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Member since 10/4/08
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Posted on: 12/1/10 9:17 PM ET
So...a weird question, I am trying on the latest pants I have made, and trying to assess if I need to do a flat seat adjustment, I ALWAYS try on pants with socks or slippers on, because after all that is what I am wearing in the house. So today, I tried on my pants with some low heels, and voila, a lot sleeker leg, less wrinkles.

Just thought I would throw this out there in case anyone had some information on this regarding what models are wearing when they try on garments, how that might affect the pattern....
  
Member since 12/28/04
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Posted on: 12/2/10 11:31 AM ET
In reply to ChristinePDX
The basic length is set for a 5'6" woman in general for American patterns. Pants length has a lot to do with the width of the hem. The narrower the hem the shorter the pant leg. The other thing to consider is that different women who are the same height may very well have different length legs. The leg length is also dependent on what alterations you make to the pants. So long story short it's dependent on your leg length and the height of the heels you wear.
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Posted on: 12/2/10 11:51 AM ET
Thanks, Nancy K, I don't think I asked my question very well. What I noticed is that when I wore heels, that whole angle of my body changed, different angle of my pelvis and leg I think. It seemed to change how the pants fit, they had less bagginess at the back, for example. And I am wondering if this may be causing some erroneous assumptions on my part on what I need to alter. Does that make sense?

  
Member since 3/4/09
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Posted on: 12/2/10 12:13 PM ET
I was only thinking that the heels would effect the drape of the pants because bunching at the hem from the pants being too long without shoes/hemming could have effects higher up. For me, at the very least the excess fabric at the hem distracts my eye and I usually pin up the hem for fitting. But you're right, you do also stand a little differently in heels, especially high ones. How different probably depends on your individual posture, stance and gait. For many women wearing heels flexes and defines your calf muscles more so if you have fitting issues with your calves it could make a significant difference. It's probably a very good idea to try the pants/muslin on with some shoes you plan to wear them with before making fitting adjustments.
  
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Posted on: 12/2/10 1:03 PM ET
In reply to chicaem29
That is what I was thinking, I need to be more conscious of how I fit clothes, especially pants. And I was also wondering if clothing is fitted on bodies who are wearing heels, as they are shown in the magazine photos of the garments?
  
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Posted on: 12/2/10 1:09 PM ET
In reply to ChristinePDX
Quote: christine99
What I noticed is that when I wore heels, that whole angle of my body changed, different angle of my pelvis and leg I think. It seemed to change how the pants fit, they had less bagginess at the back, for example. And I am wondering if this may be causing some erroneous assumptions on my part on what I need to alter. Does that make sense?




Some studies I have read about the effect of higher heels on posture indicate that it does change the pelvic angle, causing the bum to stick out a bit more. In fitting yourself, you may have noticed that standing that way even without heels improves the back view. If this is indeed what's going on, you have artificially improved your flat bum problem essentially by filling out the back of the pattern in that region.

However, some studies have found no significant change in the pelvic angle.
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Elona
  
Member since 6/21/05
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Posted on: 12/2/10 1:12 PM ET
Also when you wear high heels your pelvis tilts forward slightly, lengthening that area under tush so less wrinkling. IE if you bend backwards more folds appear under tush, if pelvis tilts forward these folds disappear.
Is this what you were asking?
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Posted on: 12/2/10 1:58 PM ET
Yes, I think this is what is happening, the back looks a lot better, and not in really high heels, either, just my low-mid everyday ones.
  
Member since 9/12/05
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Posted on: 12/2/10 2:11 PM ET
I have noticed that too, and so has my husband. He is really happy that I have gotten back into wearing heels, until he sees the bills
I think that they definitely change the way that you look in pants. I had to learn the hard way to consider this while fitting, before I even get to the hem.
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Damn the muslin, full speed ahead!
  
Member since 6/23/04
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Posted on: 12/2/10 5:32 PM ET
I think your observation is spot on. I agree that heels do make pants in general hang better. Anything where the hem hangs free will help the legs hang better. Not that I'm about to wear high heels to the supermarket in the name of good fit.

To answer your question, I don't think it's a consideration for pattern makers. They draft the pattern for an average body and that's it. The fit part is up to us.
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Belinda. Melbourne, Australia
http://sew-4-fun.blogspot.com/
  
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