Do my suit trousers look too long, or am I over-obsessing?

[HPT704]

To my eye they look a bit rumpled towards the bottom, but I'm concerned if I shorten them any more I'll have no break. Do they look sloppy?

 

[Stylewords]

The main problem is that they are too tapered.

 

[breakaway01]

Yes. With such a small hem opening the trouser cuff can’t even rest over the top of the shoe. Is there enough seam allowance to widen the trouser leg?

 

[HPT704]

Yes. With such a small hem opening the trouser cuff can’t even rest over the top of the shoe. Is there enough seam allowance to widen the trouser leg?

I'll have to check. How much should it be widened by? And once it has been widened, should it then be shortened?

 

[breakaway01]

I'll have to check. How much should it be widened by? And once it has been widened, should it then be shortened?

It’s personal preference but IMO 7.5-8.5” is a reasonable range. If you can widen the trousers, I’d do that first before deciding whether/how much to shorten.

 

[HPT704]

It’s personal preference but IMO 7.5-8.5” is a reasonable range. If you can widen the trousers, I’d do that first before deciding whether/how much to shorten.

Looks like 1 inch on each seam. What exactly would I tell the tailor?

 

[breakaway01]

What is the hem opening on those trousers? Do you have another pair of trousers that fits better that you can compare to?

 

[HPT704]

What is the hem opening on those trousers? Do you have another pair of trousers that fits better that you can compare to?

Looks like about 7". My other suit trousers are about 8".

 

[breakaway01]

If you like the 8” hem width on your other trousers that seems like the obvious width to try. I wouldn’t go under 7.75” personally.

 

[notdos]

I prefer that much taper. But with that much taper, you’re going to lose the break, because it needs to be shorter.

Phillip

 

[HPT704]

If you like the 8” hem width on your other trousers that seems like the obvious width to try. I wouldn’t go under 7.75” personally.

I think I agree. Thank you for the information. How exactly should I explain what I want to my tailor?

 

[breakaway01]

I think I agree. Thank you for the information. How exactly should I explain what I want to my tailor?

Just tell them that you want the trousers widened to whatever hem width you want. They will know how to widen the leg with a taper so it is not too abrupt. It is not a difficult alteration and it can be reversed since no fabric will be cut off in the process.

 

[HPT704]

They will know how to widen the leg with a taper so it is not too abrupt.

Thanks, this was a question I had as well, if widening the hem would make it look "flared out" compared to the rest of the leg.

 

[HPT704]

I prefer that much taper. But with that much taper, you’re going to lose the break, because it needs to be shorter.

Phillip

I like how it looks from the side, but from the front doesn't the narrowness towards the bottom make the leg look top-heavy?

 

[notdos]

I like how it looks from the side, but from the front doesn't the narrowness towards the bottom make the leg look top-heavy?

So, for me, it’s about the overall silhouette with the jacket. I agree that sans jacket, the trousers aren’t optimum. Again, for me, If the jacket has the right fit and balance, the overall silhouette can be sleek. Totally personal choice.

Phillip