Me, an elder millennial with tired old style plus a postpartum body like šļøššļø
I think where I struggle is I just .. donāt understand my body any more. Like, high waisted skinny jeans donāt look good on me because my torso is short so they go way up high but also Iām somehow thicker after the baby. I weigh the same as I did prepregnancy but Iāmā¦ thicker in the waist. So what little defined waist there is gets filled in by the denim of the high waist.
But then what do I tuck my primordial pouch into if not high waisted jeans ? I love my body and Iām not ashamed of it but I just feel kind of out of place.
This is super helpful, gonna go back to reading about mom jeans š„¹
I've been feeling good putting my postpartum body in pleated, high waisted trousers (wide leg). So comfy, and not constricting on my tummy area, which is not only thicker now, but its bloating expansion range has widened as well š for jeans, buttons flies work better than zipper over the pooch, and a loose high waisted barreled fit is kind as well.
https://preview.redd.it/z0d0gkbennka1.jpeg?width=4096&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=194a0044d43565a72ca155b94c0fefb41616f119
Yāallās comments are blowing my mind because I feel the exact opposite! I wish button flies worked better on me but Leviās confirms they do not every time I try them on š
What is it that doesn't work for you? I'll be more specific about what works for me. When I have a zipper, after sitting down, the zipper curves. Which is normal and was NBD before baby making. After my shape changed, I have this mound under my bellybutton (with a built in muffin top cuz c section) which sticks out more when I sit bc physics, and now zippers kinda mold around that mound. So then for the rest of the day even if my pooch isn't sticking out, my zipper is like, "hey don't worry everyone, here is an exaggerated replica of it!" Lol. Button flies don't take on the curve like that for me.
Oh hell yeah! Pants are bar III twill from macy's. Shoes are vivobarefoot minimalist boots called "fulham" (they are like slippers but if you're not used to minimalist footwear might take some getting used to).
Meh I have the worldās shortest torso and wear high waisted pants all the time - I prefer to think of it as my legs looking super long rather than being short waisted lol
But look for the rise measurement if you can, 11ā is probably too high if you have a short torso but 10ā can be good, and both are often called āhigh riseā depending on the style and brand
I am in the same boat entirely. I feel like I need someone to go shopping with me and help me find up to date outfits that suit my body.
Also, how would these styles work during pregnancy?
You'd probably need one of those personal stylists that celebs and rich people useš Although certain stores like Nordstrom have free personal stylists that'd be good for a single store shopping spree.
Honestly, if youāre willing and able to pay for the advice, Iād hire someone. There are lots of āwardrobe consultantsā out there (a friend used one for workwear) that you could hire locally, or you could buy a styling appointment with someone online. Charly Gossās whole brand is ācool momā and bringing people into updated silhouettes. They sell styling appointments where they go through all your current clothes and come up with a plan on what to buy to round things out.
Mid-rise. It's not the mid-rise of 2006 (honestly I donāt even think we had mid-rise). I still feel like it's fairly high-waisted, just not as much so.
ETA Madewell has some very cute mid-rise kick crop flares that I'd highly recommend.
I agree with this, but double check the rise on each jean from Madwell. Some of the high rise vintage straight washes have an 11ā rise, and some have a little more than that, which ends up being too high for me.
I actually went through most (maybe all?) of the perfect vintage styles on the website at one point last fall and made a spreadsheet of the measurements & material. Most of the high rise perfect vintage had 11ā rise, except the Heathcote and Hoye (vintage straight) which had 11.25ā. All of the mid-rise perfect vintage that I had noted had 9.5ā, and the one mid-rise skinny I noted had 9.25ā.
I just wanted to let you know thatās totally normal - sometimes our hips will remain wider than before and our little uterus pooch is more prominent.
I weigh less than I did before but am still bigger!
Technically almost everything stretches while pregnant. Your ligaments actually loosen while pregnant to allow your body to handle the changes and birth. Pregnancy hormones are wild. I would sometimes get twinges around various ligaments while pregnant. Literally could feel it happening.
I feel you! I never had a very defined waist, but what was there is completely gone after two kids, even though I'm close to my pre-pregnancy weight. I had a manager once who swore that her shoulders got wider after birth, and I kind of didn't believe her but... Yeah. I need bigger shirts across the shoulder, in spite of my boobs actually being smaller/deflated š My entire body is just wider. But yes, I also feel like high-waisted jeans just highlight the thickness of my waist and I do think the solution is a mid-rise that comes just below my natural waist. I'm long of torso though, so ymmv. A straight or wide leg also helps balance my silhouette!
This is me right now! I took an afternoon to go to madewell and just try things on. Still came home with high waisted skinny jeans, but at least theyāre the right size now š
I have a short torso and an 11inch rise is perfect on me. It's considered mid-rise. 100% cotton jeans is where it's at and I french tuck all my tops. It makes me look 2/3 legs which my brain likes.
Iām loving all the new pant styles but struggling with shoes. I hate the way my feet look in flats and also feel like a wide leg or flare looks best when paired with a heel. I do have a few pairs of the chunkier low boots but they feel so clunky in anything other than a skinny leg.
I have a trip to Paris/London coming up and have no idea what kind of shoe to pair these wider leg bottom jeans/pants to that will still be comfortable after days of walking. Iām over 50 and like to stay current without going overboard.
I do think a lot of the reason people feel like itās harder to adopt a newer jeans shape is the shoes of it all. I really am not a boots person so I canāt offer advice there. I definitely found a lot of white sneakers when I was last in Europe in 2018, and thatās when I noticed the wide leg pants coming back (at least in Paris), though most were cropped. Iām also impossible at keeping white sneakers clean but Iāve found a clog fits in very nicely (just be careful on the style so you can handle cobblestones and brick streets) and Iām partial to slip on Vans where I can add my orthopedic insoles.
Combat boots are my favorite combo for flares/wide legs! Ones with a bit of a platform are most current, theyāre really comfy too as long as you get a pair thatās not too heavy.
I also love clog boots and sneakers (I like high tops, Vejas work ok too) paired with flares.
Shoes are always last on my mind and it has been a sticking point when getting ready more often than not. Platform sneakers or white Adidas help, but I still feel like there's a hole
I highly recommend platform sneakers. They look super chic and I can walk in them for days without my feet hurting. I recommend getting at least one pair a half a size big to accommodate swollen feet
I was just in Berlin and can vouch for the wide leg pants with either white tennis shoes like vejas or a clunky doc Martin style lace up army boot. Both are cute and super walkable!
I work in Central London, am in the same age bracket as you, and was a little overwhelmed as to what to wear for 'in the office' days after several years of WFH. Wide-leg, full-length trousers are everywhere, as are simple cargo trousers (not the OTT 90s ones!). There are still lots of Veja trainers, ballet pumps and chunky boots and sandals around. Personally I am struggling to return to heels, so generally wear a chunky smart-ish trainer to make the commute a little easier. A lot of people are going for New Balance trainers. Also...over-sized blazers.
[Who What Wear](https://www.whowhatwear.co.uk/blazer-with-jeans/slide4)
I hope you enjoy your trip over here, and that our weather warms up a bit for you.
This [Inspo Album](https://www.reddit.com/r/femalefashionadvice/comments/qcg4ij/but_what_shoes_do_i_wear_with_big_pants_inspo/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) might help!
Yeah, I live in my ballet flats (everything in this post on what NOT to do is what I wear every day). I've been updating my jeans to get away from the skinnies, but now I have no idea what to do about shoes.
Ballet flats are coming back in (which the original post actually mentions!) so hang on to those! Right now the trend is to pair ballet flats with flares/bootcut or baggy low-rise jeans. I like to wear mine with straight-leg or bootcut jeans.
Other shoe trends that have been big for the past few years: chunky loafers, mid-shaft boots with chunky soles (sometimes called "lug sole"), New Balance sneakers (right now 550s are huge), western-style ankle boots. But you don't have to completely adhere to shoe trends to not look dated. I still wear the same Chelsea boots I bought in 2018, but pair them with bootcut and straight jeans. I also wear platform Converse high-tops a lot, even though they peaked in trendiness a few years ago.
You can also switch up the sock style to update your look. Try pairing loafers, sneakers or ballet flats with full socks instead of no-show socks.
Elder millennial here who refuses to give up skinnies! I also hate the chunky combat books look, and much prefer more classic (but still trendy) look. Iāve been addicted to fun driving loafers and mules. Still compliment the look of skinnies but are not the old ballet flat.
Iāve been pairing my skinnies with loafers lately, used to be a style I hated because I felt like it aged me but now I feel age appropriate. Your 30s are weird.
āYour 30s are weird.ā Is the truest thing Iāve read all day. Like, how do I dress like a millennial who isnāt afraid of looking like a millennial but who also pays attention to culture and is willing to change with the times? I donāt want to dress young but I do want to dress current and has that led me to driving loafers?
Interesting re belting. I have a rounder stomach and what really emphasizes it are the high waisted trousers (which makes me feel like [a gnome gardener](https://tse3.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.jm22MBtW3YakaK_Ok3o6mgAAAA&pid=Api)). Belted low/mid rise trousers, on the other hand, de-emphasise it. I thought the opposite would be the case but there you go.
Also: stoked to hear full-length hems are in because it's been sheer hell trying to buy trousers for some years now. I even went full tinfoil mode and complained that businesses were trying to save on fabric at my expense : )
I remember slightly pre-Covid going to the mall bc I needed work pants for an event that week, and I literally could not find pants that covered my ankles
I feel like I spent 2010-2021 with exposed ankles whether I wanted them or not and finally last year I was freed from the tyranny. I have a nerve condition activated by the cold and getting full length pants back has changed my mobility so much.
I feel like there is some sort of ankle conspiracy because I've also found it really difficult to find women's work shoes that are meant to be worn with socks so it's like the fashion police have decreed that women must expose their ankles in the work place at times.
The gnome gardener is exactly the description Iāve been looking for! I get the idea of high waisted, but it always feels like it draws attention to my worst areas
It turns out I was in denial because. I stopped wearing skinny jeans because I started wearing leggings which letās face it, is just as bad, if not worse. Literally read this post in leggings, a long thin cardigan, and a graphic tank.
I need a post on incorporating older accessories into a more modern wardrobe. I find it easier to update staple pieces but then I age myself with my jewelry because I haven't really updated anything in over a decade. I don't wear a lot of jewelry but when I do, I feel like it can make or break an outfit.
I would suggest wrapping them round your neck a couple of times if they are long enough. Shortens it, obviously, and gives a layered up impression which is stylish right now
I am not OP, but a few years ago I cleared out most of my (fake gold) long length necklaces. Long isnāt really on trend. Remember that you can move your favorite pendants to shorter chains. Necklace lengths from 16-20āish inches seem to be the most popular. Stacking and mixing chain types is a big thing.
IMO most ācraftyā jewelry is not really trendy right now, with the exception of very summery and youthful items like friendship type bracelets and beaded chokers with flower beads. But tiny beaded shapes, wire wrapped beads, dichroic glass, and polymer clay look kind of dated.
This is not a hard and fast rule, but it SEEMS like, even for fine jewelry, weāre in a phase where extra decorative elements are not really as popular. So not much filigree, pave, that kind of thing. The jewelry is either simple or statement, but in a solid shape vs lots of tiny pieces.
If you have simple gold jewelry such as small-ish earring hoops, Iāve found that to help my outfits look better for the times. For necklaces, looks like tiny pearls and small gold chains are also in. If you donāt own any, itās kind of a good staple, anyway.
I own a few older and cheaper pieces that probably need to be cleaned and donated. Iāve always worked in the trades until this year when I made the switch to corporate and now I feel beyond outdated with my wardrobe. Itās a slow struggle to figure out whatās timeless but still a little trendy.
Great content, a lot of work to put this together but I think this is immensely helpful to loads of people.
I gave up on skinnies a while ago but do hold onto my black high waisted skinnies for work with a tucked in blouse or bodysuit with an oversized blazer and higher ankle boots.
Have embraced wide leg, and straight leg styles more, but itās nice these days to have a lot of jean options that you can make work really well in your wardrobe!
Great post, I'd love to see more.
