Low rise pants, shorts, skirts

[Jolt]

I can't stand really low rise--they feel like they're going to fall off!! Most of my pants are mid-rise or slightly higher. It does seem like sizes and styles are changing, and not for the better. I was irritated recently when I went to Old Navy looking for jeans--I really liked the "Weekend Fit" (straight leg, not low-rise, and not tight-fitting) that they used to make, and have a few pairs but they're starting to get pretty ratty so I wanted to get another pair or two. They don't make anything even close to that style anymore, and when I tried on another style that I thought would be OK they were dragging on the floor (the regular length was just right before)!! And they were a little lower rise than I would have preferred. Needless to say, I didn't buy any. All I have to say about the size creep is it needs to stop!! I'm 5' 2.5", 108 lbs, so pretty soon I will have to shop in the kids department if it keeps up. Something's wrong with that picture.

[wannaduacentury]

+1 on the Levi's 515s!

'Course, boot cut is "out" now, so we'll have to replace them all with skinny leg jeans yeah right

I was afraid of that, but I like them anyways. I do have one pair of Calvin Klein skinny leg jeans. They look nice, not really as narrow leg like I thought they'd be. I wear them w/ wedge sandals. Cool Jenn

[GLC1968]

Count me in the hating low rise camp. I've got super short legs and a long torso and low rise pants just make it even more obvious! Ick. Unless you've got long legs, they really don't flatter people (even though they might be more comfy than higher waists).

I hate to admit it, but I miss the 80's looks...those styles were really flattering for me. Thank goodness that was during my high school and college days when it actually mattered what I wore!

[Drtgirl]

Lucky Sweet n' Low jeans are the best! They are a mid-rise style. Only prob is they stretch so you may have to buy a size down.

I am short w/ a small waist and big hips. The low-waisted jeans just ride up around my waist when I sit down. Talk about uncomfortable!

I take pretty much all of my pants to get the waist taken in a bit. It adds another $20-30 to the price of your pants but it's worth it.

[Tuckervill]

Does anyone else watch What Not to Wear? I watch it occasionally. They always make a distinction about what kind of jeans "for your body type", but I can't fathom where they shop! Where in the world can you just walk in and say, "I'd like trouser-style jeans with slash pockets, please." Where I live, it's either the latest trend (peg-leg jeans are coming back and I can't stand the thought!) or nothing.

Karen

[Dogmama]

Does anyone else watch What Not to Wear? I watch it occasionally. They always make a distinction about what kind of jeans "for your body type", but I can't fathom where they shop! Where in the world can you just walk in and say, "I'd like trouser-style jeans with slash pockets, please." Where I live, it's either the latest trend (peg-leg jeans are coming back and I can't stand the thought!) or nothing.

Karen

I watch it occasionally. I usually dislike the clothes they choose. But, yeah, it seems like all jeans are cut from the same pattern - the kind that doesn't fit me. (whine!)

Ah, luxury problems.

[silverflow]

I am short legged, short waisted, short everything. The top of the low rise lands at my waist. I have finally learned to look for cropped tops, adjustable strap bras, empire waists. I have very few jeans, most are old and actually fit. Most of the time I am in leggings since they are most comfortable and fit best. But, everyone is different and I do see some that fit well in the low rise. I do have to say, however, that most who I see in the low rise do not look good.

[bmccasland]

One small thought ... those of us short people, short waisted, and all that. Might try looking in a Cowboy outfitter type store, not in the mall. Seems I used to buy my jeans there, and could find ones that fit, although it's been a while. I'm just disgusted in the whole casual pants category. I can easily find dress slacks that fit, but jeans or khaki's, forget it!

I think one of the reasons the WNTW clothes look so great is they're tailored before the final reveal. We'd all look better if we had seamstresses at our beck and call!

[JennyPi]

I have a friend who swears by custom made jeans. She claims they only run her about $40 per pair and address all of her fit issues related to the low-rise-with-legs-the-same-length-as-someone-five-foot-ten, small-waisted-but-still-have-nice-leg-muscle issues and such (mostly proportions)

That sounds great! I've got muscular legs and virtually no hips so I'd love to give that a shot! I'm 4'11'' so it gets really tricky when it comes time to shop. I've been wearing low rise because they're the only jeans that really work for me. (If you don't have hips they generally tend to fit nicely.) If I buy a regular jean, most of the time there's too much room in the thigh and hip area. My jeans then look frumpy and I look like a baggy mess. I recently bought a couple pairs of skinny jeans (that stretch) but I can't really wear them to work. You bend over and it's ALL over.

