The right length starts with your shoes.

A hem can look perfect barefoot and awkward with shoes. Before pinning or cutting anything, put on the footwear you expect to wear most often with that pair.

Look at the front and the back

A small break at the front can be intentional. Fabric dragging under your heel is a different issue: it can wear through and get dirty quickly. Walk around rather than judging from a single mirror angle.

Try a cuff first

A small turn-up lets you compare lengths without making a permanent change. If the cuff becomes bulky, the pair may benefit from professional shortening. Wide-leg and flared styles can sit differently from straight jeans.

Before an alteration

Ask the tailor whether the original hem can be retained and how the new length will look with your chosen shoes. If the label allows washing, consider whether the jeans have already been washed according to those instructions before fixing the final length.