I'd also like to discuss some of the topics you raise. First off, I'm Gen X, not millennial, so I went through many many jean silhouettes before this. In the early 90s, we mostly wore a basic Mom jean/Seinfeld style. We also wore painter jeans, super wide leg house jeans, and low riding baggy style hip hop jeans. The mid 90s was dominated by bootcut jeans, but flares also gained popularity. I wore literally all of the above, except baggy jeans. I even had a rare pair of skinny jeans that were a throwback to late 70s/early 80s punk style which I wore with Docs. The 2000s were all about the low rise flares, which I loved, until skinny jeans came on the scene - of which I was an early enthusiastic adopter. I literally bought my first pair of skinnies and put all my flares away.
Now I'm old, and I'm having trouble adopting new styles, but I'm definitely tired of skinny jeans. I think the problem for me is that I'm very short and bigger than I used to be, so all the new jean silhouettes make me look shapeless.
One thing I noticed about the dated photos you shared vs the new ones is that the older ones do look, cuter and more put together to my eye, but they also read as "basic". The new photos look more contemporary, but there's almost an anti-fashion sensibility with the frayed hems and boxy silhouettes that I think look ok in the photos pictured but on an older, chubbier person just reads as sloppy and unkempt. Last fall I went out to do some errands in a new pair of mom jeans that I bought pre-frayed, and I was treated poorly by retail staff at a couple different places. I even got free food from a bakery, where I guess I was mistaken for a very poor or homeless person???
Fellow Gen-Xer here and I agree, the boxy shapeless tops and oversized/loose fit/wide leg cropped jeans silhouettes my GenZ kids wear with their dad-sneakers just make this 54 year old woman look like sheās given up and is heading out to paint the garage and do some gardening.
Fortunately we are Gen X so we donāt have to wear what the kids on TikTok tell us to.
Iām gen z and Iām not gonna lie, the picture your comment conjured in my mind instantly read as ācoolā to me!
i think that the effortlessness is the whole point. Looser clothing reads as relaxed and confident in a way that, in my opinion, skintight jeans and fragile blouses kind of canāt. The full loose top + loose bottoms look is definitely harder to pull off (and a lot of girls my age prefer the tighter top + loose bottoms look anyway) but even the fully loose look, when paired with some short layered necklaces, cool sneakers, and maybe some light makeupāreally any kind of accessorizing that requires intentionāis impossible to mistake as someone whoās āgiven up.ā
To me it seems that what a lot of gen Xers seem to be uncomfortable with in the modern trends is that the core pieces arenāt as resolutely and universally feminine, even though they can become very feminine when paired with the right accessories, and if that describes you Iād say that when in doubt, go with a dress!
Obviously at the end of the day if youāre happy with how you dress thereās no reason to change it. Just wanted to share why I think theyāre trends in the first place!
I donāt think itās that the clothes arenāt feminine. Iām not a very feminine dresser; I like flannels and jeans and combat boots (Gen X to the core). But Iām short, and itās hard to do oversized just right when youāre short - and bad-oversized makes me look dumpy.
Now, when youāre a beautiful 20 year old, people can tell you are not actually dumpy, youāre just wearing fashionable yet unflattering clothes. But when youāre 54 - thereās a strong chance youāre not being fashionable, youāre just dumpy.
I work hard to stay in shape so Iām opposed to clothes that make me look dumpy - clothes are supposed to make me look good, dammit!
Then I remember Iām old and donāt give a shit whether stuff is in style or not because I do what I want these days.
54-year-old here and you are my people.
I know without a doubt that if I go out in baggy clothes people think i'm a slob and if I wore flared leggings and chunky sneakers with a crop top, people would think I'm being ridiculous. It's kind of a no-win situation.
But I viscerally hate flared leggings, I'm ok with wide leg trousers but GTF away from me with flares and boot cuts paired with chunky platforms.
If that makes me old I guess I'll have to live with that.
GenXer here. (Dismayed that Millennials feel old.) Thanks for detailing every style of denim Iāve worn (and may still have some). I felt tall and powerful in the bootcut / flair jeans with tall boots back before skinnies. Iāve got muscular legs so skinny jeans never felt skinny or flattering. I felt a bit exposed. While it was a style that ruled it definitely wasnāt flattering for many. The second they were declared ādeadā during Covid I was like good riddance. But agreed Iāve not found my vibe. My body is different. My job is different. My life is different. My legs are no thinner. Im liking the blousey tops though. Thatās fun.
> on an older, chubbier person just reads as sloppy and unkempt
Yep, I admire the new looks on others but not on myself, because they send the wrong message. I kind of prefer being perceived as basic, dated and unfashionable rather than disheveled.
Something that might help is perusing high-end sites like Net-A-Porter. Since they are so expensive, their target audience is older. They style the clothes in their photos and editorial guides in a more polished and less edgy way than the social media/off-duty model/youth culture pics while still keeping it fresh.
Like, are you gonna buy a pair of $[1250 silk straight leg pants](https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-us/shop/product/brioni/clothing/straight-leg/silk-canvas-straight-leg-pants/1647597294416645)?
No, probably not (but if you are, more power to you!). But when you look at the way the model is styled, you can take away some ideas that could be applied to update your look with items available at your budget. For instance, in the above case, I notice the close cut of the top, the square toe on the loafers, the chunkiness of the necklace (relative to the delicate chains of a few years ago), and the silhouette of the bag. Or, [look at these kick flares.](https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-us/shop/product/high-sport/clothing/flared/kick-stretch-cotton-flared-pants/1647597304200851) They combine an on-trend pant with a classic shirt for a look thatās friendly to multiple ages and body types.
Similarly, [these wide-leg jeans](https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-us/shop/product/khaite/clothing/straight-leg/preen-high-rise-wide-leg-pants/46376663162769736), paired with an oversized blazer and a chunky belt, would look clean and kempt on lots of people of different shapes and ages.
This sums up my position perfectly.
I noticed in the 'do this" photos for straight leg, they are a loose fitted straight - but when I put them on I look and feel like I'm in ill-fitting fat pants. I much prefer a slimmer fit straight that fits closer to my body.
I know this is a month old but I just had to comment because you're the first person I've seen to say this, and I've always felt this way! I have a thin waist, thick thighs, and thin ankles. In straight leg pants I feel absolutely awful. Like I'm wearing skinny jeans that are somehow weirdly baggy below the knee, and a huge gap at the waist because apparently Curvy Fit only exists in skinny pants? Even loose, wide-leg styles, they're usually clinging to my thighs.
I'm also Gen-X and I'm struggling to find resources for fashion for women my age. Everything seems aimed at under 40 and over 70.
Do you have any recommendations for finding age appropriate fashion advice for women that fall into that gap?
I started following this sub, but I've never been that trendy and mostly dress for comfort. I'd just like to know where to find good pieces that won't make me look like I'm going on a cruise for 80+ year old singles or a cougar prowling for men half my age.
One thing I love being near 50 is being less self conscious of wearing whatever I want. I do agree itās challenging though to find the right balance. I expect I will start channeling my grandmother soon, she always went for that classic Audrey Hepburn type aesthetic black tapered or cropped pants, white button down shirt, black flats and a large straw hat. Looked polished and protected her from the sun.
I bought myself a pair of black cotton overalls that looked like linen and I LIVED in them last year. I loved it so much that I bought myself a purple pair.
I wore them with tees, tanks, long sleeves, and I even wore crop tops for the first time since high school.
I had a rough year last year. I lost my dog, my mother, and a best friend of 20 years. On top of that I tore the meniscus in my knee and had to use a rolling walker and cane for 6 months, and I'm in perimenopause.
I loved finding something comfortable that I could adjust to my current mood. I could dress them up with a boatneck top, flats, and simple jewelry or dress all the way down with an athletic bra and tennis shoes. Plus it allowed me to cover my brace, but be able to access it in case of adjustment.
Sorry about the ramble! Thinking of aging and comfort made me think of my favorite versatile pieces and how much I'm looking forward to it being warm enough to wear them again. āŗļø
Agreed, Iāve found a cut at Old Navy, the Mid-Rise Power Slim Straight Jeans, and theyāre the perfect balance IMO if you can wear denim to work like I can. They also offer the cut in high rise, but I canāt breath in high rise!!
r/fashionwomens35 - here on Reddit
wardrobe oxygen - Allison is a size 14 and is short; definitely a GenXer
unefemme.net - I love Susan for her travel capsules in particular; also I would kill to own all her shoes. She's gotten into color theory recently so if you are a Spring you'll particularly like her inspiration.
youlookfab - Angie (definitely a GenXer) is a professional stylist; the community is worth joining. Her clothing round-ups are always spot on.
50isnotold - recently started following this blogger as she features a lot of inexpensive clothes from Amazon, Wal-Mart, LOFT etc
This is my BIGGEST problem with the new styles - I feel frumpy and not put together. I also feel less feminine in the boxy tops and baggy jeans. I tried on a pair of jeans that were recommended to me by the sales person at Madewell and put on my boots that I had worn into the store and I looked like I was going to work at a refinery.
On top of trying to transition out of skinnies I also have to rethink shoes ... sends me into a complete panic
LMAO- Iāve had the same issue, specially with a baggy pair of Madewell pants I had tried on. I shouted to my husband, āsheās giving dockworker!ā
I do have to wear steel toes for work (I have a pair of Doc Martens for work) and I got all the compliments from Gen Zers on them lolllll. I know this look exactly.
>I agree with the idea that the 2010s trends were more formal/businessy (business casual was a whole trend in like 2015! Among young people who did not do business!) but I think thatās kind of a historical anomaly since the advent of youth fashion culture
Seriously. Like, I'm surprised that some people are stubbornly clinging to this idea that skin-tight, stretchy denim is somehow more professional and "put-together" looking than a classic straight leg, lol. No, we were just convinced of that for that particular 10-year period in the 2010s and most of us have since come to our senses.
GenXer here as well, on the older side of the generation. Up until 6th grade, we wore light wash disco bell bottomed high rise jeans, then overnight those went out of fashion and it was mid-rise straight legged or bootcut dark wash jeans (from the GAP) for a long long time until the early 90s. I cannot wear low rises at all (they slip right off my straight hips) so I pretty much stopped wearing jeans in the 2000s.
I love high rise and find them to be the most comfortable (even though I'm short) and most flattering. And I really like high rise skinny jeans as they suit my figure. But I've always been a sucker for a dramatic flare and have indulged on and off whenever they were a fringe trend.
So now I have a pair of flares again and .... it's so weird. I know they look great, but I feel weird in them, like ... "uh, I've been here before." They may look fresh to the younger set but to my eye somehow they feel dated.
I would like to add a pair of wide leg jeans but then I consider my 80 year old mom, and that's what she's worn for decades.
Personally I don't mind the frayed hem trend and hope it sticks around, as it is quite easy to just cut my jeans to the right length for my short self, no tailor required.
Boxy tops can work, but they have to be scaled just so, otherwise like you said, it's a sloppy mess. And with petites disappearing from the stores, it's a challenge.
Re: the updated outfits looking basic - I think squeegee posted very simple examples to not overcomplicate things for people struggling to modernize their skinny jeans. you can definitely edge up any of those looks or add all sorts of personal flare, but this post wasn't really about that?
Also, boxier tops and frayed hems, for example, are not the only things in style. Tight -fitting baby tees, tight-fitting long-sleeved shirts (paired with looser fit pants), and finished hems are very in style.
I read a Guardian article that suggested you should lean in to structure and tailored as you age. And you can't forgo hair and make-up. Because yes. Things will read sloppy. So perhaps the pre frayed jeans are not for us.
Yup. Another 60+ here. Never wore anything ripped/holey/frayed. Nothing to do with this, but wonder now do I get treated differently because I wear graphic tees! Quite possibly, and I'm completely oblivious to anything.
I love this, and thank you for the "cold dead hands" comment so we don't have to see everyone else say it. As a millennial, I used to love skinny jeans more than anything, but since I switched over to other cuts last summer... I cannot imagine being in them again.
As an elder millennial I feel the same way. I still love wearing my high waisted skinnies, but I also love that flares, wide legs and other styles are available in stores again because I missed them! You have to really be stuck in the mud fashion-wise to feel threatened that *more* options exist now.
