In the spirit of Janet's post... - YouLookFab Forum

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In the spirit of Janet's post...

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

This week, no less than 9 pairs of jeans arrived, to add to the 6 that I tried on two weeks ago.

The left pair is the Rachel Comey slim legion jean. I almost laughed from how bad these looked. The high rise was really high, even for me, and the pant slipped a bit so that the inseam began lower than it should have, while clinging to the leg. These looked so fab online, and it was really disappointing to see the final effect.

The right are Amo cropped stick jeans. I think I'll be keeping these. They are stretchy, mid-rise, and feel comfortable. The photo made me realize that skinny/slim bottoms just look better on my body type. In addition, contrary to the trend, a longer inseam with a sliver of skin is more flattering on me than the cropped look. When jeans are cropped a few inches above my low ankles, it further throws off the ratio between the length of my thigh and calf, making my already short calves appear even shorter.

Over the past year, I probably ordered and returned around 60 pairs of trendy jeans, soI feel both justified and content in sticking with what works.

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Shopping

33 replies

Latest reply was from gradfashionista

rachylou

Veteran

Haha! The black do look awful, lol. Esp next to the Amo, which are very flattering indeed.

Anonymous

I can't think the black ones would look good on anybody, but I like pair #2 very much. I'm glad you're keeping them.

karen13

Veteran

Like the amo a lot , and your analysis of why less cropping is better may apply to me too. I'll try it.

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

When I read about how many pair of jeans you've tried....OUCH!...I realize how much more patient I should be with shopping. Those black jeans are unfortunate. One thing that bugs me about higher rises, in general, is when the zipper ends so high on the pants and there's a lot of real estate between the bottom of the zipper and the crotch. Visually, maybe, a super log zipper would be more flattering? IDK.

Gaylene

Veteran

Wow, a side-by-side comparison really demonstrates the flattery difference. If you had just posted the RC jeans, I'd have said they might be JFE, but, when compared to the Amo, my reaction was an instantaneous send those RC jeans away!

Greyscale

Veteran

I agree that the ones on the right are great. I see what you mean about length - I also feel like that cropped length is trendy for slim jeans like those. I should try it on some of my own.

Too bad about the Legion jeans! They would look about the same on me I suspect though I'm long waisted. Ive had the same problem with a lot of current trendy jeans including sort of 89s/90s high rise jeans like the CoH Liya and Levi's wedgie. Every time I see them online I want them again and have to remind myself of the problems.

Good luck with your arduous jeans search!

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Wow, patience and perseverance for the win! I am shocked by the difference. I wouldn't have thought they were the same person.

Anonymous

I love the second pair. As Rachylou commented, seeing the black next to the Amos makes the black look even more awkward.

Brooklyn

Veteran

This is interesting because I actually really like the ones on the left. I would prefer them a little shorter with an untucked top. I guess I am not seeing what others see! I think you make both pairs look good.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I am sort of with Brooklyn here. But with these particular shoes I do think the Amos are better. But with a different shoe... But everyone is so clear on this, I feel like a must have a blind spot.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Thank you for the laugh and being a great sport. You tried some somet but it did not work lol

Tbe others fit you so well.

Gigi

Veteran

I prefer the ones on the right, but I don't mind the ones on the left at all. I'm with Brookyln: I thought you looked good in both. It's interesting that a lot of fabbers have such a strong reaction to the black ones. To me, it's a matter of style. I can see the ones on the left working for a certain type of style.

Style Fan

Veteran

I think both pairs of jeans look good on you. I don't mind the ones on the left. I can see that the ones on the right look more flattering but I wonder if it is how you have styled them.

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

Emily, yes, the "real estate" problem is real, here and in other high rise bottoms I've tried on. Your zipper comment is spot on. Unfortunately, a cropped length with excess real estate adds a stumpifyng effect.

FWIW, the shirt pictured here is cropped and untucked.

Maybe they're supposed to fit like this?

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Janet

(website)

Veteran

Yep, I see what you mean too.

The slimmer one is, the easier it is to make this work, even with a short-waisted body type. I found an old picture of me hiking that illustrates how the high-waisted look wasn't quite so awful on me when I was younger and thinner (boobs were smaller then too, which really helps a lot). Even though it's a backpack belt and not the actual waist of the shorts, you can see what I mean.

Since you are slim, I think you pull off the look of the black jeans better than most people would. They are not an inherently flattering cut for most women. For others they may be JFE, but for many of us, it's just not a good look!

