Skinny jeans - bear with. Middle ground wear ..

[MadZott]

So, I used to wear the m&s 5 pocket jeggings type jeans and stripy top almost as a uniform.

They fell out of fashion, lockdowns hit, I've switched to WFH and mostly wear sports leggings/harem type trousers around the house as I live rurally and walk the dogs or run in my breaks so basically dress for that...

But, I'm sick of feeling scruffy. I do wear more formal work wear to go into meetings etc but I'm missing the middle ground of what to wear. I would like something like a skinny black jean and more tailored blouse or long sleeve top. The old 'Breton and skinny' with boots type thing.

I'm pretty slim but have boobs and broader shoulders, and muscular upper thighs from running. I can very easily look a funny shape or much bigger than I am if I wear wider fits of clothes.

Any ideas?

The lord only knows! But please do tell me if you discover something flattering op

Slim leg jeans maybe?

I still have a pair of skinnies which I wear under long country boots for practical reasons. Can't stick a pair of mom jeans in my boots and march about in the mud can I 😄?

Depending on your budget, have a look at the lovely brand "Eleven Loves". In my opinion, they have nailed the middle ground look and stock sweats, jeans and blouses.

Glad I'm not alone!

Do you like any brands in particular?

I really haven't found my way with jeans. Many now seem longer than they were, and a 10 too baggy at the waist, requiring a belt whilst not always particularly comfortable on the thigh.

I don't like to think I'm not human shaped...but a lot of jeans make me feel I must be a bit unusually proportioned...

I don't really have a lot to throw at this but equally just one or 2 outfits that made me feel better put together would be a big boost.

I shall have a look, thank you.

I buy all my jeans at pretty basic places tbh! I got my last pair in H&M and I also look in Gap

Our local Gap closed unfortunately but am thinking I may need to do a bigger city trip. My last awful pair was Next - too long, too big

Gap stores have closed throughout the UK but there is a branch of next on Oxford St selling Gap clothes. Otherwise it’s all online.

I'm so out of touch! Thank you!

Yes, gap is online only these days but they have loads of jeans. I find they come up a little roomy

Try curvy jeans! They accommodate bigger hips/bum/thighs but fit the waist nicely without that gaping. Abercrombie and Hollister ones fit me well. Levi's, H&M and Gap do them too but haven't personally tried.

OP why not book a slot in JL for the personal stylist and ask to try on many pairs of jeans!

Try ASOS Hourglass styles. So many people are either young and slim and haven't fully grown into their woman's body yet so are fairly straight up and down, or are struggling/given in with their weight and don't go in much at the waist. And some bodies just weren't designed by nature with much of a waist anyway. You are human shaped, but I think slim and fit with a waist is on the rarer side these days! The basic clothes stores mainly design and stock for the majority. It's just business, don't feel bad.

Ouch, I just had a look at this brand and I think it’s yuk. All the tops have slogans on which I think is really dated (You can’t use the ‘f’ word on MN).

I don’t think mom jeans will work with your shape as they’ll make you look bigger because of your thighs.

I would go back to skinnies (they’re not actually out of fashion) and pair with a longish swing jumper that is tight on the arms, and high boots (not ankle). I think this is the most flattering way to wear skinnies for most people.

have You tried half size? I tend to stick to Levi, though they aren’t as good as they were, still my go to

If skinny jeans work for you, I'd stick with that. Dress for your body and you'll always look better than dressing to the current fashion imo.

Thank you for all this advice. This is what I need!

I have ordered a couple of pairs of skinny type jeans from Gap - (v limited stock in my size) as a starting place.

@Tadpoll do you have any links to the sort of thing you mean please? It sounds good! I think I am looking for something slightly smarter than the Eleven Loves too.

I still wear skinny jeggings/jeans for dog walking and practice tasks but I’ve bought M&S high wasted wide leg jeans and they are really comfortable and look great with trainers, doc martins or any type of boot really, I’ve tried other brands of wide leg and they didn’t suit me but the M&S ones do. I’m short with a big arse so lots of other styles of jeans look ridiculous on me! Good luck 😊

This is the sort of look that works quite well on me:

Maybe this sort of thing might work?

www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/knitwear/blue-vanilla-green-ribbed-knit-long-roll-neck-jumper/p/845068004?_cclid=Google_CjwKCAiA-8SdBhBGEiwAWdgtcPTEvMDqFp3LqwJ_J13BCrUie5Ix8XOdWN6c-_tfGQHmWuK_ED4gIRoCX4cQAvD_BwE&extcam=UK_PPC_PLA_Generics_NC_Google_DV_m_AGID_133304675944_PRID_8450816&gclid=CjwKCAiA-8SdBhBGEiwAWdgtcPTEvMDqFp3LqwJ_J13BCrUie5Ix8XOdWN6c-_tfGQHmWuK_ED4gIRoCX4cQAvD_BwE

I know they haven’t here, but one tip is to keep the boots the same colour as the skinny jeans.

Brilliant, thanks so much for your help.

The gap skinnies arrived today and fitnwell - exactly what I was looking for - thank you!!