Pants me! Help me find pants that fit
August 11, 2015 6:55 AM Subscribe
Young professional woman seeking pants that fit. Caveats and such below the fold.
Overview: As it turns out, September is right around the corner so fall and winter are not far behind. I would really like to obtain some pants that fit well and that I like sooner rather than later. However, I find that I am on a nearly year-round quest for pants that occasionally yields some returns that are better than others but are generally lackluster.
Background: I grew up with a sense that too loose is better than too tight. I also grew up with lots of hand-me-downs from my sisters that didn't fit well and I remember being laughed at by children for wearing clothes that were too big. But it's always been hard for me to gauge what size I really am. My mother in law thought I was crazy for picking up a size large when we went shopping together. But then again, I tried on a pair of size large leggings recently and thought they were too snug - I know leggings are supposed to be snug but I didn't like how they felt so I returned them.
Me: Most of my clothes are around a size 12 or 14. I think I've actually lost a little weight as they seem looser than usual but when I've tried to sneak into a size 10, it has felt snug. But it's hard for me to figure out which pants will stretch over the course over a day and which feel snug and stay snug. I recently splurged on a pair of fancy jeans and I really like them but unfortunately, I think they're a size larger in the waist than I need, which is so frustrating.
In case you're wondering, skirts are less problematic though since my waist is the issue, they're not great either. Also, I'm cheap, which doesn't really help. But this is a problem I am willing to throw some money at (see aforementioned fancy jeans!).
What I'm looking for: I would like a few skinny pairs of pants and jeans, definitely in black but maybe a few more colors like charcoal. I would like to be able to wear pants with flats. I also really like wearing leather boots that cover my shin and tucking pants into them (I think that I'm supposed to retire knee-high boots in favor of ankle boots but I haven't found ankle boots that I like - future question!).
I prefer low-rise pants which actually seem increasingly difficult to find (especially now since high-rise is apparently "in"). Also, I'm short so even when I get petite-sized clothing, it seems like the rise is rarely adjusted. I realize dress pants are less likely to be low-rise than jeans or more casual pants and that low-rise is generally for younger women but that's a preference. I have been helped by the fact that it seems like more and more retailers are posting detailed size info on their websites.
Things that have worked relatively well: The "collection" pants from The Limited are okay. The Marissa style pants from Loft. Black "ultra-skinny" low rise cropped pants from Gap. AG "The Stilt" jeans.
Things that have worked less well: The exact stretch pants from The Limited stretch out too much. I think I'm in between sizes at Loft - I recently tried pants and thought a size 12 was too loose but size 10 was too snug. Two by Vince Camuto Skinny Ponte Pants and Leggings from Joe's Jeans - they're comfortable and I might keep them but the rise is higher than I prefer. Vince Camuto Ponte Knit Ankle Pants and Adriana jeans from Mavi- too high rise and I just didn't like them. Jeans from Gap and Old Navy - willing to try again but have not had luck lately.
I'm tempted to just take all of my current pants to the tailor and ask her to do magic but that sounds expensive and it still has the potential to not work. Alternately, I might just go to Nordstrom, hand someone a bunch of money and ask them to do magic. For starters, I thought I'd ask you all to do magic. I'm thinking about taking a break from the search until the Labor Day sales. What do you all think and recommend? What are your go-to pants?
Overview: As it turns out, September is right around the corner so fall and winter are not far behind. I would really like to obtain some pants that fit well and that I like sooner rather than later. However, I find that I am on a nearly year-round quest for pants that occasionally yields some returns that are better than others but are generally lackluster.
Background: I grew up with a sense that too loose is better than too tight. I also grew up with lots of hand-me-downs from my sisters that didn't fit well and I remember being laughed at by children for wearing clothes that were too big. But it's always been hard for me to gauge what size I really am. My mother in law thought I was crazy for picking up a size large when we went shopping together. But then again, I tried on a pair of size large leggings recently and thought they were too snug - I know leggings are supposed to be snug but I didn't like how they felt so I returned them.
