I don't think I like skinny jeans

[saladsmoothie]

I've been stalking the S&B boards recently. I've lost a lot of weight and am working out my new style. Have had some fab suggestions, and am making a start.

Gospel seems to be that skinny jeans are an absolute must.

I'm not sure. They don't seem flattering. I feel self conscious in them. They're not comfy. I like the look of boyfriend jeans, or maybe bootcut. We don't have many shops where I live so I can't go out and try on hundreds.

(Now I know that obvs if I don't want to wear them I don't have to)

But have I tried the wrong ones on? Should I persevere? I'm asking as a tentative trying-to-be-stylish newby.

[saladsmoothie]

If it helps, I'm 5'4, size 8/10, athletic build, sturdy legs.

[Lessthanaballpark]

Go for what makes you comfy OP. Personally I love bootcut and skinny jeans are just too restrictive.

[Bluntness100]

Taste is a personal thing as are our shapes and what suits us, there is no such thing as a must so just buy what suits you and that you like.

I live in skinnies, but I'm the only one of my friends who wear them, I'm 47, my friends wear straight or boot cut. I've long legs though and they are the slimmest part of me, so they work for me. Everyone is different.

[Fabellini]

It might well be that they're not for you...and that's absolutely fine! It's just that for most people, they're easy to wear, make your legs look slimmer, go with loads of tops, tuck nicely into boots...etc
I'd try loads and loads on, from loads of different places, before you discount them completely.
My personal favourites are the "Leigh" skinnies from Top Shop. They're very stretchy, and extremely soft - however I do have one pair that are the coated kind, I wear them more for going out than everyday, and they're not nearly as comfy....so even within styles, there are variations.
Boyfriends are my second favourite, and I've a couple of pairs from Hush...tend to keep them for summer though, as they look better rolled up a bit, with trainers and bare ankles
Boot cut jeans make me look at least two sizes bigger than I am, and a couple of inches shorter....being only 5'3" anyway, that's not ideal for me.

[Floisme]

I'm bored with skinnies and I loathe the current skin tight look. But I can't deny they're very practical in the uk climate and at the moment, I'm compromising by wearing skinnies from around 8-10 years ago. They were still quite relaxed in the leg at that point and much more flattering on me. If you don't have any old ones there are loads in the charity shops, although you have to watch out for comedy low waistlines. Or you could try girlfriends which are pretty much the same shape.

[EggsEleven]

I like skinnies but it depends what I wear on my feet. Bootcut make my hips and thighs look bigger than they are. I like straight cut and boyfriend jeans too. Go with whatever you feelsuits you best. I hate shopping for jeans though

[Swimminguphill]

Hi saladsmoothie! I think wider legs are more 'fashion forward' these days and skinnies are more comfy wardrobe staple than risky purchase, which is why I recommended you try them. I only wear ones that are soft and stretchy not the ones that actually feel like jeans. They let you play around with big oversized jumpers and shirts, longer going out tops, tunics and dresses on top so they are quite versatile. But there are so many trouser options out there: flare (I am tall and do love these), wide leg, cropped wide leg, culottes, peg leg, boy friend, girl friend, mom jeans etc etc. These can require more confident styling in some cars but might be the very thing for you. Although I think some of their clothes are dubious quality I love the way Hush style their trousers and they do a few silhouettes so perhaps take some inspiration there? Also Uniqlo have some interesting trousers sometimes. Or maybe have a look at Pinterest using different trouser shapes as key words for styling ideas?

[HickDead]

I have a real love/hate relationship with skinnies. I find straight leg jeans to be a bit of a compromise and they're much more flattering if you have sturdy legs as they don't accentuate them the way skinnies do. I swear by Gap real straight jeans or Tu at Sainsbury's straight leg jeans, both really good fit on me. Try on few different styles before you settle on a pair.

[user1471545174]

Also wearing 10-15 year old trousers and waiting for this painful, unflattering trend to die.

[LadyOfTheCanyon]

If you don't like them then you just don't, no point in fretting over it. Is it that
they don't look/ feel good on you or that you don't like the look of them style wise? Slim or straight leg jeans can be much more flattering for a lot of people.
I'm 5'4 and a size 16 and I actually look best in skinnies as my legs are in proportion with the rest of me and aren't too chunky. I can tuck them into boots and wear longer length tops over the disaster area that is my tummy without worrying that I've got more fabric elsewhere making me look bigger.
Bootcut just make my calves look the same size as my thighs which is not a good look for me - skinnies at least show the natural taper of your legs but they do take a bit of getting used to. As everyone's shape is different I'm afraid the best thing ( although not most practical, I appreciate that) is to get thee to a big department store and try on EVERYTHING. It's the only way, unfortunately. But at least you could start with the styles you prefer the look of.

