When I heard on the "grapevine" aka Twitter that Gap's new premium black pants line has a style that runs small, I decided to add it to my order during the last 40% off sale. The style in question is the Slim Crop Pants in 00P:
 |
When I first tried it on, my initial reaction was oh boy, a possible keeper! The material feels very sturdy, the cut is slimming, and yet it somehow didn't flatten out my behind like most other dress pants do!
But then the nit-picking began. Like ExtraPetite noted, there is a bit of waist gap (although fixable with belt), as well as some extra material bunching up in the upper thigh meet lower buttock region (see extra creases on side view). Not to mention the inherent questionable cropped nature of the pants, which I've always thought was a petite no-no (especially in a dark color) that effectively truncates and shortens the leg line.
Here's a full-body view with flats:
And some other test shots with my Dad's DSLR that came out poorly with cropped out bottoms:
I'm really torn on this one! One one hand, I love the slim cut of the pants and how effortless/chic it makes me feel. The price was also a bargain at ~$23 after discounts. On the other hand, the fit is not perfect with the waist gap and back creases, and the length hits awkwardly at the ankle which I'm not sure I can pull off. Any thoughts to help me decide would be appreciated! :)
I think it's a keeper and looks good from the pics. I don't think it shortens the leg line at all. For $23, you definitely can't beat that price.
ReplyDeleteHmm.. even with all the faults you pointed out, I think it's a keeper simply b/c this is probably the best you're going to find for wearing straight off the rack! I think you'll be hard pressed to find pants that fit as slim as these from any other American stores.. And for $23, at least you can use them as backup pants to wear on days when you've got absolutely nothing else to wear! I vote "keep" :)
ReplyDeleteI'd say these pants are a keeper at that price and the fit is really not bad at all. I would do a darker and possibly higher pump to extend the pants (I feel the nude seems to cut the length of these pants). A nice fitted blouse tucked in with a neutral colour waistbelt would turn this into a pretty chic look for a weekend out with the girls. P.S. nothing irks me more than said "inherent" rules about fashion- the rigidity of such DOs and DON'Ts makes me feel like everyone following x,y,z formula will have the same results. If you find a decent fit, a bit of creativity and have the right attitude, don't let these pseudo fashion "don'ts" stop you. We are talking cropped pants in a basic color, not flash tights with feathers and fringe. Besides, you wear the pants, they don't wear you :)
ReplyDeleteFor me, I wouldn't keep them unless I absolutely love them. Otherwise, what's the point in having so-so clothes instead of amazing clothes?
ReplyDeleteYou could take them to the tailor to see what they can do to get rid of the gap and minimize the excess fabric as an option if you opt to keep them and make fabulous. I agree with Anonymous, black pumps might make the pants look more pulled together and the pants themselves do not make you look shorter. It sounds like it would, but it really doesn't. =)
Ping & sophia - I agree, the price is one of the better discounts I've managed to snag lately!
ReplyDeleteAnon - I hadn't thought about neutral shoes cutting the length... will definitely try darker pumps (not sure about higher though, I can't really walk in higher than 3" heels!). Thanks for the styling suggestions and I love your attitude about fashion! :)
stylepint - You voiced my concern exactly. The old me would've kept these pants, no questions asked (especially at that price). But I'm supposed to "know better" now, and while those fit issues may seem trivial, it keeps me from being absolutely in love with the pants. As for tailoring, I think the gap can be fixed but the excess fabric seems hard to deal with (short of me gaining some extra lbs in the hips/thighs).
ReplyDeleteI am with stylepint. I wouldn't keep them just because they're OK. I think all of us have more than enough clothes in our closet. I wouldn't settle for something unless I absolutely love. You and PAG had same problems with these Gap pants. I haven't bought anything from Gap in ages.
ReplyDeleteYou know what, if they don't fit, return them. It's a concept that's hard for me to follow, but I think it's the right idea. Hold out for something you like better- you don't NEED to have a pair of black pants right this second (well, maybe you do, I'm not sure lol), so why not find one that makes you feel great?
ReplyDeleteI would say return it if you have another pair (or 5) of similarly-cut and colored pants. For some reason it looks to me that these pants sit really low on your waist and create the illusion that your legs are shorter than they are. I think it looks great from the side but the front view leaves a lot to be desired. I think you can do better than this...
ReplyDeleteI would keep them. They look great with the nude heels. And to lengthen the leg you could just wear black booties, no? or proper boots in winter? or black tights and black shoes?
