WIW - I don't like skinnies... - YouLookFab Forum

Category

What I Wore

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

WIW - I don't like skinnies...

Astrid

Veteran

I had an occasion I had to dress up for a bit today and here's what I wore. And I felt really uncomfortable the whole time, even though I got quite a few compliments on my outfit. Just for comparison in #2 the same outfit with perfectly fitting bootcut jeans. These still aren't hemmed, but I wish I could have worn them instead!

I will keep my two pairs for layering this winter and see how often I end up really wearing them. But I won't buy another pair. Although I still like to rock some straight legs!

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

32 replies

Latest reply was from Astrid

ElleH

Veteran

I actually think you look good in the skinnies, and the boot cut. What don't you like about them?

ETA: Your legs look gorgeously long!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Do you mean you felt uncomfortable physically (like pulling the jeans up all the time) or uncomfortable emotionally (like too on display or something like that)? Because I'll tell you Astrid, you look phenomenal in those red skinnies! Absolutely gorgeous.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Elle and Shannon! I definitely felt uncomfortable emotionally, the fit is perfect.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

It is all about getting used to them. Trust me. I abhorred the very though of them, now they are my top choice , way above the bootcuts. And I am already panicking because I still haven't found a store/label here in Germany that stocks long enough skinnies for me.

It takes the right outfit that will make things *click*. Then it's all about building on that.

Of course, it's totally pointless to force on yourself something that makes you feel too self-conscious (the biggest enemy of looking stylish, imho), but there is so much potential in them... And, for the record, outfit #2 is nice, a solid 8/10, but #1- you whacked it out of the park. 11/10!

celia

Veteran

I hope you get used to the skinnies because you look ultrafab with them.

Makrame

Veteran

You look great in both! And those red skinnies are to die for! I know what you mean, though. I often stay away from skinnies unless I am traveling, but on the road they come in really handy because they can be worn with flats or boots.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Ornella! Maybe I will get used to them, I guess I could try. Or try to find the right outfit. Maybe it's also about finding the right kind of skinnies? The two I have are very tight and both relatively noticeable. Is there a thing like inconspicuous skinnies? LOL

Thanks Celia!

Thanks Makrame! I definitely feel better about skinnies in boots. I see how they could be practical while travelling!

Victoria

(website)

Veteran

I prefer the bootcut jeans on you-I think it suits your body type better(not that you look bad in skinnies by any means, I just think that other style is more flattering on you)

catgirl

Veteran

You look fantastic in the skinnies! The bootcuts are a great fit but much more predictable and therefore mundane to my eye. Still fab but the skinnies in red are just gorgeous!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Astrid, I understand what you mean about feeling uncomfortable. And I understand WHY, too. The bootcuts are a slam dunk.

But honestly, those red skinnies look fantastic. In both pictures, your legs go on forever! And please, please don't get rid of the skinnies. Even if you prefer not wearing them with shoes, when you find the perfect pair of tall boots, I promise you, you'll enjoy tucking them in, and there you will see the balance that your eye is missing. Those red pants are amazing, and you need to keep them!

Diana

Veteran

FWIW, I think you look great in the red skinnies. But I also understand that feeling of not being comfortable in your clothes. I love my skinnies but sometimes get paranoid that they are making me look like an ice cream cone when I am not wearing boots to balance.

Just out of curiosity, what is the fabric content of these skinnies? I don't like to buy them (or any jeans, really) with more than 2% stretch, with the rest being cotton. This limits the super stretchiness and provides some more structure, which I prefer and you might too. It's tempting to buy the really stretchy, comfy ones but I think those never look as nice. I do have a pair of super stretchy skinnies, but they are more like jeggings and I only wear them with long tunics and boots.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Victoria. That's what I'm seeing too.

Thanks Una! Why do you think the bootcuts are predictable? Predictable with this kind of outfit? I actually think I'm standing out every time I wear bootcuts, in the sea of skinnies and leggings out there at the moment.

Thanks Suz. I won't get rid of them, I promise! I can definitely see myself getting used to wearing them with tall boots, if nothing else. Although I may ditch the other pair.

ETA
Thanks Diana! I just had a look and they have 2% stretch. So I guess less stretch isn't really possible. Although they are fairly thin, maybe a thicker fabric would be better.

Anonymous

YLF in those pants! I wear my skinnies tucked inside tall boots to balance my hips. That's the only way I feel completely comfortable in them. Maybe that would work for you.

Sharon

Veteran

Another vote for the skinnies. But I also think part of the appeal for me is that the bright colour really lifts the outfit and makes it look happy. I agree with those who suggest boots to bring it back into your comfort zone.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Ruth! Yes, I think that could be a solution for fall and winter.

Thanks Sharon! I hadn't thought about the color affecting the look. Would it look as great with skinnies that look like my bootcuts in #2 colorwise?

merwoman

Veteran

Bravo Astrid for venturing out of your comfort zone - you not only tackled a new silhouette - but you did it boldly - in fire engine red no less!
You look fantastic - I think it took all of us a bit of time to get used to the skinnies. - give it some time.

Gaylene

Veteran

I think it's perfectly fine to try a trend and then decide that it's not your favorite look. For what it's worth, I also think that, if you feel better in your bootcuts, why should you feel you ought to like wearing skinnies just because everyone else is currently wearing that look.

My motto is to not dismiss a trend without giving it a fair chance; you just never know when you'll discover a new favorite. But, it's also OK to leave a trend to others if you decide it's just not you, regardless of how much fun others have with that item. That's what this style journey is all about-- developing a personal style by learning what YOU like instead of just following the crowd.

