Thoughts on light colored denim for the larger-bottomed? - YouLookFab Forum

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Thoughts on light colored denim for the larger-bottomed?

Lauren

(website)

I recently picked up a pair of light-colored denim pants at Banana Republic and in a haste, ripped off the tag without really analyzing the fit and the result was less than cute: http://bit.ly/XUWfZu
The material was too stretchy I think? And I'm just not sure if it was this particular pant or all light colored denim that looks off on us with larger bottom halves.
Has anyone found any lighter wash jeans that have worked for them? I'm really looking to add a pair to my Spring wardrobe

Dressing

15 replies

Latest reply was from K. Period.

Mochi

Veteran

Hmmm, Lauren. Being an apple with relatively slim hips, I have a hard time troubleshooting this, in a way. I think the jeans aren't the disaster you think they are: proportions are very good, wash isn't as dark as I'd expected it would be, and your legs look super long. Do you hate tunics? Could they at least be used on extremely casual days? I wouldn't necessarily donate them. You look cute!

Anonymous

I think you are being too hard on yourself also. They look good on you, and I like the leg width!

Louise

Veteran

My preference for my own outfits is tunics or voluminous tops with skinnies regardless of colour. However I don't dislike these on you but I get what you mean about them feeling like leggings. I guess wearing them with tunics then would be best if you wanted to keep them.
BTW I love your blog I'm a pear too and I love seeing your outfits x

Raisin

Veteran

Your replying actually think they look quite great on you, and the color is lovely for Spring.

Diana

Veteran

First off, I don't think they're nearly as bad as you think they are. The fit looks great and I don't think they make you look larger.

That said, I do see your point as well. To my eye, it's not your shape that's the problem. It's the wash of these pants, it looks too flat and uniform to my eye, not like rougher denim. I think the stretchiness contributes to this by making them look even less like denim, if you know what I mean.

I don't have any suggestions for particular pairs (as I am looking myself) but I tend to look for denim that is more distressed and less uniform with dark denim, that looks like a darker denim that has faded rather than something that started out light blue.

celia

Veteran

Sister pear, I hear you.
I think the problem is the cut and wash of the jean than the fact that they are light.

Thistle

Veteran

Fellow pear, I hear you! I struggle mightily with jeans, mightily.

I am still searching for jeans that work for me, and I have to say, this is a tough hunt. Us pears just have a harder time with jeans period.

As with summer coming, the darker washes that we look better in just aren't as popular.

I can't offer a lot of advice, but I can commiserate!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I understand. I'm quite sensitive to this as well. I think these particular jeans have a combination of soft, stretchy fabric, and a light soft uniform wash that makes them trickier for those of us who generally try to deemphasize the lower half.

I think lighter colored jeans/pants work best (on most body types, not just pear) when they are a bit easier in fit and skim the leg rather than hug it too tightly.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I think it's the material (thinner, stretchy-ish) and the fact that they are uniform in colour as others have suggested. Meanwhile, I think they look quite good on you! You've done an excellent job pairing a soft colour/neutral-ish top with these jeans.

I'm not a pear, but you might want to try the Kut from the Kloth BF jeans available at Nordstrom. Not 'too' slouchy, higher rise etc.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ku.....rigin=cate

Liz A.

Veteran

I would not be donating those pants. I think they look great. Do they bag out when you wear them? If not, they'd be a go for me.

Lauren

(website)

Thank you everyone for your feedback!

In regards to tunics, i'm really not a fan. They aren't super flattering on pears given that they typically cut us off right below the tush or right around our widest part.

I think I'm going to actually use these jeans for a fun DIY. Either i'll rip them up a bit and create distressed jeans, or maybe cut them and create shorts for summer. I don't want to give them away just yet but I think as they are, they don't make me feel great. And that's the idea with clothes!

I'm glad they aren't as horrific as I thought though You guys are awesome

P.S. THANK YOU for the kind words about my blog! It is my brainchild

Mia

Veteran

Your reply

I bought my first light coloured wash in a long time as I always feel better in darker bottoms. The DKNY Soho boyfriend seems to have magical powers for me. Nice price point too.

Yours look good in the photo and I hear you on the tunic.

Fellow pear type gal.......

catgirl

Veteran

I don't think it's the color or your shape that are concerns at all - you are lovely! It's the tight fit which seems - well, not dated since it's never going to be out of style - but just not in keeping with the casual style and color. I think a little more room would make these more current. Not necessarily a lot of slouch, but the way some of Ceit's jeans fit and stand away ever so slightly from the body. Does that make sense?

cciele

Veteran

You know, I actually like the way your "boyfriend" jeans fit--sorry to hear they've been retired.

These jeans fit you, but to me the combination of tight fit, light color, and this particular top doesn't quite work. I would try them with other tops! I like your idea of distressing them, but I think a slouchier fit would be more au courant.

K. Period.

Veteran

I'm part of the chorus saying that they don't look bad and certainly not as bad as you seem to think! What I see is this (collecting your insights, those of the other fabulous gals who have responded and adding my own):
1. The weight of the jeans is probably contributing. Lighter weight jeans are always a problem except in the darkest washes and I'm not sure that I'm even willing to agree then. The ON Rock Star jeans, for example? I consider them a complete disaster. I've never seen them on where I liked them enough to think they wouldn't have worked better in a heavier weight.
2. Tightness doesn't bother me. It is the lack of structure from the heavier weight that makes the tightness seem odd to your eye, I would lay money on it.
3. Light color jeans are more challenging than dark. On everyone. They just are. I notice this with my light blue jeans too and I'm an inverted triangle.
4. The uniformity of the light color is not good. I was looking at my light jeans not long ago and noticed that even as light as they are they still have obviously lighter areas of distressing in the racing stripes down the front of my leg. That lighter area definitely tricks the eye into seeing a slimmer shape. Maybe that's a good idea to keep in mind when distressing these?
5. The shape doesn't bother me. I think if you have too dainty a cuff, these aren't going to look as balanced and nice on you. I like the heavier cuff on you, especially the messy fold you did.

Since I'm the opposite body shape from yours, I have absolutely no helpful ideas about which jeans might work for you. I hate that feeling. :-/ I found mine at American Eagle and I know they have a bunch of different cuts. Maybe try them, since their jeans can be so ridiculously cheap? I hadn't even thought of them as a possibility until Texstyle recommended them in the forum. Leave no retail stone unturned, right?