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Original poster

Help with jeans style (warning - unflattering pictures inside)

37 replies

Inneedofstyle · 19/04/2015 18:02

Hello

I'm a regular, although not on these boards as I'm neither stylish or beautiful. I look at Pinterest and fashion bloggers with a revered sense of awe but clothes don't look good on me.

It doesn't help that I'm quite overweight at the moment so I know task one is to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight and size (shamefully my DD is 2.5).

I've not brought any jeans for over four years and I'm in desperate need. My current, single pair of jeans (Next bootleg) are now very thin in the thigh and very frayed at the bottom.

I've tried on for the first time ever some skinny jeans from GAP (cement grey and pale blue) as well as an indigo pair of bootleg jeans. Pictures attached.

I'm 5"4 but long in body, short in leg. Fairly apple shaped and currently between a 14/16. The jeans pictured are all 14 and on the tight side but I am pretty determined to lose weight.

I have huge calves which I hate and even when I was a size 10 I looked ridiculous as they were exactly the same as they are now. They are very muscular and I've no idea what can be done about them.

Anyway, do all the attached look awful? I think they probably do and I don't think I can be a skinny jeans person.

What styles / brands would you suggest for me? I don't mind paying up to £50 for good ones but as I'm hopefully shrinking I would prefer cheaper for now and I'll splash out when I'm at target.

Help with jeans style (warning - unflattering pictures inside)

OP posts:

mirpuppet · 19/04/2015 18:10

You are being hard on yourself.

Quite frankly they all look fine. (I slightly prefer the first ones).

Wizards will be on to tell you the best style to go for -- but honestly you look FINE!

Hannahouse · 19/04/2015 18:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FrugalFashionista · 19/04/2015 18:20

Nothing wrong with your body. I think you could massively improve all pairs by hemming them a bit or going for a type that has a shorter inseam (these generally vary between 28" and 34", it is not always given but I would start with the shortest ones). The bunching makes them look a bit off. And perhaps a different, simpler shoe would balance them better. The middle pair is my favorite, the fading adds visual interest and I actually think your calves are beautiful.

whattheseithakasmean · 19/04/2015 18:23

You are being hard on yourself - you look pretty good in all the jeans. I think your frumpy shoes are letting you down. A different shoe/boot & you would look good in all of them - I liked the grey ones best.

Koalafications · 19/04/2015 18:24

I think all of the styles would look good, if they were a little bit shorter.

I also think you should pair them with some different shoes. Those trainers are making your legs look shorter you should wear something to elongate your legs.

sleepwhenidie · 19/04/2015 18:25

Darker wash definitely. So pair no3 (or something darker but more worn looking if you want a bit more summery) but I would look around for some with a slightly smaller flare (yes I know flares are in but IMO you really need to go for it properly if you are doing it). Have you tried any boyfriend/slim boyfriend, slightly cropped styles on? They should be roomier on the calves and may (or may not give the illusion of longer legs? Also nice for summer.

I don't know if you are near a Selfridges but their denim bar is truly fantastic, the staff will know what should work for you and will keep bringing you options to try. You don't have to buy but I'd bet you find your perfect pair that way.

Most important though - change the shoes - they are very unflattering (sorry)

FrameyMcFrame · 19/04/2015 18:28

they look nice, your legs look shapely.
Don't like the dark ones though.

iwantgin · 19/04/2015 18:30

I too think they look okay. Maybe a couple of tweaks to colour and fit.
My calves are chunky so find that truly skinny jeans look too tight. I buy straight legs which look better.

Runningupthathill82 · 19/04/2015 18:30

I am also short of leg, so also fall foul of the calf-bunching.

If I were you I'd go for a darker jean in a straight leg rather than a skinny fit, and some more flattering shoes.

If the shoes you're wearing in the pix are very comfortable, they might work better with a boyfriend jean?

Original poster

Inneedofstyle · 19/04/2015 18:39

Thank you for being gentle with me! I really expected everyone to tell me to forget jeans all together!

The shoes are very comfy Sketchers Air that I mainly wear in the house and garden - in the summer I wear sandels and in the winter I wear boots but could do with new inbetween season footwear - I never know what though! I grabbed them when I asked DH to take the photos to hide an identifying mark on my foot!

I'll try ordering some darker jeans in both straight and skinny and in short not regular and report back!

OP posts:

JaniceJoplin · 19/04/2015 18:40

Another option might be to pull them down and turn them up ? Looks nice with a heel / wedge. I do think you need a shorter fit and possibly a tighter one ?

pnutter · 19/04/2015 18:42

Your legs look slim and to me they are all ok. The second pair I like the best. I can't wear jeans as I have a massive tummy . I think if you whacked a small heel on or a ballet those second pair would be great .

fredabear · 19/04/2015 18:44

I have big calves and tend towards dark skinnies or flared/bootleg - gap long and lean were ideal and you can still get them in outlets but real straight are pretty good too

Fairylea · 19/04/2015 18:47

I too think they all look fine. Personally I'd go for the second pair style but in a very dark wash. I'm a size 16 and I find that style the most flattering.

everythingsgoingsouth · 19/04/2015 19:15

If you want a cheapie pair for now, sainsburys straight leg, short, mid/dark blue would be just the ticket.

afink · 19/04/2015 19:32

The first two pairs look great, although the first ones are marginally better than the second. I suggest getting someone to hem them so that they're the right length, or chopping a bit of the length and turning them up to display a little bit of ankle, paired with some daintier flats.

I don't likle the bootcuts on you though. And that is absolutely not about you - it's about the jeans. They swamp your figure and make you look bigger than you are and all slouchy.

You do actually have a nice figure. I know you don't feel great about it, but it is nice - promise.

LadyintheRadiator · 19/04/2015 19:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WipsGlitter · 19/04/2015 19:37

I hate the first two pairs with the light to dark fade. Try rolling them up to above your ankle?

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 19/04/2015 19:50

They all look fine but a bit long. The bootcut ones need a heel though.

Personally I prefer the middle pair on you, but would like to see them cuffed slightly to avoid the bunching.

Have you tried the M&S jeggings? I really like them.

CaTsMaMmA · 19/04/2015 19:57

i liked the middle ones

shoes are vile!

and get the jeans hemmed properly, that'll really help with the bunching at knee and ankle which is where I think you are going wrong.

hugoagogo · 19/04/2015 21:05

I would second the idea of sainsburys straight legged short length jeans being a good option. I have the chunkiest calves known to man and they work for me.

As an aside pilates has improved the shape of my calves a bit, so you could try that if they make you self concious, but I don't think they look bad at all.

burnishedsilver · 19/04/2015 21:28

The second pair fits better than the first. Both would be better in a darker colour. The third pair are nice. There's nothing wrong with any of them really. You're too hard on yourself.

My pilates instructor said that she used to have big calves but pilates has lengthened and slimmed them. It's had no effect on mine yet but I run so I think its just the price I pay.

Summertimeatlast · 19/04/2015 21:32

I think they all look fine but finding the right shoes is key.

southeastastra · 19/04/2015 21:33

i think you look okay too, just get some shoes with a bit of a heel, even boots.

FluffyCubs · 19/04/2015 21:47

OP, I'm in "transition mode" (my baby is two as well!") and bought asda wonder shapers, two pairs. They're fab.

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