Victoria

(website)

Veteran

Astrid: To add my five cents: skinnies are actually a rather difficult style to wear because if you have even a hint of pear shape or curves in that area, it will enhance the pear shape and give that dreaded "cone effect" which, in my opinion is not what most women want. That's why I stick to bootcuts-because while I don't look bad in skinnies, bootcuts balance my shape much better. I don't think bootcuts are predictable in any way-wear what looks best on you, not what trends dictate. Nothing wrong with trying it, but if you don't feel like its "you", don't bother.
on the subject of bright color-I think a lot of people are liking bright color on the bottom(i do too) and you can get the same effect with a skirt. I recommend it over skinnies

Sona

Veteran

Astrid: try the skinnies with boots- you might like the look better? I prefer skinnies to any other cut because my legs and hips are my slimmest part (IT?rectangle) so I do see why you might feel uncomfortable in them. But never say never! Sometmes it take a little tweaking and a little twirling with a pep in your step in the mirror to get used to a 'new' look. I do like the skinnies on you!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

So many great thoughts here

- I am on Team Astrid Looks Great In Skinnies. These burgundy skinnies are amazing! WOW.

- I also want you to FEEL great. So wear bootcuts too, but please don't give up on your skinnies just yet.

- Ruth makes a great point about feeling more grounded by adding boots to your skinnies. Perhaps that is how you can dip your toes into the look first. Or wear a long cardigan.

- Gaylene makes a great point about NOT feeling bad about trying a look and not liking it. (Although I love you in these skinnies).

Personally, I like it when pear shaped ladies accentuate their pear shape. It's a really eye-pleasing curve that is not wrong.

Anonymous

So just to be sure, you have a regular blue pair of skinnies in addition to this dyed burgundy pair? I just want to make sure it's the cut of the jeans that you're uncomfortable with and not the color. I had a bright pair of skinnies that just got consigned because I realized I don't want to wear bright color on the bottom. They definitely made me feel conspicuous! But I like my blue pair, which is not skin tight.

I hope we start to see some "slim straights" out there. Not quite as tight as a skinny but with a slim, tapered leg. Oh, wait a minute, I think I just described Mom jeans, lol!

JR

Veteran

It is really worth trying to wear those skinnies a few times. Sometimes we grow to love something that makes us uncomfortable the first time or two. I have done that so many times in my life, I will give almost anything a try. Almost. You do look really good in them, so at least you don't have to feel like you're making a fool of yourself. If you're still uncomfortable after several wearings, well, then it just isn't meant to be.

I haven't tried skinnies yet, but with my big calves, straight-leg probably amounts to the same thing. And I'm loving the sleeker feel of it.

KathyL

Veteran

I think you look great in the skinnies. I am a recent convert to skinnies, and I dipped my toes in by starting out with straight legs. I love mine paired with boots and a long cardigan. I agree with others about giving the look more of a chance because after a few tries, I was sold!

rachylou

Veteran

Hmm. They do fit great. But no, you're not getting the hourglass silhouette. The shoulder line is not (ETA) holding its own. I don't know if some kind of detailing or even some padding at the shoulders would bring them back into play.

Scarlet

Veteran

Astrid that first outfit is perfect! I like Angie's summary.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

You do look good in #1, it is more chic than #2. However I do understand your feeling, could it be that the bright color has something to do with it? I always feel more conspicuous when I am wearing snug, colored skinnies. As opposed to skinnies that are black, blue or gray.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Another one who loves them on you. Do you think it might be the brightness of the colour (compared to the darker denim of the boot-cut) rather than just the shape? Have you tried dark-wash denim skinnies?

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Merwoman! These pants were once bright pink and a present, I didn't buy them myself. I dyed them recently to a darker red because I hoped I would wear them more that way.

Thank you so much, Gaylene! You're so right, words of wisdom indeed. I agree that you should give everything a chance at least a few times. But it's also reassuring to remind myself that I don't have to like it just because other people do.

Thanks Victoria! I wouldn't have called bootcuts predictable either. I definitely like color on the bottom and can see myself wearing a red skirt just fine.

Thanks Sona! I will try them with boots when it's colder, promise. I won't give up on them yet. Maybe I will be more comfortable with them if I find the right combination to wear them with.

Thank you so much for your encouragement, Angie! I get what you're saying about pear-shaped ladies, but I don't feel it for myself with the skinnies. I agree that the pear shape can be eye-pleasing, but I'm feeling much more comfortable wearing a curve hugging pencil skirt than the skinnies for example. In the skirt you can see my curves too, but I'm not feeling like I'm all thighs like I do with the skinnies.

Thanks Claire! Yes, I have another pair that is blue midwash denim and I don't like wearing them either. Although the blue ones additionally have the drawback of awkwardly placed back pockets. LOL on the mom jeans! My cords and my black pants are straight legs and I like wearing them much better.

Thanks JR! You're right, I'm going to try them a few more times (with the forum's reassurance in mind) and if I won't get used to them it wasn't meant to be...

Thanks Kathy! I'll try them again, also with boots. I don't have a long cardigan. but maybe I'll find one in the stores to try it out.

Thanks Rachylou! I don't have any jacket with padded or embellished shoulders, but maybe I should start looking for one. My shoulders are narrow and also sloping, definitely smaller than my hips. To get the shoulders to fit right I normally need a size 36 on top (sometimes even a 34 but then the rest is too tight) and at least one size bigger in bottoms, if not sometimes two. I also often have problems with sliding bra straps because the straps are too wide apart for my shoulders.

Thanks Scarlet!

Thanks Denise! I feel similar about my denim skinnies, so I don't think it's the color, at least not completely.

Thanks Caro! The denim ones I have are fairly light, so I haven't tried dark wash skinnies yet.

rachylou

Veteran

I have sloping shoulders too. They are a bain! LOL. Straps always falling down - including purse straps.

It may be why I have such a love for cap and puff sleeves, now that I think about it.

12