Sick of skinnies (warning: rant ahead) - YouLookFab Forum

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Sick of skinnies (warning: rant ahead)

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Don't get me wrong -- I still very much enjoy the skinny jeans I have. They are great for tucking in boots, etc. I'm really talking about what is available in stores.

I took a walk through the mall a little last night after making my final return from a mostly-unsuccessful Nordstrom order, and it struck me that all the more unusual or interesting jean styles are *still* only being produced in skinny and mostly ankle/short cuts. I'm talking about anything with a pattern, color, panel detail, etc. I'm really tired of it. I tried on a couple and immediately felt awful. They sucked like they were hermetically sealed to my calves and my thighs, but flapped loosely behind my waist. We're talking brands from Vince to Joe's.

Is it really so hard to take some of the color, pattern, or detailing and make a straighter cut jean incorporating it? Or god forbid, maybe even a bootcut? Come on, denim designers. And while you're at it, please try making some inseams longer than 30".

Or is there some good reason for this that eludes me? Am I the only one who feels this way?

Shopping

61 replies

Latest reply was from Beth Ann

Isabel

Veteran

I have to agree with you. I really felt over skinnies this Fall, until all the cold and snow came. It is all that I wear at this point. But thinking ahead to Spring, it is all I see also in color and print. UGH ! I am not sure what is going on.

I have taked to buying skinnies a couple of sizes larger and taking the waist in. That makes it a tiny bit more of a "straight" jeans. Gap and Caslon ( at Nordstrom ) has some great straight pants last year in the spring. Hopefully it is still early. But there is little hope for winter. : (

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Isabel, I'm glad I'm not alone!

I have tried on a couple of sizes up (when they are even available, since I am near the upper range of premium denim sizing anyway, ugh, way to make a size 8 girl feel BIG, denim manufacturers!), but that just results in the rise and the butt being way too big.

I guess it's just a sign that I have enough jeans as it is.

Claudia

Veteran

When Angie suggested going up a size or two it made all the difference in looking at skinnies with new eyes.

I have hit paydirt with Old Navy's Rockstar (their skinniest fit) zip pocket jeans in Tall (35" inseam) going up two sizes. They fit with tapered slouch and are super comfortable and wash and wear really well. They have become my favorite "skinny" jeans and their low cost is a bonus that is beside the point: http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/.....id=1001462

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I was late onto the skinny bandwagon, but I really like them now. That said, I came to realize they fit me much as straights do on most others because of my scrawny calves and shorter height.
As to why patterns and details and colors only come on skinnies, I'm not sure. I did decide that I like my crazy ikat jeans best with some coverage of the pattern - either a longer top or boots that come up.

Tanya

Veteran

While I am personally still quite a big fan of skinnies, some or a lot of them have been cut ridiculously strange lately and I have been having some of the the same fit issues you describe.
A very recent example: I have been stalking a particular pair for a while, and they have been more less sold out everywhere. Now I am normally a 26, and only rarely a 27. I found a pair in an online boutique in size 28, and decided to give them a try. They came, and the fit is exactly as you describe: I can very well tell that they are two or more sizes too big in the waist-to-hip area, but the legs are tight. In this case, it is in my advantage, as I will be keeping them and tailoring the waist. However, I can not imagine who is really build like this. I have pretty skinny legs, especially calves; and someone with my legs and much bigger torso would really not look proportional.

catgirl

Veteran

i am sick of skinnies because it's all I get to wear in winter. But I have to say part of the issue is probably that pattern on the bottom half is considered less traditionally flattering, at least in pants. Perhaps the thought is that the skinny cut offsets the pattern effect. Of course, as an IT I LOVE pattern on the bottom half!

Anonymous

Janet, I SOOO feel your pain. Seriously, I could've written every word! Skinnies have never been the most thigh-flattering option for me, but the newer skinnies seem to be getting even tighter, even in the calf and ankle. Pass!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for that link, Claudia. I have never tried ON's jeans. I do like that they come in tall lengths.

I think the compounding problem for me is my short rise and flat butt -- it's so disconcerting to have jeans that bind my thighs but bag out in the butt. I am apparently very elliptically shaped. Pants are the thing that have the potential to make me feel really bad about my body, if I'm not careful.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Yup, right there with ya. I look at the bright side... money not being spent! Well, at least not on jeans...

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I know, Elizabeth!

Now, boots... boots never make me feel bad about myself!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The cropped skinnies epidemic is relentless. And the skinnies are all, so, so, so tight. Wherever you go. Straight legs are rare - which is ridiculous - because those are still a form of skinny. I am on the verge of buying baby bootcuts at this stage - and have already stocked up on more BF jeans. Retail has got to come up with another denim silhouette. Providing skinnies in a billion colours and fabrications is not providing us with options.

