Pears + skinnies = ? - YouLookFab Forum

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Pears + skinnies = ?

dottie

I’m curious to hear from pear shaped girls and your experiences with skinny jeans. I absolutely adore the look of skinny jeans with boots. I’ve tried it, and it definitely works with tunic length tops… however, I’m not in love with the look of skinnies + boots, sans tunic/longer-length jackets. I am definitely more comfortable in bootcut pants/jeans, but I’m wondering what your feelings are… are you comfortable in skinnies? Does it work for you? Do you have any tricks to make it more balanced? I am willing to resign myself to bootcuts, but I so love the look of skinnies & boots. Thanks!

Body Type

22 replies

Latest reply was from Ornella

afterism

I love the look as well dottie but struggle to apply it to myself.

Looking forward to advice from other more "style advanced" pears.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Louise makes skinnies work with shorter length tops. I think her trick is to wear something with more volume on top.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

If you find my "WIW peacock and cobalt" post from last week, you can see how I wear skinnies tucked into boots. It took me a long time to even try a pair of skinnies, but if they're not TOO tight all the way down the leg, I think they work on me.

To balance things out, I keep the skinnies the darkest color possible (I have dark was blue and black, and the black are my favorites), and choose something bright or light on top, with lots of visual interest.

I don't care for any tunic top on me that hits at or just below my crotch because that's my widest part. I have a lot of trial and error in layering my tops with skinnies to get the right proportions!

bella

(website)

Veteran

For me, shoes make a huge difference. I need some height. So I wear skinnies either with pumps or with knee high boots, but never with ballet flats.

nicoleb

(website)

Veteran

I'm a pear shape and I love my skinnies! I agree with what has been said here so far. I've done tons of different things. Volumeous tops, cap sleeves, v necks, boat necks, horizontal stripes, cardigans, jackets, blazers. Just try to get something that balances you out. I also pair them with heels a lot to lengthen me, but i know this isn't an optimal choice for everyone. If i do skinnies plus boots I try to keep it low contrast to lengthen the leg line and keep the eye up. Experiment with different looks and see what looks right to your eye!

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dottie

@Janet - found your post and yes, it really works. Great look. The slight angled hem of the top is interesting plus the visual interest keeps the eye up.

Re: tunic length - yes, very particular on that - I have two sweaters that hit at the narrow part of thigh (that illusive optimal area just below widest thigh area and above knee) that I will wear with skinnies, but that's it so far. I avoid lengths that hit at widest part of thigh - which seem to be most tunic lengths.

@bella - agreed re:ballet flats - I just feel dumpy wearing them (and it annoys me because they look great on so many other people) . Heels or tall boots feel better to me.

dottie

@nicoleb - so cute! How does #2 work so well? Is it the length of top to hip bone?

nicoleb

(website)

Veteran

I believe it's cause the cardigan is helping create balance by hanging straight down and open. And i'm wearing some fairly high heels.

Lisa

Veteran

nicoleb-Those are some great options. Love those outfits.

I find longer tops/tunics are easy to pair with skinnies. I am a fan of blazers and BF style works well when the top underneath is streamlined to the body. I do like volume when going with a shorter top and no blazer or cardigan to bulk it up.

Louise

Veteran

I'm an extreme pear with a teeny waist and well rounded hips. Chewyspaghetti is correct, I wear shorter tops with skinnies but they *must* have volume #1 & #2 or a longer layer over the top #3. Tunics are pretty flop proof #4 x

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Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

Such a great thread. I've mostly stuck with tunics, skinnies and boots, but this is giving me a bit more inspiration to branch out. Bella, great to hear you say that about the ballet flats - it's a look I like on others but never felt as it was going to work on me.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Nicole, I love your examples, and that flowy striped top looks great on you! I guess I must be enough of an hourglass (large chest) that when I try tops like that, I just look big all over. I recently bought a rather voluminous blousy top with a cinched waist and dolman sleeves that in the store looked like it worked with skinnies, but at home it just looked funny. Foolishly, I had alreadly taken the tags off. Maybe I should take pics and post for feedback before I consign it.

Louise, I have that same peacock scarf, I love it! I get compliments every time I wear it. I like the way you put things together -- I may have to copy that second look.

I actually do wear ballet flats with my skinnies. I tried it and didn't think it looked bad, but all my height is in my legs (5'7" but need a 34" inseam), so I think that's why it works on me. I have a pair of deep red Born flats that work especially well because they have a slightly pointed toe.

Cilleena

Veteran

I'm also a pear shape and my all time favorite way to wear skinnies is with a long cardigan like Nicole is wearing in pic #4. I like to keep the cardigan open and wear a scarf just like that so that you create volume up top and visual interest, then the open, long cardigan creates a great long line. I've only worn my skinnies with tall boots, I've found that scrunchy boots are nice to balance things out too.

Diana

Veteran

Everyone's suggestions are great so far. I would also add that if you are self-conscious about looking unbalanced in shorter top+skinnies, try some slouchy, looser-fitting boots to add some volume down at the bottom. This is good especially if you are shaped like me - a pretty serious pear (13" difference between waist and hips) with really narrow ankles and wider calves. I sometimes wear skinnies with ankle booties that gape a bit at the ankle which helps balance things out. One caveat might be that I think this type of look *might* shorten your leg line a little - I can get away with it because I have very long legs relative to my height.

nicoleb

(website)

Veteran

Ooo I like the boot suggestion Diana. I never thought of that! I may have to try it out!

Janet - yeah I am pretty small chested lol. If you still have the receipt the store might let you return! Or in store credit! That'd probably be better than consignment?

dottie

Thanks to all for the wonderful responses. It's reassuring to share similar dressing 'challenges' and to see how you're making it work. btw, you may already know about it, but there is a nice collection of articles for the pear shape at http://www.insideoutstyleblog......hapes.html

DanaLynn

Like others mentioned slouchy boots make a big difference for me. I feel balanced with a little more weight at my feet. I like to wear my boyfriend cardigans with my skinnies and boots. They tend to hit me just at my thigh creating sexy curves

biscuitsmom

Veteran

Dottie- THANK YOU for posting that site- it's really interesting

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Fab thread, I am after some inspiration as I plann to add the skinnies to my wardrobe too

Thanks for the ideas and the photos too!

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I am kind of pair-shped and I wear skinny and straight legs with long bf cardis that cover my bum. That way I can wear a fitted top and show off my waist.

MsMary

Veteran

I'm an inverted triangle, and I'm only crashing this thread to say that I wish nicoleb were my daughter so we could trade clothes! LOL (I think she could pass as my daughter if we were together, don't you all?)

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Definitely not if you straighten your hair