women's pants rant

[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.

[Crankin]

Don't get me started on the lengthening of petite sized inseams...
I am a 28.5, can wear 29 in some, too. Pants with 30 inch inseams need to be hemmed and I don't sew. What's the point of petite if the pants have to be hemmed???

[OakLeaf]

Heh. When you think about it, off the rack clothes are made for the tallest people in the range, just because it's easier to shorten things than lengthen them. So petites are made for people 5'4", and anyone shorter is still probably going to need to hem.

I'm just glad for lower rises, because I have no waist - when slacks were made to fall at the natural waist, I had a choice between petites with hems at mid-ankle or misses with waistbands at the bra line.

I probably need a new pair of dressier slacks - haven't bought a pair in 7-8 years - and this thread is not inspiring me to go out and shop.

[Eden]

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.

I don't know if the women's sizing is comparable, but I found some kids "It" brand jeans that fit *perfectly*, no gap, the right length and a tolerable rise (it could be a little higher for me, but I don't feel like I'm always showing off my undies or my butt crack) The model I have is the "starlet", more of a skinny jean cut, but the legs are not stove pipe thin the *whole* way up, so I can fit my thighs in too.

[TsPoet]

I have a funny for you:

I got dressed in a newish pair of genes and my SO complained that I needed to tuck my shirt in, he could see my underwear. I complained about the "low rise" style of the pants and he said... "those aren't low rise, those are Dockers".

[GLC1968]

I hate buying pants, too. And I hate that designers are constantly changing their fits. I mean, I get that styles change and I'm all for trying to be 'current' but even if they alter a style, it would be helpful to stay within the same fit framework. Yes, I speaking to you Eddie Bauer.

I'm 5'4" but have short legs, so I ALWAYS have to hem my pants. 29" inseams are too long unless I'm wearing heels and I no longer wear heels.

For jeans, if you want ones that don't gap in the back, go Levi's Curve ID. I'm a Supreme curve, but even if you aren't as curvy as me (12" inch difference between waist and hip), they have more modified curve signatures. It is reasonably high quality denim that lasts, too. At about $70, they are not cheap, but they often have sales and free shipping. And honestly, the jeans do last. They last better than Gap jeans, for sure.

[Irulan]

You gals do understand there is absolutely NO industry standard when it comes to sizing women's clothing in the USA. Some people withing the clothing manufacturing sector have been pushing for this for years but not getting too far.

[jessmarimba]

I hate buying pants, too. And I hate that designers are constantly changing their fits. I mean, I get that styles change and I'm all for trying to be 'current' but even if they alter a style, it would be helpful to stay within the same fit framework. Yes, I speaking to you Eddie Bauer.

Hahaha I just had to laugh when I saw this. I loooooove getting the Eddie Bauer catalog - but I'm pretty sure absolutely nothing but their First Ascent line fits me. At ALL. They don't make tall pants smaller than a size 6. And their shirts are all so short on me and the sleeves are all too short but the clothes are so cute it kills me. AGONY, I tell you! I just have to wonder where they get models for their catalog? Since aren't most models supposed to be taller than the average woman? I can't figure it out. Maybe they use actual people-sized models and then photoshop them?