Date: 2/7/10 5:48 PM

Ok, can I throw a self-pity party ? That would be a first, and probably a last - I promise.

I hate pants. Boy, do I ever hate pants. And shorts, and capris. The wide, the straight, the skinny.

Can you imagine that I do not own any pair of pants?

When I shop for pants, it's "money is no object" rule. I would not mind paying a few hundreds for a pair that would remotely fit, even if I had to make alterations, but I have not found any.

Well, I have two pairs of jeans, that I wear only with jackets or cardi that cover my thighs entirely. Not the best look when you're short and have very short legs ...

The most frustrating part is that there is nothing I can do - even when I was at 105 pounds for 5'4, no pants looked good on me. So even if try to loose those extra 15 pounds, it won't help.

It struck me today, after yet another attempt at sewing trousers, that my shape just cannot look good in pants. No, it's not a fitting problem. I am an average sewist, but I think I am good at fitting. I was able to make all wrinkles and baggies disappear ... but it did not look good at all.

I am tired of wearing skirts and dresses, you have no idea.

Ok, rant's over. Feel free to share: is there a type of garnment that just don't work for you, regardless of your weight ?


-- Edited on 2/7/10 6:57 PM --

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There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in. - L. Cohen.

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Reply to zazzie
Date: 2/7/10 6:12 PM

Hallo Zazzie, before you go underground on pants, do you feel you can tell us where they dont look good on you ? Is it in the hip/butt or thighs/legs. I suppose most of us have to decide on a style that is reasonably flattering, disguising bad bits etc and what we wear on top/ over them makes a huge difference too. Dont despair entirely because I'm sure you could look good if not very good in the right style. I have huge problems with one leg shorter and thinner than the other, but I've got there and I'm told they look good. Perhaps we can help you thru this, I fully understand how you must be feeling.

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Reply to Winifred
Date: 2/7/10 6:47 PM

Oh, the main problem is definitely with the legs and thighs. From the side, my thighs protude at the same level. They make an arch - not pretty.

The problem is that I also have large calves that pull on the fabric from the back. So fabric pulls at the thighs from the front, and at the calves from the back, unless I wear VERY wide legs pants, so that the fabric hangs without touching my legs at the back and without molding my thighs from the front. But that is really not a good look. Even with a fitted top, from the side, you'd think my bottom half was 180 pounds. Elephant's legs, litteraly.

Not only I am petite, but my legs are very short (in proportion to my waist and torso).
In fact, pants look great from the front if they have a mid or high raise and if I wear 3 1/2 or 4 inches heels.

An option to skirts would be to learn to walk like an Egyptian and keep my back against the wall at all time.
-- Edited on 2/7/10 6:56 PM --

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There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in. - L. Cohen.

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Reply to zazzie
Date: 2/7/10 6:57 PM

Hi, zazzie. While I can sympathize with this (since we all tend to be our own worst critics), I'm going to just say here that if THIS is an example of your shape not looking good in pants, most of the rest of us are doomed.

-- Edited on 2/7/10 7:00 PM --

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Formerly Joan1954
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ You can't do things if you're scared. ~Alex Stobbs (google Alex's name)
~ If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. ~Albert Einstein
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
mon bouclier et ma très grande récompense
Gen. 15:1

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Reply to Vintage Joan
Date: 2/7/10 7:01 PM

Quote: Joan1954

Hi, zazzie. While I can sympathize with this, I'm going to just say here that if THIS is an example of your shape not looking good in pants, most of the rest of us are doomed. -- Edited on 2/7/10 6:58 PM --

Well, Joan, as I said - pant are OK from the front, and only the front ! And by the way, I have not worn that sweater at all, as it is not long enough to cover my thighs. What a shame.

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There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in. - L. Cohen.

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Reply to zazzie
Date: 2/7/10 7:12 PM

I still think you're being way too hard on yourself. IMHO your shape is vastly nicer than you think -- enjoy it (it doesn't normally improve at middle age) and also enjoy what you wear. I know, I know, that idea is perhaps a hard sell to someone young and beautiful and may sound meaningless coming from someone middle-aged... but still.

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Formerly Joan1954
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ You can't do things if you're scared. ~Alex Stobbs (google Alex's name)
~ If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. ~Albert Einstein
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
mon bouclier et ma très grande récompense
Gen. 15:1

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Date: 2/7/10 7:21 PM

You look great! Don't give up on pants! You're being much too hard on yourself.

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Date: 2/7/10 7:28 PM

An extended calf adjustment will help with the pulls on the back of the legs. Trust me, I have to do this one too! It's a funny adjustment & no one ever mentions it! FFRP only mention it in passing.

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Alison in suburbia - Sydney Australia
My sewing blog: http://nosilasews.blogspot.com/

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Date: 2/7/10 7:30 PM

I think the knee-high boots are a brilliant way to take care of the extended calf problem - I may have to try that . . .

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Reply to zazzie
Date: 2/7/10 7:51 PM

Quote:

When I shop for pants, it's "money is no object" rule

If that's the case, I suggest that you find yourself a professional pattern maker or a professional tailor, the best your money can buy.

If you can have a perfect pair of trousers drafted for you, you have several possibilities to change details and styles. But you'll need to be savvy about construction and finding suitable fabric. You may have a perfect pair drafted specifically for your body, but that won't help much if you're not up to the challenge of fine construction. Then there's the dilemma of matching the fabric with the style you envisioned.

Maybe you can find a class on pant construction?

If this idea does not suit you, then maybe have a perfect pair professionally tailored for you, and let that professional worry about construction and matching fabric with design.

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Her needlework both plain and ornamental was excellent, and she might have put a sewing machine to shame. ~James Edward Austen-Leigh, about Jane Austen

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