Jeans sweet spot: Relaxed > Loose > Easy > Regular > Slim Fit?

splash

Hello,

I need help in the pants department. I asked previously about clothes to fit tall, skinny people. It's been quite a good success but I've hit a snag when it comes to jeans.

My body measurement is 6'4" 160 lbs and I'm most close to 31" waist and 35"-36" crotch to floor (inseam?). Previously I had worn 32x34 Relaxed Fit jeans, which were too short and much too wide.

Here are the results of my recent experiment:

32x36 Slim/Straight = too tight
32x36 Regular/Straight = great when standing, too tight in crotch and thigh when sitting
32x36 Loose = much too wide
32x36 Relaxed = much too wide

I must be missing my jean sweet spot because nothing has really worked. Specifically I tried Levi 501 and 505 for the Regular Fit and they look and feel great while standing, but when sitting are definitely tight in the crotch and thigh. I haven't washed them yet. Any ideas on why they seem to be tight even though my true measurement is below 32" waist? I'm not hiding a large package really and my butt doesn't seem above-average size, but I need something a little longer or looser in the upper thigh and crotch/back area.

My next idea is to try 33x36 Regular/Straight Fit and hope the belt makes it workable or trying "Easy Fit." GAP offers Easy Fit in 32x36 (albeit rarely) . Do you think this is the sweet spot I'm looking for? To me I can't tell any difference between loose and relaxed. But on the scale my assumption was the widest to smallest is Relaxed, Loose, Easy, Regular, Slim, Skinny. Is that correct? Lastly, after washing and wearing what should I expect? Do jeans shrink in width and length? It's been a long time since I bought my last pair.

Thank you very much if you can help

Topia

splash wrote: »

My body measurement is 6'4" 160 lbs and I'm most close to 31" waist and 35"-36" crotch to floor (inseam?). Previously I had worn 32x34 Relaxed Fit jeans, which were too short and much too wide.

Wait, what? I'm 6'6" and I wear 34 long, and they fit me fine. How is 34 long too short for you? How high are you wearing your jeans? Lower them a bit, (but not wigger style) and then they should be both long enough and easier on the crotch. Oh, and buy a belt.

RUNN1NGMAN

For jeans, more than anything else, you need to experiment with different brands. The fit from brand to brand for similar sizes and style are all going to vary widely.

You're taller than average, so you probably have a longer "drop" (distance between waistline and crotch of your pants) than usual, hence the too tight when sitting feeling. Also, make sure you're not wearing them too high on your waist. If you haven't bought jeans in a while, most styles ride lower on the hips now than they did a few years ago.

You're probably best off with some version of straight-leg jeans. Stay away from anything called "skinny" or "slim" unless you're an emo 14-year-old, or a member of The Killers.

Best tip is shop around for a brand that fits. All jeans are not the same.

NightDragon

This is true for girls' pants, and I imagine it would be similar for guys': you've tried a number of different brands, I assume? There's only one or two brands of pants that I've found fit me really well...it's probably easier to find guys' pants generally, seeing as how girls' are so fitted.

You've probably done this, but in the off-chance you've only tried like, 5 brands...try 15. Sometimes you may get lucky - also, sometimes different washes fit slightly differently, so be sure to try more than one wash if you have the option.

Gdiguy

On the size note, I'll re-emphasize this - I just was looking for a nice pair of jeans, and the ones that fit best ranged from 32-32 (Gap) to 35-30 (j. crew) to 33-30 (banana republic)

I tend to prefer relaxed or loose; any slimmer wind up looking very very slim on me (like, disturbingly tight to my legs). However, some of the bigger relaxed + boot cut type ones wind up being too far to the other direction - too baggy on the legs

Definitely try a few different stores / brands, and definitely feel free to go up or down a waist size / length until you find something right

Balgair

If you've got a Levi's store nearby, go in and try each of their fits. (501, 505, 511, 514, etc.) Department store's usually don't have the more exotic fits, but sometimes it's one of those less popular fits that you need. Variety is awesome.

bsjezz

splash wrote: »

Specifically I tried Levi 501 and 505 for the Regular Fit and they look and feel great while standing, but when sitting are definitely tight in the crotch and thigh.

how long have you had 'em for? a good pair of jeans takes a while to work into a sweet spot - ideally they'll be a bit tight at first but will loosen up. make sure you hang dry them, and possibly keep to a cold wash - but if you've only worn them a handful of times they're gonna give up a bit more regardless

but yeah. when you buy jeans expect them to stretch, and if you want them to loosen up keep away from the dryer

Khaczor

If you have a good pair or two of jeans... sometimes its best to get it custom tailored to your sweet spot requirements. Because jeans can last you a long time if you take care of them and fit is a big deal if you want to be looking your best.

Besides that you should try on a bunch of different pairs of jeans from different brands. Everyone ass--->waistline is different so you gotta keep trying till you get a pair that fits.

splash

Topia wrote: »

splash wrote: »

My body measurement is 6'4" 160 lbs and I'm most close to 31" waist and 35"-36" crotch to floor (inseam?). Previously I had worn 32x34 Relaxed Fit jeans, which were too short and much too wide.

Wait, what? I'm 6'6" and I wear 34 long, and they fit me fine. How is 34 long too short for you? How high are you wearing your jeans? Lower them a bit, (but not wigger style) and then they should be both long enough and easier on the crotch. Oh, and buy a belt.

With 34 long I definitely wore them a little lower than the waistline if not sagging sometimes and they still were goofily high-water when sitting or laying down. Standing was pretty fine but any bending of the leg and it was starting to be a bad look. I tried a 31-34 Low rise bootcut Levi and it had the same problem.

With the two pairs I bought of Levi 501 and 505 I've been trying above waist, at waist, hip, below, etc and every way it has the tightness problem. To make matters worse it's too hard to wear anything but briefs with them. Sagging creates the least tension in the tight spots but the sagging is to the point where it's not worth it. Since I probably can't return them I'm going to hang dry them and see how it goes.

I've been trying exclusively Levi since it's the brand I really wanted. But I am heading to GAP/Old Navy/BR. I don't prefer GAP or Old Navy brand for anything but they are so friendly to tall people.

Damn, well, thanks for the good input.

Corvus

Regardless of your dimensions, to find out which jeans fit you well, I suggest you do what I did a couple of months ago, go to a mall on a jeans only mission, and go into every store that sells jeans in your price range, and try on one of every style you're interested in in each store. Don't limit your self to certain brands either. Don't look at any other clothes, just jeans, and you're bound to turn up something that will fit.

splash

Thanks, good idea. I'm going on Sunday! woot! jeans.

X3x3non

I am pretty much exactly your size and 32x34 jeans from Express fit me extremely well. They are my favorite brand by far. This model is a year old now but people always seemed to like it "M11 SLIM low rise, straight leg." Even though it says 'slim' it really isn't one of those second-skin type jeans at all. Express is a pretty good brand for guys like us.

wunderbar

yea, it really does depend on brand name. It's kinda like shoes. Dependong on the brand of shoes I can wear sizes anywhere from 8-10. I have one brand/style of jeans that are comfortable on me, and I only buy that.

Topia

wunderbar wrote: »

yea, it really does depend on brand name. It's kinda like shoes. Dependong on the brand of shoes I can wear sizes anywhere from 8-10. I have one brand/style of jeans that are comfortable on me, and I only buy that.

If you go by the European sizing it should always be the same. Off topic, but just fyi.