How To Wear Cuffed Jeans

Good morning everyone

It’s been a busy week and getting busier with holiday parties, and dressing up and putting on our holiday attire. As much as I love donning a party dress, my favorite thing to wear on the weekends is jeans, either tucked into my tall boots or cuffed up to show my short booties. My client Jeni has been grappling with the latter. This was her recent e-mail to me:

Hi lovely! I’m really struggling with this rolled up jeans look…Is it because I have short legs? I don’t understand the rules of where the pant should come to based on the shoe. For example, I’m seeing on others skinny jeans (which I can’t wear without chunky boots 😉 which looks great  – one 3in roll hitting at the ankle with boater shoes. I feel frumpy with my straight leg jeans pulled 1/4 way up leg (so one 7in roll) with little tennies…Then there is the cute little multiple roll with heels?? I just don’t know what to do for my body. So thankful for you!!  X

Jeni

Ok, there are a few questions here so let me address the first part of Jeni’s question:

“I’m really struggling with this rolled up jeans look…Is it because I have short legs?”

Wearing cuffs in general, whether they are cuffs that are built into your pants (usually dress slacks), or cuffs that you roll up yourself (usually jeans), cuffs create a horizontal line that can visually shorten your leg. So, if you already have short legs, they will appear even shorter. The best way to keep your legs from appearing shorter is to keep the cuff of your rolled jean skinny. (1 1/4″ to 1 1/2″) The wider you roll the cuff the more you break your leg into sections visually shortening your leg.

As I have mentioned before, heels will obviously lengthen your leg. A pair of pointy toed or square toed heels will assist you in looking even taller. As will a higher-waisted pant. (My newsletters #5 and #6 go deeper into appearing taller.)

So, no matter how wide the cuff is you can compensate for the cuff shortening your leg, by adding height with a heel and/or wearing a higher-waisted jean.

So let’s talk about “cuff widths,” which brings me to the second part of Jeni’s question:

“I don’t understand the rules of where the pant should come to based on the shoe. For example, I’m seeing on others skinny jeans (which I can’t wear without chunky boots 😉 which looks great  – one 3in roll hitting at the ankle with boater shoes.”

There aren’t any rules when it comes to cuffing your pant; only things to consider when it comes to your leg length, Body-Type, overall height, and how you want to appear in your cuffed or rolled pant hem.

Again if you have short legs or you just don’t want your legs to appear shorter, keep in mind that cuffing your pant is not only going to shorten your leg because you are creating a horizontal line with the cuff, but with jeans you are also creating a “color break.”

So, what do I mean by a “color break?” Your jeans are usually blue (unless they are a light wash or super faded) or black. So when you roll them up, you are displaying the underside of the denim which is usually white looking or light blue or gray. This change of color creates a “color break” in the leg which along with the rolled cuff can make your leg appear even shorter. Get my drift?

The wider the cuff, the more “color break” you are creating, thereby visually chopping your leg into sections. A 3″ cuff is pretty average and can visually shorten your leg, but it is doable and a very popular choice. If you want to wear this size cuff with your skinny jeans, try a boot that is neutral to match your skin tone or just lighter in general to create a continual line from the light color of the rolled cuff, especially if you are exposing lots of your skin between the bottom of the cuff and the top of the shoe.

You also want to make sure that if you do have a space between the bottom of the cuff and the top of the shoe, and you are exposing a contrast colored sock, you will be creating another “color break,” which again, can visually shorten your legs. It is best to wear a sock that matches your shoe color so that you don’t do this.

Or try wearing it with boater shoes (no socks) as Jeni suggested!

When rolling your jeans only roll to the top of the ankle bone or even a little higher. If you go much higher to the middle of your calf, you will not only be creating a larger “color break” showing your skin, if your boots are short, but you could be cutting off your calf at the prettiest part of your leg.

I like the look in this photo. Notice her shoes, the cuff width, and the length of her pants. Because her pumps are pointy toed and not too dark, and because her skin line from the bottom of the cuff continues into her foot without interruption, this creates a longer line. I would not cuff your jeans much higher than where these are or you’ll risk cutting your calf in half.

“I feel frumpy with my straight leg jeans pulled 1/4 way up leg (so one 7in roll) with little tennies…”

Jeni, and anyone else who is feeling frumpy with this look – you’re not alone! And I don’t necessarily think you feel frumpy because your legs are short. This look has never been my favorite and is a tough one to pull off unless you are really tall and model-like.

Again, a 7″ cuff is creating a big “color break” and it is visually creating a horizontal line close to the widest part of your calf (especially if you’re fairly short or petite), basically widening it and cutting it in half. Throw on round toed tennies and a chunky sweater or a top that is too oversized covering your waist, and it is no wonder you’re feeling frumpy!

Try slimming things down. My suggestion if you want to do a 7″ cuff is try it with a medium or high rise (This is better!) “slim straight” or “skinny” jeans, not a full straight leg**, and wear it with a nude or skin tone chunky heel or boot to avoid the “color breaks.” Depending upon your Body-Type, height, and the look you want to create, this slimmer look could work with tennies too. Try it. Then pair this look with a shirt that you can tuck in or do a half tuck (front is tucked into pants, back is left out hanging over the back of your pants).

