How to wear skinny jeans after a lifetime in bootcuts

[MandMand]

I'm 44, size 14 with a big bum and chunky thighs and calves. Bootcuts seem to balance this out more than slimmer cut jeans, but I know they're considered very "Mumsy" and unfashionable.

I want to try to wearing skinny jeans with ballerinas or Birkenstocks once the weather warms up, but how can I avoid looking ridiculous? Do I need to wear them with long tops or tunics that cover my bum?

[Bostin]

I wouldn't bother now. Stick with bootcuts or get some wide legs or flares.

[Robinkitty]

I'd be interested in other people's opinions also as I also have chunky thighs and a big bum. I live in skinny jeans as I find them more comfortable but I always wear a long cardigan which I think helps to streamline.

[Eatingcheeseontoast]

I'd say with longer tops - or with a shorter top with a longer vest top underneath.

You could try less skinny roll up type jeans with sandals or birkenstocks with flats as that can look good depending on how slender your ankles are.

I find that Birkenstock with skinnies look clunky on me - but work OK with wide cut linen trousers - not helpful sorry!

[KatyS36]

I am you!
Except last year I had a personal shopping session in John Lewis based around jeans.
Levi straight leg in lone wolf solve all for me, especially teamed with a longer looser top that are now becoming more popular.
Katy

[Floisme]

Skinnies with a bum covering tunic is the worst possible look for me because the tunic always end smack at the widest point of my thighs.

When I first switched to skinnies I wore with a knee or just above the knee dress - much derided on here but works for me.
Or an ultra long (i.e knee length) open cardigan.
Or with a shorter top with a bit of detail to draw the eye away from my thighs - skinnies plus stripey Tee is a staple on here for a good reason.
These days I don't worry too much cos skinnies are so widespread I really don't think anyone's looking any more.

If you really don't like them, there are other styles around and I wouldn't throw your boot cuts out just yet - a big change in jeans always takes ages to happen but they'll be back sooner or later.

[daisydalrymple]

Slim cut straight leg might be more forgiving for the summer. I'm a 10/12, but have chunky calves and not slender ankles, and I find skinnies with sandals just look wrong, but with slim cut look fine.

Skinnies with boots are ok on me as it balances out the leg/ankle issue

[silkpyjamasallday]

Well all the fashion magazines/blogs I read are hailing the return of the boot cut as trendy! Maybe rather than a skinny jean try a kick flare, very flattering and more similar to a boot cut jean. A tunic over jeans will look much frumpier than boot cut jeans, a normal length top and a long cardigan would look better.

[Widehorizen]

I think skinnies are on the way out - I won't be replacing my current ones when they wear out.

Boyfriend/girlfriend are much more relaxed fit and surprisingly flattering.

[Corialanusburt]

Try Oasis. They're flattering and a bit stretchy.

[UnaOfStormhold]

I think I look far better if I dress for my shape rather than trying to go with fashions that don't suit me. As an hourglass with small ankles I look ridiculous in skinnies unless I wear them with high boots!

[Widehorizen]

The trouble with ignoring fashion and 'dressing for your shape' is that it becomes so easy to slip into frumpiness.

... Also, doesn't it seriously limit what you can buy in the shops?

[Semaphorically]

Don't do skinnies, do slim cut straight leg. Much more flattering.

[Zxyzoey31]

I only got some skinnies last year. TBH you just get used to the look, everyone else with terrible legs/bum/hips/tummy wears them and I think they are pretty unforgiving on almost everyone but as everyone wears them, you just look the same.
If you are pear shape don't wear a long top because you will just be hiding the thin part of you. I wear a slim fitting top (remarkably hard to find these days too) with mine and just accept that my hips look wide because they are wide.
Don't throw the bootcuts out as they well be coming back (please)

[celeryisnotasuperfood]

Sorry for the mild derail...
katy can I ask about your john lewis experience - sounds like what I need for some new jeans as i hate jeans shopping and no idea what shape i am and where to start...
Do you have to pay? Was there a good range of shapes to try? How long did it take? Thanks

[NevermetaGilesIlike]

I like the cropped flared/bootcut jeans as they are much more flattering than full length ones and show off thin ankles/great shoes.

Also have recently bought high waisted slim cuts which I roll up which balance things out nicely.

I am keeping my skinnies for boots weather though.

[Pottedplants]

I am hoping to see the end of skinny jeans soon.. They don't do anything for me. I recently bought flares so will see how they work out. I tried out the bootcuts I had before buying new ones but they looked really old fashioned. I'm not convinced you can still wear the older version of a particular style without looking frumpy. That is my own experience anyway.

I agree though that if you can avoid skinny jeans do. My trouble is up until recently there was very little alternative.

[AgathaMystery]

No you don't pay for JL personal shopper. You just book it & tell them beforehand what you're looking for and what size you are.

I tried on loads of jeans and ended up with very slight bootcut Levi's too.

[MandMand]

Nevermeta, where did you get your high waisted slim cuts please? It sounds like slim cut straight legs might me the way for me to go, rather than skinnies.

I'm reasonably tall (5 ft 8) and usually buy longer length bootcuts, but should slimmer leg jeans always finish or be rolled up at the ankle? Clueless.

[Friday999]

I find relaxed skinnies are a good compromise, and are surprisingly flattering.

[Oblomov17]

I too think skinnies are on their way out.

Last week I had my booked JL free session, for work trousers 👖 and after my 1 hour, bought the slim fit black trousers.

No pressure to buy, but i did, because it is a nightmare finding ANY trousers for a 14, hourglass, with thunder thighs and cankles.

Can't wait to see the back of skinnies.

JL = Fab. Highly recommend it.

[AteRiri]

I am so tired of skinny jeans. I have a bigger upper body so I look like a popsicle on skinnies. I'd love flares to come back - I remember in early 2000s they made my legs look even longer.

[elektrawoman]

I am the same! In my 40s, size 14 with a big bum and thighs, although my ankles are quite slim. I resorted to skinny jeans over the winter because anything else seemed to look frumpy, and if you balance them out with winter boots and a thick winter jumper / coat then they look quite nice.

However spring/summer is a different issue - I just don't think the skinnies will look right with flats / pumps. I am worried my legs will look like parsnips....
I like high waisted jeans so I don't get a muffin top!

[Fairylea]

Shops are full of wide leg jeans now. Next have some lovely cropped but long wide legs which are perfect for summer. I am ditching the skinnies!

[Theycalledmethewildrose]

Fairy have you seen any full length ones? I can only find wide leg cropped trousers and am desperately seeking full lengths.

[NevermetaGilesIlike]

Mand I bought mine from Next clearance. They are the enhancer mid blue slim leg ones and were £14. Best to look early in the morning as they restock it online then.