Also, these hug me pretty tight at the butt and thighs. They're built to fit that way - is it an okay fit/look? Living beach-side San Diego for several years has me seeing tight, low-rise jeans paired with tanks and sandals pretty much everywhere, but I'm not sure if that pant fit is more suited to the younger generation.

Hi Moira-
With a deal like that, and a lot of holes in your wardrobe to fill, I'd get two pair there. If you don't think that skinnies will get a much use right now- get two bootcuts and have one hemmed for flats, and one for heels. I think that a solid dark wash is the most versatile color, but if there is a lighter wash that you like for the flats pair, then go for that.
As far as fit goes- they have to fit, but not be tight in my book. I would leave the low rise jeans to the teeny boppers.

Hmmm. I really think it depends on how you want to pull off skinnies. Do you want to wear heels? Do you have to wear long tops over them? There is also the option of a straight leg – which can be used as a skinny.

So, how do you want to wear your skinnies?

Thanks, chewyspaghetti. Rise-wise, what point should I consider the point of no return? How low is too low?

Hi Angie. I wouldn't have considered skinnies if it wasn't for the desire to wear the boots-over-jeans style. I don't usually wear heels - I find them uncomfortable, and I feel like an Amazon in them. If it looked good, I could wear non-tunic shirts with them.

My shape makes me second-guess the style, too. I'm generous in the hips and upper thighs with skinny, tapering legs and non-existent calves.

I'm a little afraid of looking painted-on. I used to have the perfect body for it, but I've - ahem - matured.

Ah! You want to wear boots OVER skinnies. Have you posted a picture yet, Moira?

I haven't - I'm a little camera shy, and I don't have a full-length mirror in the house. Would it be helpful?

Visuals are very helpful, Moira. It’s the best way to get constructive and accurate suggestions on your wardrobe and style. I know its daunting to post pictures at first, but I can assure you that this is a very safe environment.The gals will vouch for it! There is zero tolerance for rudeness on this forum. I promise :0)

Bring on the pics and lets get you sorted!

Moira, I'm wondering, if you're in San Diego, how much daily wear you will actually get out of boots....

I can have my husband take a full-body shot, or my 3-yr-old could take the pic for more visual dynamic (diagonal shots of my arm, anyone?). I guess I should wear something that fits pretty closely, to illustrate my current body shape?

As far as how much daily wear I'd get out of boots - it gets cool, but not cold, in the winter here. Jackets and scarves would be appropriate during the day on cool days, coats and scarves at night. That said, it's still pretty warm here right now, and we have warm days throughout the season. Are lightweight boots much warmer than, say, sneakers and socks?

I dug up a photo. It is The Most Unflattering Picture Of Me Evar. Perfect! Upper-thigh-to-lower-leg ratio isn't as obvious from this view. (Also shown: Cutest Little Girl Evar.)

http://s600.photobucket.com/al.....G_0127.jpg

--
Another, far more flattering, frontish view, with giant pants completely obscuring my bottom half. Helpful!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/p.....otostream/

I'm somewhere between 5'9 and 5'10. (I'm correcting a spinal curvature, so I'm not sure, anymore. I seem to get taller and taller.) Broadish shoulders, B-cup, hips that do a decent job of balancing the shoulders out, clear waistline.

Hard to say, but from your description, I'm guessing a slim rectangular hourglass like Angie and San and others here. I think you have a great figure - perfect for skinnies, and well, all sorts of fun fashions!

My advice would be to invest in one pair of dark wash skinnies, and one pair of something different. Perhaps dark wash or black bootcuts or straight legs, or even a pair of bootcut white jeans (which can be worn year-round, and for your clime in particular, are a must have).

Ignore the sale - that is what is throwing you. It is not a deal, if you don't need two pairs of skinnies and you really would rather have black instead of light blue!

I'm in a much colder clime and I live in skinnies tucked into boots throughout the winter. In warmer weather (spring/fall) I still wear them with ballet flats (not converses - I am told this is a teenybopper look), but also wear straight legs and bootcuts and trouser cuts too.

I do think skinnies - if they flatter - are worth owning even if you can only have two pairs, and you are in a warmer clime where you don't wear boots all that often. My reasoning is pretty simple: they are THE fashion right now! Instant trend update. I don't think they'll be going back out of fashion anytime soon either.

So go for one pair of trendy skinnies, and one pair of something in a more classic cut, like bootcuts. Do consider white instead of black denim.

As for the boots question, yes, boots are more warm than sneakers and socks. I am finding this year that I can only wear tall boots comfortably when the temps get in the 40s and below. I do not know how others can wear them in 50 and up temps!! But that may just be me. I run hot lately, thanks to pre-menopause.

If you do invest in boots, give the peep-toe boots a try! You are in the best clime to pull something like that off.

Oh my, I love the picture of you and your daughter standing on the beach. I can feel that warm sunshine through the picture!
I have seen Ana post a picture of a lighter blue jeans and I thought the blue was beautiful and a nice change from all of the dark denim that I have. Let's see if I can find it.
http://www.mathfashionista.com.....reenblack/
Is this the lighter blue denim you are talking about? As you can see this color looks gorgeous on Ana.