Is this look flattering on me? - YouLookFab Forum

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Is this look flattering on me?

Chris987

Veteran

I'm trying to decide if the following look works on me:

skinny/slim jeans cuffed so the bottom of the jeans hits above the top of ankle boots, with just a hint of ankle skin exposed.

Because I’m so short and curvy, I tend to think of it as unflatteringly leg-SHORTENING on me. Would love to hear what you think. Lighting has been artificially lightened. In my mind these looks are fairly low or truly low contrast, which I think helps. I've also gone mostly with fairly structured and hip-length tops/toppers which I think helps too.

For all these photos, the first one shows the pants un-cuffed, which is my default look. The second one shows the pants cuffed.

1+2 Black Levis, grey pullover sweater, black faux leather jacket, black suede booties. The jeans seem a little too wide at the bottom when they are cuffed.

3+4 same as 1+2 but with black coated skinny jeans. Putting these jeans with that jacket is a bit RATE for me but they are my only black skinny jeans so just focusing on the silhouette.

5+6 Grey skinny jeans, grey ottoman pullover, grey perforated booties.

7…adding my cinnamon fall coat

8+9 Same Levi’s jeans in a light wash, tan sweater, cognac faux suede jacket, tan suede booties. These are the same cut as the black jeans in 1+2 and seem to have the same issue of being too when cuffed.

So what do you think dear fabbers?

- Does the look work as-is?
- Would it be better with some tweaks? Maybe I need a different jeans silhouette? Maybe it works if the cuffs are relatively narrow and low contrast to the jeans and the boots? Or different boot silhouettes?
(The one tweak that’s off the table is higher heeled booties. I know they would probably improve the look but I don’t find heels above 1 – 1 ½” comfortable.)
- Or is it just not flattering and I should just move on?

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Dressing

23 replies

Latest reply was from Chris987

rachylou

Veteran

My faves are 6 & 7. LOVE the look. The boot colour and pants are very similar, so that’s elongating. And there’s something about the cuff that’s elongating. Maybe it keeps the eye traveling up and down. The wide cuff, I feel, also has a balancing effect, in terms of visual proportions. I can see all of your feet - that you have feet. You look grounded. People should have feet, lol!

In 2 & 4, I feel like I’m not seeing enough ankle, but I like those too.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

The looks that work best to my eye are the all grey,that column of colour is flattering and the cinnamon with the light blue jeans.l am not sure why but this look is more flattering than the first one.l don’t like the dark jeans as much ?too tapered at the bottom.I have just bought myself a pair of full length,wide legged jeans from gap .They are super comfortable and I think that they would work well on you,have you tried wide legs?lf you don’t like the full length a denim culotte is very on trend at the moment.

Jane

Veteran

I really like the column of grey too with the cinnamon topper, but I like all these looks. I like a small cuff on a jean too. Really, I think you can work all these looks well. Column of grey works for me best, then the pale blue and the toffee tones.

(I'm short and curvy too so standing with you shoulder to shoulder with you!)

Runcarla

Veteran

#6,7, 9 are the only ones where I can see a discernible cuff (per my monitor) - and I think they totally work doe you. I actually find the horizontal line of the paler underside of the jeans balancing. You look beautiful in the rust coat and face framing hair is lovely!

Chris987

Veteran

THanks RachyLou! ...having the boot and jeans match seems to work for your eye....works for me too. Interesting that to your eye a slightly wider cuff and seeing the whole foot works well. I've never thought of "seeing the whole foot" it that way.

Thanks Cardiff Girl...sounds like the column of color works for you too. I have stayed away from wide leg pants or the culotte style, I think they look awful on me...but never say never

Jane, good point about the narrow cuff and again that column of color thing. Hah, love the shoulder to shoulder image! High Five!

In general it seems the all black looks are least appealing...maybe it's because they don't fit the low contrast vibe in terms of how they work with my hair and skin tone...

christy

Veteran

I really like the look in 6/7. Definitely wear that without hesitation! I also really like 8 & 9, but in the cuffed version I feel like I want to see a little more skin? Maybe that’s the angle of the photo though. The black versions aren’t quite working as well, but I can’t put my finger on why.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

To my eye, it ALL works.

Most flattering are: #5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. I like #2 too.

Anonymous

I like each outfit with the jeans cuffed. No contest to my eye. Now, granted I'm not always assessing pictures in terms of leg length, but I see the cuff as more interesting and showing a little ankle is pretty and chic at the same time. Plus - it allows you to show off your boots!

Helena

Veteran

These all work to me! The cuff makes the outfits look that much more modern and polished to my eye.

