How to discover comfortable denim?

Cookies25 · Aug 03, 2016, 11:01 PM

I'm one of the many that finds a huge, yet strange difficulty in finding jeans/pants I can feel comfy in and at the same time make them last without them shrinking in the dryer.

Any advice on which parts on pants are easiest to alter? Hemming them to be shorter would probably be the smallest issue. The legs can get baggy when they aren't Skinny jeans, but the waist can have problems too if there's too much space or get's too tight when sitting down.

It's hard to tell which combination would be the easiest to fix because they can differ so much depending on the brand and style.

Angelique67 · Aug 04, 2016, 12:07 AM

I wear mom jeans (elastic high waist). I look like a fat lady in mom jeans (I'm not a mom though, just fat). I haven't hemmed them because they're already petites.

ETA I know not why I felt that was an appropriate reply. Maybe a suggestion? I know how hard it is to find jeans that fit. If you don't mind the waistband to sit right under your bust, they're pretty comfortable.

Cookies25 · Aug 04, 2016, 01:05 AM

Yeah, I've definitely tried mid-waist ones before too, with making sure my shirt covers the height of them lol. The only thing is those ones seem to always be worse for sitting down. Or if I need a bigger size in that style it just adds more need to alter them.

Maybe I should try petites sizes. I have always been hopeful for Levi's, but can't seem to have luck with any jeans unless maybe I try the really expensive ones =X. Sometimes I can't tell if maybe I'm just more OCD about clothes in general.

Aug 04, 2016, 01:07 AM

Have you found Old Navy to be any better? Some of their jeans have various percentages of spandex in them.

I really like them as I have no real butt...

Cookies25 · Aug 04, 2016, 01:25 AM

I can try again. Last time I did go there I guess i only tried on like 3-5 pairs. When I can get "short" sizes I try on those, and sometimes regular too. I think the jeans always feel tighter when you first try them on. That was why I didn't buy any at Old Navy when i was there a few months ago I think. That's a good idea though because they are also decently priced.

When/if you measure waist size do you include your butt in it? Or in between hips and belly button? Some instructions even say to measure around the belly button when wrapping the tape around. It gets confusing.

Angelique67 · Aug 04, 2016, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookies25

Yeah, I've definitely tried mid-waist ones before too, with making sure my shirt covers the height of them lol. The only thing is those ones seem to always be worse for sitting down. Or if I need a bigger size in that style it just adds more need to alter them.

Maybe I should try petites sizes. I have always been hopeful for Levi's, but can't seem to have luck with any jeans unless maybe I try the really expensive ones =X. Sometimes I can't tell if maybe I'm just more OCD about clothes in general.

I hope you'll find a great pair of jeans that doesn't break the bank!

Aug 04, 2016, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookies25

I can try again. Last time I did go there I guess i only tried on like 3-5 pairs. When I can get "short" sizes I try on those, and sometimes regular too. I think the jeans always feel tighter when you first try them on. That was why I didn't buy any at Old Navy when i was there a few months ago I think. That's a good idea though because they are also decently priced.

When/if you measure waist size do you include your butt in it? Or in between hips and belly button? Some instructions even say to measure around the belly button when wrapping the tape around. It gets confusing.

Well I go the really scientific route and hold a pair in front of me. If they look like them might fit, then I go home with them...

Waist is the smallest part of your torso.
Hips is the largest.

Sometimes I'll buy through their website as the sizes and material are well understood. I'll order a bunch that might fit and then return those that don't back to the store.

Cookies25 · Aug 05, 2016, 06:51 PM

~Thanks! I hope so too. One night I went to a few different stores and tried on seriously like 40 pairs of jeans. One day I should find them though! Perhaps I won't try as hard as before, and at the same time not *not* trying at all like I have been doing. Short season isn't forever unfortunately.

~Would hips include like the tops of your thighs though? Sorry for all the questions. Just like the widest part would be below hip bones seems like.

When I use sizing charts and I combine my measurements I never find a size that holds them all into a fitting range lol.

IrisBloom · Aug 05, 2016, 07:00 PM

Look for regular jeans made with stretch denim. I have fitting problems too, as my waist size is much smaller than hip size. I found Wrangler to fit best. Look at the tag, the more spandex or polyester in the fabric the stretchier it will be.

