Pendulum swinging too far? How much skinnier can skinny jeans get? - YouLookFab Forum

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Pendulum swinging too far? How much skinnier can skinny jeans get?

Beth

Veteran

I've been on the hunt for colored jeans for several months with no luck. The lovely NAS Paige gray skinnies were *screaming* my name. Alas, no dice. So sad:(

You all know I'm a member of the narrow calf club. Boot shopping is an exercise in frustration. So how can it be that I can barely squeeze my calves in skinny jeans these days? I've tried going up in size and the hips and waist just get bigger while the calf area remains stretched-looking and painted on. I've found myself in dressing rooms pulling these jeans on like tights.

I'd be willing to stick to straight-leg jeans but all the cool washes these days are skinnies. I can't wear jeans that look like leggings.

What gives? Surely it's not just me...calves too skinny for boots but too big for jeans?

Dressing

23 replies

Latest reply was from Scarlet

kellygirl

Veteran

Gah. I thought it was just me and mine. I tried some Paige Skyline colored jeans earlier in the summer in my size and the next size(s) up and could barely get them on. It was totally depressing and made me swear off colored jeans for the rest of the summer. DD who is 11 was trying colored skinnies at Macy's in the Junior's Department and couldn't get them over her feet! I complained to the SA and they said they had a hard time getting them on the mannequin! I don't know what is going on with skinnies anymore!

sarah

Veteran

Wow, Beth, if *you* can't fit into skinny jeans, what are us big-calved gals going to do?!

Sorry you were so frustrated by your recent attempt at skinnies...

K. Period.

Veteran

I really feel your pain! I'm in the full calves club, and I've given up on premium skinnies for now. They are just too close to leggings for me right now. For me the trouble is two-fold: too darned skinny in the calves and too darned thin for the weight. I like denim because its structure helps define mine. The light weight jeans just look tragic on me, especially when from the knees down I look like I'm wearing sausage casings. I'm still looking, but I'm being patient.

Beth

Veteran

Glad to know it's not just me. But really, WHAT is going on out there?

I have 13" calves...seriously, if I tried to sit in these jeans, the tightness of the legs would yank the pants down off my tush. Oh dear. Not the look I was going for.

K, totally agree re. the lightweight fabric. Not flattering either:(

Echo

Veteran

I agree that so many skinnies are more like leggings. I rarely even try them on anymore. Calvin Klein had some "skinny jeans" that were more like narrowish straight legs, and those were fabulous, but they aren't making those anymore. It is funny that people rarely think of calves as a "problem area", and yet so many women with narrow calves have issues with boots and pants, and so many women with athletic calves have the same issues. It makes a person wonder what manufacturers consider "normal"!

DeclawedJaguar

Veteran

Oh Beth, imagine trying to find skinnies that fit a 17" calf? It's nearly impossible. Even if I manage to pull them on, they are so tight as to completely block off any circulation in my lower legs. I thought it was just me, so I'm comforted by your question.

Keix

Veteran

I just give up and buy the legging-fit skinny jeans... if the fabric is stretchy and soft, it's also usually comfortable in the hips and waist. They take a bit of pulling to slip on in the morning, but I haven't experienced any slippage. If anything, when I sit for a long period of time and then stand up, the hem tends to ride up over my calf while the waist stays put. I actually find the stretchy super-skinnies more comfortable than a regular skinny jean which is cut too narrow in the calf.

(I take a 26 in denim and 5.5 in tall boots, with larger calf at 14".)

Aziraphale

Veteran

Good grief. That sounds crazy. To be honest, I haven't bought a pair of proper skinny jeans for over a year -- this year the only skinnies I added to my wardrobe were two pairs of jeggings (apologies to those of you who have apoplectic fits at the sight of that word!). At least they were labeled "jeggings" when I bought them, but they do have real pockets and a zip. And yes, they're darned tight in the calves (the whole leg, to be honest), and my legs are on the narrow side. But because they're jeggings, they're stretchy, and I wear them under boots, so it's OK. If they are now making normal skinny jeans that tight, I doubt I'll be buying new ones anytime soon!

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I have relatively large calves, but I haven't had that issue with jeans maybe because I'm a bigger size. I do get the thing where skinny jeans cling to the pudge around my lower thigh and knee area, which is not a particularly good look. I can imagine how it would get frustrating.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Ha! Yes, indeed. I usually wear a size 10 in pants, and after a whole lot of looking, recently found a pair of skinnies that fit --- in size 14. And if the calves weren't bad enough, the thighs! In size 12 I really felt like I was wearing extreme support hose or something.

Carole

Veteran

That hurts just thinking about trying to squeeze into those. I had no luck until I found some at H & M. I would never had thought I would find some there but have since found a few more there as well. Leave no stone unturned, my H & M skinnies have been workhorses this past spring and summer. Good Luck.

