When I started on my Colette Juniper trousers I thought, “Sweet, this will super easy. Adjust the crotch, the hem and BAM new pants.” Not so. I finished sewing these up last night and I am just not too certain I like the width of the pant legs. What do you think? Are they meant to look this wide?
If you can’t tell, when I come to a sewing crossroad I also turn to the sewing community. Y’all always help me clear my muddled thoughts and see things in a different picture. Here’s another angle, more straight forward.
I cut a size 18, and it fits great at the hips, like I had hoped. I adjusted the crotch using the same measurements that I used for my Clover trousers. The crotch seems a bit low and I am just swimming in fabric.
I wonder if my posture had anything to do with some of those wrinkles. Because (WARNING: BOOTY SHOT APPROACHING) a photo of my backside shows less issues.
Right now the possible changes I am going to make for the next pair are:
1. Play with the crotch measurements. I find it too low.
2. Take in the inseam for a less baggy look.
3. Keep half of the button fly and attach the maternity band higher. Currently the bump band is far too wide and low. I can only wear the trousers with a long shirt.
4. Lengthen the hem a wee bit.
So am I right in thinking these are a bit too wide for my frame? I think trimming the excess will make them look sleeker. And me slimmer, which is always a great thing.
Pincushion Treats 
they do look quite wide – i think a slightly slimmer fit might be more flattering. full-on wide leg trousers need to be worn with a very skinny top to balance them out in my experience. otherwise they make you feel boxy. the fit around your bottom looks great tho! in the picture before, are they riding up slightly between your legs? as you definitely don’t have so many wrinkles in the last shot! i’ve got plans for a pair of Junipers so i’ll be looking to see how you get on!
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I am confused about the riding up bit too. Sometimes they look like it and sometimes they don’t. Maybe it’s the excess fabric? Or the crotch depth. I will definitely play around with those and see what happens.
I’ll definitely pair it with a skinny top. I totally see what you’re saying about the boxy appearance. Thank you!
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I’ll be honest, I’m no help with pants fitting. It’s all so foreign to me. I love a really wide leg pair of pants, especially when they are so long they touch the ground. But I do think they need to be worn with a slim top, possibly tucked in. I kind of consider them to be for special occasions. I like for my everyday pants to be a little slimmer.
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I am going to try slimming them a little and wearing it with a better fitting top. Hopefully I can get the “long and leanish” illusion I am going for š
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I think a slim top would make these look much more in proportion so moving the maternity band higher should help a lot. Takibg the inseam in slightly would probably be a good idea, but I actually think the shape looks just fine if they’re styled right. But if wide leg trousers are something you just don’t feel comfortable in with your frame or preferred styling, then definitely take in the inseams more to make them slimmer.
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Thanks Katie! I am looking forward to working on these a bit more, styling them differently and maybe slimming them a bit.
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The long top is making your legs look shorter than they really are, and then with all that width, the effect is “short and square” which we all know from other outfit shots, you are NOT! Maybe if they were in a darker colour the optical illusion would not be so strong? My “successful” wide legs are in navy and dark brown. I made the same pattern up in a light colour and they ended up in the trash after a few wears.
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Funny story (or frustrating?), I bought that beige twill from an online store after it appeared darker on my computer screen. *Womp, womp* Luckily I also bought some navy and grey twill. So yes, darker will look better. Thank you!
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Lovely colour! I agree with Roobeedoo though, they are making you look short. Especially your legs. I have no idea if slimming the legs will help though… But maybe indeed a shorter top will help. I hope you can make them work, good luck!
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Definitely will try a shorter top next time. Thank you!
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I agree, they are too wide. I’m a curvy petite and made a pair of wide leg khakis because they are supposed to be “universally flattering” but I think they made me look stumpy or hobbit-like. Maybe try a narrower fit in the knees (closer to a boot cut) so that your lower half shows more shape? Of course just a narrower leg below the hip might work too and preserve the wide-leg styling. I would balance the narrowing between the inseam and the side seam below the hips. sewingforme.wordpress.com
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Thank you! I was just talking to a friend about taking them in at the knees and I have to agree with both of you. I am going to try that first before taking it in throughout. Thank you!
