Facebook Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Tiktok Icon YouTube Icon Headphones Icon Favorite Navigation Search Icon Forum Search Icon Main Search Icon Close Icon Video Play Icon Indicator Arrow Icon Close Icon Hamburger/Search Icon Plus Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon

Conversational Threads

Sculpting your butt through fitting?

educo | Posted in Fitting on

With the popularity of hundreds of denim companies, I wanted to know what do they know about lifting and sculpting the butt that I can’t figure out? I don’t want to pay upwards to a couple hundred dollars to find out. How can you shape and lift your butt in a pair of pants? I know fabric with a minimal amount of spandex is important, but what else? I’ve tried, but it becomes too tight in the back crotch or it flattens it. Can anyone shed any light on this?

Replies

  1. KarenW | | #1

    I've wondered how these "lift and shape" jeans do it too but like you am too cheap to find out... haven't seemed to run into them in the stores, I just see them in catalogs.  Maybe if you already know how to fit pants, the easier thing would be to buy some lift and shape type undergarments then fit with those on.   I can't imagine it's a special fabric because if it were the entire yardage it would affect other areas as well.... I was thinking there's some built in support or other treatment in the seat area.   I really don't feel like I look old but I have three teenagers so I do get frequent reality checks.  The last one was "Mom, your butt's sagging".  I just looked at her and said "oh good, now it matches my boobs".  Luckily there are great affordable foundation pieces to defy gravity in both places!

    Karen

    1. educo | | #2

      I don't know either, I have not seen a support type of underwear attached, I know it's all in the cut. I wonder what it is??

      1. solosmocker | | #3

        Oprah did a whole show on this the other day. It is all in the cut. They showed different manufacturers and how different and good their jeans could look on different figures. Now how they each cut them differently, who knows!

        1. mem | | #4

          Now that would be a great topic for THREADS to do and article on although apage of exercise to do the job on the but would also be useful!

          1. educo | | #5

            I totally agree. Threads should do an article comparing different denim companies and how each company cuts the jeans differently in order to achieve a certain fit.

          2. mem | | #6

            Yes so what do you think Carol???I think you read he posts dont you??

          3. mygaley | | #7

            I'm joining the requests for this jeans-cutting article!  I had some old threads (pre#20) given to me, and I was sad to see that some articles took my attention longer than my entire latest issue. 

          4. carolfresia | | #8

            Hi! Yes, I'm reading the posts, and we editors have actually talked about the issue of "premium denim." So far we haven't started research on an article about that, though, so if anyone wants to submit a proposal, please do!

            We're also very curious about what makes those jeans do such a dynamite job of sculpting the rear view. However, I've always assumed (never having taken it upon myself to spend $200+ on jeans) that expensive jeans looked great because the wearer--inevitably a person much younger than myself, with the wherewithal to get to the gym on a regular basis--already had an excellent physique. Is there hope for the over-40 set after all? Perhaps we shall uncover the secret.

            FWIW: a staff member received a pair of jeans that claimed to lift and round the derriere via a special internal construction (these came from a well-known mail-order/mall clothing and lingerie store). She brought them in for show and tell. They had a nylon/spandex inner lining in the seat area, which had some artfully positioned seams to provide "shape." Our colleague admitted that they didn't do anything appreciable for her--but she's one of those lucky 20-somethings who haven't yet experienced the drag of gravity. And the jeans were such a tiny size that no one else could shimmy into them! Sigh.

            I'll be sure to bring up the subject once more in our next editorial meeting. There are so few garments these days that cost less to sew than to purchase, but really great jeans might be one of them.

            Carol

          5. sewconfused | | #9

            When I was young and skinny, I found a difference in Jeans.  This was before lycra and even before designer jeans. Lee jeans made my rear end look high and round. Wrangler flatened me out. Levi jeans looked better than Wrangler, but not as good as Lee. This make me think it is something about the cut.

          6. carolfresia | | #10

            I'm sure there is a difference in the cut of various brands of jeans. And probably everybody has a different "favorite" cut that looks best on their body. I find it amusing that there's so much hype about how perfect the brand of the day is, as though any one style will work wonders for everyone. Lucky for us sewers, we can decide what we like best and make it so!