Me: Most of my clothes are around a size 12 or 14. I think I've actually lost a little weight as they seem looser than usual but when I've tried to sneak into a size 10, it has felt snug. But it's hard for me to figure out which pants will stretch over the course over a day and which feel snug and stay snug. I recently splurged on a pair of fancy jeans and I really like them but unfortunately, I think they're a size larger in the waist than I need, which is so frustrating.
In case you're wondering, skirts are less problematic though since my waist is the issue, they're not great either. Also, I'm cheap, which doesn't really help. But this is a problem I am willing to throw some money at (see aforementioned fancy jeans!).
What I'm looking for: I would like a few skinny pairs of pants and jeans, definitely in black but maybe a few more colors like charcoal. I would like to be able to wear pants with flats. I also really like wearing leather boots that cover my shin and tucking pants into them (I think that I'm supposed to retire knee-high boots in favor of ankle boots but I haven't found ankle boots that I like - future question!).
I prefer low-rise pants which actually seem increasingly difficult to find (especially now since high-rise is apparently "in"). Also, I'm short so even when I get petite-sized clothing, it seems like the rise is rarely adjusted. I realize dress pants are less likely to be low-rise than jeans or more casual pants and that low-rise is generally for younger women but that's a preference. I have been helped by the fact that it seems like more and more retailers are posting detailed size info on their websites.
Things that have worked relatively well: The "collection" pants from The Limited are okay. The Marissa style pants from Loft. Black "ultra-skinny" low rise cropped pants from Gap. AG "The Stilt" jeans.
Things that have worked less well: The exact stretch pants from The Limited stretch out too much. I think I'm in between sizes at Loft - I recently tried pants and thought a size 12 was too loose but size 10 was too snug. Two by Vince Camuto Skinny Ponte Pants and Leggings from Joe's Jeans - they're comfortable and I might keep them but the rise is higher than I prefer. Vince Camuto Ponte Knit Ankle Pants and Adriana jeans from Mavi- too high rise and I just didn't like them. Jeans from Gap and Old Navy - willing to try again but have not had luck lately.
I'm tempted to just take all of my current pants to the tailor and ask her to do magic but that sounds expensive and it still has the potential to not work. Alternately, I might just go to Nordstrom, hand someone a bunch of money and ask them to do magic. For starters, I thought I'd ask you all to do magic. I'm thinking about taking a break from the search until the Labor Day sales. What do you all think and recommend? What are your go-to pants?
Specific rec: have you tried the 917 skinny jeans from the Limited? The rise is nice and low, and the dark wash is pretty dressy.
Some Banana Republic petite pants also have appropriately low rises, ime.
More general: if you're not sure about styles/cuts that work for you, try seeing if your area has a big Goodwill or equivalent thrift store with changing room, and budget an afternoon to go in and try on every pair of pants that remotely looks like it'd work. I learned more about my body and the way it relates to clothing of various brands/ cuts/ sizes during a single afternoon of working systematically through enormous piles of pants at our local Goodwill than I had in the past decade of sparing trying-on at the mall-- there's something about being able to try and compare like 30 of the same garment in a row that really clarifies what works and what doesn't, and leaving with a shortlist of good brands, cuts and sizes has really helped simplify online and mall shopping ever since.
posted by Bardolph at 7:17 AM on August 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
Some Banana Republic petite pants also have appropriately low rises, ime.
More general: if you're not sure about styles/cuts that work for you, try seeing if your area has a big Goodwill or equivalent thrift store with changing room, and budget an afternoon to go in and try on every pair of pants that remotely looks like it'd work. I learned more about my body and the way it relates to clothing of various brands/ cuts/ sizes during a single afternoon of working systematically through enormous piles of pants at our local Goodwill than I had in the past decade of sparing trying-on at the mall-- there's something about being able to try and compare like 30 of the same garment in a row that really clarifies what works and what doesn't, and leaving with a shortlist of good brands, cuts and sizes has really helped simplify online and mall shopping ever since.
