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how do inseams change proportion of pants?

fashof

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does anyone know how inseams work? i know that the higher the number the longer the leg is of course but i am asking about proportion. today i tried on a pair of khakis and i went with the longer inseam so it wouldnt look like they just end at my shoes. thing is, i was wondering if the thigh gets bigger as well if you get a longer inseam? wouldnt companies make the thigh room bigger even if it is the same waist just in case that taller person has larger thighs? it wouldnt be right to just extend the lower half of the pant legs would it? i am asking because i wanted the slimmer fit between the two (but at the same waist size) and was scared that if i got the higher inseam then the butt/leg would be slightly larger.
 

JohnnyLaw

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Just buy unhemmed trousers and have them hemmed to your preferred length.
 

hamish5178

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Originally Posted by JohnnyLaw
Just buy unhemmed trousers and have them hemmed to your preferred length.

Wow, you totally answered his question.
 

phxlawstudent

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So, your asking how the inseam length affects where the thigh taper ends, if it does at all?

Good question, don't know. I would guess it doesn't. They probably just taper it down to a certain point, and then cut the rest of the pant straight. Possibly not true for tapered pants or boot cut.

But whichever method is cheaper is the one they use.
 

landshark

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I feel like it does make a difference. I have people come into my store looking for a 33" inseam and they refuse to take a 34 and hem it.

This makes me think there is a difference in the way different inseams fit.
 

max_r

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i dont know about dress pants (i've always just got my correct inseam with dress pants), but with jeans, my experience is that getting a longer inseam and hemming results in a wider knee and calf than getting a pair of the correct inseam length.

i'd guess its probably down to the brand, whether they make them all the same and hem to whatever length, or keep the same leg proportions throughout all inseam lengths.
 

Despos

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The answer is in how a trouser pattern is made.
Pattern starts with a vertical line. Squared off from this are lines for the top of the trouser, seat, crotch, knee and length/inseam measure. When the length is longer the knee position is lower and gives a bit more room in the lower thigh area. Length gets shorter, knee position rises and there is a touch more taper in the thigh area. Change the length from 30 to 32, the difference in the taper amount is so slight you may not perceive a change.
 

MetroStyles

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This is great question and one I've pondered myself. Thanks for the replies so far.
 

GBR

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And Despos has provided an answer to resolve the issue finally.
 

fashof

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Thanks everybody for answering. Bigger thanks to Despos for explaining to all of us. So for a final confirmation, shorter inseam/ tighter taper? I am looking for the slimmest fit so I may just go back to the 30 inseam even if it doesnt make a big difference.
 

JamesX

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I think what Despos says is "a few inches won't matter at all."

So you should go with the inseam that is proper for your leg as opposed to going a inch short to make it slimmer.
 

AdamAdam

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I know this is an old thread but it was a question I also had and found this helpful. I have difficulty finding pants that fit me well. I'm a 34 waist / 30 inseam. However, my thighs and backside are larger and many pants fit my tight in that area. I've been playing around with designers, cuts and sizes and have recently found that the inseam does seem to make a difference. I was at Brooks Brothers recently and tired on pants in the same cut, same waist but different inseams. I found that the 34/30 "fit" but was a little snugger than I would have liked. However, 34/31 fit much better around the thighs and crotch. Now, could it have just been a fluke pair of pants? I suppose, but I think from now on I'm going to try a larger inseam and get them hemmed. The only other way I've found pants that fit me well is to go custom but that gets expensive.
 

Harold Mathieu

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Last edited:

Harold Mathieu

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The answer is in how a trouser pattern is made.

Pattern starts with a vertical line. Squared off from this are lines for the top of the trouser, seat, crotch, knee and length/inseam measure. When the length is longer the knee position is lower and gives a bit more room in the lower thigh area. Length gets shorter, knee position rises and there is a touch more taper in the thigh area. Change the length from 30 to 32, the difference in the taper amount is so slight you may not perceive a change.


This response is absolutely correct.
 

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