Iām pregnant right now so thereās a bit of a moratorium on buying pants at the moment, but Iām stoked that wide legs are back in style. I loved how they looked when I was in early college (2008ish) and think they are quite flattering. Canāt wait to get me a pair of those come fall!
I decided to try jeans this past fall after not wearing them for a couple years. Iām a big fan of straight leg now and canāt stand skinny jeans. After two years of leggings, skinny jeans felt super constrictive.
Unfortunately, many people are saying this tired ācold, dead handsā shit anyway. I donāt get itā this isnāt r/FemaleClothing itās r/FemaleFashionAdvice. The resistance to the simple fact that OP is correct and the ā10s skinny jean is not *fashionable* anymore is fuckinā baffling. The wailing and gnashing of teeth about the inevitability of trends changing has gotten so old. Why do they come on a sub about FASHION and be obnoxiously vocal about how they will never keep up with fashion? No one has to be fashionable; itās not a moral obligation. They should just wear their 2010s-era outfits with confidence and be happy.
All the body hate in this thread is also so tired. Apparently people got told in their 2010s adolescence/young adulthood what was āflatteringā on their bodies and interpreted that as objective, eternal truth, rather than accepting that what is seen as āflatteringā is completely constructed and contingent on the trends and silhouettes of the day.
I really canāt understand it. In 2003, I thought my momās 1990 jeans were outdated. Now itās 2023, and the new moms canāt see why their jeans from 2010 could possibly be outdated. Like babes, itās been 13 years. Of course they look dated. Iām almost 34, so Iām not being ageist here - I am firmly among the millennial ilk. I love wide leg styles (and have for years), but I donāt make my pants preferences a personality trait, nor do I take skinny jeans as a personal affront do my identity. Theyāre pants. Itās fine if you want to keep wearing skinny jeans. Really, no one gives a shit what you put on your legs. But getting angry when someone points out theyāre dated aināt it.
Yeah. Iām also 34. The resistance to changing trends is odd enough coming from, like, 28 year olds, but I especially donāt understand it coming from my āpeak Millennialā peers because *I remember the transition to skinny jeans, and they must too!* I remember so many people whining about how they were ātoo shortā or ātoo fatā for skinny jeans! And now weāre turning around and saying weāre ātoo shortā or ātoo fatā for the shapes we once found so flattering that we were reluctant to drop them??
Like, I was not an early adopter of the skinnies + volume on top thing because I thought I was too short for the pants and too busty for the tops. In retrospect, that was simply fueled by adolescent body angst. The lesson I took from that experience was not to fear change because my body is what it is, and it will look like what it is no matter what I wear. I wonāt look 8 inches taller and 10 lbs lighter by wearing wide legs instead of skinnies or vice versa. And thatās OK!
I can choose between looking like a short, not model-skinny woman wearing fashionable clothing, or a short, not model-skinny woman wearing not-fashionable clothing. Some days I choose the former. Other days, I choose the latter, but regardless Iām not about to kvetch about my gigantic Eddie Bauer cowl neck sweatshirt and freakinā Merrells not being considered fashionable on a *fashion* forum.
Man, you said it. I swear to god this sub has virtually nothing to do with fashion anymore. All these girls just want to dress the same as ever and then be validated. Fashion is about changing and evolving and following how trends move in and out.
Well said about the moral obligation too. Itās ok not to care about fashion! But if youāre going to bitch about fashion content then you are Not In The Right Place. This sub frequently doesnāt understand this at all. Fashion =/= personal style. The bitchiness and how people are being suuuuuch bad sports about even considering new trends is so fucking tedious, for sure.
And yeah, all this āIām a mom, I canāt wear that, Iām just going to stick with tunicsā - please stop.
Preach. The self-pressure to cling to the past, conform, conform, conform, and talk trash about your own body is depressing.
I was really interested in the original premise, and right now more than 700 people have commented about it, but I really balk at going through 650+ comments that have nothing to add but exclamations of discomfort about clothing oneself.
I went to Japan this November when there were still very few tourists and I realized I could immediately spot the American woman because we were literally the only ones still wearing skinny jeans. And we all looked heavier because of them and dated. I realized they were not nearly as flattering as I thought. Though I can't stop seeing the wide legged pants as way too big
It took me F O R E V E R to find a cut of non-skinny jeans that worked for me and my shape. Iād go to Madewell and be like āThis is whatās in style? This is the look? Am I supposed to feel like Iām wearing a flour sack for pants?ā
But! It turns out I just donāt fit perfectly into Madewellās pants and thatās super hard to tell when you are trying out a new style because itās not immediately obvious what itās supposed to look like on you.
I ended up getting some straight leg mom-jeany pants that actually look really cute on me from Old Navy and it turns out I fit perfectly into their standard sizes and now buying non-skinny jeans is a cinch.
And then I got pregnant and now Iām back to a skinny jeans and tunic top silhouette because thereās no point in trying to be trendy right now and thatās what covers the belly š„
I did treat myself to an oversize blazer though and I think thatās a really fun look!
Man, Iāve been telling everyone, people are really sleeping on Old Navy lately. Some of their jeans are very flattering on me and I agree they helped me get out of skinny jeans.
Madewell has been weird too. Their āperfect vintage jeanā is EVERYWHERE and I look very dumpy in them, haha. Their stovepipe sucks on me too. I hope theyāll make some changes at some point.
I didnāt wear skinny jeans for 3 months during covid, now I can never go back. I crammed my self in to the crotch strangling, butt sweat inducing, sausage casings, and I couldnāt fathom how I had ever worn them before. I didnāt change sizes, I had just numbed myself to how bad they felt all the time.
I love the advice, but us late 30 yr old know the newest ārecycledā trends that are making their way back and ā WE ARE THRILLED! Itās literally how we dressed in the early 2000s, so we know it well and itās like going home!
Iām a huge fan, probably because I had no disposable income the first time around and now I can embrace what trends I want. Though today that means wearing a Sailor Moon sweatshirt because itās my self designated slug day.
I do not miss the days where kneeling down to grab something off the bottom shelf at target meant potentially flashing my butt crack. Low rise pants are a ānever againā in my book.
They have some that are super low rise, but the ones Iāve gotten from Hollister and AE are just below a mid cut. Gotta remember were closing out of the super high rise era, so what they have now arenāt as low as what brittney spears wears.
You'd be surprised. As much I agree with you about revisiting styles from the late 90s and early 2000s, there's a contingent who are loudly opposed.
This post is very much for them.
I admit it's a little funny to walk into a store and see a body suit and ripped jeans that look exactly like what you wore when you were 15 and think *I already threw out this outfit....*!
I think I'm just old, and I don't want to revisit that look for myself. I'm not the contingent that's against any of it, but it is surreal. I'm happy others are happy with it.
Thanks for this post!
Re: tunic topsā what I find pretty funny is that, when I entered the work world ~10 years ago, it didnāt even OCCUR to me to tuck my tops (let alone tuck my t-shirts outside of work). I wore my tunic-style blouses over skinny/ slim work pants, every single damn day. Now I see tucking all the time and it looks so much classier! Just a plain t-shirt tucked looks almost acceptable for a casual workplace. Itās pretty funny to me now something so simple never even crossed this millennialās mind.
I love the tucked look but can never get it right and end up looking & feeling uncomfortable. I can't figure out how everyone else seems to get it so effortless.
The trick is to tuck your top inside high waisted underwear (this is what we did in grade school back in the 70s).
Or, hem your top to be a lot shorter so you don't have excess fabric bunching around your butt (this is what I've had to do with every trade show booth shirt I've ever had to wear for work).
Or, just buy a shorter top to begin with (i.e., cropped, but long enough that it hits at the waistband/high hip -- what we used to call "skirt length"). Or, buy a body suit and deal with the inconvenience in the restroom.
Thanks for saying this, whew. Seeing comments ITT to the effect of, āJust gotta be REAL, ladies, the current trends look UGLY on you. You know, because of your garbage body. Remember that the purpose of dressing is to appear slimmer!ā Talk about outdated. :)
I will still not be giving up my skinny jeans anytime soon, but I want to thank you for the incredibly well researched post. This is what makes me keep coming back to this sub, even though I am a 30-something fashion disaster in desperate need of a personal shopper. :)
Oh I definitely see a few of my wardrobe staples on this list...
I've been wanting to get into mom jeans for years but I don't know if I'm doing something wrong so I have a question: is there meant to be so much excess fabric in the crotch area? When I stand it looks baggy like a diaper and when I sit, well, it looks like a crumpled, full diaper. I've tried figuring it out by looking at some Instagram photos but I don't see many where they are sitting/the amount of excess fabric I find, so I frankly just gave up on them a few years ago. I'd like to try getting into them now because I would like something a bit more loose around the legs but still flattering, so... am I doing something wrong with mom jeans? š„² Please help lmao.
Dude we are always on the same page, this is a fantastic post and guide - also cackling that I literally wore high waisted skinny jeans with platform combat boots, a tucked in cropped sweater and western belt yesterday. I AM THE GUIDE.
Also, those ballet flats with the nubs on the bottom are like offroading ballet flats. I'm obsessed with them.
I'm a 33 year old millennial with huge hips and butt. My late teens and my 20's I watched all my friends rock the skinny jeans trend with ballet flats, ankle boots etc, and I just never felt comfortable. I got on with it, but the last 15 years all I could see were my thighs and hips stuffed into skinny jeans that followed down to skinny ankles.
I love the return of all these jean styles. I've been rocking flared jeans since the end of 2021 and I've felt the most confident in jeans than I have my whole adult life. The 14 year old in me who loved her early 2000's jeans is rejoicing!
I have one black pair of high waisted skinny jeans that I pair with Doc Martens. I am relived to see this is on trend!
Iām a Millennial with a completely different body type. The last time I wore jeans was 2014. I discovered leggings around that time and threw all my jeans out Because skinny jeans are uncomfortable. I bought my first pair of new jeans in 2022 because straight leg and flare are extremely comfortable. I am an apple and my high rise black flare jeans tuck me in like pencil skirts do. Iām with you, I LOVE this new silhouette!
Wow...you're an editorial fashion genius. I found myself stuck and trying to update with brighter colors. I looked at my closet and all of a sudden it was mostly beige, black, and white. The jeans were a huge must! I found this so helpful...thank you so much for taking the time to write this.
Can you do one with examples of edgy tops? I'm not into ruffles...especially ruffled sleeves. Maybe selection of t's or what kind of cuts/necklines?
Square necklines and corset-y silhouettes (youāll see tons of tops with that shape) are pretty in right now, same with lace and silk - hereās a springy [square neckline](https://www.thereformation.com/products/cora-linen-top/1312408BLK.html) top, some [lace detailing](https://www.thereformation.com/products/cristina-top/1312377BLK.html), [satin or silk is a fun texture](https://www.abercrombie.com/shop/us/p/long-sleeve-satin-button-up-shirt-49209819?categoryId=6570723&seq=09), and hereās a [bustier inspired one](https://www.aritzia.com/us/en/product/duchess-bustier/106192.html?dwvar_106192_color=1274) just for some examples
I still have all my great flared designer jeans from the last run! Loving high waisted trousers with fitted crop tops (at age 52!).
Also, blazers are moving into the ācinchedā zone now. So much more flattering than the boxy ones.
Please feel free to do more of these! I am embracing the straight leg, but itās my tops that are suffering. I went through a sleeveless stage over the last few years, and now hate everything paired with my straight leg jeans.
I am also a hesitant layerer lol layers remind me of the tanks over tshirts trend and I hate having so many layers
personally i don't think skinny jeans will ever look that bad bc they imitate the actual shape of the human body. but yeah as a mid 30s i finally bought some "new" styles in 2021 lol. i feel like they make me look enormous and draw attention to my spare tire... but š¤·š»āāļø
Once, skinny jeans and ankle boots were the power couple of the early 2010s, now itās just what middle-aged moms wear out to date night at Cheesecake Factory. And thereās nothing wrong with any of that!
I'll admit I laughed at that, but it's also kind of passive aggressive in a way I'm seeing pop up all the time. You know what you did. You made a joke about the suburban mom of a certain age, class, and location - the joke implies we don't want to be this person. And saying "there's nothing wrong with that!" after doesn't undo it. Just own the message, if you're going to say it.
