About one minute into my trip to the new Paige Denim store in the West Village yesterday, I was a little miffed. Not because some guy muttered something about “artfully destroyed jeans” to me as I walked in, but because I went there specifically for the Petites Line, which takes up about 1/16 of the store.
Which brings me to my greater question: Why exactly are jeans so incredibly long? My “petite” jeans I bought yesterday came with a tag that reads, “This collection offers perfect proportions for the petite. Rather than simply cropping the length, this garment has been rescaled and tailored to accomodate [sic] the woman who is 5’4” and under.” Which is interesting, seeing as how the average height for the female American woman is 5’4” (and that statistic doesn’t take into account all the still-growing teenage girls who probably buy more jeans than all the rest of us combined).
It’s not that I’m naive about these things. I stare at and mull over fashion for a living, so I am fully aware that most designs are intended for people that don’t even exist. But you’d think that such an ordinary item wouldn’t be subject to the idea that everybody’s 5’10 and 85 pounds (and I won’t even bother to present the argument that making people-size jeans would help the cost since less fabric should equal less money – my petites are always the same price as their foot-longer counterparts).
So does anyone have the missing piece of information to this mystery? Because it would really help my weekend.
Tags: denim, Jeans, Paige Denim, Shopping
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I think everyone could complain about badly fitting jeans and generalising about people’s figures. My particular grumble is !why does everyone except H&H think everyone with an arse has thighs like an Olympic cyclist?!”
my only explanation would be that it’s much easier to hem pants that are too long than it is to lengthen pants that are too short.
ah yes, guest #2, that’s what i used to think, too. but why wouldn’t you just offer them in a variety of lengths, much like men’s pants? plus, when you hem the jeans (which i have literally had to do my entire life until i started buying from the petites line of paige), you completely lose the proportion, so it’s really not the same, especially since that’s one of the considerations when buying expensive denim.
I’ve always heard that it’s because they expect that jeans will shrink when they’re washed… though mine never do. (I’m 5’2″ myself, so I understand your annoyance).
Guest #1: I completely agree about the thigh problem!
I often find them to not be long enough. I’m 5’9″, and most jeans after a washing are only good to wear with flats. I agree women’s jeans should come in lengths like men’s jeans.
I have to hem my petite jeans! How ridiculous is that!!?!?!
The reality is that one major cost in constructing a pair of jeans is the upper half, the pockets, the zipper etc… The cost of fabric to leave a jean longer is marginal.
If you want a variety of fits and lengths you should check out Levi’s, they have many fits/finishes/lengths that fit many bodies.
I will say that reviews of stores and collections on this site seem to lean towards the negative, is there a reason for that?
I can’t imagine everything is so aweful out there
I dont get it either, men have it so much easier, I HAVE YET to find the perfect pair of jeans, I’m 5 feet tall, with the thighs of a cyclist, and a small waist. I had to forget about designer jeans, I’m a 26 waist but I need a 28 or 29 just for the room for my thighs, and they are WAY to long, who are designers designing for? Giraffes??!
I believe the average fit model is 5’6″ and of perfect proportion. For petites they alter off of those proportions.
Of course every company has their own market so each fit model is different.
I’m in commenter 5′s boat. All of my jeans flood. It seems like if you’re maybe about 5’6″ and a size 4 or 6 then all jeans are made for you, otherwise, you’re just going to have to suffer.
Its not that easy for men either. I’m 6’3, thin, with very long legs so finding jeans that fit is a lengthy battle (ha pun). Either my jeans are long enough and too wide or trim but too short. Usually only the very expensive designer labels make jeans that truly fit me because they are used to model body types. I think tall people of either sex have a much tougher time with jeans unless they are spending $400 on them!
A lot of places also make pants with the assumption that they are going to be worn with heels, so the standard inseam is 34″ instead of, say, 32″.
Completely agree with all. That said, Natalie, can you do a post on tips for hemming jeans?
I have two pairs that I’ve been holding onto (and tucking into boots) b/c I’m afraid of the tailor messing up the cuffs.
What are your tips for making hemmed jeans look like their original version?
You can’t make jeans longer, only shorter.
Petite women should consider themselves lucky to be able to have pants tailored to fit.
Those of us that are taller often have a tough time finding jeans (or any pants for that matter) that we can wear with heels. And you can’t bring your short jeans to a tailor and ask him to add 2 inches.
For me, a 34″ inseam only works with flats.
I’m 5’11″ and it’s rare for me to find jeans or pants that are long enough. I pretty much always wear heels except with jeans unless they’re a 36″ inseam; otherwise they look like floods. I agree that making them in a wide range of lengths would be ideal.
I agree that women’s jeans need to be sized like men’s. Topshop does this, thankfully. I’m 5’8″ and my ideal inseam is a 31, which is really short for fairly tall girl. Their 32″ is about the best I’ve seen.
