Talk to me about the shape of jeans/trousers

[ZuleikaJambiere]

I'm pear shaped, with ridiculously short legs and a long body, which makes buying trousers, and especially jeans, a nightmare. So rather than torture myself, I wear skirts or dresses 95% of the time. However occasionally trousers just fit the bill a whole lot better, so hidden away in the back of my wardrobe I have a pair of wide leg trousers and a pair of boot cut jeans

Now I've read the threads and used my eyes, and I know boot cuts are frumpy/dated/whatever and I should be wearing skinnies, but I've tried on lots of pairs and I am not comfortable in them, don't bother trying to convince me otherwise!

On those rare occasions when I wear trousers, I prefer baggier bottom half, fitted top half, and I do like wide leg, sailor type trousers with a flat front, something like this, or these jeans, for example. But is this style a big, frumpy, no no, or can I stay in my comfort zone? And if it is acceptable, what to wear on top and on my feet?

Thank you, wise ladies

I keep thinking I should go and get some straight leg jeans (no way am I doing skinnies) to update the wardrobe, but my comfort zone is firmly bootcut. I can cope with straight(er) leg trousers as the fabrics are generally softer - bit more forgiving maybe?

Anyway, Dressipi says I should have straight leg trousers and bootcut jeans. They seem to be right about everything else they've suggested, so I'm trusting them for now.

I'd forgotten about Dressipi, I signed up ages ago so have just gone to have a look. It suggests slim fit trousers and skinny jeans, I'm really not convinced. Maybe I need to update my measurements in there, as they are pre DC2

I'm a pear shape too- the thing about skinny jeans is you need to wear a slightly longer top with them. I never wore skinny jeans until I was pregnant and then I lived in my skinny maternity jeans and long-ish maternity tops. When I got out my pre-pregnancy wardrobe again, my bootcut jeans just seemed so, well, boring. And not flattering!

I did get some supppsedly bootcut jeans from fatface recently that feel more like straight leg and are quite flattering.

I am 5ft3'' and long bodied/short legged so I feel your pain. I wore bootlegs for some time after knowing they were no longer fashionable because of their deceptive ability to make short legs look longer and would still do so with a pair of smart work trousers but even I have to accept that bootleg jeans really are a no-no now.

Now I wear skinny jeans with longish tops/tunics over the top so it's not completely obvious where my legs start or sometimes Boden capri trousers which are surprisingly flattering. Sometimes I wear the sort of wider trousers you're suggesting with a shorter, fitted top but would be wary of buying too wide which would just make me look dumpy. I would probably only buy wide legged trousers if I had the chance to try them on first, ie not online or mail order.

Now I think you've helped me work out my issue with skinnies, and I think it may be the need for a long top. IMO my waist is my best feature, I'm quite proud that I have one despite 2 DCs. But it is also the source of my pain, as it gives me the clingy bum, gapey waist problem with jeans (I'd describe myself as a size 13 on the hips and thighs an a size 11 round the waist). I don't like to lose it under tunics, so prefer a fitted top, which isn't a good look with skinnies unless you are skinny! Any chance a belted long top is a good look?

Hello - I'm also 5ft3, short-legged and long-backed which makes for very short legs! Also ancient and clueless.
I've been watching the skinny gap jeans thread with interest, but am sure they would be normal-length for me/us. Do you think we can get away with them and a tunic?
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/1534942-What-will-I-wear-with-my-new-skinny-autumn-jeans-on-my-feet
Sorry not to be helpful - hope someone with a clue comes along....

Im gutted that bootcuts are seen as so hideous, i love my bootcuts but i know i need to embrace change the really are so unfashionable now. Ive just went on that dressipi i dont think its very accurate though it says i can wear any style of jeans and recomends skinnies i think i look like thunder thighs in skinnies

Zuleika - as I'm prone to bloating I'm usually quite happy for a tunic to float over my waist but in my trimmer moments have been known to tie a belt loosely over a longer top (not tunic) and wear with skinnnies. I have no idea whether this would be considered fashionable or frumpy by those in the know but recommend trying it and seeing whether you like what you see in the mirror.

TMWOH - well it's lovely to meet another ancient shortarse petite! I'd been wondering about those gap jeans too but they are leggings really, aren't they which scares me further! If I had a Gap store near me I'd try them on but I'm not convinced enough by them to order online. I would be very interested to hear how you get on with them though if you do try them as we are apparently physical clones

I do have some green Next skinny jeans which look sort of similar and work well with long tops but less so with the tunics that I have.

everlast- The good news is that as soon as the very last person stops wearing bootlegs they'll become the cutting edge of fashion. I'm old enough to remember that happening with leggings and straight leg trousers last time around!

I'm sure leggings first-time round were thicker fabric. I see lovely young women (sound like my aged aunt) with wearing-out leggings on, which show their pants or lack of them. Can't imagine that look working for an aged crone.
I do think leggings suited my shape last time round, but I was skinner then
I am going to try the gap jeans... I'll let you know how I get on.

Wrote this somewhere else but still regularly see very stylish women on Pinterest wearing bootcuts and flares. If they suit you, wear them confidently. Make sure that the legs are long enough. Dark washes look more stylish. Google style blogs or join Pinterest to learn to accessorize and layer.