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good luck! I hope it works! I am still trying to make the perfect pants myself=) Each pair gets a little closer! I look forward to seeing them after your changes!
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I was thinking that shaping them through the thigh might work. I’m leaning towards excess fabric at the thigh causing the bunching…although you know I’m no expert. Changing the top out too as other commenter have suggested will help, too.
That said…these are not all that far from being fabulous. I think it’s tweaks rather that a wholesale do-over.
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PS…I love that cardigan on you…fantastic colour!
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Hmm, yeah, these do look a bit too wide. I bet you’ll really like them if you narrow the leg a bit.
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I love wide-legged trousers. That’s why I bought the Juniper too!
I think a darker colour would improve things. Light colour on bottom is tough for me.
But I like them. Think of them as the maxi skirt of trousers. Does that make sense?
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I am a lady who like a wider leg set of pants but they look too wide on your frame. I agree with previous thoughts- taking them in at the knee might help manage things a little. Also, a darker colour may work better (even a plum or burgundy could be fab!)
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Ooh, burgundy! Yes! I already have navy twill for these but maybe if they come out nice I can get burgundy fabric for the next pair.
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I like them on you and I think they’re too wide. I, too, will be making a size 18 in the Juniper trousers (this weekend, I hope) so this is instructive. I’m not that comfortable with wide legged pants because, really, I tend to wear flats and I think they need a little heel. If I had a blog, I’d probably be asking for shoes with pants advice every other day.
I’ll look forward to seeing them in a darker color but I think you look pretty in that outfit. Although…might I suggest taking off the yellow cardi. The scarf and top are lovely and they might make the pants shine a little more.
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Get rid of the cardi?! Oh no, I will feel naked! Just kidding. I need to start making long-sleeved tops so I can start moving away from my cardi addiction. Maybe a nice long-sleeved Renfrew would go well with the pants (after I narrow them a bit)?
Thanks for you input!
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I would tend to agree that the trousers look too wide, but then I’m not much of a fan of wide legged trousers anyway. I really like your clovers on you, and also love your dress and tights combos which leads me to think that a more fitted, slimmer leg trouser works really well. So that would be my suggestion – narrow the leg š
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Definitely will narrow the leg. The wideness just doesn’t suit me.
Thank you!
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I think they are too wide, sorry. However I have seen your Clovers and that shape was really flattering. I am curvy too and think that wide leg pants only seem suited to tall thin people š¦ I have experienced the fabric bunching similar to what you are experiencing, mine was caused by my legs rubbing together and making the fabric creep up.
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No apologies. I totally agree with your assessment, thank you. I am going to try and save them somehow, and hope they end up decent enough to wear. *Fingers crossed*
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I agree with others about the fit, but they look very professional, and Iām sure you can take them in a bit. I am about to try this pattern too so your insite is very helpful. Iām glad you went first so I can learn from you, as I am very new to pants! I am still trying to make a pair of Clovers, but the fit on mine is very odd so far. ;P
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I made the Clovers. They were a hard nut to crack. Well, not hard, just a little tricky. I blogged about what resources were helpful for me. Maybe they can help you too? https://pincushiontreats.wordpress.com/2012/07/09/my-trouser-fitting-resources/
Good luck!
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From the pictures, I must disagree — the pants look quite elegant and graceful. I’m not sure what those wrinkles are about, though, because in your “backside” picture, they do seem perfect. Looking forward to seeing version 2.0!
By the way, I was looking at your last pieces and I must say that you are really coming into your own as a designer. Your aesthetic is really blooming, you are developing the “melizza” language. I love seeing this happen with bloggers — it inspires me to work harder to get there myself!
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