ReplyDeleteI agree with keeping them! They look great with your AT pumps and even better with your TH sandals. I actually love how in terms of length they don't looked cropped on you (like it does on the model) but rather just right. Plus you got such a great deal on them too. I kind of wish I had seen your review before the GAP sale ended because I was on the fence about buying these pants after hearing from PAG that they are a lint magnet. But after seeing how tall and skinny you look in them, I'm kind of regretting that I didn't buy a pair for myself. I say keep them :)
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I don't love them. And I think if you have any doubt, you should return them.
ReplyDeleteI'm torn...on one hand this is a great deal for very basic black slim pants (which btw, how did you get them for $23?? We get many of the same items but you always get a better deal! Mine were $30 with the 40% off.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, if you're unhappy with any part of the fit (wait may be fixed by a tailor, but the bunchiness in the back thighs...I'm just not sure what would fix those) then you shouldn't keep them regardless of how cheap they were. I've been wearing mine a lot with black pumps but I also don't see my rear view...it could be disastrous, who knows? The length IS a little funky on our legs...I wonder if a hem (which would make these true ankle pants) would make it better or worse?
I think it's pretty cheap! but hmm I can't say that I love them and cant live without them... :/
ReplyDeleteI think it looks great on you, especially with flats. Price aside, I think it's a keeper.
ReplyDeleteWell, it looks like there's no majority consensus yet! I can definitely see where everyone is coming from which is why it's so hard to decide! :)
ReplyDeletePetiteLittleGirl - I haven't bought anything from Gap in forever too, but thanks to alerts from other petites I actually found another keeper in this batch (review coming up!).
thegoodgirlgoneblog - You're right, I don't NEED a pair of black pants right this second, but unfortunately for someone my size, it probably won't get any better than this off the rack, like sophia mentioned.
Elle - I'm naturally long-waisted so it's not the pants' fault that my legs look short :P And I actually don't have any other cropped slim-fitting dress pants so these would be the first addition.
PAG - I found an additional stackable 25% off coupon after I'd already placed my order, so I actually called CS and they obliged! Don't worry, I always try share my good deals ;) Honestly, I don't think a hem job would help... then you start approaching the too-long capri length territory. And I'm quite conscious of my rear view since I'm wide & flat shaped, so it's usually hard to find bottoms that give me a flattering back view.... and annoying creases aside, this one actually isn't half bad.
I think it works with heels but not flats and that it will look VERY cute with a flowy-type of top or one with a longer hem. Try on some various things and if the pants don't scream "keeper," you should return them.
ReplyDeleteI honestly love these on you. I'm thinking if you wore them around the house for 8 hours you'd know by the day's end if they were keepers or not. (I do love them on you though!)
ReplyDeletewear it with attitude! i think it looks great. i can never get pants to fit perfectly so a tiny gap is all right. the black is slimming but gives you more oomph and it's a good length. keep!
ReplyDeleteI actually like these pants on u! I don't think the length is awkward at all, plus it looks great with both ur pumps and flats. If you're not happy with the fit, then I think you should return it even if it's quite cheap:) It's $23 u'll save and/or put towards an item u'll be happier with:)
ReplyDeleteTheOwlsCloset.blogspot.com
The pants would look much better on you if it's just couple inches longer. I was thinking maybe you can cuff couple inches to make it a real crop, but seeing how wide the opening is, that's probably not a good idea.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sydney -- it seems to me to be rather long to be real crop paints, and a little short if they were just pants. Other than that, it doesn't make you look short. Can't say that I love them, though.
ReplyDeleteOh man, am I the only petite that's absolutely NOT into these cropped pants? They totally remind me of my mom and not in a cool way. I feel like they age you by 10 years. I feel like it's such an awkward length---like highwaters.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I wonder if they'd look great in a tan color w/some boat shoes for an extra preppy Hamptons look.
Sydney & Abby - I don't know either if they'll look better or worse if they're slightly shorter or longer.
ReplyDeleteAubrey - Maybe your Mom is more stylish than most :P To be honest, the thought did momentarily cross my mind that these would be great "Mom" pants... but I thought that just meant I was getting older and more mature haha. But then again, I do look pretty young and I'm in a professional field so it's actually not necessarily a bad thing that it makes me look older.
I think that even though the price is good, you should not keep them based on the faults you have highlighted. Good deals are always tempting, but if you have a closet full of good deals that you hardly wear because of things you don't like about them, what's the point? I would rather have less clothes that might cost a bit more, that I truly enjoy wearing!
ReplyDelete