Thrifting Queen

K/R: Ok...but let me explain....

June 7, 2012

I had to nip to the grocery store to pick up milk and saw these in the window of the Goodwill by the store. I love this type of pattern so had to pop in and have a look. Lo and behold they are capri pants in my size. I try them on, I fall in love, I bring them home...

Before I try to explain this insanity, let me start by mentioning that I am trying to build a bit more of my casual wardrobe as probably 80% of what I own is more work related (with some pieces that can play with both casual and career capsules). And it's HOT here (sorry if it sounds like I'm bragging my poor YLF Seattle friends!).

I know these are a hideous length on me as is so I've tried as best I can to tuck and cuff one leg to a more appropriate length. I think these could be really cute and versatile shortened as Bermuda shorts and could maybe work as part of Angie's recent Bermuda shorts MOTG formula. Try to picture both legs hemmed to just my knee and see what you think...have I lost my mind or will these work? Keep or return?

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Posted in the Shopping 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.

31 Comments

  • sarah replied 11 years ago

    I think they'll work, but bear in mind that I have two pairs of capris ready to turn into clams or bermudas sitting on my ironing board at the moment. I am all about hacking off pants.

  • fauxpas replied 11 years ago

    I say HEM, but keep! They are great at the knee level and love the print. If the rest is comfy, what's a few inches? Very pretty with the pop of orange. Love, but hem!

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    Oh, hack away!!

    (She says, coughing gently...)

    They will play well with lots of your toppers. And they are a print!!

  • Aida replied 11 years ago

    I'm on the hunt for some patterned bermudas myself! If you keep these they definitely will need shortening. The pattern doesn't sing to me (the scale feels too large), but if it sings to you and the consensus is pro-print then I think you're good-to-chop!

  • kimana517 replied 11 years ago

    I say keep! They're very cute on you, and I should think quite versatile. It looks like, apart from the length, they fit you nicely. Nothing a quick sew can't fix! (I say "a quick sew" because someone other than myself will be doing it! ;) )

  • Aida replied 11 years ago

    (I also would vote to go to a just-above-the-knee length. The longer length seems tricky with this particular print.)

  • Vicki replied 11 years ago

    This is SOME milk story!! (Hmmm...let's see. Do I need anything from the store!)

    On to the important stuff. I love these, Shannon, and you've got a great eye and the pattern is luscious. I, too, was taken by Angie's tapered denim blog and I bought a pair of denims today at ON (photos in the next news edition!). I say cut away and hem away and you'll have a fantastic pair of Bermudas (and, yes, above-the-knee, as Aida says).

    I love your story, because it sounds like the way I roll, too! ;) That's why life is fun!

  • Deborah replied 11 years ago

    I would like to start by saying I clearly have no idea what I am talking about! I love the pattern and if it were me I would tempted to taper them and wear them as a crop pant. However, I think as Bermudas would look great also.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    Well I must say I'm pleasantly surprised! It sounds like as long as I have them shortened to Bermuda short length, I'm good to go.

    Deborah - your suggestion to simply taper them and wear as cropped pants is intriguing...hmmmmm....

  • marianna replied 11 years ago

    Love them as bermuda shorts!

  • bj1111 replied 11 years ago

    love them long. but i have a poison eye (tm) for clams/bermudas and their ilk.

  • Meredith1953 replied 11 years ago

    Who but you could find such a great "find" when running another errand! It was obviously meant to be! Bermudas would be great but so would clams!

  • AJ replied 11 years ago

    Hmmm....is this your usual grocery store or have you been scouting new locations by any chance? : P

    I think they will be fun as bermudas. Keep.

  • replied 11 years ago

    Hmmm, thinking with Deborah that it might be fun to try them as tapered crops first before hacking. More of the print would show. You could just baste them with a needle and thread to get a general idea of what they would look like. If you decide to shorten them, I vote for just below the knee. Because of the taper at the knee, hemming will be easier if they are cut just where they begin to widen and turned under. They would also cuff nicely because of the wider fabric just under the knee. Oh yeah. Keep! ;)

  • DonnaF replied 11 years ago

    You mean this isn't a macarena post?

  • Fuchsia_pink replied 11 years ago

    well, i like them as is actually :)
    My thoughts, you could wear them with a longer sheer top (with a tank) and big earrings, and open sandals. Er..thats kinda boho, but would be a fun different look.

  • ManidipaM replied 11 years ago

    Very pretty paisley! My kind of pattern too, Shannon!

    My preference is similar to Deborah's though. I feel like the larger scale pattern needs more room to play OR should be really contained for contrast. So I think I'd like to see them mid-calf and tapered, OR made into shorter shorts (well walking shorts a couple inches over the knee maybe)

  • christieanne replied 11 years ago

    Is it a nice lightweight material? I think it depends on what you need more - it's a fun idea either way.

  • Lyn D. replied 11 years ago

    I'm with the keep the length crew too! Something about the fabric and pattern calling for a slightly dressier styling?

  • Kirti replied 11 years ago

    I like the bermuda length cos at thzir current length they are a wee bit pajama ish.

  • CocoLion replied 11 years ago

    ... Laughing at the way you said "nip to the grocery store," never heard that before!

    I like them shortened, and your knees aren't all banged up like mine so that length is nice (my MO being to hide my childhood accidents).

  • modgrl replied 11 years ago

    Before you hack them into shorts can you try them at just below the knee length?

  • Beth Ann replied 11 years ago

    Shannon, you and I shop the same way -- Oh, I went to home Depot and popped into Old Navy. Hee.

    Like the idea of these as bermudas. Can't wait to see them styled!

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    Thanks for all the feedback ladies!

    AJ - actually yes, this is my usual grocery store and I've walked by that Goodwill a hundred times and have never gone in. Could be dangerous now that I've checked it out!

    Christieanne - good question about the fabric. It is actually a fairly substantial cotton blend so not super lightweight.

    Lyn - although I think these would work for a dressier style, I'm looking for more casual wear.

    Kirti - they absolutely resemble pajamas the way they look now!

    It looks like we're half-and-half on whether or not to shorten into Bermudas or below the knee into cropped tapered pants. Once I run them through the laundry, I'll cut a bit off and pin them at the cropped pants length, take pics and then pin them at Bermuda length and take pics - then post all for another round of "what length should these be". Ok with you?

  • lyn67 replied 11 years ago

    I vote for the crops! :-)

  • Jjsloane replied 11 years ago

    I vote tapered crop because they can be dressy too based on the color and pattern. One thing I notice in the photo though is the rear view pattern placement. If you will wear long tops over it not an issue, but always something to consider (even if you're a front only gal - and I usually am)

  • rae replied 11 years ago

    What Rita said! More like a clam length?

  • catgirl replied 11 years ago

    I would crop. I think on us shorties that wide ankle look is just not flattering. And I speak from years of experience sporting it. :)

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    Not to worry Una - definitely shortening. I think I'm just deciding on just below the knee (like clams) or above the knee (like Bermudas). I would never leave them this way - hate this length and the flare!

  • christieanne replied 11 years ago

    The Queen of Thrifting (Claire is clearly the Empress - sorry lol!) has walked past a thrift store hundreds of time without going in? I am impressed.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    no need to apologize Christieanne - I bow to the Empress! (lol)

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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.