[Judydreamsofhorses]

I like skinnies at this time of year - I tend to wear high waisted ones with boxy, slightly cropped jumpers and boots. In summer, I ignore them completely and go for peg leg, high waisted jeans with tucked in tops and bare ankles, trainers or sandals. This summer I might investigate a cropped kick flare if they are still a thing.

[Anothermoomin]

Skinnies look good on about 6% of the population. Male or female.

I am not in that 6%.

[JayzuzMaryJoseph]

I like skinnies and own quite a few pairs, but a slim/straight fit is more flattering on me I find (tall hourglass).

I don't buy into jean trends too much. Just wear what fits well and makes you feel good.

[MabelTheCow]

I HATE skinny jeans. I have legs like an elephant but am curvy everywhere else. They do NOT look good. Sadly maternity wear gods have deemed they are the only cut of jeans to make into maternity fits

[BagelGoesWalking]

On don't like skinny jeans either. I don't think they compliment 90% of people who wear them. Make legs look like sausages stuffed too tight and make the thigh/arse look too big (I'm not in the camp which admired huge behinds).

Like Hick I find the Sainsbury's straight leg jeans a really good fit and length for me. I'm 5' 9" so their longer length is perfect on me. I wear Clarks Orinoco ankle boots most of the time so I don't have the jeans-tucked-in-jeans dilemma.

[AllPizzasGreatAndSmall]

I'm a very similar size and build to you and have just bought Gap True Skinny jeans after searching for ages for comfortable, flattering jeans to replace my old skinnies. They are soft, proper denim with some stretch and skinny without looking like leggings.

[ErrolTheDragon]

Skinny jeans look good on a few women, ok on quite a few and various degrees of crap on the rest, including me - sturdy of leg. I find slim leg much better. There are so many styles of jeans around, its best to go with the ones that suit you rather than being a fashion victim.

[jeaux90]

Have a look at Indi and cold. (Although now is a bad time as they are still on clearance) they do a great range of jeans and pants which are a little bit in between the skinny and normal jeans. I have about 8 pairs of the jeans in different colours (the ones with the side zips at pocket level)

[BikeRunSki]

Skinnies don't do my bottom heavy shape any favours, but they are very practical for work (spend a lot of time in wellies). I prefer straight leg, but they are tricky to find (I hate the Gap "Real Straight" style which often comes up on jeans threads).

[saladsmoothie]

Wow - so many helpful replies!! Thank you everyone. This is awesome. Glad to see I'm not alone in finding the skinnies unflattering, but the people who pointed out that different styles work for different people are of course right.

I don't have access to most of the shops mentioned but we do have Gap so I'm going to bite the bullet and go and have a try-on session there.

I think high waisted might be a good style for me - I have loose skin on my belly that I can't tone up no matter what.

I'm going to remain open minded and try skinnies and others too and I'll report back.

I think part of the problem is that when I wear clothes that accentuate my new figure I feel a bit show-off-y.

And also comfort is hugely important to me. I know that if it's not comfortable I just won't wear it.

[saladsmoothie]

Skinnies - not a good look on me :/

[saladsmoothie]

Can't really tell whether i prefer the true straight or the girlfriend. Think true straight better...

But now I've seen there are also slim straight... argh this is hard and also boring.

[TanteJeanne]

Both the darker pairs look fab. The darkest perhaps a bit short for cold weather??? But fab!

[AllTheBabies]

I like the dark ones better. The lighter ones look a bit like baggy skinny jeans. Maybe they would be better rolled up a bit.

I'm taller than you but a similar shape. Skinny jeans don't work on me either. It's annoying!

[humanfemale]

I really like the darker, slightly cropped pair! Are they the girlfriend ones? Might try some on if so..

OP your proportions look similar to mine - you have a long slim torso, so for that reason high waisted (or high-ish) would be flattering, with your top slightly tucked in or just shorter, ending near the top of your jeans.

When I was looking at the photos I was struck by how much more flattering the last 2 pairs of jeans were because your tshirt wasn't pulled down. So it's like you want to maximise the leg/jeans section of your body, and keep the top half as 'short' or close to your natural waist as you can. Belting dresses and longer tops on the natural waist also helps with this, I find...