Length is not just one aspect of a tall jean, it’s the point. Yet length is treated as an afterthought by most brands; take a pair of jeans and add two inches to the bottom then claim them to be tall. The proportions of the jean however do not change on a taller person. Rise sits differently, thigh needs extra room not to look skimmed through the leg and shorter than it is, and leg opening needs to be cut with extra width to account for the added length. Otherwise the whole silhouette looks narrow and stretched as oppose to long and purposeful. Look for a tall jean that has been drafted as its own pattern rather than stretched from a regular fit block.
You’ll notice the difference in how the fabric hangs versus cling from knee to ankle.
The weight of denim is crucial. Too light and it will lose shape by lunchtime, start to bag at the knee and look unfinished. Tall jeans should be made from denim with some rigidity. Something that feels slightly stiff through the first few wears before it then settles into your leg, rather than sagging into it.
Raw or near raw denim will also hang better over a longer length than denim that’s been heavily distressed or softened. Once thrown over extra length and fabric it can look tired rather than worn in.
When it comes to styling tall jeans, remember that they lead with the leg and not the shoe. Straight or even bootcut legs are best with a heel or a flat with enough of your foot showing to maintain long proportions as oppose to chopping everything off. Wide legs can handle a wedge or bulky boots but only if your hem still grazes the top of your shoe as oppose to swimming on it.
Cropped hem jeans work on tall people when done intentionally. You should be able to tell the ankle is being shown on purpose, not because you grabbed a regular pair of jeans that don’t fit in the length.
Think about what you’re wearing on top; A fitted top balances out a fuller jean, but if you’re going straight up and down go with a looser fitting shirt or jacket to avoid the whole look becoming shapeless.
Tall jeans should earn their keep. They should take you through your week, not one off occasions. They’re ideal for day time looks when thrown with a basic tee and trainers. They’ll keep up with an evening out if you add a heel and pick something sharper to wear on top, and they travel so well because decent denim doesn’t crease like other fabrics. Ultimately, if a tall jean fits perfectly you shouldn’t even think about how tall the wearer is, you’ll just know it looks like it was designed for their leg.
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