posted by Bardolph at 7:17 AM on August 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
It sounds like you don't really have a good sense of how pants are supposed to fit. I would book an appointment with a personal shopper there and go on a quest for a pair of jeans and a pair of pants for work and see if getting a better over sense of fit will help you with future, independent shopping.
posted by DarlingBri at 7:28 AM on August 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by DarlingBri at 7:28 AM on August 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
Have you tried the old navy pixie pants? They're ankle length, low-rise and stretchy, so if they come anywhere close to working for you fit-wise, I bet you'd like them. They're great with flats, probably not good for tucking into boots though.
posted by snaw at 7:32 AM on August 11, 2015
posted by snaw at 7:32 AM on August 11, 2015
Some place like Goodwill is also helpful when you are looking for a style that was popular a couple of years ago that major retailers have dropped, like low-rise pants. It's where trends go to die.
I think my shape is the opposite of yours, I'm apple-shaped. It's really helpful for me to remember to try to sit down in the dressing room when assessing the fit of the pants. There's something about bending the body that stresses the fit. Some pants that fit closely when I'm standing kind of cut me in half when I sit. So it's important that I challenge them a little before I convince myself that they work.
posted by puddledork at 7:36 AM on August 11, 2015
I think my shape is the opposite of yours, I'm apple-shaped. It's really helpful for me to remember to try to sit down in the dressing room when assessing the fit of the pants. There's something about bending the body that stresses the fit. Some pants that fit closely when I'm standing kind of cut me in half when I sit. So it's important that I challenge them a little before I convince myself that they work.
posted by puddledork at 7:36 AM on August 11, 2015
I'm probably taller than you, so don't have to deal with the petite issue, but I think I have similar hips (and maybe torso, yours is a bit long, right?) and I know exactly what you're talking about with the rise thing. I think you do know what generally works on you, it's just that a lot of clothing manufacturers use fabrics with a ridiculous amount of stretch, so it just is impossible to predict how a thing will wear over a couple of days just by trying it on once.
My tip: for typical mall stores, ask the salesperson how things should fit, and listen to them when they suggest trying a size smaller than the one that "feels" right. Even if you think the size down is a little tight. They have to wear those clothes, they mostly know them.
The Gap and BR are likely to have at least one or two styles, most seasons, that will fit well enough. I've had luck with Zara sometimes, but am not sure if they do petites as well. Otherwise, yup, find a really good tailor (some of them will just mess things up, waistbands are complicated) and have things you love fixed. Nordstrom's is a good idea, if they do all that.
However, I think you might be stuck with saggy pants, if you just hate how fitted pants (and even leggings) feel. Is it the same with tights and pantyhose? Would you consider going for dresses more often? They're about a million times easier to fit than skirts or pants, usually.
posted by cotton dress sock at 8:19 AM on August 11, 2015
My tip: for typical mall stores, ask the salesperson how things should fit, and listen to them when they suggest trying a size smaller than the one that "feels" right. Even if you think the size down is a little tight. They have to wear those clothes, they mostly know them.
The Gap and BR are likely to have at least one or two styles, most seasons, that will fit well enough. I've had luck with Zara sometimes, but am not sure if they do petites as well. Otherwise, yup, find a really good tailor (some of them will just mess things up, waistbands are complicated) and have things you love fixed. Nordstrom's is a good idea, if they do all that.
However, I think you might be stuck with saggy pants, if you just hate how fitted pants (and even leggings) feel. Is it the same with tights and pantyhose? Would you consider going for dresses more often? They're about a million times easier to fit than skirts or pants, usually.
posted by cotton dress sock at 8:19 AM on August 11, 2015
This is a time vs money problem. And the answer is really that you'll have to spend some of both to find your answers. The time is in trying on lots of clothes. You have to bring a shirt or two with you, be wearing the proper undergarments, and definitely have the shoes you plan to wear with your new pants. Heel height changes your butt. It's just a fact. The money is most likely going to be in having things altered/buying new things that include the price of altering. Keep in mind that places like Nordstrom are not permitted to alter the "look" of clothing. I can't even discuss that without my head getting splodey, but it's ok because I don't have money to spend at Nordstrom anyway.
