How to wear skinny jeans when you're top heavy? **Pics added.** - YouLookFab Forum

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How to wear skinny jeans when you're top heavy? Pics added.

4babiesMe

Are tunics the only way? After taking pics of myself in my straight leg jeans and then in some bootcuts, I felt like bootcuts may be the only option for me right now. I really want to pull off some skinnies, but not sure that will be possible until I'm done breastfeeding and 'the girls' are smaller. Thoughts? (We're talking 34J/K here).

**pics added below. And I found my skinnies

Dressing

24 replies

Latest reply was from Ariadne

4babiesMe

I'll add, I also have bigger thighs/calves/lower tummy, but skinny ankles.

Sona

Veteran

I think you can try a topper- jacket, blazer, etc. Why don't you post some looks and ask for suggestions? that may be more helpful.

kellygirl

Veteran

I find that a substantial boot really helps to anchor a look with skinnies. I battle my shoulders which tend to make me look like an ice cream cone. Another idea is to wear an untucked blouse with a blazer over it. I think that helps to minimize the volume on top. Post some pics--I'm sure you'll get some good advice!

K. Period.

Veteran

I was a rectangle for a long time, but with recent post-baby weight loss (yeah!) I am an inverted triangle or carrot shape now (boo!). I do wear skinny jeans, though, and absolutely love them. And over time, I've developed a few thoughts about skinny jeans.

First thing, follow kellygirl's tip about more substantial boots. It makes a huge difference. They don't have to be clunky, but this isn't the time to wear something wispy as a shoe. A boot or bootie with a good, solid heel is easy to wear with a little kiddo and looks good with skinny jeans. I also think (and I know that some on the forum agree with me on this and some don't) that a bootie that has a wider ankle gap can work well because you can tuck your jean into it. Second, it helps to get skinny jeans that are long enough to get a substantial wrinkle at your ankles. Ankle length ones that end without a break/wrinkle at your ankle are not a good length. That break is essential to slow down your eye and give your ankles enough weight to visually balance the top. If you wear them tucked into booties, you just fold them under to make them less bulky, like you would with a pair of jeans that you haven't had time to hem yet. Third, make sure that your tops either are tunics that fit very closely (no loose, wide tunics! They need to fit at your shoulders and skim your body.) or have a built in waist and flare back out at the hips. Peplums are awesome for this.

Those three things have made me very happy with skinny jeans. However, I do have to add that those help an inverted triangle like me look better in skinny jeans. They don't magically make them super figure flattering. Another jean shape is probably better for ultimate figure flattery. I'm assuming that you want to make what you already have work best for you. If you are buying new, then I'd probably go straight for figure flattery. That doesn't mean a boot cut necessarily, but more likely a straight leg with a slim leg (check out JCrew's matchstick jeans to see what I mean) than a skinny jean.

4babiesMe

Thanks, ladies. I could see how a boot or bootie would balance things out a bit. I actually bought some really cute booties the other day, but I'm going to return them. I put them on and thought, "I definitely need skinny jeans to be able to pull these off." They just didn't seem to look right with the straight leg jeans. (Keeping them on my wishlist for later, though!) My focus right now has been mainly on our family pictures coming up next week, and what to wear on my bottom half. I don't know why I'm stressing so much over it! It's just going to hang on my wall for YEARS, right? LOL

Here I thought I looked so cute and modern in these straight leg jeans, but then I see the pics and think they are quite unflattering, and certainly not as flattering as the wider legs.

Warning! These were just thrown together very sloppily.

#1--Levi's straight leg jeans. Just ignore the entire top half if you can. I had not done my makeup yet, and that striped 'top' is actually a cardigan I put on backwards to see how the stripes would look. lol I realize it looks sloppy. (I'm waiting for a striped tee to come in the mail and wanted to get a similar effect).
#2--The lighter pants are too short, especially with these shoes. I just took them out of my pre-kids stash and was thrilled to fit into them again (after losing 20# Yay!). I wanted to see how it would look with lighter pants. (I have a pair of white bootcut jeans on the way too).
#3--The last one is what I wore last night. These jeans make me wonder why I haven't worn bootcuts in so long.

Anyway, can you see what I mean? (I can't find my old skinnies, or I'd show you those too.) The straight leg jeans just aren't as flattering, but the wider legs balance me out a bit.

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Kristin SF

Veteran

I actually think you look very cute and modern, esp in #1. Maybe it takes your eyes a bit of time to adjust to yourself in skinnier pants...? It did for me. This is a perfect example of how straight legs are skinnies for a lot of people! I like it. And great idea with the cardigan for experimenting, so resourceful.

Maybe update your subject line with some sort of "ETA: Now with pics!" This might get more folks to look at your newly added photos, and you can get more feedback that way.

