Disappointed in Tim Gunn

annagybe

Currently reading the August issue of Marie Claire. In the Q and A section by Timm Gunn he states thus:

"The skinny jean or pant that looks like a cousin of the leggings isn't for everyone. In my point of view, it's a look that only works for teens and early-20-somethings. Period....."

I live in skinnies and I'm not in my early twenties.

15 years ago

General

25 replies

Latest reply was from Michelle

Louise

Veteran

Humph! I'm also a skinny lover and am nearly 10 years over my early 30's. Who is Tim Gunn by the way I've never heard of him! x

15 years ago

Active Member

I love Tim Gunn but I do think he has a more conservative and reserved point of view. I am not in my 20s either (I have a 20 year old daughter) but I am not giving up my skinnies! Especially tucked into boots.

15 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I very much disagree with his comment, it's all in the execution, I have no interest in wearing skinnies in the same way as a teenager. I wonder how he feels about cigarette trousers which are considered classic but are the same silhouette?

15 years ago

April

Veteran

Anna, I didn't read the whole piece, but it seems like Tim is specifically referring to the certain type of skinnies that, as he says, look like leggings. To me, there is a big difference between the tight-tight-tight-all-the-way-to the-ankle skinnies (which I see teens wearing with tee shirts and cons) and the skinnies that most of us wear, which are slim without being skintight and generally worn with tunic-length coverage. He might even be referring to jeggings which, as we all know, are not pants.

15 years ago

Kristine

Veteran

I agree, I think he means the most extreme version. I found another article where he gives advice to keep trying...

Tim Gunn: Don't give up! I suggest that you try other brands. I find that the fit of jeans can be worlds apart from brand to brand. If you can find the right fit, skinny jeans can be very flattering."

In another one he says he has a pair himself! So I think it's all in context, he probably means jeggings.

15 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

He probably also means with a short top. I do love Tim Gunn, but he is conservative.

15 years ago

Active Member

Louise - Tim Gunn is an American fashion consultant and a TV personality. He worked at the Parson's School for Design (NYC) from 1982 to 2007. Now he is best known for hosting "Project Runway" which begins its 7th season this week. Young designers create an outfit for a fashion show each week until all but 3 of the original (16?) are eliminated and then the 3 remaining actually show a collection at the official New York Fashion Week and the winner is given a lot of money and a mentor to start their own line. People love it. He also had a show called "Tim Gunn's Guide To Style" (a kind of make-over show) and he has published at least one book. He is anti fur and has made a film for PETA.

15 years ago

Debbie

Veteran

I like him but if thinks this 55 yr old is going to give up the skinnys with boots he's sadly mistaken.

15 years ago

Scarlet

Veteran

That comment sounds really off to me. Humph.

15 years ago

tarzy

Veteran

Interesting. I suppose it's all in the details. I know there are many fab woman of that age group here who "make it work."

15 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

The questioner was 5'9" and a size eight and felt too big for skinnies. Their was a photo of Zoe Saldana (I think she might be an actress, could be wrong) wearing skinnies and stillettos next to the blurb. It's on page 62. Not going to retype his whole response.

15 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

everyone is entitled to their own opinion..... but we don't have to agree with it

15 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Interesting.

Tim Gunn *is* conservative when it comes to style and fashion. Also, his blanket statement might need a little qualification so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt at this point.

Do feel like sending Tim Gunn to Hong Kong and Europe on a style exhibition though. He'll see 65 year olds flawlessly pull off tapered jeans tucked into boots with all the chic sophistication in the world. Often looking much better than a 20 year old.

15 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

Angie- I have to say even here, I think the older crowd wears the skinnies with so much more class than the teens.

15 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Here, here, Kim! I second your observation wholeheartedly.

15 years ago

Maya

Veteran

I don't see any purpose in comparing how teens and 20 year olds dress with how 40 and 50 year olds dress, but that may just be me.

I love how skinnies look on anyone of any age when done right. The problem is they are so frequently NOT done right. Tops are worn too short, too skimpy, there isn't enough scrunch, too much ugly distressing, bad shoes, etc. It's easier to blanket skinnies under "bad" than "good" for that reason. I can understand why he feels that way. On YLF I think skinnies look universally flattering...but out in the real world? Not so much.

