Now that it’s official that skinny pants are here for the long run (unlike her sloppier sister, harem pants), we find ourselves feeling like college girls at a lingerie-themed frat party: wanting to experiment. This summer, our favorite way to change up the look of the standard skinny pant is to cuff the hem. Not only does this show off the most lady-like part of our bodies (our ankles, obviously), it also helps highlight our obscenely overpriced sandals (who needs health insurance?).
However, like paychecks and genitalia, size matters, and pant cuffs are no exception. Essentially, the ideal cuff should be similar to a finalist on The Bachelor: thin and shallow. You should only be rolling them two or three times, depending on the fabric and the length. Ideally, your pants should end at the top of your ankle, approximately where all the popular girls in high school got those super-chic dolphin and butterfly tattoos. Any further, and you’re going to have to start shaving your legs to wear pants, and that’s dumb.
One of the best things about cuffing your pants is that it means you’re getting a pretty solid two-for-one deal. A pair of dark, skinny jeans worn unrolled with a pair of heels is a no-brainer for a date with that guy from OkCupid who takes you to a wine bar to show you he’s sophisticated (and then not only orders Merlot, but also pronounces the “t”). But, roll the hem of those jeans up a few times, and all of a sudden, you’re fit to board a yacht the next morning (even if you don’t own a yacht, just walk onto one; no one will stop you).
An important note before we go: It might be tempting to start cuffing everything you own because you look so cute in your cuffed skinny pants. However, under no circumstances are you to cuff any other type of pants, particularly bootleg pants. Also, do not wear bootleg pants.
Thank you, Internet.
