How to Find The Best Fitting Pant

How many times have you finally found THE perfect pant only to discover it’s just not measuring up when you actually try it on? Sound familiar? You are not alone. Trust us ladies, we’ve all been there and that’s why we’ve decided to take the irritation out of pant shopping by pulling together some tried-and-true tips (and fits) for the best pant fit every time.

Read on to find out some tried-and-true ways to get the perfect pant – every single time.

FASHION & FIT

When shopping for pants, you’re going to be drawn to the style but it’s the fit that will ultimately win you over because really, there’s nothing worse than wearing a beautifully tailored pant that is a perfect fit for someone else’s body.

So first things first; get to know your body. Are you fuller through the middle with legs for days? Are you straight through the hip and thigh with a more athletic silhouette? Are you a curvy hourglass or another fruit related shape? The good news is you will never have to worry about the details… because we’ve taken care of the little things like ensuring the rise sits perfectly to keep everything in or, that there's enough room in the hip and thigh area so that you can sit comfortably. 

Once you determine your shape and the ideal features you’re looking for, it’s time to find your fit. We just happen to have a variety of pant fits that are designed to ensure there is a fit for everybody. And we mean every body. Check them all out here.

Now that you’ve found your fit it’s time to talk fashion. Whether you’re looking for something dressy or casual, the possibilities are endless thanks to the many fabric, detail and finishing options. From jeans to cords, ponte to pleather, classic or embellished… we’ve got you covered. We’ve even grouped them so you can shop by fit.

Keep in mind we have one universal pant fit called the Comfort Fit. It really is a “feel good – look good” pant style. With it’s pull on waist and flat front it’s perfect for layering with delicate tops or more fitted style tops AND keep an eye out for a few styles that have a built in tummy shaper like our Glencheck Comfort Waist Pant.

SIZE DOES MATTER

Now that you’ve found your fit and style, it’s time to establish your proper size. We see it all too many times; women wearing a size (or two) too large. This is a no-no. One of the tried-and-true methods for assessing size accuracy is the pinch test. With them on, pinch the side seam of the pant legs at the outer thigh. If you can pinch an inch or two of the fabric, these pants are the correct size! If you pinch more, you should size down; if you pinch less, you should size up for a more comfortable fit.

Another area to test is the waist. A simple approach is to slip two fingers inside the waistband. If there is just enough room congratulations, you’ve found the right size and you’ll have enough wiggle room to take you from morning to night. Too tight? Size up. Too much room? You guessed it, you’ll want to size down.

Now, it’s time for the standing visual test. You want to look for several things here: Is there puckering or wrinkling at the front panel? If so, try opting for a size up. If the pants look baggy or the fabric doesn’t lie flat, then try sizing down.

THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT

You go to great lengths to find the right fit and size, but there’s more to it than that! You also should think about inseam length which is the measurement from the crotch to the bottom of the pant leg. Do you know your inseam measurement? You will also need to consider what shoes you will wear most with your pant and add length to your inseam measurement to accommodate. For any heels, ensure the back pant hem is a ½ inch from the floor for a polished look. For flat shoe options, ensure the hem is high enough that it doesn’t hit the floor.

At Northern Reflections, we offer multiple inseams in most styles: Regular 32”, Ankle 29” and Petite 28”. As a general rule, women 5’3 and under tend to be considered petite and therefore petite length pants are for you! That said, you could also be considered petite if your legs are proportionately shorter to your torso!

So, there you have it! Three things to check for when determining whether those pants you’ve been eyeing will do the trick or not! Also, don’t forget – as we mentioned earlier, to find the ultimate pant fit refer to our ‘Shop by Fit’ guide to find the styles that will work best for your body shape!

P.S. Have you completed these steps and love the fit of your pants? If so, let us know! Snap a picture of yourself wearing your fabulous finds and use #NorthernReflections for a chance to be featured on our social media!