Caution: cropped pants can be risky
April 3rd, 2007Pant length is the first aspect of an outfit that gets my attention, because lengthening your legs is always flattering. With Summer around the corner, it’s extremely important to make sure that you are sporting the best cropped pant length for your body type. Here are some guidelines:
- At the knee is the most flattering length for most body types. For some women this will mean on the knee, and for others up to 4 inches below the knee. This length shows off your legs at their best because they’ll look their longest and slimmest. If you have shapely calves, you’ll want to accentuate their roundness, so don’t cover them up.
- Between the base of your calf muscle and your ankle is the most difficult length to wear with style. Unless the capris are tight and you are tall with really slim and shapely legs, avoid this option because your legs will look shorter than they are. You’ll find that even lanky models sport this pant length with heels in order to elongate their legs (which leaves little hope for the rest of us).
- Just above the ankle lengths are generally unflattering. I can appreciate this “of-the-moment” fashion look in tapered skinnies when matched with high heels on a the correct body type; but other than that, steer clear.
Cropped pant lengths are not an easy one to get right. You might find yourself having to alter lengths for them to look best. You might even consider shortening some of the pairs you already have in your wardrobe.
Flattering lengths from Ann Taylor and Nordstrom.
Risky lengths from Ann Taylor and Nordstrom.
April 3rd, 2007 at 8:30 am
Indeed! This pear shape just doesn’t go there! You are spot on. Thanks, Angie.
April 3rd, 2007 at 11:06 am
I always thought cropped pants actually make people look taller because they give the illusion that your legs are just too darn long for your pants!. Still, I don’t find them very flattering, especially on pears. I wore them for a long time when I used to be very skinny to emulate Audrey Hepburn, but a mere ten pounds and four inches later, it just isn’t the same.
April 3rd, 2007 at 1:20 pm
I love cropped pants. I prefer them to shorts in the summer. Sometimes comfort wins out over style–so if I look a little shorter than I really am, then so be it. I have a hard time with the look of cropped pants that fall just at or above the ankle though–they look like “floods” (am I showing my age using that term?)
Sometimes I am at a loss as to what to wear on my feet though. I’m glad to see the open toe espadrilles and strappy heeled sandals in these photos. Just another excuse to go shoe shopping!!
April 3rd, 2007 at 2:27 pm
My opinion is the opposite of Nicole’s. I have better luck with slim summer pants that are ankle length with a pair of cute flats. Maybe it is because my body shape is boyish (a nice way to say straight with not much of a waist). I think the shorter styles are the ones that look like the flood is arriving. I guess I am probably dating myself,too. I haven’t noticed many women of my middle age that look particularly attractive in them. Of course all those models above look stylish, but , real women??? No. More women should look in the mirror at themselves and not listen to salespeople saying that everyone is wearing them…
April 4th, 2007 at 7:28 am
I am already short (5′) and every pair of cropped pants I’ve tried have made me appear as if someone chopped off part of my legs. I’ve tried every length, and they just aren’t flattering.
As a result, I stick to light long pants, shorts of varying lengths and skirts for summer wear.
I envy women who can pull off cropped pants, though. I love the look (when it looks right) and it seems as if the stores are full of these things today!
April 5th, 2007 at 6:21 am
I think the lengh makes the difference. I have fat calves and slim ankles so the length needs to be either at the knee or below the fat part of the calf muscle. I love them for summer when you don’t want pants and you need to a length longer than shorts.
What is the difference between cropped pants (at the knee) and walking shorts?
April 7th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
I’m with Morgan, at 5′2″ it usually looks like I just hemmed my pants wrong rather than cropped pants. However, I really like how those knee legnth pants look on the last photo, top row. Maybe something like that would look good on me. I’ve always thought I had good legs
May 15th, 2007 at 7:27 am
[…] Walk shorts – sport knee-length cropped pants as a more flattering option to leg-shortening capris. […]
May 19th, 2007 at 11:21 am
i think the opposite of you i like short pants.
June 5th, 2007 at 3:39 am
[…] So the quest to find a fashionable yet comfortable and affordable pair of shoes continues. While none of them make it to my “6 to 8 hour” mark, there happen to be a few “4 hour” options around. They’re perfect with dresses, skirts and knee length walk shorts. Have a peek below and perhaps they’ll meet your all-day requirement. (And remember not to wear them in the rain). […]
June 14th, 2007 at 7:28 am
[…] Walk shorts that finish at the knee (either just above, on, or just below) remains the most flattering length for any woman because your legs look their longest and slimmest at this point. Raise that hemline to reveal a significant portion of your bare thighs and you’re dressing inappropriately for your age. You’ll get away with wearing short shorts for running and cycling when you’re older because it’s important to wear the correct gear when engaging in a sporting activity. But this is where I draw the line. Mutton dressed like lamb is unstylish. Keep it chic, classy and knee-length. […]
April 17th, 2008 at 7:01 am
[…] below the calf and above the ankle. I am allergic to pants at this length. They are extremely leg shortening and unflattering. Models that sport capri lengths wear 4 inch heels which visually raises the hemline. I rest my […]
May 23rd, 2008 at 11:45 pm
I’m pretty tall, but my capris are the shorter ones. I don’t like to wear short shorts. I usually wear slacks, darker denim jeans, or skirts.