How long should my jeans be?

[Robyncz]

Jeans have changed A LOT since the last time I bought a pair. I've just bought two cute, sort of trendy pairs of jeans with a slightly low rise. One pair is a boot cut with a little bit of a flare, and the other pair is straight legged. The both need to be hemmed. I'll be wearing them with boots with a bit of a heel. Where should my hem fall? Women seem to be wearing them long this year--like skimming the ground. I don't like that look, but I don't want to make them too short either. Is there any source of information to tell me what is "right"?

Thanks!
Robyn

[DeeK]

I think it should break nicely over the top of your foot in the front and be even with the beginning of the heel on your boot in the back. So you will have a very slightly longer back of the pant leg.

That's how I think they look nicest. Fashion may dictate something different. :D :rolleyes:

[Chefzhat]

Are you tall or short???

I'm short, and wear my jeans with heels and the jeans just skim the ground. Gives a long, slimming look and don't rise above my ankles when I sit down.

Maybe go for 1/2 off the ground? Not skimming but yet still longish??

Debie

[Robyncz]

Are you tall or short???

I'm short, and wear my jeans with heels and the jeans just skim the ground. Gives a long, slimming look and don't rise above my ankles when I sit down.

Maybe go for 1/2 off the ground? Not skimming but yet still longish??

Debie

I'm short. Definitely short. I'm just barely 5 feet tall. Both pairs of jeans I bought are size 6 short, and they're still way too long.

I think I'll go for just off the ground--like maybe 1/4 to 1/2 inch.

[Melman]

If you're short (I'm 5'3" so I qualify), probably the best investment you can make is to do business with the best alterations shop in your town. Any time I buy pants (or usually skirts), I know I need to tack on the cost of hemming to the cost of the item. I used to do my own hemming. Ahem, let's not even talk about that. :o I just feel so much better wearing pants that I *KNOW* are the correct length as well as hemmed correctly.

Unfortunately, I haven't had jeans hemmed lately though, so I can't give you any ideas what length they should be.

[Chefzhat]

Melman mentioned the use of a good tailor - and she's right. A good tailor can be your best friend.

Make sure that the tailor uses a hemming technique that matches the original hem on the jeans - they look more natural that way, not "hemmed". It makes a big difference.

What kind of jeans did you buy? I'm jean shopping right now - I need a pair or two.

Debie

[jellyben]

I just bought a pair of jeans that also need to be hemmed. I am worried that they will look as Chef described-that is 'hemmed'. Oh well, I went to the lady that everyone recommends so we'll see. If it doesn't work out then I will know God did not intend for me to own $90 jeans!!

[Robyncz]

I got one pair at J. Jill that have a slightly low rise (not low enough to be silly on a 30-something year old woman) and a little bit of a boot cut flare. They're called "authentic fit" (whatever *THAT* means).

The other pair are Levis 505 Neuveaux Low straight leg jeans.

Both fit nicely and look "current" without looking silly. At least I think they do. Jeans are so tricky! Honestly, the last time I bought jeans they fit at the true waist and were tapered slightly at the ankles!

[mbrogier]

Jeans are going really low now on the hem. Mine are about 1/2 inch off the ground. Sometimes they skim the ground if I'm wearing sandals. (I hate it when I forget and buy pants when I'm wearing heels :rolleyes: )

Robyn, you're in your 30s, not your 70s. It's ok to be trendy. My mom just bought some Authentic Fit J Jill jeans. She's older than you. :D

Congrats on getting out of the mom jeans! (I have a few pairs that are packed up for the Salvation Army bin, too. :o )

[olchik]

I think it should break nicely over the top of your foot in the front and be even with the beginning of the heel on your boot in the back. So you will have a very slightly longer back of the pant leg.

That's how I think they look nicest. Fashion may dictate something different. :D :rolleyes:

I totally agree with you!

[dreamer]

Everytime I buy pants they are too long- and I'm slim (at least at this point!), so it's not like I'm buying a larger size. And I don't think my legs are particularly short. I was interested to read that a lot of you have the same problem.
Guess I'm really not into this fashion trend of pants dragging on the ground. Seems kind of icky to me. I was glad to notice last year that Land's End will custom hem pants for you to the 1/4 inch (cost included in pants price). Not sure if they offer jeans in the same way- I have to check!

[maddolee]

ITA with the suggestions to find a great tailor! I get my jeans at Nordstrom since they do free alterations :D and bought this last pair to wear with boots or shoes w/ a higher heel. The tailor kept them pretty long, enough so that only a bit of the heel peeked out. One plus for me is that since I'm 5"3, it gives me that elongated look that some other posters mentioned.

[greatcook]

1/4 to 1/2 inch off the ground sounds perfect...you'll get the long look without the ragged edge (that I end up with when my jeans are just a bit too long)!

[dixie]

One more thing to think of, is blue jeans continue to draw up in length over time, even if you hang dry but especially if you machine dry. So, definitely go a little long now, especially if you wear your jeans for several years...or you'll have floods by next season!