Why I’m Not Wearing Skinny Jeans Anymore

Erwin (my kitty) was somewhat successful at making an appearance.

Erwin (my kitty) was somewhat successful at making an appearance.

Let there be leg freedom everywhere.

Maybe I’m a little late to the party with this post, but to be fair I’ve been wanting to write about my progression into alternative styles of denim for quite some time. Humor me for just a moment and let’s go back in time to fall of 2017, I was working at a clothing retail store at the time which allowed me to be exposed to changing styles/trends as they were being tested in the market. This is around the same time I noticed a shift begin to happen. It started with the rise in popularity of the boyfriend jean and this was my first real taste of leg freedom! This style was known for its heavier weight denim feel with less stretch, had a low to mid-waist rise and had a relaxed fit through the waist and hips with a tapered leg and cropped length. I loved pairing my distressed boyfriend jeans with a zip-up hoodie and oversized blazer thrown over the top, ugh what a great moment! There were a few other styles available with limited options (the girlfriend jean is another), but at that time most brands still had skinny jeans front and center in their marketing and offered them in a multitude of rise, fabric, sizing and color options.

I’ve been experimenting with varied styles and silhouettes for most of my life, but for a large portion of my coming of age years up until the present, skinny jeans have remained in the forefront of choices for denim. I still own one pair of skinnies. They were my very favorite pair of denim for three years strong and although I haven’t worn them in over a year, I find it difficult to declutter them. These jeans still fit me perfectly and show no obvious signs of wear, so why aren’t I reaching for them anymore?

  1. Comfort

    Skinny jeans are not comfortable. Flat out. How did I manage to wear them for over a decade? Clearly years of cutting off circulation to my lower half had me making some very questionable decisions. Although over time I grew to find skinny jeans to be too fitted in the leg for my comfort level, there were some aspects I enjoyed. I appreciated the higher rise most brands had adopted as well as the stretchy fabric which allowed for ease of movement. Not until I had a viable style alternative did I realize just how much anguish I felt trying to stuff my legs into a pair of skinnies. Now that the fashion industry has re-introduced competitive alternatives to the skinny, brands are offering a wider range of style options. An increased number of options ultimately means you and I have a greater chance of finding an excellent fitting pair of denim to complement our unique bodies. My legs have experienced a glimpse of a better life and there’s no going back.

  2. Freshen my look

    I liked the way I looked in skinny jeans, it’s true. I have many fond memories of going out to a restaurant or bar while showing off my form flattering skinnies and feeling invincible. Little did I know my relationship with skinny jeans was not. As I experimented with different styles outside the realm of skinny I started to appreciate other options for their ability to stand out amongst the crowd. I found that I could easily elevate my look by going for a slim fit, straight fit or my most recent obsession, a wide leg. Unlike skinny jeans not every curve is on full display, but these styles feel both refreshing and timeless. I admit it took me some time to get used to a wider silhouette, but once I embraced it, and really owned the look I was much happier with my style overall.

A slim fit jean is a great way to subtly transition from skinny jeans to other styles of denim if you’re interested in dipping a toe in the water. I would describe slim styles as offering some stretch, fits snugly through the waist, hip and thigh like skinnies, but where they differ is the lower leg. Typically beginning somewhere near the knee the pant widens subtly into a slim-straight leg. I like to pair my slim fit denim with loafers, Converse as well as my black suede ankle boots during cooler months. I think skinny jeans have a tendency to make my legs look like toothpicks sticking out of a sack of potatoes so I appreciate that little bit of head-to-toe balance that slim styles provide. This light wash, distressed pair I’ve had for 3 years or so and have gotten many wears out of them. They were one of the first releases of Gap’s High Rise Cigarette Jean.

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I think the straight jean is the epitome of effortless, California cool girl style. This silhouette is still relatively fitted through the waist and hip, but begins to loosen through the lower thigh into a true straight leg opening. Commonly, this style can be found in a heavier weight denim with little to no stretch much like the jeans synonymous with the 80’s and 90’s. I like to wear mine cuffed near the ankle and paired with my Birkenstock sandals or with my trusty Converse for a truly easygoing Ocean Beach, San Francisco vibe. This washed black pair are my current fave from Imogene + Willie, the Sophie Jackson.

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I have been loving the look of wide leg denim for it’s ability to make me feel positively elegant while still keeping in tune with my preferred casual style. With a trouser fit pair of denim I get the best of both worlds: the laid-back appeal of a pair of jeans combined with the sophistication of a wide leg dress pant. What more could I want? They are fitted in the waist, relaxed through the hips, then drape down the thigh into a slightly wider than straight, trouser leg. My dearest Imogene + Willie always make me feel like a movie star. These are the Catherine Natural Selvage. I’ve been wearing mine cuffed, but I’m considering a shorter hem for a more permanent cropped look. What do you think?

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What styles other than skinnies are you into? Or are you a skinny jean 4-lifer? There’s no shame in vowing loyalty to one particular style! Should I keep or declutter my last pair of skinny jeans?

Now that we’re heading into the warmer months in Ohio it has been my mission to find a couple pieces that will help me withstand the humidity and heat, but also elevate my summer style beyond a pair of denim shorts. My plan is to try and thrift my way to a hot girl summer, I’ll keep you posted…

Until next time. Thanks for reading.

Chance of Showers




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Thrifting My Way To A Hot Girl Summer

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Shopping Without A Cause