Thrifting Queen

BR camel trousers - Round #2 (final decision at bottom)

November 25, 2012

I posted these trousers yesterday in a K/R thread (http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....el-trouser) and it was felt these were not the best fit for me and I was ready to return them.

But I'm an incredibly stubborn gal...and Angie PM'd me suggesting I iron out the creases and give them another go. I tossed them in the dryer on "fluff" to get out some of the stiffness and then ironed out as best I could the centre creases in front and back. I've also pinned them a little higher in the hopes the legs hang a bit better - do remember though that there is literally 6 inches if fabric tucked under that do add a bit of stiffness to the bottom of the legs.

Here are a couple of quick stylings. They are incredibly comfortable, I've worn them around the house for about an hour and they move beautifully - neither too snug nor too loose. I'm comfortable with tucking and not tucking with them.

I've also decided that I am seen from behind very infrequently during my day and definitely bat for Team Front, so the rear view is not as important to me.

I am now strongly leaning towards keeping these as I really like them and can see them integrating into my wardrobe really well.

Does the fit look better to you today? or am I blinded by love?

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8
9
Posted in the Dressing category
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

36 Comments

  • Jjsloane replied 11 years ago

    If you like them and they are comfy I say keep - pants are so hard. I think they look good here. I like the styling of 1,2, and 9. The jacket in 5-6 is a bit blocky and cuts at a bad place I think.

  • Debbie replied 11 years ago

    I really like these and see no issues. You and i have a similar issue having to have 5 or 6 inches off the length. It always makes trying pants on an issue. Often taking the creases will help the pants fall better.

  • annagybe replied 11 years ago

    I didn't mind them before. I think they work now. Pants are so, so fickle.

  • MsMary replied 11 years ago

    I happen to think the rear view looks fab. I didn't comment on the other thread, but I liked 'em then and I like 'em now!

  • Atlantia replied 11 years ago

    Rear view looks better now, so I vote keep. Love that color, and #9 literally took my breath away. Gorgeous with the moto. I can't wait to see how these look after you don't have to schlep around an extra six inches of hem!
    Bravo to Angie! Who knew something as simple as ironing would do so much.

  • Caro in Oz replied 11 years ago

    I still don't like the back-view but if that isn't a problem for you then please ignore. My trouble with the pants is a. the front in #5, I think this style of pants needs to hang straight from the thigh & these don't (still could be the extra fabric I know) & b. #4 the sides have "folds" which in my opinion mean they don't fit somewhere.
    Hope I don't sound too negative just trying to tell you what I see:)
    Love the top & jacket in #9 they look so good with your hair.

  • cheryle (Dianthus) replied 11 years ago

    Your opinion is really the only one that counts. If you love them and are comfortable in them and believe they will work with your current wardrobe, then keep and enjoy.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    Thanks ladies.

    And Dianthus and Jeanne, you are correct. If I like them and they are comfy and work for me, that's what counts. Thank you.

  • cheryle (Dianthus) replied 11 years ago

    I should have added that I think the legs looks WAY better this time around. They hang nicer and that was my major issue with them.

    Congrats on finding a nice neutral pant.

  • Kari replied 11 years ago

    Shannon, I missed the other thread the first time around, but I *really* like 'em here. I think that the styling and the slight adjustments that you made here really do the trick, and also the colors of the tops here are more flattering to your coloring. Sometimes the surroundings and styling can play tricks with our minds.

  • Kari replied 11 years ago

    (Are these the same trousers?) http://youlookfab.com/store/20.....one-flare/

  • Raisin replied 11 years ago

    I still like them, and think they're keepers if needed in your wardrobe. They look great!

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    I say keep. The way they feel is crucial. I think that hemming is going to make a big difference to the way they fall (addressing Caro's concerns) and I also think that we look at them quite differently now in a K/R thread than ANYBODY will EVER look at them IRL. For me, a pant that FEELS lousy is a pant that I won't wear and won't enjoy, no matter how it looks. Whereas if it feels good, chances are the fit is pretty darned good, too.

    And now, I shall be stalking these at the next BR sale! :-)

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    Kari - yes, those are the ones. And I grabbed them because of Angie's comments. I've always had trousers made of a more "floaty" fabric, for lack of a better word. The fabric on these is substantial and I think that's part of why they may not look the same on me as my other trousers. But the fit is pretty darned good and I absolutely love the way they move.

