In-Between Lengths

Thursday, February 16, 2012

The 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.

sunglasses: Old Navy round metal-hardware (similar; similar)
vest: Zara Girl fur waistcoat (similar; similar)
necklace: Ann Taylor winter sparkle (similar)
top: ASOS wrapped front ruched sleeve blouse (similar)
gloves: Lord & Taylor wrist-length silk lined leather (sold here)
belt: Express (similar)
bag: agnes b (similar) - gift from cousin

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15 comments

  1. You're right, the cuffs totally blend in...love this outfit..the pink with the vest are perfect!

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  2. this is a great idea. i cuffed a pair of skinny jeans one time and it looked great.

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  3. Nice alternative to the traditional hem - I like that it will work with different shoes and looks. Great pink shirt and necklace. :)

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  4. I'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!

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  5. I adore your trench, so gorgeous!

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  6. I've done that too....and I have to say that I think this look rocks!!

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  7. I love skinny trousers for this reason-- I can just fold them under and they stay like that. xD Love the trench and the gloves!

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  8. Good job with the cuff! Skinny pants are definitely the best to buy at longer lengths since they are easier for the DIY tricks.

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  9. I love this classy look
    http://sienastyle.blogspot.com

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  10. 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.

    Dumb question, is 2a like a mullet tuck for pant hems? Or maybe I'm envisioning it incorrectly.

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    Replies
    1. 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.

      Hmm... 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.

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  11. I love your DIY. What great way to save money on alternation. Cute outfit.

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  12. And the burberry trench is back! I still love it on you! :DDD

    And 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!

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    Replies
    1. It's so cliche, but I feel like a million bucks whenever I wear my trench. COMPLETELY IN LOVE I tell ya :)

      Lol 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.

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  13. 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 :)

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