AIBU Jeans just don't look good...

[EdithGrantham]

Unless you're skinny/tall/wear heels with them or constantly stand in the pose every woman wearing jeans on Google with one leg in front of the other.

I'm 5'4, size 12 with a small waist but bigger tummy and hips and I think the last time I really looked good in jeans was in my teens when I was much skinnier and wore skinny flares. I am about ready to give up on jeans altogether.

YANBU: jeans are awful on all but the select few
YABU: jeans can look amazing and I'll give you the magic secret

With the best will: this is your insecurity about your body and your internalised ideas about what bodies 'should' look like, not objective fact.

The secret to looking great in jeans is:

1. Pick a pair that fits properly
2. Decide you look great in them

It's that simple.

Have a follow of Mollie Campsie on Instagram or just nosy at her page in a browser if you don't have the app. She does great style tips and she's not standard-model-skinny - think she's a 16 (and looks incredible in jeans!).

I think you've got a warped perception of what looks 'good'. Trying to look as small as possible isn't synonymous with looking chic or having interesting style. If you don't feel that jeans suit you then don't wear them, but I see plenty of women of a variety of body sizes who look great in them.

Jeans and heels however is generally not a good idea, if the jeans are slim/skinny then it creates a narrowness in the foot and ankle which makes a contrast with the width of your thigh, which makes your legs into a sort of W shape. But it's 2021, I don't think anyone who cares about fashion is still wearing skinny jeans with heels!

I'm 5ft1 and live in jeans and flats.

. I normally buy uniqlos cropped jean/jeggings which are full length on me and suit my body shape (skinny legs, apple belly).

YABU - you need to find the right colour, fit and cut for your shape. As a PP said, they are just trousers!

Well there are so many different types of jeans. There is a pair to suit everyone.

Personally I don't like heels. Awkward and uncomfortable.

I think that a big part of looking good is a lot about confidence, being comfortable and wearing clothes that are a good fit.

I've seen larger size women in mom jeans with a nice top and trainers and I personally thought that they looked great.

Fashion is so forgiving too these days.

I'm guessing you don't have a jeans problem you have a top problem. Play around with different tops to check length, baggy vs slim, weights and textures. You'll find a combination that works. Personally I love long boot cuts with a white cotton shirt or girlfriend jeans with a jumper or sweater shirt. I think I look awful in anything tucked or half tucked, and not in the summer with strappy vests.

I looked great in jeans as a young woman (twenty years ago). But they were different Jeans to what I’d wear now. I certainly don’t have the lovely bum I once had anymore, sadly...
But, jeans aren’t what they used to be. Skinny jeans with elastane can br terribly unflattering, whatever your age. They’re just not made well. Before elastane, one had to fit the jeans, not the other way around...
Having said that, I saw a young girl (early twenties) in flesh coloured cycling shorts yesterday. Looked like she was naked from the waist down. Is this a Kim Kardashian thing? (Skims) I looked at her, and thought, whatever happened to jeans?

@thecatsthecats

Secret option three: I think I look great in jeans, but since I'm not skinny, don't wear heels, or pose, and you effectively just said that you think I look shit in them, I'm not feeling massive good will to share my secret.

Posts like these get on my tits.

I bet you look absolutely fine.

I agree with you though. I think the OP implies (maybe unintentionally, I don't know) that lots of people who don't have perfect figures look shit in jeans.

I don't think that is true. I think jeans are pretty universal and look fine on most people. They are comfortable and practical too.

I am short and overweight (which I am trying hard but not yet successfully to tackle). I live in jeans and really don't care anymore what others think. I often have to roll the ends of the legs up a few inches because leg length is a problem for short-arses like me.

So, I think jeans are great. Everyone should have some.

Oh, and I never wear high heels anymore as I am a danger to myself and everyone else in them. Always trainers.

With a small waist and big hips, high-waisted wide-legged jeans can look really good.

I have your exact shape and I feel amazing in jeans.

I think jeans suit absolutely everyone, especially straight or slim leg jeans.

@housemaus

With the best will: this is your insecurity about your body and your internalised ideas about what bodies 'should' look like, not objective fact.

