To feel such pressure not to wear skinny jeans!

[DiamondSS]

I was pregnant last year so I think when you’re pregnant it’s like you almost take a side step out of the whole trends and fashion thing for a bit, to live in whatever fits. When I’ve came back into normal clothes I feel like someone’s sent out a memo (not even recently either) to tell everyone they must go out of their way to wear mom, straight or flared jeans.

My go-to outfit for going to baby and toddler things was always just skinny jeans and a shacket or oversized shirt. It seems like my entire wardrobe was based on looser top half, tighter bottom half. It was jeans or running leggings. Now when I go anywhere, if I feel like I can’t wear my leggings I end up spending so long trying to find anything that goes together. I end up wearing a floral midi dress of some description with trainers for any sort of more dressy occasion with friends, just because I don’t know what else to wear. I caved and got a pair of mom jeans a few months ago, I don’t even think they look nice but had no option, it was as if I blinked and we’d all gone off them too though. I’ve got no idea what’s happening, what goes with what, who’s at the front of all of this that we seem to be copying every 2 seconds but can we stop.. it feels like I’m back at school 😩😩😂 This is all building up because I have another occasion this weekend where I’m going to go round this whole dilemma again!

I hate skinny jeans and have never worn them. I don’t think they’re particularly flattering either. Same with high waisted jeans.

But the OP does like them and has worn them. But now thinks she shouldn't for some reason.

Where I live plenty of mums are still in leggings. But it's with sweatshirts, hoodies, puffer jackets and 90s trainers now. Basically dressing like I did as a teenager in the 90s!

Wear what suits your figure regardless of what's in fashion. I don't suit skinnies and always preferred wider jeans on my bottom half. I wore them throughout the skinny trend and have yet to have the fashion police take me in for my crimes.

Pressure, from whom?

honestly life is too short to live your life according to what a fashion magazine has decreed in, wear what you enjoy and makes you comfortable and confident. I see people all the time wearing skinny jeans, if there was a memo they didn’t get it.

Have you always been dictated to by perceived fashion? Or is this a new thing? If it is the former it is best to try to spend some time understanding trends?

skinnies never went away, other jeans simply came in, and now skinnies are leading the headlines again

however I would strongly advise you find your own style and wear what you like rather than dress up in stuff you don’t like to try to follow fashions you are not up to speed on.

I just wear what I like. Skinny jeans suit me better, I’m stupidly short so baggier jeans make me look even shorter and dumpy. I have to wear a higher waist as I’ve lost a lot of weight so have loose skin as well as having 2 c-sections, lower waists don’t give me the hold needed. I wear what suits my body shape, I have my own style.

if you wear something you feel happy in and suits your figure then you’re winning. Certain styles just don’t suit many people no matter how in fashion they are.

Wear what you want. I never wore skinny jeans even at the height of their fashion as I prefer straight or wide leg styles.

Don't feel under pressure, wear what you like. You're not important enough for anyone to care less. Pretty liberating once you work that out.

I feel you OP. Not specifically on skinnies, I never loved them but even my 'straight' cut used to be narrow and stretchy and suddenly jeans and trousers have volume and rigidity and everyone is tucking in their tops. It's hard not to notice if you want to look ok and not make a fashion statement by being different.

I also remember that when I had a baby my life was so different I was convinced nothing would be the same again and I needed to get rid of old clothes and have a new wardrobe to match the new version of my life.

And then time passed and life settled and my sense of style has not fundamentally changed, though I am older and trends have changed.

More directly to your question, maybe try a narrow jean but in more rigid (low/no polyester added) denim?

Most shops are still at least 50% skinny jeans/leggings and where I live I would say at least half of women are still in skinny or slim fitting jeans.

Wear what you like.
I look like a potato on toothpicks in skinny jeans, unless i style it v v carefully. And I couldn't get wide legs trousers anywhere for years, so I'm stocking up to get me through what trend sweeps the stores next.