Goodwill and other second hand stores tend to be amazing places for pants and skirts for exactly the reason you are having trouble. Sizing for the bottom half is less forgiving and harder to master than for tops. There's a reason so many shirts come in just S-M-L-XL. Because for some reason fluctuating body sizes tolerate that in shirts, but pants require more precision. This is good for you because it means that people are getting rid of good quality pants and skirts all the time, and with enough frequency that the quality is good. Shirts, people keep forever and only really get rid of when they are out of style or just about worn out.
With that said, Goodwill is not always the best place to learn what you like in pants. From season to season, each brand may change the cut of their garments (while keeping the same style name!) and because of older import laws (American) many brands have their manufacturing spread across multiple countries. A pair of "this brand/this style" pants from Malaysia may fit very differently from "this brand/this style" pants made in Turkey. Quality control works hard on this, but nothing is perfect. Sometimes these variations in fit are within your personal tolerances, sometimes they are not. Always try on before you buy. Whether new or second hand.
posted by bilabial at 8:27 AM on August 11, 2015
Goodwill and other second hand stores tend to be amazing places for pants and skirts for exactly the reason you are having trouble. Sizing for the bottom half is less forgiving and harder to master than for tops. There's a reason so many shirts come in just S-M-L-XL. Because for some reason fluctuating body sizes tolerate that in shirts, but pants require more precision. This is good for you because it means that people are getting rid of good quality pants and skirts all the time, and with enough frequency that the quality is good. Shirts, people keep forever and only really get rid of when they are out of style or just about worn out.
With that said, Goodwill is not always the best place to learn what you like in pants. From season to season, each brand may change the cut of their garments (while keeping the same style name!) and because of older import laws (American) many brands have their manufacturing spread across multiple countries. A pair of "this brand/this style" pants from Malaysia may fit very differently from "this brand/this style" pants made in Turkey. Quality control works hard on this, but nothing is perfect. Sometimes these variations in fit are within your personal tolerances, sometimes they are not. Always try on before you buy. Whether new or second hand.
posted by bilabial at 8:27 AM on August 11, 2015
I'm similar in size to you-short, probably a 10, and the Lisette line of pants have been fabulous. Not cheap, but comfortable, the ones I have are low rise, and very slimming. My general strategy for investment clothing like this is to try them on locally, find my size and buy a pair and then shop for more on someplace like eBay or thredup.
posted by purenitrous at 8:34 AM on August 11, 2015
posted by purenitrous at 8:34 AM on August 11, 2015
I've lived in the Bay Area and LA, two expensive markets, and the most I've paid to have a pair of pants taken in at the waist is $16, or $14 for a denim hem. Try a tailor, especially for your fancy jeans, and be amazed.
posted by samthemander at 8:54 AM on August 11, 2015
posted by samthemander at 8:54 AM on August 11, 2015
Have you tried Express' Editor pants? I always had trouble finding pants that fit me properly (I'm in the same boat as you size-wise) and was seriously doubtful when a friend recommended me this cut. Somehow, they just seem to work! Although as someone who is 5'8, I've never looked into whether they have petite sizing (although many brands do, so you should give 'em a shot).
posted by elkerette at 10:20 AM on August 11, 2015
posted by elkerette at 10:20 AM on August 11, 2015
I'm a much smaller size than you but it sounds like we have similar body types (me: 5'2", proportionally long torso and short legs, large waist, strongly prefer low-rise pants). I have multiple pairs of AG Stevie jeans from Anthropologie--it's an exclusive-to-them fit but similar to the Stilt, I'm told. They come in a petite-friendly ankle length that's full length on me (~28") and new colors every season. It's possible to catch them on sale, especially if you're OK buying at the $100 price point (retail price is ~$150).
