In-Between Lengths
Thursday, February 16, 2012The other day Elle was asking for opinions on hemming a pair of pants. This got me thinking about the last time I took a pair of pants to the tailors... and I came up blank. How could this be? Petite pants are usually too short for me and regular lengths are too long. I then realized I almost always buy longer pants and DIY the hem to work with a particular outfit. Or as I told Elle, "Pants too long? Buy taller shoes." I can only claim to be half-joking because I'm speaking from experience, hahaha.
My DIY attempts typically consists of (1a) folding the excess fabric under to around the ankles or (1b) higher for a cropped look, (2a) rolling it up messily above my shoes, (2b) neatly folding for the cuffed look, or (3) leaving as-is for the scrunched look.
I'd say (1a) is probably my go-to look. With new pants it's kind of a pain because there are no prior creases from previous folds, so it takes a bit of trial and error to line up both legs evenly. (2b) is one that I don't wear often and today is the perfect opportunity to change that. Unless you look closely, the cuffs are barely visible with black pants. I don't know why I haven't tried this sooner, but this look is slowly growing on me. As the saying goes, there's a first time for everything.
Forever 21 rhinestone snake chain (similar)
15 comments
You're right, the cuffs totally blend in...love this outfit..the pink with the vest are perfect!
ReplyDeletethis is a great idea. i cuffed a pair of skinny jeans one time and it looked great.
ReplyDeleteNice alternative to the traditional hem - I like that it will work with different shoes and looks. Great pink shirt and necklace. :)
ReplyDeleteI've gotten into the "roll" of things too - what a lifesaver! I'm usually a scrunched hem queen, because I am too lazy to go to the tailor's!
ReplyDeleteI adore your trench, so gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI've done that too....and I have to say that I think this look rocks!!
ReplyDeleteI love skinny trousers for this reason-- I can just fold them under and they stay like that. xD Love the trench and the gloves!
ReplyDeleteGood job with the cuff! Skinny pants are definitely the best to buy at longer lengths since they are easier for the DIY tricks.
ReplyDeleteI love this classy look
ReplyDeletehttp://sienastyle.blogspot.com
I'm loving cuffed pants lately too! I'd always been worried that they'd make me look stumpy but I *think* if the legs are slim and paired with heels, it looks ok on me.
ReplyDeleteDumb question, is 2a like a mullet tuck for pant hems? Or maybe I'm envisioning it incorrectly.
I think slim leg open is key for cuffed pants too. I've tried cuffing flared pants before and they only work from certain angles, haha.
DeleteHmm... for 2a, I "roll" the hem up instead of folding evenly and do sort of tuck the jeans into my boots at the end. I guess it is like a mullet tuck? :) There's no exact science, so I just keep rolling until the outfit looks alright.
I love your DIY. What great way to save money on alternation. Cute outfit.
ReplyDeleteAnd the burberry trench is back! I still love it on you! :DDD
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for the tips on how to DIY hem without forking over any money for alterations...unfortunately I am horrible at eyeballing how much to fold up and I also get frustrated easily so most of the time when I try to roll up the excess fabric I end up just wearing skirts. I'll have to practice more because the cuffed look looks great!
It's so cliche, but I feel like a million bucks whenever I wear my trench. COMPLETELY IN LOVE I tell ya :)
DeleteLol Elle, you can't be more impatient than I am! Have you noticed that I never stand straight for my pictures? It's to hide the uneven pant legs, hahaha.
I haven't hemmed pants in a while too b/c I'm lazy LOL! Actually a lot of my more recent pants purchases have been cropped so no hemming required or skinny jeans so a scrunch is appropriate :)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to hear from you. Constructive criticisms welcome!