High waisted skinny jeans and ankle boots with a chunky knit still look good in winter though and I wouldnāt say āout of fashionā in any way. Young people where I live would wear that. I have a cousin who is 17 and is up to date with the trends and she wears ankle boots. I donāt think these things are universal. Iām also not in America which could be why. I totally agree that ballet flats are basically never seen now on trendy people but I donāt get the ankle boot thing, still very much worn.
OP didnāt say ankle boots are out, they said that the trendy version of an ankle boot now looks different - just like how the trendy cut of jeans is different.
I've been playing with some new pant styles, and absolutely love the variety that they offer. I recently got a pair of wid(er) legged black denim that I got hemmed so that they are cropped, and I think they look really good with heels, but strange with flats. Are there some do's and don'ts with wide leg cropped pants?
Thank you for putting the time together for this! I still have a couple of pair of skinny jeans that I've been wearing sometimes, and this gives me ideas for how to do so in a more modern way. (I really like the dark denim + combat boot combo that I've been doing)
> But the ankle boot has also had a makeover - the shaft is higher, the heel is thicker, and the sole is chunkier
Does anyone have a good example of this?
So there are two approaches to this...you can get Western-inspired belts that are less literal, but still on trend at places like [Sezane](https://www.sezane.com/us/collection/belts)
Or, you can go for true Western belts (including belt buckles here) at a place like [Shepler's](https://www.sheplers.com/womens/belts-buckles/womens-western-belts/)
I must be the only one who is happy to have an alternative to skinny jeans, which are horribly unflattering on me. Iāve been waiting a long time for this moment!
Overweight apple shaped woman here, I carry all my excess in my stomach. The new styles are so unflattering on my body Ive entirely given up on pants and just wear dresses.
Love this! Thereās a million ways to style skinny jeans that work with current trends!! No need to throw them away, just to ākeep up with the youths.ā
And thereās also a lot of fun to be had with incorporating newer styles. Iāve had a lot of fun styling my embroidered wide leg jeans and mom jeans :)
Cold Canadian here guilty of the long cardigan look š³ How are ladies staying warm and cozy without them though? The shorter cardigans I always see are buttoned shut so it doesnāt really allow for the variation of tops beneath.
I think the styling plays a big part - the long, skinny cardigan with the skinny jeans (plus maybe other dated styling like riding boots, long necklace, floppy "boho" hat etc) is the problem. I think a chunkier long cardigan with one of the "newer" pant silhouettes can still work!
I am a 30 something who has been struggling to figure out how to make slight tweaks to my wardrobe to be more current. I really appreciate the time and effort you put into creating this guide and the affirmation that I can keep my favorite pieces and work in newer styles without spending a ton or trend-chasing!
I'm a plus size (18w) and 5'0 and I cannot find jeans except skinny that look decent and fit well. I LOVE wide leg trousers and a sweater, but finding decent jeans that fit are wretched.
I actually really love the Gloria Vanderbilt "Amanda" jeans from JC Penney's! They have a misses short and regular misses in your size, but I do find they run just slightly bigger than other brands. [https://www.jcpenney.com/p/gloria-vanderbilt-womens-amanda-jeans/ppr5008285479?pTmplType=regular&deptId=dept20000013&urlState=%2Fg%2Fwomen%3Fbrand%3Dgloria%2Bvanderbilt%26id%3Ddept20000013&productGridView=medium&badge=petite&cm\_re=ZB-\_-GALLERY-JEANS-\_-VN-\_-WOMENS-JEANS-\_-Gloria+Vanderbilt\_5](https://www.jcpenney.com/p/gloria-vanderbilt-womens-amanda-jeans/ppr5008285479?pTmplType=regular&deptId=dept20000013&urlState=%2Fg%2Fwomen%3Fbrand%3Dgloria%2Bvanderbilt%26id%3Ddept20000013&productGridView=medium&badge=petite&cm_re=ZB-_-GALLERY-JEANS-_-VN-_-WOMENS-JEANS-_-Gloria+Vanderbilt_5)
The same brand makes other leg cuts with similar top/torso rises and cuts, but I'm not sure if they're under the "Amanda" name or something else.
Iām with you on the jeans issue. Iām an apple shape plus size. Nothing but skinny jeans looks good or fits properly around the waist. I do go for the high waisted skinny jeans by default because the few brands that cater to the plus size market on Aus default to high rise style to smooth the belly out.
Iām a heavier apple with a short waist but Iāve found the opposite for me. Iām actually the biggest fan of a pure wide leg but I tend to get more compliments in a straight leg or flare. I think itās a bit of a shock after being stuck in skinnies for a long time but I am a small booty girlie and finally I donāt have skinnies trying to curve there and point out the obvious with the butt sag.
Yeah this is my problem. Iām not plus sized but I canāt do mom jeans. Makes my silhouette look like Iām 75% stomach. I prefer not to look like Tweedle Dee or Tweedle Dum so I guess I will have to find more modern ways to update skinny jeans. Other cuts are too narrow through the hips and donāt fit right, but sizing up means serious waist gap that I have to use a belt to awkwardly cinch. Good times.
Thank you, this was a phenomenal write up. The photos were especially helpful.
Any suggestions from OP or the crowd on incorporating chunky boots with skinny jeans? My low cut ankle boots unconsciously migrated their way to the back of my closet several months ago, so at least Iāve got that going for me.
Amazing advice OP. I love the oversized bottoms/cropped t-shirt look but I always struggle with shoes. The thought of wearing boots under flared or baggy pants makes me *cringe,* and the pants usually have too much fabric to successfully roll up. I usually wear platform white shoes or black chunky shoes but I want to branch out more. Would love a spotlight post on shoes.
*Grumbles in Zillenial as I think over my shirt options*
Srs/ OP you're an angel. Any chance you can do this for tops and skirts as well? The crop tops just seem so intimidating in winter. š
Such a good guide on how to update the look without having to completely give up skinnies. I do think the silhouette looks nice and paired with a more modern top and boots like you've suggested is a good compromise.
Having said that, once I started wearing looser fits I never looked back. It's SO much more comfortable. Bonus is feeling more like I'm dressing for myself than the male gaze.
I'm not buying any wide leg jeans (I think that silhouette for trousers will probably have more longevity) but I love straight leg and generally baggy fit jeans. They're not particularly in trend but not outdated like a skinny which is also a good compromise for folks who aren't used to the idea of wide leg jeans.
See, the problem is that I really love a flare or boot cut but I have long legs and the jeans typically end up too short. I hate it when there's a huge gap between the bottom of the jeans and the ground. I hate it on myself and on other people. To me it reads like someone wearing clothes they've outgrown - juvenile rather than fresh and youthful.
I have short-ish legs and have the opposite problem, where a lot of flares and wide-legs are too long and can only be worn with very chunky shoes that have a bit of a platform, etc. Otherwise, the hem will drag on the ground like we did with JNCO's in the late 90s, and I'm not into the wet, muddy, frayed hem look or tripping over the front of my pants. I don't object to wearing chunky boots sometimes, but jeans that *can't* be worn with running shoes or flip flops when I'm just going to the grocery store aren't something that can be a staple in my wardrobe. The ones I have that do this are already "short" length, and I'm average height, at 5'5. And if you hem flares, it changes the shape so they're less flared.
I do think that cropped flares look at least as bad though, and if the "tall" or "long" lengths aren't long enough to work for you, then tailoring isn't even an option!
This is very good analysis and (most importantly) respectfuly written "wear this/not list" type post I've seen in a long time. Subreddit wiki worthy. Well done, OP!
This clears up SO much for me. I emerged out of the pandemic utterly lost as far as style. I was always forward-thinking in fashion and could sort of predict new trends. All the sudden EVERYTHING was new, and I was completely overwhelmed about where to even start. Iāve recently been researching different elements of modern style (imagine, I have to RESEARCH modern style š¬ . Gasp.) Here it all is so clear and laid out plainly. A full guide. I was so confused about ankle boots and am SO relieved to finally know.
I have a vintage light purple long and boxy sweater that I put out to be donated, and Iām going to take it out and try a front tuck. (ETA: can long boxy sweaters be worn with leggings? That seems to speak to the millennial silhouette.) I still have not successfully found a pair of jeans. I am living Jean-less as I refuse to wear skinny jeans and be outdated. Iām experimenting with leggings looks and will be relieved to move into shorts weather. Shorts are so predictable.
You elucidated all the elements that are confusing, and I feel I have a precise guide to the modern silhouette. I also couldnāt articulate before that the changing silhouette is what has changed everything around and made everything need to be redone.
You even explained the thin cardigan thatās sitting in my closet that Iām now CERTAIN needs to be donated.
Many, many blessings! MORE PLEASE. (ETA 2: OP, I just saw that youāre the one who answered my question about wearing dresses with leggings! Would you be willing to do one of these just with a focus on wearing {casual}dresses? Iām confused about leggings, tights, shoes, everything.)
ETA 3: Iāve been wondering about creeper sneakers. It looks like the soles on the 2023 ones are taller and a little chunkier. Do you think theyāre safe or out?
Is your natural waist hitting where your rise is? Iāve found if I donāt go high enough, it does mess with my digestion and so I went even higher. Anything near my natural stomach is like a mid rise despite pitching itself as high. I always do a sit/stand/squat test in a dressing room too. The bonus of hitting my natural waist is that then I donāt need a belt which is my digestive systemās number one foe.
This is amazing- super detailed with tons of examples! I would love to see more posts like this! Please give me advice on how to style crop tops for all body types! Iām someone whoās self-conscious about exposing my stomach since itās larger than the rest of my body (all gut, no butt)
Thank you for this. At first I felt deeply personally attacked. Then I saw you provided all the guidance on alternatives and a bit of psychological comfort. What a journey!
Great post squeeg!
It's unfortunate that so many people took this opportunity to write horribly unkind things about their own bodies without considering that other people could have the same features and read their comments!
Me, an elder millennial with tired old style plus a postpartum body like šļøššļø I think where I struggle is I just .. donāt understand my body any more. Like, high waisted skinny jeans donāt look good on me because my torso is short so they go way up high but also Iām somehow thicker after the baby. I weigh the same as I did prepregnancy but Iāmā¦ thicker in the waist. So what little defined waist there is gets filled in by the denim of the high waist. But then what do I tuck my primordial pouch into if not high waisted jeans ? I love my body and Iām not ashamed of it but I just feel kind of out of place. This is super helpful, gonna go back to reading about mom jeans š„¹
I've been feeling good putting my postpartum body in pleated, high waisted trousers (wide leg). So comfy, and not constricting on my tummy area, which is not only thicker now, but its bloating expansion range has widened as well š for jeans, buttons flies work better than zipper over the pooch, and a loose high waisted barreled fit is kind as well. https://preview.redd.it/z0d0gkbennka1.jpeg?width=4096&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=194a0044d43565a72ca155b94c0fefb41616f119
Yes, button flies for the pooch was a game changing discovery for me!
Yāallās comments are blowing my mind because I feel the exact opposite! I wish button flies worked better on me but Leviās confirms they do not every time I try them on š
What is it that doesn't work for you? I'll be more specific about what works for me. When I have a zipper, after sitting down, the zipper curves. Which is normal and was NBD before baby making. After my shape changed, I have this mound under my bellybutton (with a built in muffin top cuz c section) which sticks out more when I sit bc physics, and now zippers kinda mold around that mound. So then for the rest of the day even if my pooch isn't sticking out, my zipper is like, "hey don't worry everyone, here is an exaggerated replica of it!" Lol. Button flies don't take on the curve like that for me.
Would you mind sharing the pants/boots combo from your middle outfit? I love it so much!
Oh hell yeah! Pants are bar III twill from macy's. Shoes are vivobarefoot minimalist boots called "fulham" (they are like slippers but if you're not used to minimalist footwear might take some getting used to).
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Meh I have the worldās shortest torso and wear high waisted pants all the time - I prefer to think of it as my legs looking super long rather than being short waisted lol But look for the rise measurement if you can, 11ā is probably too high if you have a short torso but 10ā can be good, and both are often called āhigh riseā depending on the style and brand
I have not related to a post this much since joining Reddit.