Style Fan

Veteran

My favourite looks are #5, #6 and #7. I prefer the gray denim on you with your colouring (note to self to buy gray denim jeans). I also like the cuff and the lighter coloured boot to bookend your hair. Bookending works.
The other looks all work as well just not as well. I think you do a fabulous job putting your outfits together.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Well these are all great outfits to my eye, cuffed and not cuffed. Color wise I love the light grey with cinnamon and the light blue with cognac, my eye being heavily influenced by forum and internet trends.

Mirjana

Veteran

To me it all works, but some are better like usual. I am with others, grey and blue combinations are really beautiful on you, as it is less contrasting . I'm petite and I always try to avoid contrast as much as possible.

RobinF

Veteran

I often wonder the same thing myself as I like to cuff my jeans but sometimes it just doesn't look quite right.

I really like the last look, the proportions look good to me and I love the effect of the cuff with the boots. I like the others too but the black jeans for some reason not as well. I feel like I would like it better if the slit of skin was even all around. Or maybe it is just the higher contrast of skin to jeans. Anyway, I would say this is a fun look and you can definitely pull it off.

Bijou

Veteran

5,6 & 8 are my favourites of a very good selection. I think the softer colours are very pretty on you. I have no preference for cuffed or uncuffed - both work well on you.

SarahD8

Veteran

I like all these cuffed looks on you. I don't see leg-shortening. To my eye the cuff and bare skin add structure, and that's a flattering effect.

Chris987

Veteran

Thanks RunCarla...sounds like the cuff needs to be a bit visible according to your eye...and yes grey and rust is a great combination on my coloring, it's a good thing I like it!

Thanks Christy. That grey version seems to appeal to most of you. I think I was trying to keep the amount of skin showing to a minimum, maybe I went too far with that

Thanks Angie!

Thanks Lisa P! Being able to show off boots was one of the reasons I wanted to try this look. Most of my ankle boots are very plain/simple designs but I think I may go for more interesting designs now that I am comfortable wearing them styled like this, at least until the winter freeze sets in.

Thanks TorontoGirl! Interesting that you see modern and polished and not any issue with leg length. That's what I was hoping for

Thanks Style Fan! I have two pairs of grey jeans, these ones which are a little tight in the leg, and an older pair of NYDJ ones that are getting a bit worn. The NYDJ ones are true workhorses and I need to replace them.

Thanks Shevia! Wow I didn't realize my color choices were anything close to trendy, it's fun to hear that you see them that way.

Mirjana, thanks, and I totally agree that as petites it is often better to go with low contrast. Unless you happen to love high contrast of course :-).

Tanks RobinF! You seem to be in agreement with others that the all-black look is the least interesting and I'm better off with the lighter colors.

Thanks Bijou!

Hmm SaraD8 - interesting that you see structure ....

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I agree with the peanut gallery. #6 and #7 look fantastic! There's something magical about the length and shape of that rust coat. It's fantastic on you!

lyn67

Veteran

I don't know about others, but personally I always love to see a bit of a skin on the ankle, so I say it works for you, too!!! It adds a bit of more grace, flattery, ease and structure.

Oh, and think Rachy is probably right, people should have feet (bare or leather ankles- included:-)), not legs only!

Anonymous

I like 5-9 the most, because the lighter colors are very harmonious on you. Love the cognac jacket especially!

KikiG

Veteran

I'm short and curvy too.

My absolutely favorite is #7. Please, please, go look for more jackets and cardigans of that length. I have also found that to be a particularly happy length for me as well. I even have a couple of third pieces that hit my 5'1" frame at mid calf, and I feel very lean and tall in them.

I love your pants cuffed with the booties. To my eye, that is a more current look than your pants down.

Chris987

Veteran

THanks Jenn, Lynn67, and Suntiger

KikiG that coat in #7 was an unexpected NAS find in 2018, and I agree the length is great. It works for only about 4-6 weeks in fall and another 4-6 weeks in spring in my climate, and I try to wear it as often as I can during those short transition seasons. I agree that the pants cuffed look more "current", but I think the longer length is more "traditionally flattering to my body shape". I guess it's good to have choices

karen13

Veteran

More love for the 5-9 series. I think you look lovely in those lighter, richer colors, and am taking notes as I often default to darker colors (too much). I prefer the uncuffed version with the darker pants, specifically for the lengthening effect. As a 5'2" person, I understand the desire to look taller!

Chris987

Veteran

Thanks karen13, I'm with you on trying to wear more of the light but rich colors. I still love wearing black some of the time, as part of an outfit but am wearing less of it.

I agree... as a very petite person (5'1") to me it's totally normal to want to dress in a way that doesn't emphasize i, but I'm glad it's not the only choice in today's DYOT fashion world.