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Hem-ming and Hawing

Jul 26, 2008 @ 9:23pm

kate moss in wide leg jeans.jpg I always have to hem jeans (being 5'2) and I have a standard inseam length that I always use when I get jeans tailored - one for flats, one for heels.

I just bought a pair of J Brand Kat wide legged jeans - I'm obsessed. I got them hemmed about 1/2 inch longer than my usual "heel" length and yet they still look too short to me - which means I can only wear them with two inch heels.

A couple of weeks ago I got another pair of cute wide legged jeans and for the first time ever I don't think I'll have to get them hemmed. They almost brush the floor when I wear heels and I like them because they don't get caught under my heels or anything.

But I've seen pictures of wide legged denim worn to the ground and pictures in which they're hemmed two inches from the ground showing off the shoes.

So I'm wondering what is the proper length for wide legged jeans and pants?

Thanks!

posted by guest

Jul 28, 2008 11:23PM

I have the jbrand Lovestory and those i didnt even hem (im ab 5'3-5'4) and they cover my shoes and look bell-bottom like, another wide leg of mine ive had hemmed and since they were too short looking i wear with a flat and tank tops. I think they really have to almost cover your shoes to look good.

posted by LauraMilli

Jul 29, 2008 2:17PM

I love it when they cover your shoes, if you're wearing heels. I got some Citizens of Humanity high-waisted wide legs, and when you get them hemmed, sometimes it just takes all the wide-leg part right off!

posted by mpw

Jul 30, 2008 10:47AM

I like it when wide leg pants seem to cover your shoe, but maybe you could ask the tailor to shorten them a little in the front to show off the shoes (and make it a little easier to walk), while keeping the back long so the hem is still just above the floor.

posted by guest

Jul 30, 2008 11:00AM

I think it is cute when a tiny bit of your shoe pops out, just short enough that they dont drag, but long enough to cover most of your foot. It seems like everyone has a different take, so it is really up to your personal preference.

posted by guest

Jul 30, 2008 2:25PM

I think they need to cover your shoes and either hit the ground, or just come short of grazing it. Any shorter and it looks odd to me.

posted by guest

Jul 31, 2008 12:26AM

2 inches from the ground is fine but if you think you could get away with 1'-1.5' from the ground it could look a little cleaner, and make for a better silhouette, non? This way you'll have them just long enough, but not long enough that they're dragging along the ground and getting ratty. Don't just think about them getting caught in your heels or not too, think about going up and down stairs and other movement that could compromise the hem of the pants!