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kkards

Veteran

hmmm...i actually like the black ones, but they need a different shoe and shirt....

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Well, I am with Brooklyn here. I like both pair but the black ones need different styling and perhaps to be shorter.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The black pair is an off silhouette on the thigh. You need a skimming cut on the upper legs, a shorter rise, and shorter length for your body type. See pic below. (Scarlet is too short in the rise for the jeans too).

Blue jeans looks great. They are regular length, which works with the oxfords. You can absolutely wear them shorter. I don't see the proportional challenges that you do. Personally, I think you simply need to get used to wearing the cropped length - that's all.

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Sal

Veteran

Of these two pairs of jeans I also prefer pair 2, the shape is much more flattering on you.

When I first saw/tried on skinny jeans I struggled with them in a big way. I eventually learned how to make them work for me, but they are not my best silhouette or shape and do require some thought in styling (choice of shoes, longer tops, contrast between top and bottom etc) Whereas a straight jean is much simpler for me, I can wear shorter or longer tops, flats or heels, reveal the ankle or hide it etc..

So at the end of the day you have to decide if the "cons" of wearing a trendier shape of jean are worth it - because for many of us the styling is a new challenge. I have not made a call yet for me, but I think it depends on how much you rely on fashionable jeans to update your look. If you wear jeans once a week for kicking around the home and errands you might be happier with tried and true styles. If you wear jeans more often and in a more "visible" way, then I would say adding a new shape is definitely worth while.

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

Kiwigal, I agree about the challenge of styling. It's especially frustrating to be told to replace footwear (though I understand it's well meaning), because my options are so limited due to foot deformities, toe braces, and now orthotics. When you have extremely limited leeway in some manner of style, you need to prioritize versatility.

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

Angie, you may be right, but I don't find the length of these cropped jeans (new photo) to be a good fit for me. Going shorter would feel too much like capris, and unfortunately, I'm now confined to Stan Smiths for day-in, day-out footwear. ETA: photo upload not working, so I'll try again later.

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think you maybe suffer from the same issue I do -- shorter calves, proportionately. With crops, my ideal seems to be 2 inches above the ankle -- any more and they get into the wider part of the calf and are more stumpifying. It's a bit counter intuitive since being shorter you'd think a shorter crop would be better, but it seems not to be so.

The other issue is footwear. The trouble with the Stans (great as they are) is that the vamp is super high (or the tongue is) and that means they do some cutting off. I like my Eccos because the vamp is just a bit lower. I also find they look better (or more conventionally flattering) with my white jeans, though I also wear with the blue ones.

On me, any crop with any flat is always going to be JFE, never perfectly flattering. But most of it is in the styling. The right top/ bag, etc. are key. And footwear matters more than ever. Some styles that have worked for me are below. The sandals are neutral enough and more or less closet the gap, the booties close the gap, and the ones with heels add a bit of lift, though I know that's not something you are necessarily able to do.

I do think it's do-able with sneakers, though.

Ecco Soft VII Sneaker

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Top Pick

30

Franco Sarto Open-Toe Suede Shooties

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13

Lauren Ralph Lauren Madge Cage Heels

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Franco Sarto Women's Unveil Gladiator Sandal

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Ecco Shape 35 Snake Print Ankle Boot

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19

Aquatalia 'Taylor' Weatherproof Bootie (Women) (Nordstrom Exclusive)

$475.00 $299.25

Sale

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42

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

Suz, I agree. If I could wear something with a lower vamp/heel, I would, but nothing else works with my foot gear, especially given the minimalist/hyper-flexible shoe trend.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Suz, you make a good point. I also find it easier to wear lower vamp shoes for flattery reasons -- my calves aren't proportionally short, I don't think, but I do have long calf muscles that don't show much muscle definition, so I don't have the kind of shapely calves that *look* long. Footwear looks much better on me if it's either a bootie that comes up over the ankles but is nicely fitted, or is a lower vamp. Styles that cut across right near the ankle often seem a little awkward or unflattering on me.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

GF, length is great in that last pic with the staggered hem jeans. They're clinging onto your calves though, which is adjusting the fit. That's the problem. They need to be wider from the knees down. I also like the white sneaks - and totally support that you need and want to wear them.

RobinF

Veteran

I love the 2nd pair on you. And they're cute with the sneakers. Not a fan of the first ones.

Anonymous

I liked all three pairs! They are just all different and fit a bit differently.

Anonymous

I'm really confused.

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

By what?

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