    Suz - that's the other thing about trousers IRL. K/R pics can't show how the pants fit when you are moving in them. IRL we don't just stand there so that someone can stare at our behinds or tummies, etc. And yes, I think they will hang much better once I get that six inches of thick, stiffer fabric removed from underneath the hems.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    Ok...I think I'm losing my mind or becoming completely neurotic...they felt so great on but now looking at the pictures again, I'm not so sure. I feel like I look HUGE in these. Is it just because they are a lighter colour? although I don't feel huge in my white jeans. And why don't I feel huge when I look in the mirror at them but I do when I look at the pics?

    I don't think I should try on trousers when I'm feeling hormonal :)

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    It is hormones!!

    I DO feel huge in my white jeans. In pics, too. So I save wearing them for specific times when I am a bit more confident and/or not meeting brand new people.

    With these, I think when you are wearing a longer jacket you will very quickly get over the "I'm huge!" feeling. It might last a little longer when you are wearing something shorter. Not that you ARE huge or LOOK huge...just that you might feel that way in shorter tops for longer. And then you won't. At least that's what I predict. It does take a bit of getting used to, wearing a lighter bottom.

  • JR replied 11 years ago

    I see the same problem that Caro does, but I think it's fixable by shortening the pants a bit more. It looks like the material is quite stiff, and that your shoes are pushing them up and making them look bulky up to above the knee. Hemmed up another inch, they would probably hang straighter.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    Alright - this is the last time I'm going to post on these pants 'cause I'm getting sick of myself already - don't know HOW you guys can stand me!!!

    I like the fit. A lot actually. What is causing me concern is the lighter colour coupled with the heavier, stiffer fabric. I don't want to limit myself to wearing longer jackets all the time with them.

  • DonnaF replied 11 years ago

    Shannon;
    How about hanging up the trousers (nicely), then making your decision in a week or two? No rush to return or to get them altered ASAP is there? Deep breath. Don't want you to have regrets one way or the other!

  • cheryle (Dianthus) replied 11 years ago

    Shannon look at the pics and analyze. In my opinion they look best with the tucked top and jacket. The shirts that hit at the mid to low hip create a horizontal line that is unbroken. If you added a jacket or cardi that would be a whole different ball game. Try it and see what you think.

    I do not think you look huge at all but after trying on dresses for an hour, I totally understand where you are coming from. We are our own worst critics.

  • MsMary replied 11 years ago

    I'm thinking that one school of thought might be that if they are causing this much angst, the best idea might be to send them back and... onward.

    And this from someone who thinks they are awesome one you.

  • catgirl replied 11 years ago

    I'm reluctant to post after an Angie ruling, but I'm still going to say I don't love them wholeheartedly. What's bothering me is the close fit in the thighs and then totally loose fit below the knees. If they were jeans it would be different but for work trousers I prefer a more "consistent" fit within the pants.

    I see lots of younger women wearing tight work pants that are very fitted in the top half and then floppy to the point of dragging on the ground below the knee. I have a huge poison eye for that, and although that is NOT what's going on here, it's probably subconsciously influencing me.

    I know that sounds completely kooky. I should disclose that I've had people comment that my work pants are too loose in the thighs, which is consistent with my viewpoint.

    However, as far as you looking "huge", no worries there!

  • Emily replied 11 years ago

    Shannon, I thought these looked great before and feel the same way now :) The colour is beautiful on you and I think the fit is flattering. I hope you keep them! Especially loving the first and last outfits.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    MaryK has hit the nail on the head - if I'm feeling this much angst over them, they're not the right ones. Putting them back in the bag.

    I can't thank all you enough for helping me analyze and figure this out and I truly apologize if at any point I sounded defensive or upset (Gaylene - can you hear me?)

    Onward and upward...

    (BTW I didn't read the care label at first and now see they are Dry Clean only....yeah, not gonna happen)

  • Deborah replied 11 years ago

    Shannon I see you have made your ruling:) I was going to say what matters is how you feel about them and are you happy with how they look. I do want to stress that you do not look big in them, you are just used to seeing yourself in darker bottoms, and may I remind you how fab you look in your white jeans! Having said that, I always think I look huge in lighter colors on my bottom half:(

    Funny thing though, I have a very similar pair of pants (same colour and cut) on my donate pile... and after seeing these pics, I got them out and was planning on trying them again... hmmm maybe they should just go back to the donate pile?!?

