As important as body type is when fitting pants, there are certain body types (my own included) where a long or short waist is even more important than body type. To say I have a short waist would overstate the length of my waist…I have no waist at all. The wrong pants or skirt not only look frumpy but they easily add ten pounds to my figure. I don’t know many women in their 40s who sign up to get dressed and add 10 pounds!
My favorite pant to wear all day every day is the Miracle Pant from Doncaster. It has a flat front with a slightly lower waist that gives the illusion that I actually have a torso. I cannot wear high waisted pants without looking like Steve Urkell! Cropped pants are not my most flattering style, either. I can get away a little bit because I have very long legs but generally I avoid the cropped pant. My other favorite are jeans. I like a low rise jean with a contour waistband so that its not either riding up my behind or stuck on my ribcage!
For the most part (but not always) the advice I gave for the “O” or “A” body type work well. For a long waist, look at classic pants that sit at or above the natural waistline. Depending on overall stature, straight and fairly narrow legs often work well. Be sure to wear pants that are slightly longer to lengthen the line. Not always, but often the advice I give for either the “H” or the “X” work well here.
Whether you are long waisted or short waisted, always try on pants and find a good seamstress!
