Pix-Elated

Keep or exchange: CoH Arielles

August 25, 2015

Another NAS purchase that's puzzling me is these Arielle mid-rise jeans from CoH. 

My two favourite jeans ever are my Rag and Bone Dre slim BF jeans (almost all cotton) and my CoH Racer low rise jeans. I have worn the Racers more than 200 times in the year and a half since I bought them.(Yes - I counted. And for anyone who wonders why I pay for premium denim, there is your reason right there.)

Despite being in heavy rotation, they are still in pretty good shape, although my cat nicked them a bit with his claws at some point, so there are two teensy pulls on the calf. I know I'll get at least another season from them, but I am aware they may not last much longer than that. 

Meanwhile, if I have any complaint with Racers it is that as a true low rise jean they are just a tiny bit too low for me, since I'm long in the rise. Because of their clever design they work (no plumber butt -- the back rise is much longer) -- but they definitely make me appear to have a long torso, and I don't think they are super flattering to my rear, not that I actually see them from that perspective all that often. ;) 

In general, with my own particular proportions (short waist, longer rise, longer in the thigh, short calves) I tend to think a mid-rise jean works best, and it's also most comfortable for my longer rise as a rule.

All that is to say that when I saw what looked like a mid-rise version of these jeans on sale at NAS, I snapped them up. 

True Fit told me my size. I ignored that and sized up by one, because I did that for the Racers and it was the right decision -- I got a smooth, slim, not calf suckingly skinny fit -- a real jeans fit vs. a legging-like fit -- which is precisely what I wanted. 

Well, this time I am wondering if I should have listened to True Fit after all. These jeans fit, but they are stretchier and a bit less substantial than the Racers, and might bag out more. I wore them for about an hour without a belt in the house, and felt like I always had to yank back up any time I rose after sitting. 

I realize it's hard to see the details -- but do you think I should try to exchange for the size down? Anyone have experience with these particular jeans? Do they look okay to you? 

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Posted in the Anniversary Sale category
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

23 Comments

  • Suz replied 8 years ago

    Ack. Did it again -- put an NAS post into the wrong category. Sorry!!!

  • Joy replied 8 years ago

    I'm not a good judge of size and fit, but these seem a bit too big. If it isn't a huge hassle, I'd like to see the smaller size to compare.

  • carter replied 8 years ago

    Great looking jeans! Most of my jeans are a bit large in the waist in order to get a looser/straighter fit through the hips and legs, but I generally don't feel like I have to hike them up unless the back rise is not sufficient for my backside;-) Are these feeling too big all over or just yankable in the back?

  • Suz replied 8 years ago

    This is a good question, Carter. They don't feel "too big" per se -- but they are a super stretchy fabric, more stretchy than the Racers (while still feeling like quality jeans). There is a bit of extra in the bum/ leg thigh which doesn't show up so much in the photos but is visible IRL. I don't necessarily mind that -- I'm not after a super super tight fit. On the other hand, I prefer them to fit smoothly. 

    It would be a rare jean that didn't hug my muscular thighs. I've never met that jean in any size, LOL. 

  • viva replied 8 years ago

    In pic 5 there seems evidence that the waist might be a wee big but I do find it difficult to judge jeans fit in photos. They look great on you, and I'm pretty sure the size down would look great too. (Okay, unhelpful!) In light of your comments about the constant pulling up and the possible room I may be seeing in pic 5 I think it may be worth trying a size down. But I am really not sure. (super unhelpful! So sorry.)

    Btw, what white top is that is pic 1? I think I must get that!!!!!

  • Karie replied 8 years ago

    I don't think they look too big, but if they're big enough to require hiking up, that would annoy me enough to try the smaller size.

  • Suz replied 8 years ago

    Thanks, all. 

    Viva, if I can be your lemming, you can be mine, LOL. Except you can't, because that top is an old Ann Taylor that I picked up two years ago in a desperate search for a simple silk shell to wear under a fuchsia jacket for an event! I don't know if they carry anything similar now. It's quite boxy and I love it. 

    I think it might be worth a call to Nordics to see if they will exchange at the NAS price. Hmmmm. 

  • cheryle (Dianthus) replied 8 years ago

    They don't look too big to me and I wonder if you would be happy with the fit of the leg if you sized down.  If it isn't going to cost a small fortune to order the size down, it would be worth trying.  Are they available in Canada to try?

  • Banoffi replied 8 years ago

    How long have you been wearing the jeans?  I find they tend to stretch quite a bit through the day, especially in the waist.  If you ordered the jeans online, you could call Nordstrom and ask to exchange for a smaller size (you should still get the NAS price, and you can wait until you get the smaller size to decide which pair fits better).  If you decide to keep your current pair, you can always try taking them to the tailor and having him or her take them in a bit at the waist.

  • catgirl replied 8 years ago

    Want me to bring 'em? Send to my store and I will bring them to Toronto!

