Skinny Catastrophe! ETA -- Success! - YouLookFab Forum

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Skinny Catastrophe! ETA -- Success!

Beth Ann

Veteran

Help! My beloved Levi mid-rise skinnies are ready to 'splode! Fortunately I discovered the fraying at the inner, um, thigh, seams before wearing them to teach a group of children. They are 4 years old, and have seen heavy rotation, and their share of, um, friction. God Bless 'em. They're dead.

Now, even though I didn't see the engineering failure coming, I knew I needed a replacement in the near future, so I've been looking. Unfortunately, while Levi still makes a midrise skinny, they've changed the fit enough that it doesn't work for me anymore -- the rise is now higher, and, while the thigh/rear is more generous, the upper hip isn't, and sizing up didn't work well. The Levi curvy skinnies are better, but they have ugly, wide spaced pockets and, let's face it, the rear view matters in a skinny jean.

Any recommendations for a hourglass looking for:
1. generous fit in the calves and rear
2. shaping in the waistband, with a mid-rise (8 inches or so)
3. long enough for scrunch (ideally 32 inches, or 33)

I have some time to hit the mall on the way home. FYI -- I'm a 14 in a skinny jean, so many "premium" 32 waists don't fit. I plan on trying some Kuts if I can find them at Macy's this afternoon. I might be able to get to a Nordies and/ or a Rack this weekend.

Slender straights might work too!

Snow season and no skinnies for my boots! Oh dear!

ETA: So, we all know that there are good Macy's and bad Macy's? Well, the one on my way home from work doesn't have Kut jeans. Or Paige. or Lucky brand. They had Levi's, but the two styles I was looking for were not on the rack in my size. Waaaah!

Went to Old Navy. Tried on 6 different pairs of skinnies. Who knew my calves would be such an obstacle? Or the back of my knees? I tried sizing up to fit my ginormous knees, and then had baggy belly. Yep. I could pull these down without undoing like boyfriend jeans! The Sweetheart bootcuts are fab though, and vanity sized. Hee.

JCP stocks a lot of Levi's, so I marched to the other end of the mall and came home with a pair of mid-rise skinnies in, magically, the same size as the pair I'm replacing. I'd tried on a pair a couple of weeks ago that were just plain too small. I think the difference is in the particular wash and fabric. Go figure. I also came home with a pair of 525 Straight legs. These are marvelous --- good, weighty denim with just the right amount of stretch. And I have scrunch! Now, I'm not sure I can fit boots over them, but I might keep them anyway.

I will keep denim shopping, using some of your insights, since my denim capsule is still on the small and aging side. I have a pair of Jag bootcuts that I love, and I am going to try on Lucky jeans and the BR jeans that Angie recommended -- I'll try to post piccies tomorrow!

Shopping

29 replies

Latest reply was from eds

Anonymous

Check old Navy, their Rockstar fit. American Eagle runs up to size 16, online. Check their skinny fit. What about GAP? I have not bought their jeans in a while, but it's worth the shot.

Anonymous

I would say Old Navy Rockstars or Diva and Gap Always Skinny would be a good choice to start.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Thanks, Zap! I could hit Old Navy this afternoon, too. I like the Diana skinnies, if I can find them in my size at Macy's. I'm not a fan of thick, bold stitching and big, blingy pockets, and the Diana's are nice and simple, if a bit pricey for me.

http://www1.macys.com/shop/pro.....684&C

I've not had luck with Gap in the past, but I know their fits have changed in the last year or so. Unfortunately, I'd likely have to size up (deep breaths, deep breaths). I care about fit, not numbers. I can always cut the label out! And yes, I've done that.

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Beth

Veteran

Oh no! RIP, Levi's skinnies, you were a faithful friend.

Give the Kuts a try. The Diana style that I love are 32" in length (possibly slightly longer) and fit similarly to what you're describing.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Thanks, Ceit and Beth. All of those I can try this afternoon, if I hustle! Wish me luck!

Alassë

Veteran

Luck duly wished.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Is Levi not making your style anymore? I had heard good things about their curve ID line.

Sarah A

Veteran

Ive been wondering about the old navy rockstar cut... watching this thread with interest and hoping you'll find a suitable replacement right away!

