How to Wear Skinny Jeans (Even if You're Not a Skinny Girl)

I thought I could never wear skinny jeans, but after trying on about 16 pairs, I found some that work.  They are Tommy Hilfinger (a jeans brand I have never worn before) and they need to be taken in at the waist, but I like them!  I tuck them into a pair of sturdy brown boots.  I think that if you have bigger hips and thighs, you need a pair of boots that aren't too dainty looking, for balance. 

I had thought the best way to wear them would be to add a lot of volume at the top with a loose cropped jacket or sweater.  But while trying them on, I noticed in the three-way mirror that from behind, they looked a lot better with a fitted top.  I think this works for me because my waist is small and high while my thighs are wide and low.  The fitted top shows that my waist is up high and makes my legs look relatively longer.  But it has to be long enough to cut across my butt and make it look smaller.

When boot season ends, I think I'll be putting my skinny jeans away.  I don't like the look with shoes, on me.  But I am glad that I could make this look work, instead of sighing "not for pear shapes!" when I saw it on other people.   Thanks, Susan!

And for the record, you are smokin' in those jeans. Truly. ;)

Susan Wagner writes about pragmatic fashion at The Working Closet ( http://www.workitmom.com/bloggers/workingcloset/ ) and chic suburban living at Friday Playdate ( http://fridayplaydate.com ).

I used to be an unbeliever, I really did, but these jeans have changed my wardrobe.  Seriously, amazing.  I'm not joking, if I can pull them off as a curvy size 12, ANYONE can.

thanks for the link and mention, I appreciate it!

Allison Czarnecki

Petit Elefant

allison@petitelefant.com

http://petitelefant.blogspot.com

Kristen is writing a wrap-up of Great Boots for Larger Calves, for Monday. Stay tuned!

Susan Wagner writes about pragmatic fashion at The Working Closet ( http://www.workitmom.com/bloggers/workingcloset/ ) and chic suburban living at Friday Playdate ( http://fridayplaydate.com ).

where does one find boots that accommodate meaty calves and jeans?

This is obviously a hot topic!  I agree that Susan looks great in her skinny jeans with the boots or flats - so cute!  I too am a classic pear - 6/8 on top and 8/10 on bottom and always have issues with gapping at the waist.  I'm going to try those brands mentioned - any others that you all love?  I've tried Diva from Old Navy and they're still big in the waist and in the thighs.  I think you have to try on a lot of jeans before you find the ultimate pair.

I am also a pear shaped gal and have recently converted to wearing a LOT of skinny jeans... my favorite outfit currently is a mid-thigh tunic, skinny jeans and my ankle cowboy boots.  

Cheers!

"Skinny" jeans are the ones with slim legs -- they're not tapered, and they are NOT skin tight, no matter what Kate Moss wears. They are slimmer than a boot cut (which falls straight from the widest part of your hip) but not as slim as a legging (or the unfortunate "jegging" which is a jargon word that makes me want to weep).

Susan Wagner writes about pragmatic fashion at The Working Closet ( http://www.workitmom.com/bloggers/workingcloset/ ) and chic suburban living at Friday Playdate ( http://fridayplaydate.com ).

This is where the whole fit-and-proportion thing comes in. Start with a pair of jeans that fit properly through the midsection -- no binding at the waistband, or accidental muffin top. Pair them with a top that hits at the hip AND has something really great going on at the neckline -- a wde cowl neck sweater, or a great V-neck blouse. You're also a good candidate for the boyfriend blazer/skinny jeans combo -- a slightly oversized blazer (not HUGE mind you, but not cropped or fitted) paired with skinny jeans and a  well-fitting tee is will give you a great long line. And since you're tall, you can use the slim legs on the jeans to make your legs look a mile long.

Susan Wagner writes about pragmatic fashion at The Working Closet ( http://www.workitmom.com/bloggers/workingcloset/ ) and chic suburban living at Friday Playdate ( http://fridayplaydate.com ).