Scarlet

Veteran

Hmm, I haven't been having that problem, but I mainly wear Diesel or Miss Sixty jeans because the premium American brands are even more mad expensive in Europe. Maybe try one of these Italian brands.

Sylvie

Veteran

Are you serious? There are jeans that are too tight in the calves but large in the hip/thighs? Please, please point me at these brands. By the time I get a size that's going to fit over my hips and thighs, I have major gaping at the waist and the calves are so loose they're like straights on me.

I wish there was a cost effective way to make custom fit clothing so we could all have clothes that fit our unique shapes.

ButterflyLady

(website)

Veteran

I had the same issue - I consider my calf width to be average - I can buy most knee high boots and not have an issue with them fitting my calves - unless I want to tuck jeans into them, then I have to buy wider boots. I tried on a pair of skinnies the other day, a size bigger than my regular size - hips and waist were too big but they were so tight they were nearly impossible to pull on over my calves.

I did notice in an autumn/winter catalogue I've just received for a store here that they are now selling 'relaxed skinny' jeans - and they had a lovely teal colour. I think I might be ordering (hoping that they are relaxed around my calves and not anywhere else!).

Anonymous

Goodness, are they getting even skinnier? My legs are awkwardly thin and I look more proportioned if a) the fabric is nice and thick and b) not vacuum-sealed to my legs. The super tight jean-legs just draw attention to how wonky my shape is. I need a fit that will gloss over my legs and flatter my hips and waist area. At 27", my waist is not huge, but skinny legs (11" calves & 18" thighs) make it look enormous by comparison.

I had a pair of skinnies last year that fit like Manidipa's description of "extreme support hose" Pulling them on was an Olympic event and after sitting in them a while, a nerve in my leg would start to bother me. Then I read an article about how skinny jeans were making people sick that someone here linked to. Needless to say, those jeans are now gone from my closet. I really thought that jeans fits were going to start getting slouchier this fall, like the "relaxed skinny" that Butterflylady is talking about. Thanks for letting me rant.

kimana517

(website)

I've noticed this too! I also can never find boots that are tight enough. I think my calf circumference is like 12.5? I can't remember 'cause it's been a while since I measured, but it's pathetic, especially since I'm 5'10"!

That said, check the Kohl's juniors' department, unless such places scare you on principle. I got these in the bright red and they're very, very comfy: http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStor.....uniors.jsp You can see how I styled them (had to roll them because of the length being too short on me) here: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....pped-jeans I wish they had that pair in teal or cobalt!

Beth

Veteran

I will definitely give H&M and Kohl's a try. The thought of relaxed fit skinnies gives me a giggle:)

Sylvie, I've tried: Joe's Jeans, James Jeans, Sanctuary, Paige, and Zara skinnies. Give them a try and see if they work for you!

Seriously, I've spent a lot of time in dressing rooms wondering if I was going mad. Thanks for restoring the sanity~

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I've noticed this too, and my calves are probably considered average (about 14"). Most tall boots fit my calves, although some are snug and require a little work to zip up. Occasionally I'll try on a pair that are simply too narrow, but that's a rarity. So I've never considered my calves big at all, and I have been a little dismayed at the tightness of some of these skinny jean cuts. I even have skinny feet, and sometimes it's hard to get skinnies over my heels -- that's when I don't even bother trying to pull them up farther. Back to the rack they go.

Laura, I totally understand what you mean about the combination of thin fabric and tight fabrications! Nothing highlights the bulges around my knees and on my thighs like these wretched jeans! I look better bare-legged. Drives me crazy because it would be nice to find a lightweight jean for the warm summer here, but skin-tight kind of negates the whole idea of staying cool.

JR

Veteran

It sometimes shocks me how clueless manufacturers can be. And this goes far beyond clothing.

Keix

Veteran

Beth, have you given AG skinnies a try? The AG Legging fit is the softest pair of jeans I've ever worn, and they look just like real jeans although the fabric is a thinner weight. And if you are up for juniors' jeans as well, try Hollister's Super Skinny (different from their Jegging style). You may have to go up a size in the Hollister.

Jonesy

Veteran

Yes, I agree! I really don't like the vacuum-sealed-to-the-calves look, so I'm ready for this trend to die :). What happened to a slim-fitting pair of jeans?

christieanne

Veteran

Stretchy fabric skinnies are the only thing that seems to work for me. I was liking my Levi's Demi Curves but I swear the thighs are too baggy but the calves are perfect. Finding the right pair of jeans is one of life's biggest challenges.

Scarlet

Veteran

Just adding that both of the brands I mentioned sell a skinny and a super-skinny/second skin fit, so you can choose the look you want. Also I wonder if ladies who are long of leg have the problem that super-skinnies taper at the shin, but if your leg is long the tapering would start on your calf already? My calves must be about 13 inches and I have no problem with either style. Interesting.