Disha

I have had good luck with Levi's Curve ID line. I think they are available at the Levi's stores? Could be wrong about that, but that is where I found mine.
Curvy hourglass here.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Rae: They're still making them, but they've changed the fit. The direct placement to mine now has a higher rise (not good for faux tucking) and is smaller, but with bigger, not so nice pockets, which is why I wouldn't size up. I might try their curve line. There is a Levi's store at my nearby gargantuan outlet mall. Of course, this would happen right before Christmas! I do love the iconic Levis, although I really need a tall for scrunch.

Parsley

Veteran

These are probably more than you want to spend, but they get great reviews from curvy women:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/cj.....8;cm_ite=c

It might be worth at least trying them, and watching for some on sale if they're over budget.

ETA: Actually, here they are on Amazon for less:

http://www.amazon.com/Cookie-J.....038;ie=UTF

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Lisa

Veteran

I'm a pear shape, but have found Gap, BR and Lucky Brand jeans are pretty good lately (thicker materials, not much whiskering with the washes, etc).

Mellllls

Veteran

I like the gap perfect skinnies.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Thanks, all, for your suggestions. I'm leaving work and heading to the mall!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ohh...Beth Ann -- if you are reading still...I know Sveta has some Cookie jeans that she really likes a lot. Not sure if they are skinnies. I really like my white Kut Dianas, but I have heard that the blue version doesn't fit the same -- which could be a good or bad thing, depending! Good luck on your search!

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Hope you had luck, Beth Ann. I agree with the Kuts recommendation, also Old Navy sweetheart cut, Lucky and possibly American Eagle?

Neelie

Veteran

I find the Old Navy Sweetheart cut better for curvy gals...

greycat6

Veteran

Have you tried JAG? Their Jackson straight fit is slim but not skinny, and may work in boots. I'm not sure about the JAG skinnies. The JAG rise is slightly high, so make sure to try the faux tuck before proceeding.

The Paige Skyline skinnies also might work but they are pricier.

David Kahn just had some skinny options on Haute Look. I have had good luck with the DK straight legs tucked into boots as a more relaxed skinny. I bought to fit my thighs and had the waist altered to fit.

Good luck!

E

Veteran

Oh no! Good luck! I have the opposite needs, in that I need a very high rise, but my Urban Outfitters BDG jeans are the only ones I've ever tried that fit my rear & my waist with no gaping. They don't bag out either. They do come in different rises/inseams (I think some are 33), so you could try a lower rise (free return shipping & free shipping over $50). But since they're juniors they tend to be quite fitted/tight, so I'm not sure about the calves. Be sure to check the fabric content: some have a bunch of rayon/spandex which makes them more jegging like but mine are primarily cotton and feel like jeans.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Head to BR. Their full length skinny jeans are fabulous at the moment. Only 1% stretch and do not bag out. And 30% off. I just bought a pair in cream.

Full length.

Full length.

Full length.

Did I mention the full length?

Dee

Veteran

I'm somewhere between a pear and an hourglass so I totally get your rise issues. I'll second the Lucky jeans recommendation. Probably 3/4 of my jeans come from there and they usually have a good range of mid-range styles. I'd also recommend some Paige styles, but I don't remember which ones offhand I've found worked for me, sorry. Good luck!

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Yay, glad you found something. I forgot about JAG - our local Nordstrom seems to be obsessed with the pull-on ones, which is not my thing, but I have had good luck with their fit in the past (sometimes they are too short on me). And yes, ON is totally vanity sized - except when they're not...very inconsistent at times, but you can't beat the price, and I think the denim is actually pretty good quality.

vipanchi

I have been on a jeans hunt very recently and loved the Gap Legging Jean. They are also on 40% off online today.

Jeanie

Veteran

Poor dead jeans! I don't have any suggestions because I need to do this search myself. I can't wait to see what you come up with.

Niefern

No suggestions, but I share the inner thigh rubbing/fraying issue, all my jeans get ruined this way. I have just had to discard a pair of grey jeggings and will have to do the same with my only blue jeans in the near future!

JillG

Yesterday Imogene of InsideOutStyle blogged about a product called Bandelettes to prevent thigh rub. It's basically an elasticized lace cuff worn on the upper thigh and it's marketed for wearing with dresses and skirts, but I wondered if it might provide just enough of a compression effect to save inner thigh rub on jeans also.
http://www.insideoutstyleblog......ffing.html

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yay! Great news and will look forward to the update.

eds

I've tried the Ann Taylor curvy on and loved them... have some ordered, so haven't actually put them into action and can't speak on whether they bag, but the fit is great.

eds

Forgot to mention, I've worn and liked, the Levis midrise skinnies, also... mine are several years old, so probably the older fit...