Many tailors now will be able to remove the original hem and sew it back on. There are a few different techniques, so ask around, at a locatl boutique or bring them in to your tailor.
Many tailors now will be able to remove the original hem and sew it back on. There are a few different techniques, so ask around, at a locat boutique or bring them in to your tailor.
When I worked in retail, they told us that regular jeans are made to fit a height of 5’7.
Maybe they want to make jeans long enough that a taller person would accept them as ankle length and a shorter person would be able to hem them without altering the shape too much?
At 5’11″ I am greatful for longer jeans. I have a very hard time finding pants that are long enough. As many have said, you can always hem them (and yes, there are good tailors who know how to do it so that the original hem is kept intact so that you don’t lose any details or the leg shape), but you can’t make them longer.
So we all essentially agree that women’s jeans should be sized like men’s are. I think companies will start to move in that direction (I hope!)
THANK YOU FOR THIS POST!!! I’ve been wondering the same damned thing FOREVER!
I think the manufacturers all live in la-la land and just choose to go for a standard size that they believe to be somewhere in between “short” and “tall.” I myself am a bit under 5’6″ and a size 6 and find most pants to be too long to wear with a flat shoe. So, guest 10, there goes your theory LOL.
Guest 2 – I have the opposite problem. To me it seems like all designers assume if you have a tiny waist you have tiny thighs and no ass – wrong again!
It’s so frustrating. I’m 5’6 and proportional, but I sometimes have to buy “short” jeans. It just makes me feel bad for people like my 5’2 sister! Surprisingly my current favorite jeans are from Target. They fit perfectly, length and all.
We need a line of jeans for people who are apple-shaped, and a line for people who are pear-shaped. I’m apple shaped and have a big tummy, but small butt and small thighs. By the time I find jeans that fit my stomach, they are waaaaay too big in the butt and thighs, which makes me look like I have no butt.
I actually know the answer to this, for once. I think I read it in Vogue.
For companies who outsource production, suppliers require a certain minimum commitment via the amount of denim they buy vs the number of jeans to be made.
Therefore, companies try to pack in as much of the available denim in all the finished products to use it up. Hence, the extra lengths.
The petite lines actually COST the companies money, because they are not able to use up all the denim from the suppliers — hence, the higher price vs. the amount of actual material.
I’m 5’10″ and weigh 120 pounds and let me tell you that jeans are not made for me either. Even jeans that claim to be long are high waters. So short people are not the only one’s with this issue.
I’m 6’1″ and have a 38″ inseam- how’s that for hard to find jeans? Almost every pair I own goes to my ankles, which is unfortunate since I prefer heels (better proportions), so I can only really wear heeled boots with jeans. A few brands (Rag & Bone, J Brand Bardots) have longer ones though… it takes a lot of searching. I really don’t think buying jeans is easy for anyone.
Agreed. But I do think it’s something that’s being addressed in other contemporary lines. I just read about a few designers who are cutting for 5’4 and under but trying to escape the whole “petites” label. Fernanda Carneiro is one I remember…
I would think a major reason for the length is because denim brands want actual tall, thin women wearing their jeans on the street. This further promotes the ideal image of the kind of woman who they think should wear their brand.
There are many stores that offer different sizing, such as Gap and Old Navy, that offer a “regular” and “ankle” versions. One step further is New York & Co., which offers a “tall,” “ankle” AND “short.”
Blame the fit model.
I was watching clips from Style.com and one buyer joked about her Marc jeans being long because he used Jamie Bochert (who is 5’10″) as his fit model.
6’1″, essentially have no waist, and ive never really had a problem. i mean, no more difficult than finding a flattering dress at worst
I have been wondering this for years myself.. let me know if you ever figure it out!
its easier to trim fabric then to add it! trust me before this was a norm, my 5’10 bod had a terrrrrrrible time finding jeans that were long enough.
http://www.nolabelleinthecity.blogspot.com/
i’m 5′, about 100 lbs, and every pair of jeans needs to be hemmed. the last true religions i bought at saks i never wear because they had me try on jimmy choos to wear while they measured, and i kept telling them that i rarely wear heels higher than 4″ (although I should), and now the jeans are still too long, after $300+ later… ugh. what a pain, really. I love being tiny, but if I were 5’4″, I really think I could at least wear normal clothes that only require minimum hemming.
I love the double 0′s that are about 12″ too long on me. (American Eagle is a great example of that). Who is a double 0 that is taller than me? if they are, they definitely need to get a burger or something, for sure.
also, i’ve had a few drinks and feel like rambling, but dress pants are probably the worst for me. I like the idea of going to a waist v. inseam, like men’s pants, much more practical.
xo
I’m pretty sure if you have a big tummy and no thighs and no butt you should consider spending your money on a trainer and not on expensive jeans…
ohhh snap! (to the last comment)
I’m 5’0″ and only wear Topshop petite jeans because their length is perfect for me!
yeah i bought $187 Hudson jeans and i had to hem off like 4 inches. the store should offer complimentary resizing.