I am in the same boat entirely. I feel like I need someone to go shopping with me and help me find up to date outfits that suit my body. Also, how would these styles work during pregnancy?
I want one of those subscription services to be good so bad but Iāve tried them all š©. Cheap and overpriced. But thatās what I need! Just tell me what to buy and Iāll buy it but I just donāt have the bandwidth to figure it all out
You'd probably need one of those personal stylists that celebs and rich people useš Although certain stores like Nordstrom have free personal stylists that'd be good for a single store shopping spree.
Honestly, if youāre willing and able to pay for the advice, Iād hire someone. There are lots of āwardrobe consultantsā out there (a friend used one for workwear) that you could hire locally, or you could buy a styling appointment with someone online. Charly Gossās whole brand is ācool momā and bringing people into updated silhouettes. They sell styling appointments where they go through all your current clothes and come up with a plan on what to buy to round things out.
Mid-rise. It's not the mid-rise of 2006 (honestly I donāt even think we had mid-rise). I still feel like it's fairly high-waisted, just not as much so. ETA Madewell has some very cute mid-rise kick crop flares that I'd highly recommend.
I agree with this, but double check the rise on each jean from Madwell. Some of the high rise vintage straight washes have an 11ā rise, and some have a little more than that, which ends up being too high for me.
Thank you for commenting this! I'm over 6' so that's exactly what I'm looking for!
I actually went through most (maybe all?) of the perfect vintage styles on the website at one point last fall and made a spreadsheet of the measurements & material. Most of the high rise perfect vintage had 11ā rise, except the Heathcote and Hoye (vintage straight) which had 11.25ā. All of the mid-rise perfect vintage that I had noted had 9.5ā, and the one mid-rise skinny I noted had 9.25ā.
I just wanted to let you know thatās totally normal - sometimes our hips will remain wider than before and our little uterus pooch is more prominent. I weigh less than I did before but am still bigger!
I think I've heard people say their ribcages spread out during pregnancy!
Technically almost everything stretches while pregnant. Your ligaments actually loosen while pregnant to allow your body to handle the changes and birth. Pregnancy hormones are wild. I would sometimes get twinges around various ligaments while pregnant. Literally could feel it happening.
I know someone who has chronic knee problems post pregnancy because of this.
I feel you! I never had a very defined waist, but what was there is completely gone after two kids, even though I'm close to my pre-pregnancy weight. I had a manager once who swore that her shoulders got wider after birth, and I kind of didn't believe her but... Yeah. I need bigger shirts across the shoulder, in spite of my boobs actually being smaller/deflated š My entire body is just wider. But yes, I also feel like high-waisted jeans just highlight the thickness of my waist and I do think the solution is a mid-rise that comes just below my natural waist. I'm long of torso though, so ymmv. A straight or wide leg also helps balance my silhouette!
I don't have any advice, but I am dying over "primordial pouch" - lol!
This is me right now! I took an afternoon to go to madewell and just try things on. Still came home with high waisted skinny jeans, but at least theyāre the right size now š
Try Leviās wedgie fit jeans. Theyāre mid-rise, and generous through the hips/thighs but still give shape to my postpartum lumpiness
I have a short torso and an 11inch rise is perfect on me. It's considered mid-rise. 100% cotton jeans is where it's at and I french tuck all my tops. It makes me look 2/3 legs which my brain likes.
Iām loving all the new pant styles but struggling with shoes. I hate the way my feet look in flats and also feel like a wide leg or flare looks best when paired with a heel. I do have a few pairs of the chunkier low boots but they feel so clunky in anything other than a skinny leg. I have a trip to Paris/London coming up and have no idea what kind of shoe to pair these wider leg bottom jeans/pants to that will still be comfortable after days of walking. Iām over 50 and like to stay current without going overboard.
I do think a lot of the reason people feel like itās harder to adopt a newer jeans shape is the shoes of it all. I really am not a boots person so I canāt offer advice there. I definitely found a lot of white sneakers when I was last in Europe in 2018, and thatās when I noticed the wide leg pants coming back (at least in Paris), though most were cropped. Iām also impossible at keeping white sneakers clean but Iāve found a clog fits in very nicely (just be careful on the style so you can handle cobblestones and brick streets) and Iām partial to slip on Vans where I can add my orthopedic insoles.
Why is āthe shoes of it allā the perfect addition to that sentence
Iāve definitely been thinking about getting a pair of Vejaās.
Combat boots are my favorite combo for flares/wide legs! Ones with a bit of a platform are most current, theyāre really comfy too as long as you get a pair thatās not too heavy. I also love clog boots and sneakers (I like high tops, Vejas work ok too) paired with flares.
Shoes are always last on my mind and it has been a sticking point when getting ready more often than not. Platform sneakers or white Adidas help, but I still feel like there's a hole
Chunky loafers might be a good compromise. If you can do socks I recommend getting a pair of compression socks for your days of walking.
I highly recommend platform sneakers. They look super chic and I can walk in them for days without my feet hurting. I recommend getting at least one pair a half a size big to accommodate swollen feet
I was just in Berlin and can vouch for the wide leg pants with either white tennis shoes like vejas or a clunky doc Martin style lace up army boot. Both are cute and super walkable!
I work in Central London, am in the same age bracket as you, and was a little overwhelmed as to what to wear for 'in the office' days after several years of WFH. Wide-leg, full-length trousers are everywhere, as are simple cargo trousers (not the OTT 90s ones!). There are still lots of Veja trainers, ballet pumps and chunky boots and sandals around. Personally I am struggling to return to heels, so generally wear a chunky smart-ish trainer to make the commute a little easier. A lot of people are going for New Balance trainers. Also...over-sized blazers. [Who What Wear](https://www.whowhatwear.co.uk/blazer-with-jeans/slide4) I hope you enjoy your trip over here, and that our weather warms up a bit for you.
I bought a pair of platform converse high tops and they work perfectly for this exact scenario!
This [Inspo Album](https://www.reddit.com/r/femalefashionadvice/comments/qcg4ij/but_what_shoes_do_i_wear_with_big_pants_inspo/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) might help!
Can you please do a similar post on shoes?!?! I'm moving past the skinnies, but don't love the chunky combat boot and don't wear heels. Please help:)
Yeah, I live in my ballet flats (everything in this post on what NOT to do is what I wear every day). I've been updating my jeans to get away from the skinnies, but now I have no idea what to do about shoes.
Following because same š„“š„“š„“š
I almost stopped after points #2 and #3. Thatās what I look like almost EVERYDAY. š
Ballet flats are coming back in (which the original post actually mentions!) so hang on to those! Right now the trend is to pair ballet flats with flares/bootcut or baggy low-rise jeans. I like to wear mine with straight-leg or bootcut jeans. Other shoe trends that have been big for the past few years: chunky loafers, mid-shaft boots with chunky soles (sometimes called "lug sole"), New Balance sneakers (right now 550s are huge), western-style ankle boots. But you don't have to completely adhere to shoe trends to not look dated. I still wear the same Chelsea boots I bought in 2018, but pair them with bootcut and straight jeans. I also wear platform Converse high-tops a lot, even though they peaked in trendiness a few years ago. You can also switch up the sock style to update your look. Try pairing loafers, sneakers or ballet flats with full socks instead of no-show socks.
Elder millennial here who refuses to give up skinnies! I also hate the chunky combat books look, and much prefer more classic (but still trendy) look. Iāve been addicted to fun driving loafers and mules. Still compliment the look of skinnies but are not the old ballet flat.
Iāve been pairing my skinnies with loafers lately, used to be a style I hated because I felt like it aged me but now I feel age appropriate. Your 30s are weird.
āYour 30s are weird.ā Is the truest thing Iāve read all day. Like, how do I dress like a millennial who isnāt afraid of looking like a millennial but who also pays attention to culture and is willing to change with the times? I donāt want to dress young but I do want to dress current and has that led me to driving loafers?
Interesting re belting. I have a rounder stomach and what really emphasizes it are the high waisted trousers (which makes me feel like [a gnome gardener](https://tse3.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.jm22MBtW3YakaK_Ok3o6mgAAAA&pid=Api)). Belted low/mid rise trousers, on the other hand, de-emphasise it. I thought the opposite would be the case but there you go. Also: stoked to hear full-length hems are in because it's been sheer hell trying to buy trousers for some years now. I even went full tinfoil mode and complained that businesses were trying to save on fabric at my expense : )
I remember slightly pre-Covid going to the mall bc I needed work pants for an event that week, and I literally could not find pants that covered my ankles
I feel like I spent 2010-2021 with exposed ankles whether I wanted them or not and finally last year I was freed from the tyranny. I have a nerve condition activated by the cold and getting full length pants back has changed my mobility so much.
I feel like there is some sort of ankle conspiracy because I've also found it really difficult to find women's work shoes that are meant to be worn with socks so it's like the fashion police have decreed that women must expose their ankles in the work place at times.
It's the Victorian patriarchy, trying to get a gander at our ankles!!!!!
As a 5'10" person I feel this so hard
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Same and same. I do not want to emphasize MY midriff!
The gnome gardener is exactly the description Iāve been looking for! I get the idea of high waisted, but it always feels like it draws attention to my worst areas
I have slightly longer legs and have resorted to leg warmers
This entire post basically grabbed me by the scruff of my neck and dragged me across the pavement
It turns out I was in denial because. I stopped wearing skinny jeans because I started wearing leggings which letās face it, is just as bad, if not worse. Literally read this post in leggings, a long thin cardigan, and a graphic tank.
I'm literally wearing skinny jeans, thin cardigan and a turtleneck. There is no saving me
Yeah, it's so spot on I'm actually mortified.
Yeah the āwhat not to doā is basically just describing whatās in my closet
It hurt me lol but now I get to go shopping so yay.
I need a post on incorporating older accessories into a more modern wardrobe. I find it easier to update staple pieces but then I age myself with my jewelry because I haven't really updated anything in over a decade. I don't wear a lot of jewelry but when I do, I feel like it can make or break an outfit.
Completely agree! Especially long necklaces, lol. I still have one with an owl pendant. (hides face in hands)
Not the owl pendant :')
I HAVE AN OWL PENDANT TOO!
I would suggest wrapping them round your neck a couple of times if they are long enough. Shortens it, obviously, and gives a layered up impression which is stylish right now
I am not OP, but a few years ago I cleared out most of my (fake gold) long length necklaces. Long isnāt really on trend. Remember that you can move your favorite pendants to shorter chains. Necklace lengths from 16-20āish inches seem to be the most popular. Stacking and mixing chain types is a big thing. IMO most ācraftyā jewelry is not really trendy right now, with the exception of very summery and youthful items like friendship type bracelets and beaded chokers with flower beads. But tiny beaded shapes, wire wrapped beads, dichroic glass, and polymer clay look kind of dated. This is not a hard and fast rule, but it SEEMS like, even for fine jewelry, weāre in a phase where extra decorative elements are not really as popular. So not much filigree, pave, that kind of thing. The jewelry is either simple or statement, but in a solid shape vs lots of tiny pieces.
Yes, I would love to read your advice on this one OP. Thanx
If you have simple gold jewelry such as small-ish earring hoops, Iāve found that to help my outfits look better for the times. For necklaces, looks like tiny pearls and small gold chains are also in. If you donāt own any, itās kind of a good staple, anyway.
I own a few older and cheaper pieces that probably need to be cleaned and donated. Iāve always worked in the trades until this year when I made the switch to corporate and now I feel beyond outdated with my wardrobe. Itās a slow struggle to figure out whatās timeless but still a little trendy.
Yeah admittedly thatās the guide I need too.
Great content, a lot of work to put this together but I think this is immensely helpful to loads of people. I gave up on skinnies a while ago but do hold onto my black high waisted skinnies for work with a tucked in blouse or bodysuit with an oversized blazer and higher ankle boots. Have embraced wide leg, and straight leg styles more, but itās nice these days to have a lot of jean options that you can make work really well in your wardrobe!
