women's pants rant

[Veronica]

Blakely and Mercer are Eddie Bauer fits. If you click on a pair of pants and then click on fit, it describes it.

Blakely
Proportioned for a curvy figure
Sits just below waist
Shaped through hip
Trouser leg


Veronica

[PamNY]

If I suddenly became wealthy, I would look into having pants custom made. Considering the variety of body types, it's not surprising that we have trouble finding the perfect fit.

I have skinny legs and not much of a rear, and everything is baggy on me. I think part of the reason leggings are popular is that they eliminate fit issues. Not that I am going to start wearing leggings at age 61, but I can see the appeal.

[Biciclista]

I used to go to JC penneys and buy their off the rack khaki pants. Then they changed them.
I did have some luck with a pair of jeans that I ordered from Diamond Gusset Jeans made in the USA. they fit the way they were supposed to. but those are jeans.

I go to good will or salvation army a lot because at least what you see is what you get and if you spend $6 on a pair of slacks and they are garbage, you aren't going to break the bank.

[emily_in_nc]

The other problem is inseams. We come in all different heights/inseams, and yet there are normally only three inseams available -- petite, regular, and tall. If your own inseam and the shoes you wear with the pair of pants aren't exactly one of those, you're either in highwaters, dragging your pants on the floor, or off to a tailor to get them hemmed.

SUPER annoying. One very nice thing about living in a tropical climate is that I only very rarely have to wear anything other than shorts.

[spokewench]

The other problem is inseams. We come in all different heights/inseams, and yet there are normally only three inseams available -- petite, regular, and tall. If your own inseam and the shoes you wear with the pair of pants aren't exactly one of those, you're either in highwaters, dragging your pants on the floor, or off to a tailor to get them hemmed.

SUPER annoying. One very nice thing about living in a tropical climate is that I only very rarely have to wear anything other than shorts.

That does it! I'm moving to Belize - no pants and no two feet of snow in March!

[Koronin]

I have issues finding pants that fit, but my problem is I'm short, with short legs. If I can find a pair that fits my waist properly they are always way too long. So I've totally and completely given up on women's pants all together and just buy men's. The 29 length of men's is still slightly too long, but nothing compared to what all the women's pants I try on are. Where I live doesn't have much in the way of shopping for nice clothes at all. Basically I either have to shop on line, or drive 1 hour to Wilmington or 2 hours to Raleigh. Which I was in Raleigh today (actually driving home from Bristol, TN {we were at the NASCAR races over the weekend}) and found my new favorite mall. There is a new Tanger Outlet mall that has some awesome stores. Now I need money to go shop there. They have a Columbia store (yes my favorite brand of clothing for work).

[Jolt]

The other problem is inseams. We come in all different heights/inseams, and yet there are normally only three inseams available -- petite, regular, and tall. If your own inseam and the shoes you wear with the pair of pants aren't exactly one of those, you're either in highwaters, dragging your pants on the floor, or off to a tailor to get them hemmed.

SUPER annoying. One very nice thing about living in a tropical climate is that I only very rarely have to wear anything other than shorts.

Yes, annoying! For me it's not quite as bad b/c I know how to hem pants (thanks to my mom passing on some of her sewing skills to me) but I'd still just as soon not have to do it. And while we're on the subject, WHY have inseams been getting longer and longer? I used to be able to get Old Navy jeans in regular length and they were just right...not anymore (at least the last time I checked, even the "short" was too long!). Do clothing designers/manufacturers assume we are all going to wear heels all the time? Forget it. Maybe I should just stick to LL Bean next time I need to buy pants...they have kept their inseams reasonable (regular 30 inches--just right for me and my flat shoes).

[jessmarimba]

Hah. And on the opposite end of the spectrum, Patagonia declares that their "long" length is only 33. Which is barely long enough for me (provided they don't shrink at all). My mom and her sisters all need about a 35-inch inseam!

[Jolt]

Hah. And on the opposite end of the spectrum, Patagonia declares that their "long" length is only 33. Which is barely long enough for me (provided they don't shrink at all). My mom and her sisters all need about a 35-inch inseam!

That's worse...at least with too long one can shorten them, you can't lengthen pants that are too short! I think there just need to be more lengths offered to fit the range of people's heights.

[emily_in_nc]

Maybe I should just stick to LL Bean next time I need to buy pants...they have kept their inseams reasonable (regular 30 inches--just right for me and my flat shoes).

Yes, LL Bean is the only manufacturer I'm aware of whose petite length pants are actually a hair too short for me! I need 29" inseams, and theirs are mostly 28.5". I bought several pairs of pants from them that were too short after laundering/drying, so I had to stop buying pants from them, though I can still wear their shorts, tops, and other items.

[Dogmama]

Yes, LL Bean is the only manufacturer I'm aware of whose petite length pants are actually a hair too short for me! I need 29" inseams, and theirs are mostly 28.5". I bought several pairs of pants from them that were too short after laundering/drying, so I had to stop buying pants from them, though I can still wear their shorts, tops, and other items.

I've had the same with LLBean recently. Plus, the fabric is not as nice as it once was & shows wear quickly. I've noticed that the construction isn't as good. Maybe outsourced to an even cheaper place overseas?

I HATE BUYING JEANS. I'm the one with 20 pairs in the dressing room, swearing under my breath. Every one gaps in the back. I'd love to have a pair of nice fitting jeans but unless I make them, it ain't going to happen.

[zoom-zoom]

If I suddenly became wealthy, I would look into having pants custom made. Considering the variety of body types, it's not surprising that we have trouble finding the perfect fit.

For a brief time Target actually offered this and I seem to recall that it was pretty reasonably priced. I'm not sure why it didn't last...perhaps the product wasn't good or it was too difficult to maintain the service.

[Irulan]

For a brief time Target actually offered this and I seem to recall that it was pretty reasonably priced. I'm not sure why it didn't last...perhaps the product wasn't good or it was too difficult to maintain the service.

Running a semi-custom service, even if automated to the hilt, is a nightmare.

FWIW, there are fashion industry groups pushing for standardization of sizing but don't hold your breath.

[sarahkonamojo]

Yep, men have it better in this area. Their clothes are mostly boring, but they do have a nice standardized system. And tailored clothes. Wouldn't that be great? (I am sure it exists, but could I afford it?)

[VeloVT]

For a brief time Target actually offered this and I seem to recall that it was pretty reasonably priced. I'm not sure why it didn't last...perhaps the product wasn't good or it was too difficult to maintain the service.

FWIW, Banana Republic offers either free hems or $10 hems (it's been a while since I've done it so I can't remember if it was free or had a nominal cost, but it was convenient and well done - someone at the store pins for you, then they send it out, I think I was able to get the pants back for a rush event in 2-3 days at no extra charge. Cheaper AND faster than taking them to a tailor).