I'm wearing very low rise straight leg jeans today. They are well over 10 years old & I would struggle to find a replacement for them in any shop today. At least you can still buy skinny jeans!

Wear what suits you & what you like to wear. I've already had one compliment on my outfit today because this style suits me. If skinny jeans suit your shape & enjoy them, wear them! Who wants to be a sheep anyway?

I feel like you! I blinked and I went from looking fairly in to now feeling like I’m not and mom style or baggy look awful on me and I don’t have the tops to make it work either. I’ve been wearing dresses for any events or evenings out for this reason for a couple of years and developed a good collection through Vinted. I’m still wearing skinny jeans as I’ve decided they’re a Wardrobe staple

See I disagree, I do think it makes a difference to my confidence to be wearing the kind of jeans that are popular now rather than sticking with jeans I've worn for the last 15 years.

OP I would recommend finding someone's style that you like on Instagram and getting some inspiration - Alexandra Stedman is a great follow for jeans inspo for anyone getting back on the horse after kids. You also don't have to spend a fortune to try something new, I got some balloon leg levis on vinted last week for less than a tenner, vinted is great for experimenting with new styles

You know you can decide for yourself, right? That's the thing with following fashion; what if the fashion doesn't suit you? Is it better to be fashionable or to look your best/be wearing things that suit you? Because the two are very different.

@DiamondSS Stop worrying about what is "in" who is looking at you? My Dad worked in textile marketing, so basically fashion clothing. All fashion clothing and the latest way to look, false eyelashes, big lips require you to spend money. It is all designed to make you spend money. I don't think any marketing brand would say hey, you look great as you are, no need for that primer, that foundation, that setting spray, that eye shadow etc. They need to bring in new stuff all the time to make people want to try new things, wear new things.

Wear what you are comfortable in. Fuck what someone else in an office has decided to copy from the cat walk because it might not suit your body shape.

https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/skinny-jeans-trend-aw24

Vogue is on your side!

In any case, "mom jeans" have been around for at least 5 years so are far from the height of fashion. I actually think wide leg jeans can work on petite women as long as they are slim fitting on the hips, but it's hardly compulsory to wear them.

I disagree with PP wondering why it's important to OP. It makes a difference to your confidence to know that you look good and not too old-fashioned or outdated. I may be a nearly middle aged frumpy mum but I don't particularly want to add to that with the clothes that I choose! I agree that baggy jeans only really work with tucked in tops in the summer. That's probably why I'm struggling with what to wear on the top half!

I sacked jeans off 18 months ago as I hate them. They never fit perfect. I wear leggings, cargos or flared stretchy trousers now. Much more comfortable.

If I'm going out, I wear floral dresses, body con dresses, skirts/skorts and body suits. Dc Martins or trainers. Will only get me in heels for very formal occasions.

I'm going against the grain here, hate skinnies as I hate the feeling of the fabric against my legs, love mom jeans and think they suit me even though I'm no spring chicken or a size 8

Oh bless you. Just wear what you want! Skinnies are my go to as well, I find them comfy and they suit me, not bothered what others thing. I did recently buy a pair of khaki combats too though which I love, reminds me of a similar pair I had as a teen haha. They've got loads of pockets which is so useful when I'm out with the kids. I wear leggings a lot with too with oversized t-shirts or long tunic-style tops. Just whatever is comfy, cheap and practical for me tbh.

@PhoneTheHelpline very true, thank you. I think it’s maybe just especially after having another baby and feeling so out of the loop with everything then turning up at social events just feeling frumpy or out of date, with hardly enough time to have done my hair and I’ve never got my nails done, when a lot of my friends are all there looking very polished with their life together 🙈

I saw a pair of stone coloured combats today and thought they might be nice. I do remember wearing them as a teen 😂 clearly these things have been doing the rounds since then

Well if it’s in vogue it must be true 😅

Cargo with pockets everywhere are big with the young and beautiful in our (London media) office. I'm so old I still have some from last time they were in style so I'm set. 😂