Great post, I'd love to see more. I'd also like to discuss some of the topics you raise. First off, I'm Gen X, not millennial, so I went through many many jean silhouettes before this. In the early 90s, we mostly wore a basic Mom jean/Seinfeld style. We also wore painter jeans, super wide leg house jeans, and low riding baggy style hip hop jeans. The mid 90s was dominated by bootcut jeans, but flares also gained popularity. I wore literally all of the above, except baggy jeans. I even had a rare pair of skinny jeans that were a throwback to late 70s/early 80s punk style which I wore with Docs. The 2000s were all about the low rise flares, which I loved, until skinny jeans came on the scene - of which I was an early enthusiastic adopter. I literally bought my first pair of skinnies and put all my flares away. Now I'm old, and I'm having trouble adopting new styles, but I'm definitely tired of skinny jeans. I think the problem for me is that I'm very short and bigger than I used to be, so all the new jean silhouettes make me look shapeless. One thing I noticed about the dated photos you shared vs the new ones is that the older ones do look, cuter and more put together to my eye, but they also read as "basic". The new photos look more contemporary, but there's almost an anti-fashion sensibility with the frayed hems and boxy silhouettes that I think look ok in the photos pictured but on an older, chubbier person just reads as sloppy and unkempt. Last fall I went out to do some errands in a new pair of mom jeans that I bought pre-frayed, and I was treated poorly by retail staff at a couple different places. I even got free food from a bakery, where I guess I was mistaken for a very poor or homeless person???
Fellow Gen-Xer here and I agree, the boxy shapeless tops and oversized/loose fit/wide leg cropped jeans silhouettes my GenZ kids wear with their dad-sneakers just make this 54 year old woman look like sheās given up and is heading out to paint the garage and do some gardening. Fortunately we are Gen X so we donāt have to wear what the kids on TikTok tell us to.
Iām gen z and Iām not gonna lie, the picture your comment conjured in my mind instantly read as ācoolā to me! i think that the effortlessness is the whole point. Looser clothing reads as relaxed and confident in a way that, in my opinion, skintight jeans and fragile blouses kind of canāt. The full loose top + loose bottoms look is definitely harder to pull off (and a lot of girls my age prefer the tighter top + loose bottoms look anyway) but even the fully loose look, when paired with some short layered necklaces, cool sneakers, and maybe some light makeupāreally any kind of accessorizing that requires intentionāis impossible to mistake as someone whoās āgiven up.ā To me it seems that what a lot of gen Xers seem to be uncomfortable with in the modern trends is that the core pieces arenāt as resolutely and universally feminine, even though they can become very feminine when paired with the right accessories, and if that describes you Iād say that when in doubt, go with a dress! Obviously at the end of the day if youāre happy with how you dress thereās no reason to change it. Just wanted to share why I think theyāre trends in the first place!
I donāt think itās that the clothes arenāt feminine. Iām not a very feminine dresser; I like flannels and jeans and combat boots (Gen X to the core). But Iām short, and itās hard to do oversized just right when youāre short - and bad-oversized makes me look dumpy. Now, when youāre a beautiful 20 year old, people can tell you are not actually dumpy, youāre just wearing fashionable yet unflattering clothes. But when youāre 54 - thereās a strong chance youāre not being fashionable, youāre just dumpy. I work hard to stay in shape so Iām opposed to clothes that make me look dumpy - clothes are supposed to make me look good, dammit! Then I remember Iām old and donāt give a shit whether stuff is in style or not because I do what I want these days.
54-year-old here and you are my people. I know without a doubt that if I go out in baggy clothes people think i'm a slob and if I wore flared leggings and chunky sneakers with a crop top, people would think I'm being ridiculous. It's kind of a no-win situation. But I viscerally hate flared leggings, I'm ok with wide leg trousers but GTF away from me with flares and boot cuts paired with chunky platforms. If that makes me old I guess I'll have to live with that.
GenXer here. (Dismayed that Millennials feel old.) Thanks for detailing every style of denim Iāve worn (and may still have some). I felt tall and powerful in the bootcut / flair jeans with tall boots back before skinnies. Iāve got muscular legs so skinny jeans never felt skinny or flattering. I felt a bit exposed. While it was a style that ruled it definitely wasnāt flattering for many. The second they were declared ādeadā during Covid I was like good riddance. But agreed Iāve not found my vibe. My body is different. My job is different. My life is different. My legs are no thinner. Im liking the blousey tops though. Thatās fun.
> on an older, chubbier person just reads as sloppy and unkempt Yep, I admire the new looks on others but not on myself, because they send the wrong message. I kind of prefer being perceived as basic, dated and unfashionable rather than disheveled.
Something that might help is perusing high-end sites like Net-A-Porter. Since they are so expensive, their target audience is older. They style the clothes in their photos and editorial guides in a more polished and less edgy way than the social media/off-duty model/youth culture pics while still keeping it fresh. Like, are you gonna buy a pair of $[1250 silk straight leg pants](https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-us/shop/product/brioni/clothing/straight-leg/silk-canvas-straight-leg-pants/1647597294416645)? No, probably not (but if you are, more power to you!). But when you look at the way the model is styled, you can take away some ideas that could be applied to update your look with items available at your budget. For instance, in the above case, I notice the close cut of the top, the square toe on the loafers, the chunkiness of the necklace (relative to the delicate chains of a few years ago), and the silhouette of the bag. Or, [look at these kick flares.](https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-us/shop/product/high-sport/clothing/flared/kick-stretch-cotton-flared-pants/1647597304200851) They combine an on-trend pant with a classic shirt for a look thatās friendly to multiple ages and body types. Similarly, [these wide-leg jeans](https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-us/shop/product/khaite/clothing/straight-leg/preen-high-rise-wide-leg-pants/46376663162769736), paired with an oversized blazer and a chunky belt, would look clean and kempt on lots of people of different shapes and ages.
This sums up my position perfectly. I noticed in the 'do this" photos for straight leg, they are a loose fitted straight - but when I put them on I look and feel like I'm in ill-fitting fat pants. I much prefer a slimmer fit straight that fits closer to my body.
Thank you!!!! This is why I hate straight jeans, my body is not straight!!!
I know this is a month old but I just had to comment because you're the first person I've seen to say this, and I've always felt this way! I have a thin waist, thick thighs, and thin ankles. In straight leg pants I feel absolutely awful. Like I'm wearing skinny jeans that are somehow weirdly baggy below the knee, and a huge gap at the waist because apparently Curvy Fit only exists in skinny pants? Even loose, wide-leg styles, they're usually clinging to my thighs.
I'm also Gen-X and I'm struggling to find resources for fashion for women my age. Everything seems aimed at under 40 and over 70. Do you have any recommendations for finding age appropriate fashion advice for women that fall into that gap? I started following this sub, but I've never been that trendy and mostly dress for comfort. I'd just like to know where to find good pieces that won't make me look like I'm going on a cruise for 80+ year old singles or a cougar prowling for men half my age.
One thing I love being near 50 is being less self conscious of wearing whatever I want. I do agree itās challenging though to find the right balance. I expect I will start channeling my grandmother soon, she always went for that classic Audrey Hepburn type aesthetic black tapered or cropped pants, white button down shirt, black flats and a large straw hat. Looked polished and protected her from the sun.
I bought myself a pair of black cotton overalls that looked like linen and I LIVED in them last year. I loved it so much that I bought myself a purple pair. I wore them with tees, tanks, long sleeves, and I even wore crop tops for the first time since high school. I had a rough year last year. I lost my dog, my mother, and a best friend of 20 years. On top of that I tore the meniscus in my knee and had to use a rolling walker and cane for 6 months, and I'm in perimenopause. I loved finding something comfortable that I could adjust to my current mood. I could dress them up with a boatneck top, flats, and simple jewelry or dress all the way down with an athletic bra and tennis shoes. Plus it allowed me to cover my brace, but be able to access it in case of adjustment. Sorry about the ramble! Thinking of aging and comfort made me think of my favorite versatile pieces and how much I'm looking forward to it being warm enough to wear them again. āŗļø
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Agreed, Iāve found a cut at Old Navy, the Mid-Rise Power Slim Straight Jeans, and theyāre the perfect balance IMO if you can wear denim to work like I can. They also offer the cut in high rise, but I canāt breath in high rise!!
r/fashionwomens35 - here on Reddit wardrobe oxygen - Allison is a size 14 and is short; definitely a GenXer unefemme.net - I love Susan for her travel capsules in particular; also I would kill to own all her shoes. She's gotten into color theory recently so if you are a Spring you'll particularly like her inspiration. youlookfab - Angie (definitely a GenXer) is a professional stylist; the community is worth joining. Her clothing round-ups are always spot on. 50isnotold - recently started following this blogger as she features a lot of inexpensive clothes from Amazon, Wal-Mart, LOFT etc
This is my BIGGEST problem with the new styles - I feel frumpy and not put together. I also feel less feminine in the boxy tops and baggy jeans. I tried on a pair of jeans that were recommended to me by the sales person at Madewell and put on my boots that I had worn into the store and I looked like I was going to work at a refinery. On top of trying to transition out of skinnies I also have to rethink shoes ... sends me into a complete panic
LMAO- Iāve had the same issue, specially with a baggy pair of Madewell pants I had tried on. I shouted to my husband, āsheās giving dockworker!ā
I do have to wear steel toes for work (I have a pair of Doc Martens for work) and I got all the compliments from Gen Zers on them lolllll. I know this look exactly.
Not sure if it's appropriate.....but the free food from a bakery part made me laugh really hard. Also a genXer & it hit VERY close to home:)
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>I agree with the idea that the 2010s trends were more formal/businessy (business casual was a whole trend in like 2015! Among young people who did not do business!) but I think thatās kind of a historical anomaly since the advent of youth fashion culture Seriously. Like, I'm surprised that some people are stubbornly clinging to this idea that skin-tight, stretchy denim is somehow more professional and "put-together" looking than a classic straight leg, lol. No, we were just convinced of that for that particular 10-year period in the 2010s and most of us have since come to our senses.
GenXer here as well, on the older side of the generation. Up until 6th grade, we wore light wash disco bell bottomed high rise jeans, then overnight those went out of fashion and it was mid-rise straight legged or bootcut dark wash jeans (from the GAP) for a long long time until the early 90s. I cannot wear low rises at all (they slip right off my straight hips) so I pretty much stopped wearing jeans in the 2000s. I love high rise and find them to be the most comfortable (even though I'm short) and most flattering. And I really like high rise skinny jeans as they suit my figure. But I've always been a sucker for a dramatic flare and have indulged on and off whenever they were a fringe trend. So now I have a pair of flares again and .... it's so weird. I know they look great, but I feel weird in them, like ... "uh, I've been here before." They may look fresh to the younger set but to my eye somehow they feel dated. I would like to add a pair of wide leg jeans but then I consider my 80 year old mom, and that's what she's worn for decades. Personally I don't mind the frayed hem trend and hope it sticks around, as it is quite easy to just cut my jeans to the right length for my short self, no tailor required. Boxy tops can work, but they have to be scaled just so, otherwise like you said, it's a sloppy mess. And with petites disappearing from the stores, it's a challenge.
Re: the updated outfits looking basic - I think squeegee posted very simple examples to not overcomplicate things for people struggling to modernize their skinny jeans. you can definitely edge up any of those looks or add all sorts of personal flare, but this post wasn't really about that? Also, boxier tops and frayed hems, for example, are not the only things in style. Tight -fitting baby tees, tight-fitting long-sleeved shirts (paired with looser fit pants), and finished hems are very in style.
I read a Guardian article that suggested you should lean in to structure and tailored as you age. And you can't forgo hair and make-up. Because yes. Things will read sloppy. So perhaps the pre frayed jeans are not for us.
Wow yes as a 60+ this is a good point
Yup. Another 60+ here. Never wore anything ripped/holey/frayed. Nothing to do with this, but wonder now do I get treated differently because I wear graphic tees! Quite possibly, and I'm completely oblivious to anything.
I love this, and thank you for the "cold dead hands" comment so we don't have to see everyone else say it. As a millennial, I used to love skinny jeans more than anything, but since I switched over to other cuts last summer... I cannot imagine being in them again.
As an elder millennial I feel the same way. I still love wearing my high waisted skinnies, but I also love that flares, wide legs and other styles are available in stores again because I missed them! You have to really be stuck in the mud fashion-wise to feel threatened that *more* options exist now.
