My Style is Golden: Don't cut yourself short

DENIM LENGTH

I have been out and about lately and one thing that has been standing out to me so clearly (that doesn't usually bother me) is that men and women are wearing their pants too short!

I know that this is Denver - when it rains or snows, you don't want pants dragging in the water. But what difference is an inch or even half of an inch going to make? When it snows, you need your boots!

Having said that, I will state my golden rule:

DENIM SHOULD NOT HIT HIGHER THAN 1/2" ABOVE THE GROUND. (Trousers can hit up to 1" above the ground).

Sometimes people don't know - they don't think about it. Sometimes it's a pain in the butt to get things tailored so you get them hemmed to a "universal length" - one that "works" with both flats and heels. Generally, this doesn't end up working in your favor. Pants that work for heels rarely work with flats too!

You do have a couple of options. My first suggestion is always to buy two pairs of similar jeans - get one pair hemmed for heels and one hemmed for flats. If that is too hard on your budget, then you can invest in hemming tape (tape that will allow you to alter the length of your pant depending on your shoe - although it does take some technique).

When your pant hem is too high, you lose height. Height is the one of the best thing we have working for us. We want our legs to appear longer because long legs give the illusion of height. The taller you look, the more streamlined and leaner you look.

You can't change the way you were made - 4'9 or 6' tall - it doesn't matter. You don't have to actually have the height, you can add the illusion of height without adding an inch - just make sure your pants are long enough.

A few good suggestions: Invest in a pair of universal heels - a pair that isn't too high (can be business appropriate), yet is high enough to look good with skirts and dresses. Invest in a good pair of flats - ones with good structure and a neutral color. Get everything hemmed - make sure it works with your body. When in doubt, go longer (just not dragging on the ground). Finally, find a good jean manufacturer that fits YOUR body (no saggy butt, muffin top, gapping at the waist, pulling through the thighs, showing the whole world your behind when you sit down... none of that), just a good brand of denim - and then buy at least two pairs. Trust me, the investment will be well worth it!

Check out some of these brands: