How to stop pants from riding up (quick and permanent methods) (2023)

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Nothing is more annoying than putting on a new pair of pants or shorts for the first time and 10 minutes later finding them crawling up your legs. It looks as uncomfortable as it feels. Pants ride up for a variety of reasons, but luckily there are multiple solutions to this problem.

The trousers can be prevented from riding up around the thighs by reinforcing the inner seam with plastic rods. Or keep your pants from riding up by applying silicone sealant to the hem or sewing on an elastic. To prevent your pants from riding up when you sit, pull them up slightly while bending at the hips and knees.

There are many different ways to prevent pants from riding up. Once you figure out why your pants are misbehaving, you can choose the appropriate method. This article is about finding out why your pants are riding up and what you can do about it.

The problem with the high pants

It can be really embarrassing when you're out in public and have to keep dropping your pants because they're uncomfortable.

There is also the problem of pants riding up your legs when you sit down. Your pants may look perfect standing up, but once you bend down to sit down, the length shrinks.

Don't worry. There are solutions to these problems. But first you need to know the source of the problem.

Why are they riding up their pants?

There are many different reasons why pants ride up. Remember that your body is not the problem here and having your clothes fit your comfort and style is nothing to be ashamed of.

Try not to focus too much on the number when shopping for pants. Buy clothes based on how they fit your body, not size.

Incorrect size and fit

Finding the right size and fit is key to preventing pants from riding up or looking uncomfortable when you move. If the pants are small, they can ride up when you walk, but pants that are too big can also ride up and baggy in the crotch.

If the pant height (the distance between the top waistband and the inseam between the legs) is too short, the pant will ride up and create the dreaded breeches.

freedom of movement

Our bodies are generally much more flexible than the fabrics that make up pants. Our range of motion is greater than that of our trousers. This is one of the main reasons pants tend to ride up when you sit down.

Have you ever noticed how men in suits gently tug on their trousers when they sit down? There is a method for this seemingly insignificant action.

The pants adjust to the correct length when standing or walking, but when we sit down they get a little shorter. Because the folding of the fabric at the hips and knees takes up part of the length of the trousers.

Slightly raising your pants when you sit gives you space for your body to bend properly. This prevents the trousers from riding up uncomfortably when we sit down.

our anatomy

Most trousers are designed the same: the waist measures slightly less than the hips. However, as you probably already know, not all humans are created equal!

Some people's hips are wider than the waist, others have the same waist and hip measurement, while others have hips that are smaller than the waist. In these cases, people's pants tend to ride up or bunch up in the crotch area.

With shorts, the problem of riding up is very common. If your thighs touch while you walk, there's a good chance your shorts will ride up between your legs, especially shorts that are on the shorter side.

If you are interested in some methods e.gPrevent your shorts from riding up, I have written a special guide for you to refer to.

Loose shorts meant to be snug

Running shorts that fit snugly should not ride up. However, as the elastane in the fabric stretches with use, the shorts become loose and more likely to ride up the legs.

The fabric hugs your skin.

Certain substances stick to our skin when we sweat a little, or accumulate static electricity. This causes the pants to ride up and bunch up around the crotch. The usual culprits are polyester and acrylic fabrics, but natural textiles such as viscose can also do it.

Proper fit is key to prevent pants from riding up

When it comes to the problem of pants riding up, the best solution is to buy pants that fit your body well. It might be a bit late for this solution if you've already bought and worn the pants, but at least you know for the future!

Look for pants that are slightly longer and roomy but still fit snugly around your waist and hips. This avoids the problem of boarding. You can always buy one size larger than you need and the pants will fit you perfectly.

Shorts with a longer inseam (about 4 inches) are much less likely to ride up than shorts with a short inseam (about 2 inches). If you have trouble riding up your shorts as you walk, consider a longer style, such as the shortsBermuda IslandsÖBoyfriend-Shorts(Paid Amazon links).

Running shorts are notorious for rolling up or riding up your legs. The key to making sure your running shorts perform well is to have a pair that fits you as snugly as possible and is comfortable and practical.

my article abouthow to keep your pants from falling downYou may also like.

Some fabrics tend to ride up

Certain textiles are more likely to cause the driving problem. Thinner, more flowy fabrics are known to cause pants to ride up.

If you have trouble with pants riding up, avoid acrylics, polycotton blends, and silk or satin.

Stiffer, more breathable fabrics like linen, canvas, cotton, and denim are much better at not riding up.