I also really love the Lolita Skinny jean from Lucky Brand, which is mid-priced at just over $100 retail with not-infrequent 30-40% off promos. It doesn't come in colors though, just various denim washes--the dark wash is reasonably dressy.
For non-denim pants, it's much much harder to find a true low-rise (which I define as no higher than 8"). But I like LOFT's Marisa fit for straighter figures, and they're pretty affordable in conjunction with frequent promotions.
posted by serelliya at 10:36 AM on August 11, 2015
I also really love the Lolita Skinny jean from Lucky Brand, which is mid-priced at just over $100 retail with not-infrequent 30-40% off promos. It doesn't come in colors though, just various denim washes--the dark wash is reasonably dressy.
For non-denim pants, it's much much harder to find a true low-rise (which I define as no higher than 8"). But I like LOFT's Marisa fit for straighter figures, and they're pretty affordable in conjunction with frequent promotions.
posted by serelliya at 10:36 AM on August 11, 2015
Nthing Express for pants. Here's the deal with them though. Most of the stores don't carry Short sizes in store - however I've found their sizes to be consistent. (They usually DO have a few options for short in basic colors or styles though.) Therefore you can try on in-store to get your size, then order the short version of that size and style online. (Otherwise you can just order online and try as well. But since you're unsure of your size, then maybe see if there's one near you.)
Also!! Ankle cut is super in right now. And guess what? On my 5'4" frame, they're the perfect length! (28" inseam) Here's a great one! Here's a black version. Also I'm in love with these berry ones, but since I'm between jobs I have no use for them...please buy them so I can live through you. I have last year's version of these and they're wonderful. Perfect for flats!
posted by Crystalinne at 1:39 PM on August 11, 2015
Also!! Ankle cut is super in right now. And guess what? On my 5'4" frame, they're the perfect length! (28" inseam) Here's a great one! Here's a black version. Also I'm in love with these berry ones, but since I'm between jobs I have no use for them...please buy them so I can live through you. I have last year's version of these and they're wonderful. Perfect for flats!
posted by Crystalinne at 1:39 PM on August 11, 2015
Pardon the mess in this old photo, but this is where the Express ankle cut hit me. I am wearing heels in this photo but I mostly wear flats. I wear a 2 and am 5'4".
posted by Crystalinne at 1:46 PM on August 11, 2015
posted by Crystalinne at 1:46 PM on August 11, 2015
I'm a big fan of makeyourownjeans.com — they do other clothing that is not denim, and are very reasonably priced for completely custom clothing.
posted by culfinglin at 3:13 PM on August 11, 2015
posted by culfinglin at 3:13 PM on August 11, 2015
I have similar desires in pants and i just tried Banana Republic's Sloan Fit Straight leg pants on yesterday. I would recommend giving those a whirl.
I've all but given up on pants and I mostly wear skirts/dresses to work.
posted by nanhey at 4:56 PM on August 11, 2015
I've all but given up on pants and I mostly wear skirts/dresses to work.
posted by nanhey at 4:56 PM on August 11, 2015
I have found that pants are a little difficult to make fit perfect. I like the Gap, Banana Republic, Tahari and Kenzo. Now, I have a high waist, long legs and nothing fits me right so I mostly wear dresses. With pants and jeans though, I agree with you on the low waist; I suggest you get something that fits the thighs, butt and legs and then have the waist sewn on the inside with an elastic around so that it doesn't slide down. I have "slide down" problems. The elastic prevents the "slide down" enough to not be annoying. Do a straight leg, don't do cuffs on dress pants, they are a little cumbersome. A stretch fabric will make everything wonderful! Have fun!
posted by Yellow at 6:13 AM on August 12, 2015
posted by Yellow at 6:13 AM on August 12, 2015
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Given that, why not experiment with taking one pair of pants you already have and otherwise like (except for the fit) to a tailor and see if the results are worth the cost? Because paying directly to alter pants you already own is almost always going to be less expensive than buying new pants at a place that will tailor them to fit you as part of the price of the pants.
posted by Jacqueline at 7:02 AM on August 11, 2015 [1 favorite]