How much can pants be altered (in the waist)?

summer827

Without them looking bad...

My pants will now all fall down without a belt! But I'm not sure I want to purchase new pants...would like to hold out a few more months.

I don't really know where this question should fall...apologies if it's in the wrong place!!

summer827

Is taking out about two inches in the waist too much to expect good results?

leslisa

Depending on your shape, they are probably going to flare pretty bad in the hip area if you do this. You could pretty easily take in some hip, too, though. you would taper it so that it blends into the upper thigh area.

summer827

Thanks! I'm taking a load of pants to be altered (well, I'd better take half at a time!!! I didn't want to make a wasted trip if I couldn't expect decent results. I'll be sure to make it known I need the pants tailored to fit...from the hips up.

victoria4321

Darts in the hips are annoying when its too much. I think taking off two inches is doable. That's probably the most I would do for my jeans.

Di3012

Is taking out about two inches in the waist too much to expect good results?

The best way would be to take the waistband off, take the top of the pants in and then put the waistband back, they will look like they have never been altered if you can do this.

dad106

I've had lots of pants altered at the waist(curse of having a small waist, big hips and big *kitten*!) and my tailor has taken them in at least 2-3 inches.. and it doesn't look back.

Just make sure that they cut the pants open and then re-sow them instead of just putting darts in.. Darts don't really do much and make the pants fit weird... esp if you need to wear a belt later.

victoria4321

Is taking out about two inches in the waist too much to expect good results?

The best way would be to take the waistband off, take the top of the pants in and then put the waistband back, they will look like they have never been altered if you can do this.

I never knew you could do this. I always just put in darts myself

hdsqrl

I'd weigh the cost of alterations over the cost of swinging through the thrift shop and picking up something that will fit you at this in-between size. Unless the pants in question are super-high quality, it might be more cost effective (and fun) to pick up something that's actually your new size for cheap.

Amy911Gray

A good alterations person will tell you if they will look bad before making the changes. They will have you put them on and pin them. My person told me straight out that one of my jackets would need buttons on it to look appropriate...and she was right!

hallie_b

When I make my own alterations if it's 2 inches in the waist, depending on the band width you are probably ok with not having to sew more than just the waist (maybe a little below) but, take it in on both sides and the front or back (where ever there is a seem) so you divide it among 3 places instead of just the 2. If it is more than 2 inches then you need to take in lower than just the band width on the sides but still use the method of dividing up the amount to be taken in among 3-4 places. I have little time now so I take my stuff to a tailor(many will give you a discount if you are bringing in a lot of stuff) or if I can see that it is complicated to sew I just suck it up and buy new, she's a good tailor but charges by the complication/fabric of the garment.