Anonymous

I like 1 the best! I think in 2 and 3 your pants are slightly too short. I actually prefer skinnies because the hems don't drag and get dirty. I think scrunching them with a boot balances out the top half.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I think straight legs and skinnies would work for you. I'm liking a little longer jacket with a slightly lower stance for lengthening the body and minimizing the bust. (see below). I second a great pair of boots!

I like #1 and #3 a lot. Is this the jacket for the pictures? What about pairing a solid rather than the stripe. I like the stripe, but think they're not quite as easy to photograph.

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Krista

Veteran

k can shop has given you excellent advice about the skinny jeans, so I won't add anything there. I like pics #1 and #3. Are you wearing a heel in #1? I think if you were wearing a flat shoe, they might be more PPL. The bootcuts in #3 are fantastic on you and do look great. The color of your shirt is also very pretty. The pants in #2 are not my favorite, but take that with a grain of salt because I have a bit of a poison eye for khakis! I'm glad to hear that they fit again though - that's definitely a feel good moment!

Aida

Veteran

I think the straights look good! I'd pair with a tailored type of jacket if wearing with flats, and fully agree with others on the idea of adding a boot to skinnies for another way to balance. A longer, flowy top with a cropped or semi-cropped jacket could also work.

4babiesMe

Thanks. No, I wouldn't wear those khakis. In fact, I'm not big on khakis anymore either. These were my favorite pants, oh... 10 years ago. LOL I took them out of the box, put them on happily seeing that they fit again, and came to 3 conclusions, 1) they were way too short, and how did I ever pull them off, 2) I should NEVER wear a rise that low EVER again, and 3) time for them and their slate blue sister to go. lol It was more about seeing the jacket with a lighter color pant (thinking *maybe* the white bootcut jeans would work... we'll see when they get here).

Trying to plan my outfit for these pictures is a nightmare! I loved this jacket when I tried it on because it gives me a stronger shoulder line and covers/minimizes the bust, but the more I wear it the more I'm unsure about it. *Sigh*

The shoes: They have a 2-2 1/2 inch heel. I do have a pair of nude flats I could wear. Or I can always buy another pair.

Ok, found my skinnies. I had to dig through storage. LOL Wow, they are super loose around the waist. Funny because I wore these when I was a couple pounds lighter than I am now. I guess I must be in better shape now? Here's a pic.

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4babiesMe

Promise I'm not an angry person. My relaxed face just looks mad. LOL

4babiesMe

Beth Ann, my original plan was a cobalt top. Then I found this jacket. The stripes on the tee are actually much narrower & closer together. I'm going to ask my cousin (the photographer) about that.

Sara L.

Veteran

I think you look good in the skinnies. I see nothing to complain about. I also like jeans #1 and #3 from the photos above. I found that strange things about my shape changed after my kids were born. All my pants were too short. They weren't too short prior to the baby either, I think it had to do with my hips and butt being in a different place or changing shape.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

I think you look great in skinny jeans! I prefer those on you to the straight/wider legs actually. Of the first set, #3 is my fave.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I actually think top heavy women look amazing in skinny jeans, because your bottom half looks small and skinny!

You look like an hourglass and hourglasses because they are proportioned can wear most looks.

Isis

Veteran

I like the skinnies! I also think the straights and the bootcuts look great!

annaj

Veteran

I think your skinnies look great!!

christieanne

Veteran

You can definitely wear skinnies. If it is more comfortable, size up one and go. ALso, for future purchases you can look for a "slim straight" jean which is a straight leg but cut more all over slim than a regular Levi straight. I wore my Levi 505 straights yesterday and realized the all over leg shape was a little wider than I wanted. So to counterbalance that I wore a slimmer shaped top to balance.
I think it's all about proportion.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Love you in the skinnies! I like this last look best of all. It highlights your nicely proportioned hourglass, and give you a long, body skimming line.

It's great that your cousin is doing the photos --- he/she will already be familiar with your family and will make sure the photos are beautiful.

4babiesMe

Thanks, ladies. I'm actually wearing the skinnies today--much to DH's chagrin. My cousin's DH surprised her with a trip to Vegas next weekend, so that gives me an extra week or two to figure out WTW for the pics. Quite a relief, really.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I haven't read the other responses but really don't think you look top heavy. You look quite balanced between the shoulder and hip but perhaps that is just the pic.

I love the pic with the deep coral top. That is a great color on you.

4babiesMe

Thanks, dianthus. I think you're right. I suppose the size of my bust and wanting to deemphasize it makes me feel top heavy; but really there is only about 0.5-1 inch difference between the two. You all have made me realize that I can wear skinnies, though.

Ariadne

Veteran

You look fantastic in the skinnies. They are 100x better than any of the other bottoms you posted! Love them. You don't look top heavy at all. I would never have guessed your bust size is what you say it is. The striped cardi is great, too.

Skinnies rock for chasing after little kids because, like other posters said, the hems don't drag in the dirt/mud/sand and get all grubby.

All you need now are som tall boots or booties.