[sill]

If I wear 32" long jeans... does that mean my legs are 32" or what?

[fashionista-ta]

^ That's your inseam ... so the inside length of your leg, yes. (Although ... just about everyone's are two different lengths )

[justlooking]

my legs are neither long or short... they're just in proportion, so a little heel always helps. i'm only 5'5 so either way, heels help

[GasolineRainbow]

^Most people are in a regular kind of proportion, and clothes are designed with them in mind. Interestingly, I find that average-to-short girls look cuter in flats than tall girls. We tend to have smaller feet than tall girls, and flats can look clumsy on big feet.

[Milada]

^ I tend to agree. As long as the girl in question has thin legs and is wearing well-fitting/slim jeans, then I think it tends to look better.

[Andrea.RL]

picture from theselby.com

I think that some peoples legs are long, but it's just that their thighs are longer than the other part of the leg. I think I have that...
I think she's an example of that. However apparently her asset is her legs so...
(I think that Krysten Ritter is gorgeous. )

[mie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fashionista-ta Btw, I have known someone pear-shaped with long legs ... she had a long torso too, but she was quite quite tall.

Interesting - I know it's possible to have both long torso and long legs, but I can only think of Gisele as an example. I don't think I've ever seen a mere mortal with both long legs and long torso. Actually, come to think of it, I don't know if I've ever seen a long-legged pear. Must be a rare fruit.

[GasolineRainbow]

^If you're as tall as Gisele, you're still going to have relatively long legs regardless of your body type. A friend is 1.78 (5'9'?), with regular leg/torso proportions but definitely pear-shaped, and her legs are much longer than mine, because I'm significantly shorter than her.

[fashionista-ta]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mie Interesting - I know it's possible to have both long torso and long legs, but I can only think of Gisele as an example. I don't think I've ever seen a mere mortal with both long legs and long torso. Actually, come to think of it, I don't know if I've ever seen a long-legged pear. Must be a rare fruit.

She's pretty much 6 feet tall, so ... If everyone were that tall or taller, I guess her legs would be 'short'

[mie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GasolineRainbow ^If you're as tall as Gisele, you're still going to have relatively long legs regardless of your body type. A friend is 1.78 (5'9'?), with regular leg/torso proportions but definitely pear-shaped, and her legs are much longer than mine, because I'm significantly shorter than her.

Oh, I meant long-legged in a proportional sense, not a relative one. I think it helps that Gisele has slim hips and skinny legs. Well, skinny everything, I guess

Quote:

Originally Posted by fashionista-ta She's pretty much 6 feet tall, so ... If everyone were that tall or taller, I guess her legs would be 'short'

I can't say that I'd mind being a short-legged 6' myself

[Trista]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milada How do you manage that? Any tips? *off to find a tape measure*

See when I take a look at my legs in the mirror, they don't look terribly short-they look in proportion to the rest of my body. It's when I am wearing clothes that it is difficult, the good ol' 28.5" inseam. Add in large thighs and a large butt and well, it's horrendously difficult because it will be a lot longer in the front than the back in many cases, or with shorter skirts, I am always scared that it's going to come up in the back. I have found that what works the best for me is to think of things to wear that would lengthen. Yes, heels help, but I can wear them on very rare occasions because I have a knee condition that is made worse by wearing heels a lot. A straight-legged jean does wonders for me, something with a bit more fabric down the calf than a skinny jean but generally the same silhouette. For skirts, I like a straight/pencil skirt that hits just above the knee. If you go much lower than the knee, it will chop you in a weird place. I also do a lot of high-waisted stuff which really gives the illusion of longer legs, in some cases. It is easier to do if you don't have a lot of junk in the trunk but even with some curves, it works well-the eye is drawn to the natural waistline, the thinnest part of the body, thus the legs do appear longer.

[papa_levante]

My legs are short. Sometimes the Shorts are stores are too long.
Express has jeans that fit but wash 'em once, they are too long.

[fashionista-ta]

^ That is the first time I've heard of something expanding rather than shrinking after washing ...