New classes, new blog posts! -Tailoring #1

Bonjour!

Can y'all believe it is 2013 already? Gosh I can't. So here's the deal, I am in two fashion classes that allow us to have blogs now! Woo! So you'll be reading my stuff twice as much :) But don't worry, it's beneficial I promise!

So this class that I am in, Tailoring, is all about the fit of garments. Which is SUCH an important factor when buying or even making something. Because if it doesn't look good on the body, then why buy it? You want to look good, right? Then find clothes that fit. Pants specifically are something that a lot of people find difficult to fit. Hopefully this blog will point you in the right direction next time you are pants shopping!

This picture came out of our textbook Easy Guide To Sewing Pants by Lynn MacIntyre. This is such a great picture! Because I bet you, most Americans don't know that all pants aren't supposed to be as tight as skinny jeans. All pants aren't created equal, y'all! So first rule when pants shopping: Know the occasion. Let's say I'm looking for a new pair of work pants. I like a little more fit to my pants personally, so I would probably go with slacks. As you can see, they fit a little more under the bottom and in through the legs compared to trousers.

Now it's time for fitting. The part that you want to fit first is the waist. When you put on those pants, can you grab a whole bunch of fabric at the waistband? If so, those are too big. Get a smaller size! When you sit, does it gap in the back? If so, you probably should take it to a tailor and get the excess removed in the waistband only, if they fit in the hips.

The second part you look at is the hips. Make sure there are no wrinkles- those indicate a fit problem. In slacks, they are going to rest on your hips, but they aren't going to be snug like jeans, and they aren't going to be loose like trousers.

Now look at the booty. If it looks like you have a wedgie, those pants are too tight in the seat! We call that part the "shelf" in class. You need some more "seat" room. Easily fixable at a tailor or perhaps just see what the next size up looks like. And if you have a saggy grandpa hiney, then those are too big in the back and also the shelf.

I think it is time for some pictures of what I am talking about :)

Saggy under the booty? Bad fit

... He obviously didn't fit the waistband before purchasing

Well that's all for me, hopefully this will help you on your quest on finding the perfect pair of pants! Vivre la mode, tout le monde!

Oh, and let me instill one final piece of advice... plaids must match! At the crotch and at the sides. These pants here clearly don't match at the front crotch. Any print really should match, stripes or dots or flowers- depends on the size for the last two however. It really cheapens a garment if your prints don't match. I know that doesn't have anything to do with fit, but I saw this picture and I knew I just had to tell you anyway :)