So still, I'm on the hunt for perfect pants.

Oh yeah, I've ditched boot cut because I look like a little b-o-y in them

[cyclechick2008]

I really need to buy pants but don't have the guts to go try them on.
I dropped 10 pounds having my tonsils out in Dec. so NOTHING fits. I'm too cheap to get a new wardrobe so everything is baggie. I agree about Levis. I buy men's they fit better.

Kim

[Eden]

so I've kind of found my solution.... I ventured down into the kids section at the Gap yesterday... (I don't even fit a 0 in the women's section now, so I really know there is major size creep - I used to be a size 5...). To my surprise the kids sizes really are proportioned better for me - a big surprise because though I am short I am definitely woman shaped. I do not have boyish hips and I do have a small waist. The jeans also have an "adjustable waist band" - no more plumbers crack! even on low rise. Now it's not as bad as it sounds the waist band has a piece of elastic *inside* that has buttons and button holes to adjust it. It doesn't show at all on the outside of the pants and works better than a belt, since the pants can't slip under it. It doesn't look like an elastic waist band either - it just fits a bit closer when you pull it in. As an added bonus they are straight legs (yehaw - boot cuts just make me look shorter and flares are plain ridiculous on someone of my size and proportions) and the length is perfect.

[Flur]

I'm in the love-the-low-rise camp, although I never wear anything that shows my underwear (that's just TOO low!) I've always had good abs and I like how the low rise jeans accentuate that. I like the long shirt styles that are in and it's nice having only one layer over my torso with very little overlap - less bulk! Also, If I wear higher rise jeans they seem to accentuate my butt, which is where I tend to carry my weight (there and my thighs).

I've actually gotten back into cycling in part b/c I don't think I look as good in my jeans as I used to - since I took my current job (about a year and a half ago) I've gained a little weight - I work long hours and don't get as much exercise as I used to, and now that I'm in my 30s it seems I need it more than ever!

I definitely agree with the size creep - I'm 5'7 and fairly thin framed, but when I try stuff on and I'm a 0 (J. Crew) or a 2 (Banana Republic), I can't help wondering what people with small frames who are shorter than me are buying. And if it keeps creeping up, I'm really going to be in trouble!

[emily_in_nc]

I am another petite person -- 5'1-1/2", 102-103 lbs, and I recently discovered that Talbot's Petite jeans (in a 2P) fit me wonderfully. They are mid-rise, which I feel much more comfortable in for work than low-rise, and they are long enough -- I have longish legs for my height so need a minimum 29" inseam. Too many petite pants (which are supposed to fit women up to 5'4") have inseams of only 28 or 28.5" (like ever single pair of LL Bean petites!), so I just can't wear them; and most regulars are too long (31-32" inseam). I refuse to hem. Ann Taylor Loft also tends to be long enough lately, but the size creep is indeed rampant. I used to wear 4P there, now it's 0P or 2P, and I have not lost weight!

Emily

[KnottedYet]

Love my Levi's men's 560 ($35), Costco brand men's jeans ($12), and Diamond Gusset women's regular ($45).

I'm as curvy as they come, cannot wear low rise at all, and 2 of my 3 best fitting jeans are MEN'S. Weird...

Oh, and Diamond Gusset doesn't suffer from size creep. I'm 5'8", and wear a women's 14. As real as it gets. www.gussetclothing.com

[Triskeliongirl]

I also hate low rise, but found two stores that define their styles quite clearly to make shopping easier. Ann Taylor Loft and Victoria's Secret. At VS I like the 'Christie' fit and at Ann Taylor Loft I like the 'Marissa' Fit. If you go to their websites they explain each fit in terms of rise, leg shape, etc. I got great jeans at Ann Taylor Loft in a boot cut last year that are medium rise. Ann Taylor's sizing is quite generous, their 4s fit me like a 6 at VS. I have found VS has pretty consistent sizing. Once I ordered pants in 3 sizes to find my size (they were running a free shipping w free returns on pants), but now that I know my style and size I have to send very little back.