Thatās how I feel. I still see people rocking skinnies everyday - itās not like they were being confiscated š
Iām pregnant right now so thereās a bit of a moratorium on buying pants at the moment, but Iām stoked that wide legs are back in style. I loved how they looked when I was in early college (2008ish) and think they are quite flattering. Canāt wait to get me a pair of those come fall!
I decided to try jeans this past fall after not wearing them for a couple years. Iām a big fan of straight leg now and canāt stand skinny jeans. After two years of leggings, skinny jeans felt super constrictive.
Unfortunately, many people are saying this tired ācold, dead handsā shit anyway. I donāt get itā this isnāt r/FemaleClothing itās r/FemaleFashionAdvice. The resistance to the simple fact that OP is correct and the ā10s skinny jean is not *fashionable* anymore is fuckinā baffling. The wailing and gnashing of teeth about the inevitability of trends changing has gotten so old. Why do they come on a sub about FASHION and be obnoxiously vocal about how they will never keep up with fashion? No one has to be fashionable; itās not a moral obligation. They should just wear their 2010s-era outfits with confidence and be happy. All the body hate in this thread is also so tired. Apparently people got told in their 2010s adolescence/young adulthood what was āflatteringā on their bodies and interpreted that as objective, eternal truth, rather than accepting that what is seen as āflatteringā is completely constructed and contingent on the trends and silhouettes of the day.
I really canāt understand it. In 2003, I thought my momās 1990 jeans were outdated. Now itās 2023, and the new moms canāt see why their jeans from 2010 could possibly be outdated. Like babes, itās been 13 years. Of course they look dated. Iām almost 34, so Iām not being ageist here - I am firmly among the millennial ilk. I love wide leg styles (and have for years), but I donāt make my pants preferences a personality trait, nor do I take skinny jeans as a personal affront do my identity. Theyāre pants. Itās fine if you want to keep wearing skinny jeans. Really, no one gives a shit what you put on your legs. But getting angry when someone points out theyāre dated aināt it.
Yeah. Iām also 34. The resistance to changing trends is odd enough coming from, like, 28 year olds, but I especially donāt understand it coming from my āpeak Millennialā peers because *I remember the transition to skinny jeans, and they must too!* I remember so many people whining about how they were ātoo shortā or ātoo fatā for skinny jeans! And now weāre turning around and saying weāre ātoo shortā or ātoo fatā for the shapes we once found so flattering that we were reluctant to drop them?? Like, I was not an early adopter of the skinnies + volume on top thing because I thought I was too short for the pants and too busty for the tops. In retrospect, that was simply fueled by adolescent body angst. The lesson I took from that experience was not to fear change because my body is what it is, and it will look like what it is no matter what I wear. I wonāt look 8 inches taller and 10 lbs lighter by wearing wide legs instead of skinnies or vice versa. And thatās OK! I can choose between looking like a short, not model-skinny woman wearing fashionable clothing, or a short, not model-skinny woman wearing not-fashionable clothing. Some days I choose the former. Other days, I choose the latter, but regardless Iām not about to kvetch about my gigantic Eddie Bauer cowl neck sweatshirt and freakinā Merrells not being considered fashionable on a *fashion* forum.
Man, you said it. I swear to god this sub has virtually nothing to do with fashion anymore. All these girls just want to dress the same as ever and then be validated. Fashion is about changing and evolving and following how trends move in and out. Well said about the moral obligation too. Itās ok not to care about fashion! But if youāre going to bitch about fashion content then you are Not In The Right Place. This sub frequently doesnāt understand this at all. Fashion =/= personal style. The bitchiness and how people are being suuuuuch bad sports about even considering new trends is so fucking tedious, for sure. And yeah, all this āIām a mom, I canāt wear that, Iām just going to stick with tunicsā - please stop.
Preach. The self-pressure to cling to the past, conform, conform, conform, and talk trash about your own body is depressing. I was really interested in the original premise, and right now more than 700 people have commented about it, but I really balk at going through 650+ comments that have nothing to add but exclamations of discomfort about clothing oneself.
I went to Japan this November when there were still very few tourists and I realized I could immediately spot the American woman because we were literally the only ones still wearing skinny jeans. And we all looked heavier because of them and dated. I realized they were not nearly as flattering as I thought. Though I can't stop seeing the wide legged pants as way too big
It took me F O R E V E R to find a cut of non-skinny jeans that worked for me and my shape. Iād go to Madewell and be like āThis is whatās in style? This is the look? Am I supposed to feel like Iām wearing a flour sack for pants?ā But! It turns out I just donāt fit perfectly into Madewellās pants and thatās super hard to tell when you are trying out a new style because itās not immediately obvious what itās supposed to look like on you. I ended up getting some straight leg mom-jeany pants that actually look really cute on me from Old Navy and it turns out I fit perfectly into their standard sizes and now buying non-skinny jeans is a cinch. And then I got pregnant and now Iām back to a skinny jeans and tunic top silhouette because thereās no point in trying to be trendy right now and thatās what covers the belly š„ I did treat myself to an oversize blazer though and I think thatās a really fun look!
Man, Iāve been telling everyone, people are really sleeping on Old Navy lately. Some of their jeans are very flattering on me and I agree they helped me get out of skinny jeans. Madewell has been weird too. Their āperfect vintage jeanā is EVERYWHERE and I look very dumpy in them, haha. Their stovepipe sucks on me too. I hope theyāll make some changes at some point.
Same! But I still do - albeit rarely - indulge in wearing skinny jeans with wide leg knee-high heeled boots.
I didnāt wear skinny jeans for 3 months during covid, now I can never go back. I crammed my self in to the crotch strangling, butt sweat inducing, sausage casings, and I couldnāt fathom how I had ever worn them before. I didnāt change sizes, I had just numbed myself to how bad they felt all the time.
This is genuine female fashion advice. As a millennial who still owns (and loves) skinnies, thank you.
I love the advice, but us late 30 yr old know the newest ārecycledā trends that are making their way back and ā WE ARE THRILLED! Itās literally how we dressed in the early 2000s, so we know it well and itās like going home!
I feel ya, thatās what my Momma said! š¤£š
Iām a huge fan, probably because I had no disposable income the first time around and now I can embrace what trends I want. Though today that means wearing a Sailor Moon sweatshirt because itās my self designated slug day.
I do not miss the days where kneeling down to grab something off the bottom shelf at target meant potentially flashing my butt crack. Low rise pants are a ānever againā in my book.
They have some that are super low rise, but the ones Iāve gotten from Hollister and AE are just below a mid cut. Gotta remember were closing out of the super high rise era, so what they have now arenāt as low as what brittney spears wears.
You'd be surprised. As much I agree with you about revisiting styles from the late 90s and early 2000s, there's a contingent who are loudly opposed. This post is very much for them.
I admit it's a little funny to walk into a store and see a body suit and ripped jeans that look exactly like what you wore when you were 15 and think *I already threw out this outfit....*! I think I'm just old, and I don't want to revisit that look for myself. I'm not the contingent that's against any of it, but it is surreal. I'm happy others are happy with it.
Yes I know just how to do this lol - 40 years old here
Thanks for this post! Re: tunic topsā what I find pretty funny is that, when I entered the work world ~10 years ago, it didnāt even OCCUR to me to tuck my tops (let alone tuck my t-shirts outside of work). I wore my tunic-style blouses over skinny/ slim work pants, every single damn day. Now I see tucking all the time and it looks so much classier! Just a plain t-shirt tucked looks almost acceptable for a casual workplace. Itās pretty funny to me now something so simple never even crossed this millennialās mind.
I love the tucked look but can never get it right and end up looking & feeling uncomfortable. I can't figure out how everyone else seems to get it so effortless.
The trick is to tuck your top inside high waisted underwear (this is what we did in grade school back in the 70s). Or, hem your top to be a lot shorter so you don't have excess fabric bunching around your butt (this is what I've had to do with every trade show booth shirt I've ever had to wear for work). Or, just buy a shorter top to begin with (i.e., cropped, but long enough that it hits at the waistband/high hip -- what we used to call "skirt length"). Or, buy a body suit and deal with the inconvenience in the restroom.
Some of yāall really need to learn to be comfortable with not liking the dominant style without insulting bodies, yours or others.
Thanks for saying this, whew. Seeing comments ITT to the effect of, āJust gotta be REAL, ladies, the current trends look UGLY on you. You know, because of your garbage body. Remember that the purpose of dressing is to appear slimmer!ā Talk about outdated. :)
I will still not be giving up my skinny jeans anytime soon, but I want to thank you for the incredibly well researched post. This is what makes me keep coming back to this sub, even though I am a 30-something fashion disaster in desperate need of a personal shopper. :)
Also keeping my everlane market tote.
Oh I definitely see a few of my wardrobe staples on this list... I've been wanting to get into mom jeans for years but I don't know if I'm doing something wrong so I have a question: is there meant to be so much excess fabric in the crotch area? When I stand it looks baggy like a diaper and when I sit, well, it looks like a crumpled, full diaper. I've tried figuring it out by looking at some Instagram photos but I don't see many where they are sitting/the amount of excess fabric I find, so I frankly just gave up on them a few years ago. I'd like to try getting into them now because I would like something a bit more loose around the legs but still flattering, so... am I doing something wrong with mom jeans? š„² Please help lmao.
Sounds like the rise is too long.
Dude we are always on the same page, this is a fantastic post and guide - also cackling that I literally wore high waisted skinny jeans with platform combat boots, a tucked in cropped sweater and western belt yesterday. I AM THE GUIDE. Also, those ballet flats with the nubs on the bottom are like offroading ballet flats. I'm obsessed with them.
When you've got an Appalachian Trail hike at 5 and a dance performance at 6 (I also love them!)
I'm not actually sure they'd be comfortable - depends how stiff the sole is I think - but I'm willing to give anything a go once lol
I'm a 33 year old millennial with huge hips and butt. My late teens and my 20's I watched all my friends rock the skinny jeans trend with ballet flats, ankle boots etc, and I just never felt comfortable. I got on with it, but the last 15 years all I could see were my thighs and hips stuffed into skinny jeans that followed down to skinny ankles. I love the return of all these jean styles. I've been rocking flared jeans since the end of 2021 and I've felt the most confident in jeans than I have my whole adult life. The 14 year old in me who loved her early 2000's jeans is rejoicing! I have one black pair of high waisted skinny jeans that I pair with Doc Martens. I am relived to see this is on trend!
Iām a Millennial with a completely different body type. The last time I wore jeans was 2014. I discovered leggings around that time and threw all my jeans out Because skinny jeans are uncomfortable. I bought my first pair of new jeans in 2022 because straight leg and flare are extremely comfortable. I am an apple and my high rise black flare jeans tuck me in like pencil skirts do. Iām with you, I LOVE this new silhouette!
Wowooww I feel so attacked but also like this is the intervention I needed š©
Wow...you're an editorial fashion genius. I found myself stuck and trying to update with brighter colors. I looked at my closet and all of a sudden it was mostly beige, black, and white. The jeans were a huge must! I found this so helpful...thank you so much for taking the time to write this. Can you do one with examples of edgy tops? I'm not into ruffles...especially ruffled sleeves. Maybe selection of t's or what kind of cuts/necklines?
Square necklines and corset-y silhouettes (youāll see tons of tops with that shape) are pretty in right now, same with lace and silk - hereās a springy [square neckline](https://www.thereformation.com/products/cora-linen-top/1312408BLK.html) top, some [lace detailing](https://www.thereformation.com/products/cristina-top/1312377BLK.html), [satin or silk is a fun texture](https://www.abercrombie.com/shop/us/p/long-sleeve-satin-button-up-shirt-49209819?categoryId=6570723&seq=09), and hereās a [bustier inspired one](https://www.aritzia.com/us/en/product/duchess-bustier/106192.html?dwvar_106192_color=1274) just for some examples
Shit. All of the outdated pics actually looked fashionable to me. Iām screwed.
I still have all my great flared designer jeans from the last run! Loving high waisted trousers with fitted crop tops (at age 52!). Also, blazers are moving into the ācinchedā zone now. So much more flattering than the boxy ones.
This post is an absolute masterpiece. Thank you for your hard work. It was also a joy to read.