Also, unlike Angie, I doubt he is encompassing straight legs. I think he is talking about ultra tapered peglegs.

15 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Maya, I didn't say that Tim Gunn was referring to a specific style of skinnies. Quite the opposite. Hence I am giving him the benefit of the doubt - a chance to qualify the blanket statement.

15 years ago

Vix

Veteran

Here is the full (brief) Q&A:

Q: "Skinny jeans are everywhere. But as a 5'9" (long torso), size-8 gal, I'm thinking these might not be the best look for me. Should the skinny look be reserved for the truly skinny figure (sizes 0 to 4), or is this trend for all?"

A [Gunn]: The skinny jean or pant that looks like a cousin of leggings isn't for everyone. In my point of view, it's a look that works only for teens and early-20-somethings. Period. However, you can certainly wear a fitted jean or pant, and with your long torso, you can even consider a high-waisted style. When shopping for jeans, I suggest a dark wash. The darker the wash, the more appropriate the jean is for cocktail parties and other evening gatherings, so pairing a higher heel with this look is more than apt, providing it fits into your lifestyle.

http://www.marieclaire.com/fas.....al-stripes

****

Gunn's known for his precise, incredibly parsed wording. IMO he's pretty clearly putting skinny jeans and jeggings in one category, and "fitted" jeans and pants in another. But it'd be nice if he could clarify his "whys" a bit more!

15 years ago

taylor

Veteran

Sounds like Timmy needs to log in on YLF

15 years ago

Vix

Veteran

ETA

I should have Googled, because here he is with more info on his perspective [May 2010]!

>Gunn stressed that balance was fundamental to achieving the right proportions in your look. A model came out in a billowy tunic paired with skinny jeans, but Tim reminded the audience that not every trend is for every body.

>When balancing out a looser top with more body skimming bottoms, Tim said he wasn't necessarily talking about skinny jeans. "The best fitting jean for most people is a jean that falls straight down from the widest part of your hip, no flare and no taper," advised Gunn.

>And though Gunn is CCO of Lucky Brand Jeans' parent company, he recommended Lucky Brand Jeans regardless of his affiliation. "They know jean fit better than anyone I've ever been around on this planet. I found myself in a dressing room with a size and style I would never have chosen for myself, and I look great in it!...if I do say so myself." The audience, of course, exploded with laughter.

http://tinyurl.com/26h7uz2

****

...back to the opinions of his opinion!

15 years ago

Maya

Veteran

Angie, I don't understand. I was just pointing out that you consider straight legs skinny and he probably does not. I don't mean you're wrong or he's right....just that there is a difference. And you seem to agree. Am I missing something? It's late and my brain is dead and confused

Thanks for posting Vix. I adore Tim.

15 years ago

Mac

Veteran

I agree that often, skinnies are not worn in a very attractive way and Tim Gunn (Stacy London also advises against skinnies, too, except for very young, trendy, slim girls) probably has seen too many of those and so has a visceral reaction against all skinnies. If only he'd come by YLF, he'd have his mind changed.

15 years ago

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

I love Tim Gunn wholeheartedly. Despite that I don't care what he does or doesn't say about skinny jeans, I'll keep wearing them regardless

15 years ago

Lisa

Veteran

I like Tim and I agree with others that said he is probably talking about jeggings. Skinnies are too main stream to state only 20 and under can wear them.

15 years ago

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Maybe it's just me, but from reading the more in-depth comments that Vix posted (thanks, btw), I got the sense that he'd completely support the YLF approach to skinnies. I read his initial comment as referring to jeggings and not much more than that. Later comments have him singling out the straight leg jean as the most flattering silhouette, and that's a view that seems to have a lot of support over here. The skinnies favoured by teens *aren't* appropriate for those of us who are curvier, older or more conservative, and he's just stating that fact more boldly than we tend to do.
I could be interpreting his comments incorrectly or assessing things wrong since I can't see te various skinny-wearing appproaches on offer around the world, but that's my take.

As for my denim choices... My excessive curviness dictates the need for straight legs rather than super-tapered skinnies, and I intend to keep wearing that silhouette all season long.

15 years ago

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