Ask Angie et al: pear-flattering skinnies -- oxymoron or possibility? - YouLookFab Forum

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Ask Angie et al: pear-flattering skinnies -- oxymoron or possibility?

rosee

Veteran

...I don't think I can afford premium denim at the moment, so I won't be buying those but I am interested in all suggestions (some for future reference).

My current size 12 figure is very pear: bigger waist and hips, with a big round bottom and big thighs (I've gained about 10 inches in each of these areas, not bragging though). When slimmer I could wear bootcuts, wide-legs and straight-legs that had a roomier thigh. I haven't worn skinnies since high school in the 80s, but I saw someone with a curvy figure recently pull them off (she was gorgeous, about late 50s) so now I am curious to try it out.

What brands /styles /price points would you recommend? Am I dreaming? Then please tell me so (...gently, actually I am pretty tough).

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23 replies

Latest reply was from rosee

celia

Veteran

Can I start by saying it's not the size of the skinnies but the way you wear them?
I'm serious. No matter your size and if you're a pear.It depends on the kind of top/tunic you wear.
Do you have GAP nearby, their always skinny is great.

Kari

Veteran

I think it also helps a lot if you wear a skinny that has a straighter cut in the leg - not absolutely hugging the ankle like some skinnies are, but still tapered.

Though I'm an hourglass, my below-the-waist figure is a similar shape and size to yours. I love my Kut from the Kloth skinnies (which I got last year - I'm not 100% sure that this year's cut is identical, but it looks like it probably is.) If it helps, you can see me wearing those skinnies in the links below.
http://youlookfab.com/upload/i....._image.jpg
http://youlookfab.com/upload/i....._image.jpg
http://youlookfab.com/upload/i....._image.jpg

I haven't found a cut of Gap's skinny jeans that I like yet, but I do like Gap's Real Straight jeans (not quite a skinny cut, but close.)
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFHB.....e+178b.jpg

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

All my pear shaped clients wear skinnies! Some styles are more straight though. How do you want to wear your skinnies, Rosee?

Lisa

Veteran

I'm a pear shape and my budget friendly skinnies are Express Stella's and Gap always skinny.

rosee

Veteran

Kari, you look great in all the pics... that's what I'm hoping for.

Celia, I'll have to check out the GAP, haven't been there in a couple of years (and yes there are many nearby).

Hello Angie!!! I'm still trying to figure out what works. I like skinnies in boots, but that won't happen as my knee boots won't zip up right now (I've gained a few inches on my calves too). I guess I'll be wearing them mostly with ballet flats.
Top-wise: I need to get a jacket(s) that fits right now, I have cardigans and more knit tops than wovens. I want to emphasize my top over my bottom, so hopefully the jeans will just be a good dark base. I don't like really tight pants though so can skinnies be worn a tad looser?
I've checked out the pretty-pear posts and some of the MOTG formulas (but not a mom) for some ideas. I keep worrying though that these ideas will work for others more than for me.

Just measured (and admitting it publicly): 39 - 36 - 45.
(wow, I actually have boobs now. ;p Trying to lose the weight, but hopefully will keep some of the boobs.)

pangolinpie

Member

I'm totally new to this, but I was introduced to skinny jeans by a stylist at Nordstrom - she gave me "Not Your Mothers Jeans" in a size smaller than I normally wear, and they seem to be flattering. I do wear them with jackets or long sweaters, and boots or high heels.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Rosee, I'm sure you'll look fabulous in the right skinnies

So lets keep them fairly straight as opposed to super tapered. Get your pretty self off to the Gap to fit the "Real Straights". You will probably need to alter the waistband, which is totally fine!

Try Calvin Klein too.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Oopsie, double post.

rosee

Veteran

Thanks for all your suggestions.
Angie, I will look for the Gap real straights (and the other ones while there) sometime this week and I'll report back. I checked it out online and tried to picture my bigger figure in those tiny jeans (super skinny model didn't help). They look low-waisted too, so hopefully it's not as it seems. Finding the CKs should be a little trickier, but there is one store that may have them.
Any other suggestions, incase the Gap don't work out?

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I tried on the gap always skinny and was in between sizes. For the heck of it, I went to Old Navy and tried the Sweetheart skinny and they fit well and I wear them often. I'm an hourglass and my thighs have some extra weight on the inside. I never thought I could wear a skinny but these are sort of between a real skinny and a narrow straight leg jean. I also went with the pair that was just fitted but not snug. I read that a curvy girl could wear skinnies by sizing up and belting them. It works for me.

rosee

Veteran

Still have to make it to the Gap and Old Navy. Tried several pairs at the outlets near my house and that was very disappointing. If I could manage to get my size or a larger one on, they made my thighs look really huge and like they were bottlenecking all the fat to my knees. That wasn't a confidence booster, but it did inspire me to exercise much more than I do. This is a battle (sudden gain of 60 pounds due to meds), and ladies, I intend on winning it.