IrisBloom · Aug 05, 2016, 07:01 PM

To answer your question about altering them, taking a couple of darts in the waist would be easier than hemming or anything else. You could also wear a belt instead of taking the waist in.

Cookies25 · Aug 05, 2016, 07:07 PM

~I agree. That's also a reason why I really like athletic pants as well. If the waist band is stretchy, you really don't have to worry about much. I think my waist size is a bit bigger in proportion to my hips. At the same time, people tell me low-rise jeans can cause muffin tops but the higher they are, the more they cut into my skin lol. Stretchy denim can be great. I guess the ones with a little more cotton are better? I'm thinking of those ones that also are stretchy but at the same time so then they always feel tight >.>

Maybe those are mainly in Junior denim brands I am thinking.

IrisBloom · Aug 05, 2016, 07:12 PM

There are a few different types of the stretch denim. You can get light or heavy, a little stretchy to a lot stretchy. I'd go to a store that has several different kinds and try them on to see which you like best.

Cookies25 · Aug 05, 2016, 07:16 PM

Thanks for the input. I do like to check the tags lately, especially for cotton. Though I am aware all cotton can shrink I read.

IrisBloom · Aug 05, 2016, 09:39 PM

You know you get what you pay for.

It's worth paying a little more if you want good denim that will last longer. In the better brands I think it's pre-shrunk. I never had a pair of Wranglers shrink too much to fit.

Cookies25 · Aug 05, 2016, 09:55 PM

I read this interesting article that said if you wear your clothes in a warm or hot bath it actually loosens them up again LOL.

Yeah I do know that some pricey brands fit smaller as well though. So definitely helps to find a brand that works!

ComfortablyNumb5 · Aug 21, 2016, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookies25

I'm one of the many that finds a huge, yet strange difficulty in finding jeans/pants I can feel comfy in and at the same time make them last without them shrinking in the dryer.

Any advice on which parts on pants are easiest to alter? Hemming them to be shorter would probably be the smallest issue. The legs can get baggy when they aren't Skinny jeans, but the waist can have problems too if there's too much space or get's too tight when sitting down.

It's hard to tell which combination would be the easiest to fix because they can differ so much depending on the brand and style.

My go to is a jean with spandex in the material so it fits comfortably to my body. I always try on at least 5 pairs before I find the right one. Too long? Roll them up a bit or let them drag for that ripped up look. I own about ten pairs but only wear two because they are most comfortable. And when they're too tight around the waist, I cut the sides about an inch so the elastic has more stretch.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

TishaBuv · Aug 21, 2016, 08:30 AM

When I was a teen in the 80's, we used to wear jeans so tight that we'd have to lie down on the bed to zip them. There was a rumor about some girl who supposedly got drunk at a party and fell asleep in the bathtub with her jeans wet, and they dried while she slept and strangled her!

Spandex, Lycra, stretch is the secret for fit and comfort.

Aug 21, 2016, 12:38 PM

I'm from the lie down on the floor to zip up my jeans generation too.

I'm overweight and my waist is thick in comparison to my hips, and my butt is flat compared to my gut. I've recently discovered Royalty jeans. The ones I have come up to my waist, not below or above and they are a skinny leg, that comes right to my ankle. And they are actually the most flattering and comfortable jeans I have. I think their market is the oddly shaped or plus sized woman.

I should add that they come down to the top of my foot and I did not need to hem them, but I think they were meant to be a cropped pant and they fit my leg so perfectly because I'm short. I'll find a link to the pair I have, in case it's helpful to anyone.

ETA I think these are the ones I own http://www.royaltyforme.com/ProductDetail/1001677 I don't think they do anything special to my butt, except fitting my waist and hips without getting droopy in the rear. Maybe that's what they mean.

Aug 24, 2016, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IrisBloom

Look for regular jeans made with stretch denim. I have fitting problems too, as my waist size is much smaller than hip size. I found Wrangler to fit best. Look at the tag, the more spandex or polyester in the fabric the stretchier it will be.

I agree get a pair with a bit of stretch. I like boot cut but I don't need hemming so I'm not sure about that.

Boyfriend jeans can be comfortable.

I find American Eagle and Seven For All Mankind to be my faves. It's trial and error as to searching for "your" brand.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

IrisBloom · Aug 25, 2016, 12:06 PM

Yes, Rainy, it is trial and error. I had a favorite brand and style but Walmart stopped carrying them. Story of my life, I tell ya. lol

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