  • replied 8 years ago

    Suz, these are great looking jeans. I like how they look on you in these photos (especially in the rear--the rise and fit looks amazing), but there's nothing worse than having to hoik up our trousers every time we stand up. It might be worth doing a side by side with a smaller size if Nordy will give you the NAS price. Or I agree with Banoffi: if you have a good tailor, see if these can be fitted to your shape. Sometimes there are things a tailor can do with more than just the waistband to ensure a good fit.

  • Eliza replied 8 years ago

    You rock those beautiful blues, Suz.

    If there is extra room in the waist, trying one size down seems to make sense.
    While that is hard to see, the potential size/cut issue that I notice (unless it is a function of a small screen) is the bit of bunching at the knees. Some ease in jeans works well for me, yet it isn't always in the place where I want it most.

    Hope you can compare the sizes so you find your sweet spot.

  • Gigi replied 8 years ago

    I would definitely ask Nordie's if you can try a size down for the NAS price. If you keep these, you will always wonder whether the size down was the better option. 

    I personally find that if I always have to tug on the jeans to pull them back up to where they feel better, the rise and waist get kind of stretched out and funny looking, so that the waist doesn't make a nice line across the body but kind of looks overly curved. Then tucking tops doesn't look so nice anymore, and I have to wash the jeans to get them to return to their better-fitting state. 

    For the price of these babies, you deserve to have the size that fits you best. I hope you can get the size down to compare.

  • CocoLion replied 8 years ago

    I love the way they look on you but if you have to hike them up, I say pass.  You know based on our conversations about "slide" that I don't have much tolerance for this.

    I personally love the Rag & Bone Kensington, I have gone on about them many times.  But they are much more of a calf sucking skinny rather than a straight like these.

    I am also loving my Uniqlo jeans.  Just purchased another pair today.  For $50, you can't beat their quality.  I buy the black ones and wear them with my work uniform.  My other pair don't need any yanking, but I do always wear a belt, unless I'm wearing shorts then I only wear a belt 75% of the time.  ;-)

  • CocoLion replied 8 years ago

    PS -- I think even sizing down won't fix the yanking/sliding issue.  In my experience it's a fabric thing more than a size thing.

  • replied 8 years ago

    Ah Suz...I agree with cocolion, especially with a mid rise. A mid rise should stay up.

  • Suz replied 8 years ago

    Yes, this is what I am wondering, Smittie and Denise. Is it the size, or the fabric? Hmmm. I'm going to compare fabrications between these and the Racers. 

    And Denise, I'm definitely check out a Uniglo when I can find one. Thanks! I think we have one opening in Toronto...

    Eliza, there is bunching at the knees and a bit of "extra" (for want of a better word) on the rear/ thigh. This could be a function of length -- they will need to be shortened a bit for me. But it is also likely because they're a bit big -- I get this on larger stretchy jeans. It isn't evident on looser jeans with less stretch (on my body) but always happens when a stretchy type jean is too big for me. 

    Una, brilliant idea! I might talk to Nordstrom's and see if they will give me the NAS price if I order a smaller size for comparison. 

    That is the real trick -- it would be good to try them on side by side. I am not sure if they're available in Canada but they certainly aren't available anywhere near me! OTOH, they might be available in Toronto and I could try them on when I am there. 

    Thanks for all your help. I'm getting the sense that: 

    • I need to try the lower size.
    • I need to accept they might not work even then, either because I'll still need to yank them up (due to fabrication) or because they'll be too small; i.e. I might be between sizes. 
  • Jaime replied 8 years ago

    I have nothing to add, but Una's offer sound excellent.

  • Angie replied 8 years ago

    I'm glad you've found a replacement for the Racers, Suz. 

    Yup. I vote size down a size. You will LOVE them. Una's offer is stellar. 

  • replied 8 years ago

    I concur with Denise. Having to yank already would be a deal-breaker for me . They do look great on you though, and I love that wash, but if they don't work, they don't work.

  • Gail replied 8 years ago

    I agree with other fabber's - try smaller size and compare. I bought a pair from WHBM this summer. I bought the larger ones wore them at home for about 15 mins and they slipped down constantly. I returned for the smaller size which were better to begin with but then also slipped down , not AS badly , it was the fabric :( You won't know until you try both. They are now orphans in my closet. Perhaps I should just wear them when I will be standing up only lol !

  • jackiec replied 8 years ago

    They look good but the yanking part would drive me nuts. Sounds like trying the smaller size is in order....

  • Jeweled replied 8 years ago

    If I have to adjust or pull up a garment repeatedly, it's a sure bet that piece won't be worn again.

    Also, if the fabric is pretty stretchy, you might be glad at the end of the day to have the smaller size.  Because even if the larger size stretches out only a little extra during the day, you will probably be uncomfortable or unhappy with their fit by day's end.

    You might order the smaller size and try it before sending back the larger size.

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Welcome to my YLF blog, where I'll explore my preoccupation with fashion and style. Thanks to Rae for suggesting the title!