The Inseam: Length & Style

INSIDE JOKE

Why?

You know why Clarinda Lauren exists and why I’m making pants, specifically dress pants. So, what’s with the inseam?

Of course, it started with my own frustrations with dress pants. In my old career, I needed them to be functional for a factory floor or scrapyard, still be professional enough for a board room or client dinners, and comfortable for the flight home.

I’d get so frustrated trying to find a pair that fit me at the waist with an appropriate rise, that were well-made and nicely structured, and came in elegant but durable fabrics. Obviously, they’d need to be comfortable, something that could only be achieved when the length was proportionate to my legs and shoes (both heels and steel-toed boots).

It didn’t seem like it should be that hard. There had to be other women out there that needed the same things! Was there some secret I didn’t know, some joke I wasn’t in on?

But since then, I’ve witnessed countless other women agonizing over buying pants. Despite all the design features and all the nice brands out there, any woman marginalized for her height can tell you, the chances of finding the pants we need are almost zero when length is added to the list of requirements.

And yet, more than anything, it’s the length that I’m looking for. I’m tired of making compromises, I want to feel good in pants and I never will until I have the right length.

Not the length from the waist to the hem, but from a well fitted seat, that is, from my crotch, to the hem. In other words, the inseam.

Technically Speaking

Perhaps you already know or perhaps you’ve now recently looked into it, like when you started shopping online or heard of Clarinda Lauren or maybe you started looking up body measurements after you watched Mrs. Maisel tracking the size of her thighs (don’t even start)

The definition is fairly straightforward, but in practice the length of the inseam is a bit deceptive because it relates to the style of the pants or really, your personal style.

When you measure, start at the crotch and run the tape down to the end of one of these various recommended lengths:

• Your leg (right at your ankle)

• Bottom of your ankle

• Top of your foot

• Half-way down the heel of your stilettos

• Floor

Personal Style

The inseam is the most important component of the length of your pants, and every different length creates a different style.

To get the style of pants you want, measure the inseam length you want (always factoring in your shoes). Do this for every style of pants you wear and have these lengths on-hand when you’re deciding what to buy (or custom order!).

Just like the variances of size across stores, inseams are not standardized for each style (ankle pants will be different lengths at different stores, as will any full-length style).

If someone else is making your style decisions for you and they ask for your inseam length, it’d be a good idea to ask them what length to use (from your crotch to your ankle or the floor or…?).

Things To Remember

• Length is about your personal style.

  • Hire a stylist or personal shopper if you really need help finding pants that work for you.

  • Only wear pants you love.

    • Don’t follow a trend that doesn’t really make you feel good.

    • Only wear the pants as the designer intended if they also flatter you.

• The inseam is the main factor in the length and it starts as the crotch.

  • If the crotch of the pants is not fitted to your crotch…you’ve got to add in the extra length.

  • For the best fit, consider the rise of the pants x waist circumference x inseam length.

• A little work goes a long way.

  • Measure your inseam for each style you want.

  • Find stores with inseams closest to your measurements.

    • Online: find the inseam listed alongside size charts, on the product description, or call customer service.

    • In-store: ask a retail associate for help (get crazy and bring your own measuring tape when you shop!).

  • Get the pants tailored to fit perfectly.