I am so with you, Janet.

Anonymous

Not alone... I've wanting different styles for ages, leather paneling, patterns etc, for ages. Nothing is ever long enough. That's why I stock up when I see something that fits.

Anonymous

I do enjoy the skinnies I have found, but like Angie, I have been stocking up in 100% cotton BF jeans (Gap has a bunch on sale now).

I just need to find a straight or baby boot that works for me now, and I will be content!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Thank you, Angie! I'm really kind of relieved that this is not just in my imagination. Seriously, the jeans I tried on last night were RIDICULOUSLY tight in the calves, and I knew it was not because my calves are huge, because they are not (I haven't even been running lately, so they're probably a tiny bit smaller than usual!). The one pair I put on that had a blessed amount of scrunch in the length was otherwise unacceptable -- a weird combination of tight through the entire leg, and high-waisted (on me), with a backside I could tell was going to bag out. And these were $200 jeans. Who in the world are these jeans for?

Anonymous

Janet -- I am also very elliptical, and have a pretty similar shape to you overall, I think (including crookedness!) I have been finding the same with skinnies too. No solutions, but wanted to commiserate. It seems like when they size up they just size up the top part and not the legs of the jeans.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Angie, are you stocking up on BF's because you think/know they will be disappearing? If that's the case, I need to know!! I'm fine with what I have, but the idea of not being able to replace them gives me the shivers...

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Ceit, that is exactly how it seems!

I had a weird experience with something I ordered in a moment of weakness (and adventurousness). I tried the Free People moto jeans, which I absolutely love the look of, at least on other people. They are just plain too short on me, and I think they emphasize the thighs too much by chopping up the leg line, but the really odd thing was that the size 29 actually seemed LARGER than the size 30 through the leg. If I hadn't looked carefully at the tags, I would have sworn the sizes were reversed.

catgirl

Veteran

Free People sizing is seriously messed up. I have had issues with waist and leg size with their pants, almost like they are cut for a guy.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Janet, I have the same experience. And I have narrow calves and straighter curves. THAT should tell you something. And, sizes are getting smaller in premium skinnies. It's not a good denim situation at the moment. That's why the cream BR straight legs were a gift. Very fluid fit, straight legs and lots of length.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh, Angie, by the way, I just ordered both of the longer BF jeans you recommended. I wore my old Gap BFs yesterday, and my hubs actually commented that I looked cute in them, so maybe I should wear BFs more often.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have to say, this thread is making me feel better. Last night I was starting to have that feeling like it was me, not the clothes, even though I know better!

Aziraphale

Veteran

I got a Holt Renfrew gift certificate for Christmas, so I'm going shopping this Friday with my honey. My plan was to try on jeans. I want new straight legs. I am reading all your comments with dismay. I am curious to see if things will fit. HR has premium brands and normally I can find all kinds of jeans that work for me, but now I'm not so sure. I'll get back to you!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Perhaps things are different in Canada and Europe?

Janet, of course you look cute in BF jeans. You should try baby bootcuts too.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Angie, I love my baby bootcuts! I have the Hudson Beth ones (from NAS two or three years ago?) and they are still in marvelous shape. I do enjoy them, although I have to stick with tucked or not-long tops with them because they have flap pockets in back, which look strange if an untucked top hangs over them.

I wish they would make these cuts in some colors. If those jeans showed up in a rich burgundy or forest green, for instance, I would POUNCE.

Jules

Veteran

Yup. The only practical and flattering silhouette for me to wear with this type of cropped, tight calf skinny is under tall boots with a long top, and I don't like the look of a block of pattern on my thighs. I mean right off the bat I'm hiding 2/3 of the garment, what's the point of the pattern or colour? Even so many holiday-patterned pants were like this... in CANADA. Where we are just not wearing bare ankles in December. So I am supposed to bring pumps with me and change at the party I guess??? Uh uh.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Lets hope the denim season will improve, Janet. How about baby bootcuts sans pocket flaps so that you are less restricted with what you wear on top?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I will definitely keep an eye out for that, Angie. Bonus if they're long enough to wear with a 2-3" heel! I will probably keep my old Paige Hidden Hills bootcuts until the end of time because they are actually long enough to wear with a significant heel. The Hudson Beths are a great length to wear with a small heel, like the one on the Matisse animal print booties.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I feel a little style evolution coming your way, Janet. Exciting.

carambola

Veteran

It's definitely not you! I am built quite differently with short legs, a long rise, and a "bubble butt" as DH affectionately calls it, and I still have the experience you describe with the tight legs and big waist. For me, it's still not just the waist that's big, but instead of saggy butt, I get saggy crotch. Not good when the legs look painted on. Frustrating all around.

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