SueBob, you could TOTALLY wear a skinny jean. And not on your arm. ;)

Susan Wagner writes about pragmatic fashion at The Working Closet ( http://www.workitmom.com/bloggers/workingcloset/ ) and chic suburban living at Friday Playdate ( http://fridayplaydate.com ).

The fashion jargon makes me dizzy. The key is to wear what looks and feels good. I'm still not sure what "skinny" jeans are.

Also, are skinny jeans the same as straight-lined jeans? If so, I wear them all the time.

The Busy Chick.Com ( http://www.thebusychick.com/ )

I'm a size 8 or 10, straight up and down (ie. no waist) with slimmer hips and thighs so I love skinny jeans. My fave brand at the moment is J Crew. Why? - because my waist is pretty huge and they don't give me a muffin top.

My favorite brand is the Ava by Citizen for all Humanity. I would have to agree with a commenter above that Susan doesn't look that big, but being a pear, I know her 'pose' very well. It hides the pear shape. Nice job, Susan! You look great in them. Here's a picture of me in them....

http://4kennedys.blogspot.com/2010/01/brown-with-b...

{april kennedy}

My legs aren't bad but I have a problem midsection. How do I disguise that with my skinny jeans?

BlogHer Contributing Editor, Sports and Fitness ( http://blogher.org/topic/sports-fitness ) Sarah and the Goon Squad ( http://sarahandthegoonsquad.com/ ) Draft Day Suit ( http://draftdaysuit.com/ )

And came to the conclusion that they make me look ginormous. I'm not ginormous, but they made me look like I have hips the size of Texas. I'll stick to my boot cuts and straights thanks. ;) 

Contributing Editor Sassymonkey also blogs at Sassymonkey ( http://sassymonkey.ca ) and Sassymonkey Reads ( http://sassymonkeyreads.ca ).

And I found a dark denim pair from American Eagle that when worn with tall boots look good. In fact i just might be caught dead in them after all. (:

www.survivinghappy.com ( http://www.survivinghappy.com )

My ARM wouldn't fit in skinny jeans.

I've been loving the skinny jeans tucked into boots look and you make me think I might be able to pull it off. Now, if you can just ship those jeans, the sweater, scarf and boots, I'll be all set :)

Karen Siddiqi ( http://beingsiddiqi.blogspot.com )

http://beingsiddiqi.blogspot.com

The biggest mistake that women make with skinny jeans is making the jeans the focal point of an outfit. Instead, think of them in the way you would leggings or tights -- they go under a really fantastic sweater or blouse or tunic. The key is getting jeans that fit well through the hips and thighs and then pairing them with a top that balances out the narrow leg.

Take a great tunic or longer sweater into the dressing room and try it on with the skinny jeans. It might completely change your mind. ;)

Susan Wagner writes about pragmatic fashion at The Working Closet ( http://www.workitmom.com/bloggers/workingcloset/ ) and chic suburban living at Friday Playdate ( http://fridayplaydate.com ).

Thanks for the article!  I had asked about skinny jeans on pear shapes on your Working Closet blog.

I'm not convinced that you are a pear shape. :)  If you really are, you are definitely a master of disguise.  I'm curious what size you are.  (I know it's tacky to say that.) But while you may not be skinny, you are pretty thin.  I'm just not sure my size 8/10 butt would look as good as yours does in those skinny jeans.

Maybe I need to recreate some of your looks and see what happens.  Maybe I'm just prejudiced against skinny jeans. 

I love all your blogs!  I really enjoy all the advice.

I can't stand skinny jeans. The way you wore them tucked inside boots s fine, but otherwise they will make your thighs appear disproportional big.

I even wrote about it..

Skinny Jeans Rant ( http://womensjeansonline.blogspot.com/2010/01/skin... )

I Do Not Like Skinny Jeans ( http://womensjeansonline.blogspot.com/2009/07/wome... )

Kelly