The right length for tops worn over pants
April 28th, 2008Tops over pants look best when they’re worn a little longer. One to three inches above your crotch point (somewhere between where the inseam of your pants start and the zip fly of your pants end) is the perfect length. Hip-bone length is perfect for skirts, but not long enough when you’re wearing pants.
You need to find the specific length that works best for you. Generally, the curvier the thighs, the longer you’ll need to wear your tops. It makes a huge difference when a pretty pear shape wears her tops a little longer. But don’t wear them too long. Tops slightly over crotch point create a horizontal line over the widest part of your body, which is unflattering for pear shapes (but ok for inverted triangles). Fortunately, a top that’s too long can be ruched or “scrunched” to its correct length if you’re short-waisted.
If you haven’t bought tops over the last two years, your cupboard is probably full of shorter lengths. Fashion has moved on and I’m thrilled with the flattering update. Demote shorter tops to wear with skirts and sport a longer length for pants.
Models sporting longer length tops a few inches above crotch point. Longer length also creates a wonderful visual layering effect as the top peeps out. It’s a win.
Models sporting shorter, less flattering tops with pants.
April 28th, 2008 at 7:20 am
Thanks Angie. This makes so much sense when explained by you. I never would have figured it out for myself.
Also thanks for telling us that the clothing makers have moved on to making longer tops than they were making for a couple of years. That is real inside info. How else would we know if it weren’t for you.
Your time and effort here are greatly appreciated.
April 28th, 2008 at 7:58 am
Another great article Angie. I wear tops from 2 years ago that are in good condition with skirts, and new longer lengths with pants now, thanks to you. And if I need a new top for skirts, I get it from the petite department, tough I’m not a petite at all! It works like a charm.
A related issue: do these rules for lengths apply to garments such as sweaters/cardis and fitted jackets? Or since those are usually layered over a top, it’s enough that the top underneath is the right length!
Thanks for all the great info you post here! I am totally addicted to this site.
I have a respectful request: a while ago you did an article on short waist. Would it be possible for you to do a similar one for us long-waisted gals? I am particularly interested in what the right lengths are when layering two tops, e.g. cropped cardis over longer tanks, in order to not elongate the upper half. Thanks so much!
April 28th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Thank You Thank You Thank You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I knew something looked wrong when my tops were too short, but I just couldn’t put my finger on it.
April 28th, 2008 at 8:56 am
Though no expert, I’m going to disagree with you on this one. I wear both longer and shorter tops with pants and I think the shorter length gives me - as you see in the Don’t photos - a more curvaceous look.
April 28th, 2008 at 9:23 am
I prefer shorter tops with pants when I’m wearing flats. That’s because my legs are short. I also have slim hips and a nonexistent butt, so don’t really need to do anything to minimize them. Longer tops with pants require me to wear heels to balance things out and make my legs look a tad longer.
April 28th, 2008 at 9:33 am
I can’t decide whether being short-waisted or having heavy thighs is a bigger concern for me, since they seem to require contradicting lengths. I also have a hard time finding tops that are squarely between the hipbone and the widest part of my hips–they always seem to be one length or the other. If I buy a petite size, it’s hipbone length. Buying a regular length ends around the bum. Getting all my tops altered to be the right length sounds like a major nuisance. I think this is a rare instance where I would rather be practical and forgo a couple of style points.
April 28th, 2008 at 9:42 am
My pleasure ladies and I’ll get a post out for Tanya on longer waists.
What you say makes perfect sense, Shiny. You aren’t curvy on the bottom and wearing your tops a little shorter works for your shape. You have found your sweet length. Well done!
April 28th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Your observation on the length of the shirts was very well explained and illustrated. I for one will adopt this magic formula.
April 28th, 2008 at 11:06 am
Just one more point…are there length considerations if you are short on the rise and have a long torso?
April 28th, 2008 at 11:41 am
I second Tanya’s request ! Not only am I long waisted, I’m also low in the raise. And short tops with pants made my butt look like it’s hanging near the floor. So thanks a lot !
This does mean that I’ll have to buy more tops now: basic colours in two lenghts, for the skirts and for the pants !
April 28th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Oprah did a show on looking 10 pounds smaller and the lady from What Not to Wear specifically mentioned to wear your shirts long enough to cut your rear end in half - I have applied this rule religiously on all of my new tops and jackets when wearing pants - I am a true pear shape and I find it does wonders for my body frame. However, I have to agree that on skirts these just hang on me unless I have a belt on or the shirt ties off to show off the waist line. Little did I know until this year there was a difference in what you wear with pants and skirts.
April 28th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
My mom drilled it into my brain that longer shirt lengths would emphasize my hips, so I always shied away. But I gravitate toward them more and more nowadays, and will even layer to create the illusion of length if a top is too short. Shorter tops just seem to chop me up. Thanks for clarifying the difference between a shirt that is the proper length, and one that hangs too low and truly does draw the eye down to the widest part of your hips. A subtle but important difference!
April 28th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Angie, I have this fabulous halter top that is quite long, but not even minidress length. It falls a couple of inches below crotch point but is not quite mid-thigh. I’m planning on wearing flats with it (I walk around campus all day so heels are a big no for me), but am baffled at what to wear on the bottom. My favorite shorter shorts get covered by it, and wearing my dark skinnies looks awkward as well. The bottom of this halter is beautiful, so hemming is not really a good option, and I really don’t want to not wear it (it’s very flattering on my upper-body with a lovely scalloped crochet neckline).
I’m only a little bit above 5 feet, and I’d like to know what to wear to make this top work without having it shorten me too much. Thanks!
April 28th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
I’m guessing the answer is yes, but does this apply to sweaters, too? I know it’s summer as far as the fashion world is concerned, but it’s in the forties where I live and I’m still wearing sweaters. Brrr!
April 28th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Also, what is the rule for tunics?
April 28th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Wendy,
I’m no fashion expert, but I thought I’d try to offer my suggestions.
it sounds like one of the only options you haven’t mentioned is trying it with a pair of bootcut jeans. If it still looks awkward, as you say it does with skinnies, you could try balancing the proportions with a belt, cardigan, or shrug.
You could always post a photo of it in the forum with some of the different bottoms you’ve considered, and I’m sure plenty of readers will have some suggestions.
April 28th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
It’s about finding the best length that works for you. In some instances tops look better a little shorter but in most situations they look better longer. Heels make a difference too. I’ve found that rise lengths don’t play as much of a role as torso lengths. The longer your torso, the longer you’ll need to go on the top. I had a client on Friday with a very long body and this is what we had to do. Find EXTRA long tops. It worked really well.
Wendy, post a picture of you in your pretty halter top on the forum and we’ll help you out.
April 29th, 2008 at 6:55 am
Longer lengths apply to knitwear too, New mama, but not to knitwear that’s used as layering pieces. These need to be shorter so that the full effect of seeing visible layers comes through.
We’ll cover tunics in another blog entry.
April 30th, 2008 at 8:47 am
The widest point of my hips coincides with the top of my inseam or a little above, so I find my sweet spot is a bit on the high side. On me this is about the same as the middle top picture. It’s very unflattering to have the end of the shirt hit at the widest point of my hips. It also seems to me that when wearing denim (mid to low rise), allowing the pockets to just show below the top is a good thing– once again like the middle top photo except her hands are covering the pockets.
May 9th, 2008 at 1:00 am
Im an inverted triangle with size H chest (cant believe I found some that would fit the chest area) and these tops make me look pregnant and even shorter. Imagine puting one of these tops on Dolly Parton. Well that is how it looked on me.