Here are my findings on Buying Jeans Online. I hope they will save me hours in search time and returns. Hopefully it will help other people too!
Rule #1) It’s all about the inseam.
Here is my table of Inseams vs Brands:
| Inseam (inches) | Inseam (cm) | Brands |
| 29″ | 74 | J Brand620, 811 Ankle,Joe’s Jeans Plaid Skinny |
| 30″ | 76.2 | J Brand 811, powerstretch legging Hudson Collin Skinny, Paige Verdugo, Koral Stretch Skinny |
| 31″ | 78.7 | Adriano Goldscmied, Blank Denim X Fit Skinny, J Brand 910, Koral Flat Italian Pencil, Paige Skyline |
| 29″ to 31″ | 74 to 78.5 | 7 for all mankind “The skinny” |
| 32″ | 81.2 | Hudson Signature Skinny, Cheap MondayCurrent/Elliott The Skinny |
| 33″ | 83.8 | 7 for all mankind “original skinny”,Adriano Goldscmied The Leggings
Current/Elliott The Straight Leg |
| 34″ | 86.4 | Joes, Adriano Goldscmied Skinny Straight,Adriano Goldscmied Slouchy Slim
Current/Elliott The Leggings |
| 35″ | 88.9 | 7 for all mankind straight legsJames Jeans Hunter |
| 30.7 | 78 cm | NYDJ |
| 29.5 | 75 cm | True Religion |
| 31.5 | 80 cm | Mavi |
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A couple of provisos:
- I know brands make different lengths, but they don’t vary that much.
- I know I don’t have all the brands here. Just the ones I like.
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Here’s useful little summary I found on the internet:
| x.short | up to 26½” | 60 – 67 cm |
| short | 26½” – 29½” | 67 – 75 cm |
| regular | 29½” – 32½” | 75 – 83 cm |
| long | 32½” – 35½” | 83 – 90 cm |
| x.long | 35½” – 38½” | 90 – 98cm |
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I’ve worked out that I can save myself a lot of time (and returns) by checking the inseam length. It’s the point from the crotch to bottom of the jean (on the inside of your leg).
Now I am tall with (I’ve realised) disproportionately long legs. So what looks fine on the models in the web-site – who are my height but a few (cough) sizes smaller than me – is too short in my size. (I don’t get it. Do jeans models have short legs? Am I a freak?).
For example, I love J Brand (I have a pair of their 811’s) but as most of their jeans are short (on me), I won’t look at them again (unless I fancy another pair of ankle freezers).
I know the size (waist circumference), and “rise” () and the cut (the pockets, the ankle width) and so on are important too.
But for tall people, if the inseam isn’t right, the rest don’t matter.
Me. 29th October 2012