So I’m 5 ft 7 in and I’m pretty sure that doesn’t make me petite in fact it makes me tall compared to the average women of 5′ 4″ and inorder to wear jeans with a flat or a lower heel I have to buy petite jeans. It’s truly ridiculous! But if there’s anyone out there who wants a pair of shorter jeans. 7 for all mankind makes a pair of flipflop jeans perfect for flats. Joes and Citizens also make good petite jeans.
I’m only 5’7″ but I still can’t find jeans long enough. You can hem jeans if they’re too long. You can’t make them longer if they’re too short.
I am about 5’7 as well and would have to wear petite jeans if i want to wear them with flats. i agree with #12 that it seems all manufacturers assume you’re going to be wearing heels and actually want most your foot unseen. It’s ridiculous. But I see longer inseams all the time online or in catalogs especially
I am 5’8 and I have flat jeans with a 32″ inseam and heel jeans with a 35 1/2″ inseam. I dont need to spend 100′s on my denim. There are plenty of brands out there that do size their denim like menswear, you just need to step out of your expensive box to find them.
Levi’s and The Buckle are two brands that I swear by. I have the same pair of jeans in three different lengths from the Buckle. I always get compliments on them whenever I wear them and they only cost me $70!!
I have the same problem!!!!! I hate going jean shopping because jeans are too long and too tight!!!!! I don’t want too spend 100′s on jeans, I just want a pair that fit well!!!
As I do completely understand your problem with not being able to find denim that comes perfectly fit without alterations, I as well have had this problem in the past, but on the other end. I am not saying I am some 5’10″ supermodel (not by any means), but i have always, until recently, struggled with being able to find jeans that were even long enough to wear with flats. I think every women, no matter what height or size, has difficulties finding that”perfect” pair of denim. It probably will never be an easy task and all of us will keep trying on hundreds before we find one pair that fits decently.
I work in a store that sells premium denim and the main reason is the fact that these jeans aren’t mass produced. They are made in limited qualities so they need to be able to fit ideally anyone. Like someone said already you can’t make jeans longer, but you can make them shorter. By having jeans long, they are able to be worn on people of various heights, where if they did make them in different lengths they would have to make twice as many pairs and worry about selling twice as many. Not to mention it would suck for people who really want to buy a certain pair of jeans but they can’t because the only pair they have in their size is two inches to short. If they are too long they expect you to get them tailored to the length thats perfect for you.
Sorry Natalie but I can’t sympathise after spending my junior high years looking I like I was waiting for a flood…I beyond love the fact that jeans are made longer these days. Cause belive me it flooding -so not cute!!!!
usually anytime i want to find a perfect basic, like jeans or white t-shirt, i’ll spend a lot of time going to all the stores and trying on the same thing to see what fits best. it’s hard with jeans b/c there are so many brands out there. which is why i’ve spent 6 months looking for the exact pair of super-skinny superfines i got in london a year ago and nobody carries them. one day i’m in urban outfitters and i swear their bcg cigarettes look pretty similar on. plus they’re not as long and cost $54!!! and here i was searching madly to spend $300.
FINALLY
I am so glad some one said this so I wouldn’t have to. You would think that if a petite jean is smaller and uses less fabric it would cost less. Plus sized clothing uses more material and costs more, correct?
Not the case, the retailer usually assumes that if they have to buy a petite and carry it along side the regular sizes that it should cost the same if not more because all of the sudden’ petite’ is i dunno a specialty item. WRONG. Complete opposite, I would consider it to be a standard in womens clothing because most women are in the 5’3-5’7 height range. Retailers need to step up there game, especially in NYC because we shop. We seriously shop, we don’t just walk into a place and drop our money down and say ‘Give it to me’. We scope things out online or a walk through before we consider any purchase. So to the retailers get real about your marketing, and to the people who are suckered into the sales persons pitch, you need a hard as nails stylist. They don’t take crap from anyone, not even the savviest sales people at Barnes can detour the most studious of stylistas.
XOXO D
PS-Not every man has a raging six pack and perfect 12′ chest waist ratio. But thats a different rant to come.
I didn’t feel like reading the other comments, so I will saw what I have heard:
A sales guy at Saks told me jeans are made so long because Asian manufacturers require a minimum order for the best prices. A lot of the “fashion denim companies” (his words) didn’t sell enough pairs to get a variety of lengths and still command a certain price. Hence they only ordered a single length and eventually it became industry practice.