Why fashion models break the perfect pant lengths rule
February 19th, 2007My perfect pants length mantra is seldom followed by fashion models who sport the pages of catalogues, websites and magazines. The hems of their pants hardly ever skim the surface of the floor (which is what I encourage to increase your style quotient). Have you ever wondered why this is? The answer might not be what you expect.
A modeling photo shoot for a garment that the buyer has ordered for a retail store is usually done 2-4 months before the garment is available in stores, and even before the actual order has been produced or delivered. The clothing that the models wear for the shoot are the standard prototypes that the retail buyers use to approve the final order. These prototypes are made in regular lengths (32-33 inch seams) because they need to comply with store approved size specifications. Models, however, are very tall and would ordinarily buy their pants with extra length (34 to 36 inch seams). It’s no wonder that their pant lengths fall short when they have to model prototypes that are designed for real women.
For a retailer to request an additional prototype with a longer inseam length for advertising purposes (so that the model can sport perfect pants lengths) may seem like an easy solution, but it’s virtually impossible. Clothing manufacturers operate on extremely tight budgets and timelines. They jump through many tedious and bureaucratic hoops to get the prototype of an order approved by the buying department. To do this twice would delay production which would in turn harm store sales.
Designer fashion shows are different. Models on the runway wear garments that are customized for their bodies – which is why their pants are usually the correct length.
So it’s all about money! Hopefully sites like mine can help you to make sense of the fashion industry’s idiosyncrasies. Are there other things that puzzle you in the world of fashion retail? Let me know in the comments or privately on Ask Angie and I’ll try to address them in future blog entries.
Great pants, poor lengths. Examples from Banana Republic and Ann Taylor.
February 19th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
Thanks, I have wondered about why the pants didn’t fit correctly. I have noticed that the Victoria Secret catalogue shows models wearing the right length in their career suiting. It makes an incredible difference.
February 19th, 2007 at 5:09 pm
They’re all wearing their pants too short? Ouch, so when I wear my floods, I’m really in bad shape! (I need 34″ in everything but don’t have much time to track them down at the right price).
February 20th, 2007 at 6:20 am
My question relates more to style than retail and is inspired by an article I just read about Isabel Toledo and Anne Klein.
Could you explain a little bit more about cultural styles? Since you’ve lived in many places around the world, you’ve certainly witnessed how each country or culture embraces fashion. America, it seems, has a reputation for laid back/sportswear (I mean among people who actually care. I’m not talking baggy t-shirts and shapeless shorts w/tennis shoes people), but what does that mean? And how is that different from what the English prefer or the Dutch or the French? Were there bigger differences in the past that have now disappeared with globalization?
When I think of American style, I think of JCrew or Ralph Lauren, but how are their lines different than, say, Burberry or Max Mara?
Any insight you provide would be most appreciated!
August 5th, 2007 at 7:13 pm
[...] Why Fashion Models Break the Perfect Pant Lengths Rule [...]
November 29th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Interesting. I was unaware/unconscious of this and have actually decided against some pairs of pants when shopping online because the fit looked unflattering to me in the photos. This explains why.
I object to your referring to the average woman as a “real” woman; it implies those are the only women who are “real.” I’m certainly no model, but my proportions often require that I opt for 34- to 35-inch inseams. Your poor word choice implies I and those in my height range are somehow not women(i.e., “fake”).