The secret to looking great in jeans is:

1. Pick a pair that fits properly
2. Decide you look great in them

It's that simple.

I disagree.

I'm very top heavy (big breasts with small hips/bum). Some clothes just don't look good on me. I have the option to care about it or not, sure! But I prefer when I look in the mirror and my body looks more proportional.

I used to wear bikini that tidied at the hip and was taken aback when I tried a pair that was wide at the hip!!!! The extra fabric balanced all the fabric at the top and made it look better!! Clothes have the ability to shape your body as much as a haircut or sunglasses shape your face

Op I agree. I look shite in jeans. Have done since I started putting on weight. And no, I’m not trying to fit into the same ones, I’m buying bigger ones.
Bet you didn’t think you’d have poked the wasps nest with your post though. I don’t get why some people actively look
For ways to be offended where clearly there was no intent to offend. Every day must be torture for some folk!

I think certain styles suit certain body shapes, eg skinny jeans and long boots on tall slim women, or baggy jeans with the cuffs rolled up on shorter women.

I don’t think they’re flattering on most people. Especially tight jeans that show every bulge or high waisted that sag on the seat.

They also look scruffy unless dark plain denim eg indigo or black.

I’m not sure why people choose jeans over well fitting jeggings or jersey trousers.

Actual proper demin jeans do not look good on me, I've never found the right pair/fit because I think my tummy is too pregnant looking for them to sit right and I don't want the waist band to sit below my belly.

Jeggings are my friend, I feel far more comfortable and confident in them with longish tops to cover my belly.

I can’t think of a body type that wouldn’t look good in them, but obviously for some people there will be things that are more flattering.

But at a size 12 I can’t see that you’d be having huge trouble. Google around for what people of your body shape say works for them, and if you can afford to, get lots to try. You could also start w m and S which has a big affordable selection including ones that suck your tummy in

I'm less than 5ft, and quite straight up and down- small boobs, no waist, small hips. I wear skinny or slim fit jeans nearly all the time.
I think they are quite flattering for me but I'm aware I am not stylish, I just choose things that I think suit me. Dresses are often difficult because I am small of bust and fat of waist (As well as super short!)
My only other everyday options are a denim pinafore or a-line skirts finishing just above the knee, with a fitted jumper. I saw a nice animal print skirt in a charity shop yday but teenage daughter was appalled I was considering it I'm hoping it's still there tomorrow and I can get it when she's not there

I think jeans can look great on anyone and I think the 'secret' is finding the right length. I'm a size 18 and 5ft so if I buy any old pair I have lots of excess material bunched at the bottom and that looks awful but a pair that fit right to ankle will look fab

Ive just bought a pair of grey washed jeggings from M&S (I NEVER buy stuff from M&S!) on the back of one of the s&b threads and they're great - £15 too, bargain! I'm 5"8 and a size 12 and I feel good in them - that's all that matters. I wanted to wear something a bit smarter than running leggings but still comfy.

And for what it's worth Ive never looked at anyone and thought "oh, she looks awful in those jeans" ??
They're just....jeans!

Jeans look great on. My issue is that I can't wear them because I find them restrictive and uncomfortable!

That said , I do think that finding the perfect pair of jeans can be tricky. Once you find your pair , just keep buying them.

Worst crime is that they are so boring. Every time I choose to wear jeans I am not wearing colour and I feel so dowdy and dry. Each to their own though!

@LittleGwyneth I'm not eying to look as small as possible I am quite happy with my body shape actually but feel that the majority of the time I put jeans or trousers on it actually disguises my body shape.

I think I perhaps didn't choose the best phrasing in my OP (and made the mistake of posting in AIBU instead of Style and Beauty but I wanted the traffic!) I would try and clarify that I'm not bashing anyone who isn't skinny but I know whatever I say now won't change the perception of what I said originally.

I'll have a play around with tops, as maybe that is the issue and I'm blaming the jeans!

I keep coming back to them as they are practical. Denim isn't so much warmer as more windproof than other materials I find. Maybe I should move somewhere less breezy.