Note: The “wash” of the jean needs to also be taken into consideration as well. You will have much more of a “color break” with a dark wash than you will with a light or medium wash or faded jean. (See the below photo)

I decided to include a photo of this 7″ cuff look with a **full straight leg boyfriend jean. What do you think? Notice in each picture, the color of the jeans, the fit, the heel, toe types and color of the shoes. Notice the waistband. Take in the overall silhouette. Do you find it flattering or frumpy?

I tried this 7″ roll with a pair of my faded boyfriend jeans. I personally didn’t love it. I tried it with a pair of my dark wash slim straight jeans and It was better but I am still not a big fan of this 7″ wide cuff or the contrast created from the “color break” on me.

Now, if you’re a tall girl and you want to appear shorter, you can use as many “color breaks” as you like to your advantage to create the results you want to achieve!

Take note: If your pants are super long and a 7″ roll doesn’t work for your Body-Type, you may need to have the length shortened first so that when you roll your jeans to a 3″ cuff or you roll multiple times creating a slimmer cuff, you aren’t creating too much bulk because there is too much fabric to roll.

Speaking of “multiple rolls,” let’s move on with the last past of Jeni’s question:

“Then there is the cute little multiple roll with heels?? I just don’t know what to do for my body.”

I love this look. In my opinion, I feel the skinnier the cuff, the better whether you care if the cuffs are visually shortening your leg or not. This look is done best with skinny jeans (Mid-rise or higher-waisted) or a looser boyfriend jean, that fits well (not too loose), and tapers to a slim hem. Roll your jeans 2-3 times, with rolls that are 1 1/4″ to 2 1/4″ wide (depending on the look you want to create), so that you end at the top of the ankle bone or even a little higher. But remember, not too high up on the widest part of the calf!

You can wear either of these jeans with stiletto pumps, or chunky heels, or boots (match socks to boots in case they are exposed) depending on your Body-Type and what you are trying to achieve. Most boyfriend jeans sit a bit lower on the waist so you want to take this into consideration when pairing them with shoes and tops. With both types of jeans, I suggest a full or half tuck of your shirt, blouse or Tee, or a slim cut sweater. Note: For a put-together look, I personally like to wear a belt when my belt loops on my jeans or slacks are exposed.

Remember that these tips today are general guidelines. There are no hard fast rules so to speak. The best thing to do is to try several different options and see what looks best with your height, Body-Type and leg length. Try playing with different cuff widths, on different styles and washes of jeans, with different kinds of shoes and tops. Shorten your jeans if necessary. Really look at the proportions and what the overall silhouette is doing to your Body-Type so that you can create the most flattering looks on yourself.

Trust your intuition. 

If you feel good, you’ve most likely created a look that is right for you. If you feel frumpy or are really questioning your outfit, look at the overall silhouette and try to narrow it down to what is causing this and make that change. Sometimes, everything looks good and all you need to do is change one thing.

The point is, you want to feel confident about your outfit and pleased with the results. When that happens, it almost doesn’t matter how you’re wearing it because your confidence will override anything that is possibly not working or is a “bit off.” And…a “bit off” isn’t necessarily a bad thing when you have the right attitude. Who knows, you may even set a new fashion trend!

Bonus tip!

Because I am already petite and do not want to shorten my legs any further, another way that I get around this “color break” is to first turn the hem of my skinny pant under anywhere from 3-6″ depending on how long your pants are and then cuff it in one or two 1″ or 1 1/2″ rolls. I get the cool look of the rolled cuff without the “color break,” because the pants were turned under first before they were cuffed, exposing the right side of the denim, after they are rolled.

I just recently created this look for myself because my jeans were so long and my rolled cuffs were getting too bulky by turning them 3 times to create a skinny cuff. This is a great technique to use also if your pants are too long and you just don’t feel like shortening them.

Before I close, I want to add a tip that my client MaryAnn sent me just in case you didn’t see her tip posted on my blog. I think her stain removal tip is a good one and one that I personally intend to try! Thanks MaryAnn!

Hi Michelle,

I’ve been enjoying your newsletter and tips.  Thanks so much!

I’d like to share a stain removal tip that almost always works like a miracle. One of the most effective ways to remove oil or grease stains on clothing (from salad dressings, sauces or something greasy) is to liberally sprinkle “baby” powder to completely cover the spot. The talcum or baby powder absorbs the oil overnight and then I wash the article as recommended by the manufacturer. This has worked wonderfully.  

Tip: When traveling, pack a travel size baby powder for a quick way to absorb “oil” stains. I’ve been able to go a couple days before washing the garment at home and the stain still comes out completely.  

All the best,

MaryAnn

Now, it’s your turn. How are you wearing your cuffed jeans? I’d love to hear from you.  Your insights and inspiration are appreciated so please share your stories in the comments below.

Blog me.

Love,

~Michelle