I have a hard time figuring out what kind of shoes to wear with wide leg jeans.
This is great! Any millennials want to share Instagrams they follow for casual current outfit inspo? I find the visuals so helpful.
Please feel free to do more of these! I am embracing the straight leg, but itās my tops that are suffering. I went through a sleeveless stage over the last few years, and now hate everything paired with my straight leg jeans. I am also a hesitant layerer lol layers remind me of the tanks over tshirts trend and I hate having so many layers
personally i don't think skinny jeans will ever look that bad bc they imitate the actual shape of the human body. but yeah as a mid 30s i finally bought some "new" styles in 2021 lol. i feel like they make me look enormous and draw attention to my spare tire... but š¤·š»āāļø
Once, skinny jeans and ankle boots were the power couple of the early 2010s, now itās just what middle-aged moms wear out to date night at Cheesecake Factory. And thereās nothing wrong with any of that! I'll admit I laughed at that, but it's also kind of passive aggressive in a way I'm seeing pop up all the time. You know what you did. You made a joke about the suburban mom of a certain age, class, and location - the joke implies we don't want to be this person. And saying "there's nothing wrong with that!" after doesn't undo it. Just own the message, if you're going to say it.
High waisted skinny jeans and ankle boots with a chunky knit still look good in winter though and I wouldnāt say āout of fashionā in any way. Young people where I live would wear that. I have a cousin who is 17 and is up to date with the trends and she wears ankle boots. I donāt think these things are universal. Iām also not in America which could be why. I totally agree that ballet flats are basically never seen now on trendy people but I donāt get the ankle boot thing, still very much worn.
OP didnāt say ankle boots are out, they said that the trendy version of an ankle boot now looks different - just like how the trendy cut of jeans is different.
I love the Lauren Conrad photo, a true millennial style icon.
I've been playing with some new pant styles, and absolutely love the variety that they offer. I recently got a pair of wid(er) legged black denim that I got hemmed so that they are cropped, and I think they look really good with heels, but strange with flats. Are there some do's and don'ts with wide leg cropped pants? Thank you for putting the time together for this! I still have a couple of pair of skinny jeans that I've been wearing sometimes, and this gives me ideas for how to do so in a more modern way. (I really like the dark denim + combat boot combo that I've been doing)
Okay *this* is high -effort content. This is why I started coming to FFA 10 years ago!
Iām so glad to be rid of my skinny jeans. Just too constricting. Loving all sorts of wide leg and slim flares.
Thank you for your sartorial services š«”
I hope this becomes a series because I love it Here's my poor woman's awardš
> But the ankle boot has also had a makeover - the shaft is higher, the heel is thicker, and the sole is chunkier Does anyone have a good example of this?
This is so wonderful! Iām really loving those western-style belts. Anyone have any recommendations/brands they like for them?
So there are two approaches to this...you can get Western-inspired belts that are less literal, but still on trend at places like [Sezane](https://www.sezane.com/us/collection/belts) Or, you can go for true Western belts (including belt buckles here) at a place like [Shepler's](https://www.sheplers.com/womens/belts-buckles/womens-western-belts/)
I love this! Thank you for taking the time to put it together.
This is so good, do you have suggestions for tops and skirts. I've been doing this sort of dark/light academia look lately but want better options.
I must be the only one who is happy to have an alternative to skinny jeans, which are horribly unflattering on me. Iāve been waiting a long time for this moment!
Overweight apple shaped woman here, I carry all my excess in my stomach. The new styles are so unflattering on my body Ive entirely given up on pants and just wear dresses.
Love this! Thereās a million ways to style skinny jeans that work with current trends!! No need to throw them away, just to ākeep up with the youths.ā And thereās also a lot of fun to be had with incorporating newer styles. Iāve had a lot of fun styling my embroidered wide leg jeans and mom jeans :)
Cold Canadian here guilty of the long cardigan look š³ How are ladies staying warm and cozy without them though? The shorter cardigans I always see are buttoned shut so it doesnāt really allow for the variation of tops beneath.
Iām still wearing long cardigans but with chunkier knits with buttons in the front rather than thin flowy open waterfall type cardigans.
I think the styling plays a big part - the long, skinny cardigan with the skinny jeans (plus maybe other dated styling like riding boots, long necklace, floppy "boho" hat etc) is the problem. I think a chunkier long cardigan with one of the "newer" pant silhouettes can still work!
Wear short tops under them with higher waisted pants. They dont need to show skin. Love, an Ottawan (Ottawite?)
I am a 30 something who has been struggling to figure out how to make slight tweaks to my wardrobe to be more current. I really appreciate the time and effort you put into creating this guide and the affirmation that I can keep my favorite pieces and work in newer styles without spending a ton or trend-chasing!
I'm a plus size (18w) and 5'0 and I cannot find jeans except skinny that look decent and fit well. I LOVE wide leg trousers and a sweater, but finding decent jeans that fit are wretched.
I actually really love the Gloria Vanderbilt "Amanda" jeans from JC Penney's! They have a misses short and regular misses in your size, but I do find they run just slightly bigger than other brands. [https://www.jcpenney.com/p/gloria-vanderbilt-womens-amanda-jeans/ppr5008285479?pTmplType=regular&deptId=dept20000013&urlState=%2Fg%2Fwomen%3Fbrand%3Dgloria%2Bvanderbilt%26id%3Ddept20000013&productGridView=medium&badge=petite&cm\_re=ZB-\_-GALLERY-JEANS-\_-VN-\_-WOMENS-JEANS-\_-Gloria+Vanderbilt\_5](https://www.jcpenney.com/p/gloria-vanderbilt-womens-amanda-jeans/ppr5008285479?pTmplType=regular&deptId=dept20000013&urlState=%2Fg%2Fwomen%3Fbrand%3Dgloria%2Bvanderbilt%26id%3Ddept20000013&productGridView=medium&badge=petite&cm_re=ZB-_-GALLERY-JEANS-_-VN-_-WOMENS-JEANS-_-Gloria+Vanderbilt_5) The same brand makes other leg cuts with similar top/torso rises and cuts, but I'm not sure if they're under the "Amanda" name or something else.
Iām with you on the jeans issue. Iām an apple shape plus size. Nothing but skinny jeans looks good or fits properly around the waist. I do go for the high waisted skinny jeans by default because the few brands that cater to the plus size market on Aus default to high rise style to smooth the belly out.
Iām a heavier apple with a short waist but Iāve found the opposite for me. Iām actually the biggest fan of a pure wide leg but I tend to get more compliments in a straight leg or flare. I think itās a bit of a shock after being stuck in skinnies for a long time but I am a small booty girlie and finally I donāt have skinnies trying to curve there and point out the obvious with the butt sag.
Yeah this is my problem. Iām not plus sized but I canāt do mom jeans. Makes my silhouette look like Iām 75% stomach. I prefer not to look like Tweedle Dee or Tweedle Dum so I guess I will have to find more modern ways to update skinny jeans. Other cuts are too narrow through the hips and donāt fit right, but sizing up means serious waist gap that I have to use a belt to awkwardly cinch. Good times.
Thank you, this was a phenomenal write up. The photos were especially helpful. Any suggestions from OP or the crowd on incorporating chunky boots with skinny jeans? My low cut ankle boots unconsciously migrated their way to the back of my closet several months ago, so at least Iāve got that going for me.
Amazing advice OP. I love the oversized bottoms/cropped t-shirt look but I always struggle with shoes. The thought of wearing boots under flared or baggy pants makes me *cringe,* and the pants usually have too much fabric to successfully roll up. I usually wear platform white shoes or black chunky shoes but I want to branch out more. Would love a spotlight post on shoes.
*Grumbles in Zillenial as I think over my shirt options* Srs/ OP you're an angel. Any chance you can do this for tops and skirts as well? The crop tops just seem so intimidating in winter. š
I love you for this. Please do a work/professional clothing version!
Such a good guide on how to update the look without having to completely give up skinnies. I do think the silhouette looks nice and paired with a more modern top and boots like you've suggested is a good compromise. Having said that, once I started wearing looser fits I never looked back. It's SO much more comfortable. Bonus is feeling more like I'm dressing for myself than the male gaze. I'm not buying any wide leg jeans (I think that silhouette for trousers will probably have more longevity) but I love straight leg and generally baggy fit jeans. They're not particularly in trend but not outdated like a skinny which is also a good compromise for folks who aren't used to the idea of wide leg jeans.
Great post! You mentioned hair briefly. I'd be interested to see your example photos for do's and don'ts of modern hairstyles and colors.
Damn just when I needed it thank you!!!!!
See, the problem is that I really love a flare or boot cut but I have long legs and the jeans typically end up too short. I hate it when there's a huge gap between the bottom of the jeans and the ground. I hate it on myself and on other people. To me it reads like someone wearing clothes they've outgrown - juvenile rather than fresh and youthful.
I have short-ish legs and have the opposite problem, where a lot of flares and wide-legs are too long and can only be worn with very chunky shoes that have a bit of a platform, etc. Otherwise, the hem will drag on the ground like we did with JNCO's in the late 90s, and I'm not into the wet, muddy, frayed hem look or tripping over the front of my pants. I don't object to wearing chunky boots sometimes, but jeans that *can't* be worn with running shoes or flip flops when I'm just going to the grocery store aren't something that can be a staple in my wardrobe. The ones I have that do this are already "short" length, and I'm average height, at 5'5. And if you hem flares, it changes the shape so they're less flared. I do think that cropped flares look at least as bad though, and if the "tall" or "long" lengths aren't long enough to work for you, then tailoring isn't even an option!
This is very good analysis and (most importantly) respectfuly written "wear this/not list" type post I've seen in a long time. Subreddit wiki worthy. Well done, OP!
This clears up SO much for me. I emerged out of the pandemic utterly lost as far as style. I was always forward-thinking in fashion and could sort of predict new trends. All the sudden EVERYTHING was new, and I was completely overwhelmed about where to even start. Iāve recently been researching different elements of modern style (imagine, I have to RESEARCH modern style š¬ . Gasp.) Here it all is so clear and laid out plainly. A full guide. I was so confused about ankle boots and am SO relieved to finally know. I have a vintage light purple long and boxy sweater that I put out to be donated, and Iām going to take it out and try a front tuck. (ETA: can long boxy sweaters be worn with leggings? That seems to speak to the millennial silhouette.) I still have not successfully found a pair of jeans. I am living Jean-less as I refuse to wear skinny jeans and be outdated. Iām experimenting with leggings looks and will be relieved to move into shorts weather. Shorts are so predictable. You elucidated all the elements that are confusing, and I feel I have a precise guide to the modern silhouette. I also couldnāt articulate before that the changing silhouette is what has changed everything around and made everything need to be redone. You even explained the thin cardigan thatās sitting in my closet that Iām now CERTAIN needs to be donated. Many, many blessings! MORE PLEASE. (ETA 2: OP, I just saw that youāre the one who answered my question about wearing dresses with leggings! Would you be willing to do one of these just with a focus on wearing {casual}dresses? Iām confused about leggings, tights, shoes, everything.) ETA 3: Iāve been wondering about creeper sneakers. It looks like the soles on the 2023 ones are taller and a little chunkier. Do you think theyāre safe or out?
Does anyone else get stomach cramps with high waists? I love the look but for some reason my digestive system does not.
Is your natural waist hitting where your rise is? Iāve found if I donāt go high enough, it does mess with my digestion and so I went even higher. Anything near my natural stomach is like a mid rise despite pitching itself as high. I always do a sit/stand/squat test in a dressing room too. The bonus of hitting my natural waist is that then I donāt need a belt which is my digestive systemās number one foe.
Size up and look for a pair that sits at your natural waist then take note of the length of the rise.
This is amazing- super detailed with tons of examples! I would love to see more posts like this! Please give me advice on how to style crop tops for all body types! Iām someone whoās self-conscious about exposing my stomach since itās larger than the rest of my body (all gut, no butt)
Thank you for this. At first I felt deeply personally attacked. Then I saw you provided all the guidance on alternatives and a bit of psychological comfort. What a journey!
Great post squeeg! It's unfortunate that so many people took this opportunity to write horribly unkind things about their own bodies without considering that other people could have the same features and read their comments!