pants that flatter my body

My number one goal in fashion is to wear things that flatter my body, which typically means evening out my big upper half and weird lower half. I’m 5’ 11”, 165lbs and an athlete, but my anatomy actually just makes me look overweight in the pants I wear currently (see pic 1). I have wide hips and my legs are rotated inwards at rest, creating a sort of hourglass… which is obviously not what I’m going for. I’ve always tried to wear jeans that fit well, typically meaning athletic or tapered, but is the answer just to go straight cut? I tried on a few (pics 2 and 3) and they definitely seem like an improvement, but I really want a deeper understanding. Are there certain textures/types/colors/rise/etc. that I should be prioritizing or staying away from? How do I make my fits look as symmetrical and aesthetic as possible between the upper and lower half. Two sample current full fit pics at the end. I like the last one because the bad lighting really shows how bad the silhouette looks IMO. The shape looks… very feminine, which is the opposite of my goals.
29 Replies
rej
rej10mo ago
Seems what you've identified as a feminine shape is the relative taper of the slimmer cuts down to the leg opening. 2 and 3 are closer to a more on trend fit - more of a straight cut. I think the dark denim fits pretty nicely. I'd personally see if the chinos come in a shorter inseam or look to get them hemmed
Bigelow
Bigelow10mo ago
Pic 2 looks the best out of these imo. The ones you refer to as "full cut" doesn't really look like a full cut, it looks like a slim tapered cut
tyler
tyler10mo ago
I think it’s about the hip to knee angle. I think slim fits look amazing on some people, particularly when the line from the hip to the knee is near vertical. At least that’s what my newbie brain is thinking, no idea if that makes sense.
tyler
tyler10mo ago
I think it is the combo of wide hip leading to an externally rotated knee
bishopcorrigan
bishopcorrigan10mo ago
I wouldn’t go down a rabbit hole of analyzing your body like this, straighter fuller cut pants are in fashion right now and look good on you
tyler
tyler10mo ago
I don’t really know the difference, pic 2 is a Levi 504 IIRC Wait no what am I saying, it’s a Levi 501z or whatever Sorry
Bigelow
Bigelow10mo ago
"full cut" would typically refer to a higher rise, more room in the thigh, and less taper from knee to hem
yurt
yurt10mo ago
Are you misreading where he says "full fit"?
tyler
tyler10mo ago
Yeah I have no idea what full cut is
tyler
tyler10mo ago
I was just saying the last pics are full outfits
yurt
yurt10mo ago
As in the pics where he has a shirt too
tyler
tyler10mo ago
To show the overall body shape
tyler
tyler10mo ago
All good, I’m very interested in that stuff too
Bigelow
Bigelow10mo ago
Either way, the WAYWTs I linked you have great pant silhouettes!
tyler
tyler10mo ago
I really just dont understand pants at all Every top I wear is either tight to fitted
rej
rej10mo ago
I'd look into a straight or relaxed cut rather than a skinny/tapered fit
Bigelow
Bigelow10mo ago
Do you like the silhouettes of the pants in the links I sent you?
tyler
tyler10mo ago
I like them but the tops are so much different from what I wear It’s hard to imagine how they would look But clearly they are accomplishing kind of what I’m looking for
Bigelow
Bigelow10mo ago
The yeah I'd definitely recommend looking for relaxed fits, more room in the thigh, and little to no taper from the knee to hem
tyler
tyler10mo ago
Okay cool, yeah so it sounds like I’m on the right track. Just need to try on 100 different pairs to find the ones that fit right
rej
rej10mo ago
It's definitely a chore finding a pair that fit the way you like, but they're definitely out there
Bigelow
Bigelow10mo ago
tyler
tyler10mo ago
Ahahaha okay so I’m not alone I actually just found some I really like, but not gonna marry the first girl I meet (especially given the price tag on these). Ignore length obviously
tyler
tyler10mo ago
fatigue
fatigue10mo ago
You need more volume at the thighs with a gentle taper and a wider leg opening (without going too far as you wear fitted tops) Look into Japanese brands. Hatski, Kaptain Sunshine, Auralee come to mind
yurt
yurt10mo ago
No? Tapers look pretty dated nowadays
fatigue
fatigue10mo ago
I mean he wears slim fit... And there a lot of different tapers, dated? Lol A lot of straight cuts are not straight at all, or they wouldn't sell