH and SFAM are both waaaay to big in the waist band and cannot be taken in as much as I'd need if I sized up so my seat and thighs fit into them. I've long ago given up on even trying these brands on!

I do really like Joe's muse, though, and have a pair of bootcuts in this style that fit nicely.

Good luck! Hope the Hudson's work out. I had a pair that I liked but have come to not love the look of a flap pocket on my rear, so I've given them up.

ETA - I am long-ish in the rise, so combined with my bottom-heavy and small-waisted shape this may cause the fit issue.

13 years ago

amyreh

(website)

Veteran

Looking forward to seeing Sarah! I love my Hudson slim cut jeans - thinking I will need to try these for the fall perhaps! And thanks Cocolion - I may just have to track down those Levi's and give them a shot - that is definitely a good price!

13 years ago

Anonimity

Member

Hi there.
I'm SO glad to see these postings. I thought I was the only one that looked like I was "packin" sometimes. I even looked into cross dressing panties to sling up any nooks and crannies! (I can't believe I just said that.) Anyway, the two things that I have found are...don't cringe...don't wear underwear. It seems like if there's less fabric, there's less bulk. IF I wear underwear they've got to be almost non-existant (think g-string) or kind of tight around the crotch. However, sometimes the tight method only accentuates any upper thigh definition and now you have another problem. Sometimes, if I even pinch at the suspicious bulge, it's not (always) me, just the damn fabric. The other thing is I've sprayed the crotch with a mixture of fabric softener and water and do the squat thing, lunges, cartwheels, whatever your favorite method is. I use Snuggle Lavender. PLEASE NOTE: If you do the fabric softner trick, make sure it's diluted well! I'd say 1/4 softener to 3/4 water minimum. Why? Because it will stink. Serious. It will smell kind of sour. Ha! And that's would really take the cake in our situation.

11 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

Never you. Ever. It is the clothes.

You have some great brands to try above. All i can say is keep trying. I went through a similar jeans experience a few mons back. I tried on over 20 different brands of jeans until I found one that worked, jeans are the absolute worst to fit! Ones that worked for me were Ralph Lauren. I bought two pair because they fit!

11 years ago

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Aw, this is an old post from Sarah with San's reply and several others who haven't been on in a while, and makes me a little sad because I miss them. Hope they are well, and I'm sending out healing thoughts to San...

11 years ago

Beth Ann

Veteran

Sarah: Is it possible that the curve of your hip is higher or more "sudden" than some bodytypes? When I sew fitted bottoms, I actually have a curved ruler that changes the arc of the hip, drawing it slightly higher and steeper. Seamstresses sometimes call it a "French Hip." Which makes it all sound very chi-chi. It remains when my weight it up or down, and it makes rises difficult. I notice the crotch issue, but also a waistband issue. A wide, curved waistband is best for me, but hard to find!

11 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

That's very interesting about the French Hip...

11 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I miss Sarah's fab style! I went to check her blog "The Daily Sophisticate" and it took me to a page in Japanese!! (I wanted to see if she was still posting outfits.) My very basic reading skills made me guess the site has something to do with piercing? Very strange... must investigate.

11 years ago

dlb1960

Active Member

I too suffer from this problem. I have large thighs and a smallish waist. Having large thighs, it is reasonable to think that more roominess in the thigh area would be more flattering and large thigh forgiving. However, I find that for me this is not the case. I have found it better to go for jeans that are tighter in the thigh area compared to hip and waist, or firmish in waist, hip AND thigh. Tighter on hip and waist with give in the thigh pulls the jeans up creating the camel toe.
Good luck with your search.

11 years ago

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