    And I never get sick of your posting. I love the process and find it very educational. I always appreciate how willing you are to always hear others opinions and thoughts.

  • Jaime replied 11 years ago

    You have made your decision and I don't want to confuse you more! So I will just say the first outfit with the jacket looks fabulous and I hope you find your perfect camel trousers to wear it with soon!

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    Thanks Deborah - I just never wanna drive the forum crazy with my neurotic and incessant questions, you know?

    I actually looked at the pics I've posted in my white jeans and do not think I look large in those ones, but look like I do in these camel ones. I think it's because the legs are wider and the fabric heavier.

    As for you having similar pants, did you want to post pics of them on for feedback? I suspect if they were already in the donate pile, that's where you really want them to be :)

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    Shevia - posted at the same time :)

    Thanks. I don't think I'm going to completely give up on camel trousers but think I'd like a bit darker shade of camel and a softer, less restrictive, type of fabric. And machine washable!

  • MsMary replied 11 years ago

    I have some great light tan pants from Ann Taylor. Have you looked there?

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    Unfortunately Ann Taylor doesn't ship to Canada :(

  • Carole replied 11 years ago

    Shannon, I think these look great, but I know first hand sometimes things don't translate well in the photos, sometimes things do look better IRL, don't you think? But if you are going to have these feelings about them better not to waste your money.

  • Day Vies replied 11 years ago

    I don't blame you for being stubborn -- I share that trait and have exhausted every outlet before returning an item. I agree there is a little stiffness in the bottom but once you have them hemmed that will go away. I like the fit on these trousers. You seem to like a roomy fit straight from the hip like I do. I think they are worth keeping if you like the way they feel and they play nicely with your wardrobe.

  • ManidipaM replied 11 years ago

    I know you've made your decision, so I'm just saying this for analysis of your next purchase (I DO hope you find *your* camel pants soon! These outfits are fab, especially that last one --- to die for!)...

    I think the reason you feel/look different (not smaller, not bigger, but *different*) is that (a) the fabric is more snug (they are jeans, even if they aren't skinnies, so they do the hugging thing around the hip and butt, you know?) and (b) the fabric is matte and textured by virtue of the way denim is woven vs these, which reflect light more due to the smoothness. I think the effect will always be visible 'only on camera' rather than in real life. I recall a pair of navy wide legs I had that always looked frightening in photos, vs my jeans, largely due to the slightly shimmery thread woven into them --- but I got compliments on them in real life all the time. So I don't think it's the colour; it's the texture and how it translate to photographs.

    If this were eveningwear you were buying, I'd think harder about how they translate in photos. But since it's not, I think it is more important to go with the RL impression, you know?

    FWIW, I really like the fit of pants that fall straight from the hip --- on myself, at least, so maybe that influences me here. I can see the more snug-to-the-thigh fit looking sleeker in comparison, like Una said, but I also find that more unforgiving visually and less comfy to move in physically. To me, that freedom of movement is critical, and I'll only do snug-to-the-thigh in a lighter weight fabric with stretch. And again, you usually can't tell weight/drape from a static photo, but it does look different in real life.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    Manidipa - just for the record, they are not jeans/denim but I do know what you mean. And yes, they definitely photograph differently than how they look IRL. Much lighter coloured in the pics. The herringbone pattern has a slightly darker shade of camel in it.

    It is interesting that my MIL absolutely loved these trousers on me. She thought they were very classy, expensive looking and beautifully fitting.

  • replied 11 years ago

    I think Manidipa meant why you didn't feel big in your white jeans :)

    I think they looked ok on you, Shannon, (although slightly darker I think would have looked better) but the dry clean only would have been the dealbreaker for me!

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    It is to me too Ceit.

    And all the feedback has been so helpful that I have a bit more of an idea of what I'd like in a camel pair of trousers - so thank you!

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I started playing dress up when I was 4 years old and haven't stopped since! My income doesn't match my tastes so it's all about figuring out how to thrift my way to a fashionable life while tossing in a few delectable items.