Could you do a post on skinny jeans? They are in all of the shops right now and I’m not sure if I can wear them. Thanks.
How to Wear them For Your Body Shape
Skinny Jeans have been the trend jean for a few years now and they don’t look like they’re going anywhere fast. So how to wear them to flatter your body shape?
One of the benefits of skinny jeans is that they make your legs look longer – if you want to further elongate your legs, use a column of colour, wear a wedge or high heel, tone shoes to jeans (or go slightly darker).
Worried about them highlighting your hips? Here I use a column of colour to elongate and then a long-line cardi to skim past my butt.
The trick with wearing any garment is to think about balancing your body – if you are wide somewhere, then balance the narrower part with something that makes you look a little wider there – it’s like balancing two triangles on each other at the pointy end. Wider shoulders, then add some width at the hips or knees. Wider hips, add width at the shoulders and/or the ankles.
I shape
They suit you and your straighter shape. Want to have more curve? Wear a jacket that ends around your hip bone. Jackets with peplums will also give you the illusion of curve, as will distressing around the hip area.
H shape
You can wear longer tunic tops, or shorter tops that end around your high hip area, but never tucked in around the waist as it will make you look boxy.
A shape
You may feel that this jean over emphasises your hips and thighs – if so, wear them with a longer tunic top that’s belted at your waist to show off your slim feature.
8 shape
Make sure your tops come in at the waist – peplum jackets are perfect for you to wear with a skinny jean. Make sure the jacket ends no higher than your high hip, preferably a little longer to bypass your widest point.
V shape
Rock the skinny jeans with boots or a tunic top.
X shape
Highlight your waist, balance with boots or a wedge. Avoid ending tops at the upper thigh, end them at the high hip or waist.
O shape
Wear a tunic top that skims, and highlight your slim legs with these jeans. Skinny jeans are ideal as they are the slim garment that goes with your more voluminous tops.
Shoes
Knee high boots are made for skinny jeans, the boot will balance the hips. Ankle boots will also work, as will ballet flats or even not-too-chunky wedges.
What do you find works best with your skinny jeans?
Further reading about How to wear jeans
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this! I picked up a pair of skinny jeans a few months ago, but hadn’t quite figured out the formula for my H shape. Now I know…knee boots! (slaps forehead)
Thanks Pseu – often the most obvious thing can be hiding from our sight!
Very informative as usual!
Hello Imogen
I’ve only recently discovered your blog and it’s been very informative looking at your advice.
I think I’m an “X” shape and for years I avoided jeans altogether. Your previous analysis of X shapes conforms with what I had discovered myself through experience: the jeans which look best on me are a relaxed bootleg, often described as a “trouser” or wide leg (ie, falling straight from thigh, not flaring at the knee). My favourites are by JAG. I wear them with tops that stop at the waist or hip bone.
I’ve never found a pair of skinny jeans that work for me. Both skinny jeans and a true bootleg emphasise my muscly quads (thighs). Plus the skinny jeans then also show that my calves are quite large.
I’ve given up going with the trend of the skinny jean. Thankfully, retro wide legs are making a bit of a come back!
As a O shape I haven’t worn skinny jeans in a long time. Nice to know I could if I wanted to. I have lots of long tunic tops and not short of accessories. Love the pic with the red shoes. I think I might try a pair of skinny jeans one day soon. Great advice!
After looking through all your body shapes and taking my own picture, I have figured out that I “think” I’m an X shape! But, I have enormous calves. I always have. So, I have to buy “extended calf” boots and can barely fit them over my calves, let alone over pants too! But, I’m glad you mentioned using wedges because that’s my go-to shoe!
Becky B.
I’d love it if you addressed two questions that have been floating around in my brain:
1. If a person doesn’t look good in a short skirt, because their legs aren’t great, why would wearing leggings or skinny jeans be a good idea?
2. If a knee-length skirt is the best choice for older women (certainly it always has been for me, just covering the knee) then why are pants that length not considered flattering? What is the difference?
Thanks for all your wonderful tips!
I am an X shape, but I would feel much more comfortable doing the A or 8 look than your picture for the X !
Ditto. I’m an X and I like the A/8 and H looks better than the one for X. Might be a question of style more than shape.
Absolutely X shapes can wear the outfit I’ve put together for the A or 8 Shape – many similarities in these body shapes.