How to Stop Pants From Being Too Short

The measurement that governs pant length is the inseam, the distance from the crotch seam to the bottom of the leg. Measure a pair of pants that fits you well, from the crotch seam straight down to the hem, and record that number. That inseam is your target for every future purchase.

When you shop, look for the inseam listed alongside the waist. A size written as 34 x 36 means a 34 inch waist and a 36 inch inseam. Buying by waist alone is how tall people end up with short pants, so always confirm the second number matches your target.

Seek out long and tall ranges. Many brands stop their standard inseams before tall people need them to. Lines labeled Long or Tall extend the leg length, and some retailers sell unfinished or unhemmed pants so you can set the exact length yourself.

Mind the rise as well as the inseam. A low rise sits below your natural waist and effectively shortens how long the legs appear, while a higher rise sits where it should and lets the full inseam do its job. If pants ride low, they will look short even at the correct inseam.

Tailoring works in your favor here too. It is often easier to buy pants with a slightly long inseam and have them hemmed to perfection than to stretch a short pair. A tailor can also add a cuff or adjust the break so the hem meets your shoes exactly the way you like.

Keep a record of the brands and models that deliver true length. Once you find pants that hit the floor correctly, note the exact size and cut. Armed with your inseam number, a preference for long ranges, and a reliable tailor, short pants become a problem of the past.