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

I wear skinnies with long tops so my generous thighs aren't too obvious!

Lynne

Veteran

Rosee, I can also recommend Lee Scarlet - they have a good amount of stretch, and come in 32 and 34 inch leg lengths. The waist is fairly high, which is flattering under longer tops - no bumpy bits! Here are mine in the Daisy Blue wash, and the dark wash. The first tunic is a dress I shortened. I would never in a million years have tried skinny's before YLF, but I am a convert now! I am a US size 10-12.

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Isabel

Veteran

I have to echo the GAP Real Straight. I love them so much that I also bought them in a stretchy chino-type material in black. I may go get the grey too. I am a size 4 pear...so I also agree that the size doesn't matter at all. Honey, I look just as hippy ( hips ) as you do !

And this place is better than a confessional ! You get absolved too !!!! Good luck.

rosee

Veteran

Gap still popular... and now Patty posted a 30% discount at the Gap if you bring in a Goodwill donation. Hopefully that will work out.

Lynne: thanks for the Lee Scarlet recommendation -- have to look for Lees now. I used to wear them when I was little (in the 70s) and they were my FAVORITE jeans! I'll have to find a local retailer or look for an online one that ships to Canada.

lynne

Veteran

Another thanks to Lynne for the Lee recommendation. I'll have to check those out. I'm in love with my James Jeans Hunters, but they are $$$.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Rosee, you can order online from Gap in Canada. I find it works better for me than going to the store as they do not have all styles and sizes in the store. Shipping is free so I order what I like in 2 different sizes and then return what does not fit.
I like my CJ skinnies : actualy they are straight legs but they look like skinnies on my calves

rosee

Veteran

@ Pangolinpie: can you please tell me more about "Not your daughter's" jeans (NYDJ)? ...boy, do I hate the name but I'm reading good reviews online for these jeans, and the styles seem to be pretty classic and simple.

Does anybody else know about these jeans? I see a few pairs of NYD jeans on ebay for good prices.

@Lynne: which country are you in? I'm only seeing Lee Scarlett in the UK or Europe. Did you get them from a US retailer?

@Sveta: looking at the CJ jeans. They're a bit more than I want to pay now, but liking a few pairs for a reward for when I slim down again.

Still have to make it to Gap and ON.

Lynne

Veteran

Rosee, I bought my jeans in Denmark, maybe they're called something else in the US? Maybe just skinnies? I have seen Lee "Instantly Slim You" advertised in O Magazine, which the stores here know nothing about....might be good to enquire re this?

Re the NYD jeans - I've tried on a few pairs and I thought they seemed too light in fabrication to do anything? They really were not what the ads make them out to be - IMO.

rosee

Veteran

Thanks again, Lynne!!!

I spied these Lee's, how similar are they to yours?

http://www.lee.com/store/LEE_S.....-jean.html

I did start bidding on a pair of NYDJ on ebay, but thanks to your recommendation, I won't increase my bid, I'll hopefully get outbid (or own a pair of thin jeans for cheap).

Lynne

Veteran

Rosee, the Steven Skinny looks very similar, as does the comfort fit Milan:
http://www.lee.com/store/LEE_S.....ter1%3D%25

They're not identical, if the stitching on the back pocket is an indication, and I can't seem to match up the manufacturers number with anything on my label. It might be worth enquiring.

Lee jeans cost 3-4 times more here than they are on the American website - ouch!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I'll throw in a recommendation to check out some from Kut from the Kloth. I have a black pair of skinnies from them that I adore. They're not super-skinny. I wear them tucked into boots and with flats.

rosee

Veteran

...went thrifting today after volunteering, since Value Village is close by there. Luckily for me, someone just got rid of many pairs of size 11-12 jeans, including several Gap, Old Navy and Lee Riders. I was in the fitting room for over an hour (I tend to load up and then try, try, try). Ended up scoring 2 pairs of Gap stretch bootcuts in barely worn condition, taking care of my jean needs at the moment. Tried several skinnies too, and Gap real straights, but I think I'm going to wait on skinnies until I am thinner again. I may be one of the very few YLFers that can't do skinnies, at least not if I want them to be flattering.
Thanks ladies, for all the info... I'll be sure to keep it for future (less fluffy) reference.
If I can get my camera to start working, will post some of my new-found treasures soon.