            Carol

          7. stitcher | | #11

            Carol as long as we have your ear/eye, My new THREADS came yesterday and a quick 'look through' caused me to wonder---is there any posibility that Taunton may create a new magazine. Perhaps you could appeal to new sewers with one and those of us who long for greater depth and challenge in another.

          8. carolfresia | | #13

            There certainly does seem to be a growing audience of sewers with a wide range of skills. At the moment, we're using all our resources just to put together one magazine! But I'll certainly pass this suggestion along and let everyone here know that there's an interest in two magazines. Thanks for your input.

            Carol

          9. Marionc032 | | #16

            I think this is a great idea, but I would understand from a publisher's point of view that they might perceive that there is not sufficient interest to support a second magazine that appeals to the more advanced sewers, and not enough resources to publish a second bi-monthly magazine. But, what about a special edition, even if it only came out twice, or even once a year that focussed on advanced couture and tailoring techniques?Marion

            Edited 5/8/2006 5:43 pm ET by Marionc032

          10. mem | | #17

            yes please that would be a good compromise.

          11. educo | | #18

            oh yes a magazine that unlocks the mysteries of couture? That would be a fabulous idea!

          12. susanna | | #19

            I agree with your assessment of these brands of jeans. Lee also had the most comfortable and flattering waistline and fabric, I thought. Thirty years later, I have more of a belly and less of a butt~wonder if I should wear 'em backwards now?

          13. carolfresia | | #20

            I remember really liking Lee jeans, too--the ones I owned had two darts per side on the back yoke. These might have been for style only, but I thought they probably helped that back waist stay snugly fitted while allowing for a smooth transition to the hip.

            These days I wear lower-cut jeans, but I wonder if that detail could be incorporated in those as well. I always have that gaping back waist problem.

            Carol

          14. Teaf5 | | #23

            Too funny! Seriously, though, you should check out Lees newer lines, Riveted & City Elements. They fit my maturing body as well as the old Lees fit my young one; that company seems to understand fit very well.

          15. mem | | #12

            Yes one does wonder about the eye of the beholder being influenced by marketing  hype . I think ther eis something in the cut thou and that would be very interesing to see something on.

            You may have read my other post on the Vionnet book and i was wondering whether you have any contact with Betty Kirk as i know she did an article about her book with Threads in the late 90s . I would really love to know how i can use these patterns . I read the book cover to cover and could"nt work out how I can  translate them into a workable pattern The shapes are so unusual that it is difficulto even translate a body measurement onto a pattern piece.

      2. Teaf5 | | #14

        Even if you don't buy them, you can always go in and try on expensive designer jeans; when you take them off, turn them inside out and check out the construction, paying attention to how wide and long the upper part of the back is. Typically, there is a lot less fabric in those jeans than in other pants or slacks.I found a discount pair of Calvin Klein jeans that make my backside look much better; Vogue had a CK jeans pattern, and it replicated that cut perfectly, but I never compared it to other jeans patterns to see what the difference is. Will check and report back!

        1. educo | | #15

          I have considered just trying them on and checking, but I need to sit down and really look at measurements and compare and take notes. Otherwise, I'll feel like I'm missing something. Plus, I want to compare all the major premium jeans (seven, Citizens for humanity, Habitual, Notify) and what differences, even minor ones lie in each of them. I think I have the CK vogue pattern somewhere I have to dig that up to compare, I don't know if I was happy with the pattern or not.

          1. Vick | | #21

            Along the idea of diffrnet brands of Jeans, I would love to know how Chico's make their pants with the  Tummy tucker. Their pants fit well, look good and work hard.Their Jeans and Travlers line all manage to fit the rear and hid the belly.

          2. educo | | #22

            I hope this topic gets covered in a future issue of threads. A lot of people are curious!

This post is archived.

Threads Insider

Get instant access to hundreds of videos, tutorials, projects, and more.

Start Your Free Trial

Already an Insider? Log in

Conversational Threads

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |

Threads Insider Exclusives

View All
View All

Highlights

Shop the Store

View All
View More