MetaChat - Shopping Venting Thread

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20 March 2007

Shopping Venting Thread Why is it so hard to find pants that fit?→[More:]Seriously, I've been in search of good jeans and black pants lately, and nothing is right. They're too long, the fabric is that thin, papery stuff that wrinkles easily, the legs are ultra-wide, the waists are too low- so many problems. Grrrr.

post by: ThePinkSuperhero at: 14:58 | 27 comments

I once got so frustrated trying to find pants that fit...
How frustrated did you get?
I wore skirts for six months straight.

I really am serious.

posted by youngergirl44 20 March | 15:09

Once the weather is warm, I'm in skirts & dresses like crazy, but I still need pants for those cold months, plus I'd like some nice black pants to wear to work-related things. GRRRRR.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 20 March | 15:12

try A.P.C, the pants are awesome, almost as good as 1990s agnès b.

posted by matteo 20 March | 15:13

ATTENTION JEANS MAKERS: PUTTING A FUCKTON OF STRETCH IN YOUR FABRIC DOES NOT HELP JEANS FIT BETTER, IT JUST MAKES THEM WEAR OUT FASTER. DIE. KTHX.

posted by casarkos 20 March | 15:20

Wear a nice long black skirt. Down with pants!

I'm actually going shopping tonight for nicer pants too. I fear I'll end up back in skirts when I'm done. Which will mean I have to paint my toenails and shave my legs. Damn.

posted by youngergirl44 20 March | 15:27

Don't you just assume you'll need to have your pants hemmed (or do it yourself -- I don't want to presume everyone's as lazy and inept as I am)? I always buy pants to fit the waist and thighs; my tailor will settle the length. It adds about $8 to a pair of pants, but they last longer, since you don't tread upon the back hem.

Maybe it's different with women's pants, but I don't see why it would be.

posted by Hugh Janus 20 March | 15:33

Men's pants have to fit in the waist and legs... two numbers, both in inches, very easy.

Women's pants have to fit in the hips, stomach, thighs, legs... and we only get one number, not in inches. It's awful.

posted by youngergirl44 20 March | 15:37

I look weird in long skirts.

And as for pants hemming, I'm beginning to accept the fact that I should just buy pants that fit in the waist and get them hemmed/trimmed to fit properly in the leg. If only I could find some!

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 20 March | 15:41

I don't know where you're buying your men from, but we have tummies and thighs too.

posted by chrismear 20 March | 16:08

chrismear: Yes, but for the most part, men's pants are designed in the same way so that there aren't any extra curves or cuts. I don't think I've ever seen a pair of men's pants that were labeled with as many of the different variations that women's pants can have.

posted by TrishaLynn 20 March | 16:12

I don't think I've ever seen a pair of men's pants that were labeled with as many of the different variations that women's pants can have.

There are a couple of different styles of mens jeans, and a bit of sway within the inch measurements (for example, a Lee 32 is not equal to other companies 32s)

Sigh

posted by drezdn 20 March | 16:20

And men's pants don't seem to change as much as women's. I can't go to the store and buy pants today and expect to find the same style six months from now. I think all of the BF's pants are pretty much the same, and he's bought them over the past two years.

posted by youngergirl44 20 March | 16:21

Maybe pants manufacturers understand that if men had to pick from triple rinsed skinny stretch boot-cut jeans and easy fit hipster ultra flare jeans and low rise light wash boyfriend jeans, they would all just walk around without pants on.

posted by youngergirl44 20 March | 16:25

posted by gaspode 20 March | 16:28

what the fuck are "boyfriend" jeans?

posted by gaspode 20 March | 16:29

"Boyfriend" pants are like a relaxed fit, wide-legged jean, except that they generally have a low, fitted waist. The main feature is the really big legs, which look retarded on my chicken legs.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 20 March | 16:30

Man, clothes people are weird.

posted by cortex 20 March | 16:31

This is why I love my overalls so much. I just get them big enough around, then cut the legs off at specklet height.

posted by Specklet 20 March | 16:35

/me will look for overalls while shopping tonight

posted by youngergirl44 20 March | 16:37

I'll keep plugging along, looking for (higher-waisted, straight or almost straight legged*) jeans and (plain, classic) black pants. Haven't visited Macy's and checked on DKNY; I've had luck with their jeans in the past.

*Which are rare, apparently. You can have high-wasited, wide legged jeans, or ultra low-waisted, straight leg jeans. Grrrr.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 20 March | 16:51

good jean are worth teh splurge. elie tahari jeans are my favorite recents, but those are more of the str8 leg, dark rinse style. For a little cheaper, a good pair of Buffalo David Bitton jeans are a more casual, higher-waisted jean. A&F make nice casual jeans, too.

Black pants are so basic and boring, and no one can tell if you are wearing a pair of $$$$ Armani or a pair of cheapies from Zara. Therefore, try Zara for all the basics. Or Jcrew.

posted by scala di seta 20 March | 17:04

Nrrg. I wish I could buy pants at Old Navy but their hips are cut terribly for my shape.

posted by casarkos 20 March | 17:23

shopping for pants is so terrible that, by the time i find a pair that fits me decently, i will gladly shell out $200 to be done with the whole sorry episode.

this, i think, is what motivates companies to make pants that don't fit.

that or the fact that they think all women want to show off their buttcracks and muffin-tops. it's one of the two.

posted by brina 20 March | 19:29

It really pays to get custom made, believe me. It's well worth the initial lay out to have a few pairs of slacks that fit like a dream. You may pay 300/400 for the first pair, and then 100/200 or so for each pair after that, but it's an investment in your happiness.

posted by iconomy 20 March | 20:35

Custom made jeans at store prices. You work with them, they and you get better with time at fitting you.

You keep shopping like crazy, nobody gets better at much of anything.

posted by paulsc 20 March | 20:36

I'm still saving my money for Vince Sneaker Pants.

posted by LoriFLA 20 March | 21:01

Even at my proper weight, my hips aren't much bigger than my waist, so I can fit in men's pants. The problem is now they've stopped making women's pants with deep enough pockets.

posted by brujita 20 March | 22:58

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