The stretchability of the fabric must also be taken into account. Elastic pants or shorts are less likely to ride up than non-elastic pants. When it comes to running shorts, the more elastic, the better. Stretch jean shorts are a great option.

Prevent pants from riding up when walking

It's impossible to be 100% confident in good pants if they keep riding up. Nobody wants to fix a pair of panties in public every 5 minutes.

Luckily, there are many different tips and tricks to keep your pants from riding up and looking weird:

• Double the ends.This simple solution requires no sewing and may work if you have problems with pants riding up. The pleat reinforces the hem, making it stiffer and less likely to ride up.
• Apply polyester sticks.Plastic boning is designed to be sewn or ironed onto fabric. By attaching it to the inseam of your pants, you'll keep your pant legs straight and prevent them from riding up uncomfortably. Polyester chopsticks come in a variety of lengths from 2 to 5 inches, and they are very inexpensive to purchase, typically $5 to $10.
• Sew on rubber bands.If your pants are tight around your thigh, you can sew elastics into the hems to make them more snug and fit your legs better. If your thighs are skinny and the legs of your sweatpants are too wide, this is a very effective trick.
• Silicone seal around the hem. Clear silicone gasket is a bit rubbery and sticky when it dries. Attaching it to the inseams of the pants will keep it from riding up as the pants grip the thighs. This hack is super cheap (silicone gasket is only about $5) and super quick and easy to do. Work in a well-ventilated area when applying the caulk, as it gives off smelly fumes. Allow the silicone seal to dry completely before wearing the pants. Otherwise your skin could get irritated.
• Hairspray on thighs.Another way to make your pants fit your thighs better is to spray your legs with hairspray. Many women who play volleyball use this trick to keep their pants from riding up.
• Buy one size up and order them individually.This isn't really a quick fix if your pants are riding up, but if you really want your pants to fit the way you want, you should make an effort to have them custom made. A pro will know exactly what to adjust to keep your pants from riding up.

Prevent pants from riding up when sitting

The most common trick to keep your pants from riding up too much when you're sitting is to pull them up a little when you're sitting. The small drawstring prevents the pants from feeling much shorter when you sit down.

For women, it's a good idea to wear tights that tend to ride up. They reduce the friction of your skin on the fabric, preventing your pants from riding up when you sit.

Wearing the right type of underwear is also a must. Cotton underwear, while comfortable and breathable, is very likely to cause your pants to rise when you sit down. Softer, silkier undergarments are much better as the pant's material can move when seated.

Not only the fabric of the underwear is important, but also the cut. Longer boxers prevent your pants from riding up when you sit down.

I also wrote a guide specifically for thisHow to prevent underwear from riding up. Check it out below.

Have tailored pants to prevent them from riding up

The most reliable way to fix pants that are riding up is to visit a good tailor. Someone who understands how clothing is designed to fit and move with your body will be able to modify your pants so they don't ride up when you walk or sit.

Inseam length and depth have a big impact on how your pants fit when you sit down. If the measurement is too short, the pant legs will be lifted to accommodate your butt. If the measurement is too long, the fabric will ride up and bunch around the crease of the leg over the thighs when seated.

Another very important factor is the height of the pants. If the rise is too long, the pants will not only be uncomfortable to wear, but also look odd and the extra fabric will bunch up in front of the crotch.

If the inseam is too short, your pants will almost certainly ride up and you could even end up with panties, or worse, the dreaded camel toe!

Remember, tailors can always trim, but adding length is a lot harder. It is advisable to buy a slightly larger size and adjust it to fit your height.

Buy pants that sit well on the hips. It doesn't matter if the waist is too loose. It is very easy to assimilate.

When you visit the tailor, bring him the pants you want altered and pants that fit well and will not ride up when worn. If you turn both pairs inside out and press one leg against the other, you can straighten both pairs and see the differences in inseam measurements.

This gives the tailor a clear idea of ​​how you want your pants to fit.

Conclusion

If you have problems with pants riding up when you walk or sit, there is always a solution to the problem. If you can't fix it with a quick fix like folding the hem, attaching plastic boning, or silicone caulking, you can always take them to a tailor and have the pants adjusted to your body shape.

Worries about the fabric bunching up in the crotch or the pant legs shooting up when you sit down can be a thing of the past!

I've also created a comprehensive guide on how to do thisPrevent your clothes from riding upyou may want to read below.