Here is a style board full of bootcut and flare looks. Much more stylish to dress your shape and feel confident that to wear something trendy that does not look right on you.

Seriously, gap are fab. I never have luck with jeans. I am 5' nothing, short legs, mahoosive thighs and a big bum, but again, a nice waist - which again, I am v pleased with after 2 DC! The lady in my local gap was beyond helpful and I can out with TWO pairs - a straight leg one and a 'sexy boyfriend' one - well actually I haven't got that one yet but I tried a 14 (huuuuge), pmsl when she gave me a 10 to try on, so am convinced the 12 will work. She wrote all the details on a bit of paper for me so I could order online (with option to take back to store if needed). DH was VERY and to find a note on my bedside table with the words 'sexy boyfriend' on....

I'm another pear shaped, short legged, long bodied person. I like the DP ultra stretch super skinny jeans but do need to wear them with a longer top and layer.

I like the Sexy Boyfriend, they're what I need for my holiday.

sounds good to me OP, stick with it.

I am pear shaped too, but find skinnies surprisingly flattering (DP skinnies are cut for women with hips) BTW.

peenut SNAP on the DP skinnies!

Can I join petitepear club too?

I love my clothes, fashion etc but at times it drives me mad. One minute pears should wear this, the next they should wear the complete opposite!

I have been reluctantly shoe horned by MN and my fav bloggers out of my beloved boot cuts ( but my Gap sexy boot cuts remain in wardrobe awaiting the second coming which, I predict, will be soon ladies...have you heard of the baby bootcuts?) and into skinny jeans.

The process has been gradual:

Step 1... Gap real straight jean in dark wash
Step 2....Next petite slim fit in a more washed look ( my ultimate fav...flattering, should have bought 2, wear them all the time)
Step 3..... Skinnies with tunics. Like op, although this is a "" safe" way of wearing skinnies for ladies like us, it hides a nice waist and shortens my already stumpy legs. I bought cheap skinnies because did not want to waste money on a look I wouldn't wear
step 4 skinnies with hip length more fitted top, blazer and heels for evening.

Now, although I feel more fashionable in skinnies, I know that boot cuts and wider leg trs with fitted tops make me look slimmer. Slim/ straight cut are a good compromise for me...I think they are more flattering than skinnies.

I really agree with DonaAna .........why on earth are we wearing clothes that really don't suit us and that we don't feel comfortable in? Bonkers really isn't it?

Boot cuts aren't frumpy or dated anymore.

Dark indigo slim at top and long enough. They can look great.

Agree marsha my thing is they need to really fit at the knee, hate baggy kneed boot cuts!

Bootcuts are on their way back, but anyway, what would you rather someone said about you?

A. She's really fashionable

Or

B. she's really stylish

I'll give you two examples fashionable and stylish

I know which I would rather emulate!

jennifer aniston does look fab there those jeans do look quite slim though, although dont know how old that picture is.

Ive been hearing bootcuts are on there way back for about 4 years now, and although they appear to be in the shops ive not really seen anyone wearing them, skinnies still seem to be the default for everyone

RHW looks fab here

Yy slim at knee DryWhite.

I'm short and pear shaped (large thighs and bum, chunk calves, titchy torso).

I keep trying on skinnies, but they just don't look good. If I wear a tunic or long top I look like I have no legs at all and my waist is gone.

I don't do the most exaggerated boot cut (you know, the ones that go in at the knee and then out again) but straight leg is sooo much better than skinnies. So I'm sticking to it. I don't care what fashion says.

The only thing that bothers me is that I need skinnies to do the jeans-plus-knee-boot look which is ideal for winter... may have to get some just for that purpose. The bulk of the boots helps balance out the thighs IMO.

I've been at my parents for a couple of days, and have come back to find loads of short-arse pear buddies - hi everyone! And how exciting to hear that boot cuts are coming back, for once I might be ahead of trends, or at least on trend, rather than a season or two out of date.

Gap jeans have been my most successful denim purchases in the past, so I think I'll take a trip there and see how I get on. I've looked on their website and they really do have a shape for everyone. Thanks for the tip, and for the DP skinnies recommendation too, I'll go and try some on.

I love that style board Dona, and Jennifer A looks amazing in that picture Amber, oh to look like that . I do share her birthday, but sadly not her thighs

at your note about 'sexy boyfriend' by your bed Woof

So if I'm going to stick with boot cuts and get a new, non baggy, pair - how do I dress to look stylish and not frumpy? Flat shoes or heels? Smart or casual tops?

Thank you ladies for making me feel confident about wearing trousers (although you'd all despair if you could see me in my ill fitting, ripped, stone washed gardening trousers I'm sporting today!)

Not sure how fashion forward I am but I have started wearing bootcuts nearly every day. Dark wash (hint: buy a packet of Dylon jeans blue - that's what I did), jeweled flats or pointy toed ballerinas. I pair with smartish or structured tops (check out Zara, their sale is still on); newest find there white linen mix tuxedo jacket. Felt smart enough to walk into Chanel wearing them

Gap do good quality jeans, DH swears by them - I wear 7FAM because it's perfect for my shape.

This is really, really worth a read (contains a massive discussion relating to jeans fit and how to locate flattering cuts, etc. Also many responses in comments to delight!

Here we are:

www.metafilter.com/118522/jeans-mostly-womens-fit-and-such