Fashion and Beauty 4th October 2021 by Stellar Magazine

Is It Really The End For Skinny Jeans? *Spoiler Alert* It’s Not

What's denim will never die.

 

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Chances are if you have been anywhere on the internet over the past year, you’ve seen a million different posts, videos, and articles declaring: THE SKINNY JEAN IS DEAD! These are passionate about ending tight trousers. Ok… let’s try to move past the fact people are currently trying to bury clothing in a grave and ask ourselves, is it true? Can we still wear skinny jeans?

Spoiler alert, no they’re not dead, we checked RIP.ie. There was no entry, and yes, you can still wear them. Although we typically don’t recommend taking style advice from RIP.ie.

Truth be told, the situation is a lot more complex than these posts would have you believe. You have to understand trend cycles, the importance skinny jeans played, and personal style.

 

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Firstly, the skinny jean was revolutionary. We know it’s pretty dramatic to call a piece of denim revolutionary, but it’s the truth.
What you need to know about fashion trends is they’re cyclical. They keep going around.

Take the cottage core aesthetic, those long flowy dresses that have been really popular. They took inspiration from the 70’s prairie trend. Skater skirts that were popular in the 2010s? Inspired by circle skirts from the 80s.

The point is that fashion trends are rarely new and typically inspired by vintage items. There had been skinny fit trousers before, like leggings and breeches. While drainpipe jeans served as the tight fit for the denim world. These trousers were the predecessors and eventual inspiration for the extreme skinny jeans we know today. But the skinny jean was much more popular than they ever were.

When skinny jeans came on the scene, they took over. Everyone was squeezing themselves into the smallest pair of jeans they could find. They were the trouser of choice for the 2010s. It was only in the latter half of the decade we saw mom jeans gain some traction, but they were nowhere near as popular. No jeans were.

It’s honestly a challenge to convey just what a cultural staple they were. Skinny jeans managed to literally take over an entire decade, and during that, no other jeans were acceptable. They could be worn anywhere, from lunch to late-night, events to evenings in. They were the ultimate fashion piece for every occasion. And their reliability was super relaxing, taking the stress out of deciding what to wear. Everyone from celebs to us mere mortals was wearing them.

It’s pretty rare to see an item gain that level of popularity, quite revolutionary if we say so ourselves. The skinny jean deserves our respect for that.

But what happened? How did a cultural staple lose its status?

Well, the answer is simple. Like we just said, fashion trends are cyclical. They keep going around. What was stylish five years ago isn’t going to be as popular now. The reason skinny jeans fall from the top has been so dramatic is because of their popularity. They were a bona fide culture symbol that defined a decade. But there is absolutely nothing wrong with the skinny style.

Think about it. You probably have an old bodycon style peplum top somewhere in your wardrobe. You couldn’t go on a night out without seeing at least 10 peplum tops back in 2015. But you won’t see many people wearing them nowadays, in fact, you probably wouldn’t be able to find one in shops, but back then they were everywhere. Yet, there is very little fanfare over this style seeing a decline in popularity. And it doesn’t mean that peplum tops are awful. It’s a lovely style, and if you can still pull it off, more power to you.

It’s also worth mention the popularity of an item is informed by the style around it. For instance, flared jeans were loathed during the 2010s, and I mean, of course, they were. Pieces like the previously mentioned bodycon peplum tops were in style, and they didn’t go with flares at all. It doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with flares. They were just harder to style back then. Now flares are becoming quite popular because they style well with a lot of current trendy pieces.

The same goes for skinny jeans. They worked well with a lot of 2010’s fashion but are harder to style now. Although they still work well with most items.

And remember what we said about fashion being cyclical? It means that skinny jeans will gain popularity again or inspire the next popular trend in a few years. So it’s a good idea to keep a pair in your wardrobe.

As for if you can still wear skinny jeans, yes, of course, you can. Honestly, you can wear anything as long as it’s styled right. It really comes down to personal preference, and skinny jeans still go really well with most pieces.

If you’re styling them with a loose top, tucking will elevate the look. If you’re going with a tighter fit, tucked or untucked would both work. Play around with it and see what you like.

They pair well with granddad sandals, and the skinny jeans, top, and leather jacket combo is a classic style that still has a lot of appeal. Experiment with your style, explore and see what you like.

If you’re a massive lover of skinny jeans, you don’t have to change just because a post online says you should. Having a solid personal style is far better than constantly chasing trends. Firstly it is better for the environment. Frequently buying clothes creates a massive amount of waste and takes enormous amounts of energy to make. Secondly, you’ll feel much more comfortable and confident in clothes you actually like as opposed to clothes you’ve been told to like. And you’ll probably get more wear out of pieces that way. Finally, it’s a lot of fun to express yourself in clothes you love. Show who you are with the clothes you wear.

But be careful about holding on to the past. Skinny jeans were with us in our formative years, we all had the smallest pair of jeans we could find as teens, which our mothers thought looked like kids trousers and insisted on telling us. There’s no reason to abandon them (despite what your mother says), but you can have more than one type of jeans in your wardrobe.

When skinny jeans took over, all other styles were shunned, but you might find that a different fit could suit you better.

 

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There are so many different types of jeans that look amazing. Still, if you’re absolutely terrified to try something other than skinny, these are the best choices that won’t push you too far out of your comfort zone.

Straight Leg Jeans

Straight leg jeans are classics. They’re not too baggy but not too tight either, the perfect in-between. They’re also flattering on all body types, taking out the guesswork.  Hailey Bieber, Jasmine Tookes, Kendall Jenner and Emily Ratajkowski are all fans of the style, so you know you’re in good company.

Straight leg jeans are timeless, having been popular since the 1950s. They’re chic and slim. Honestly, they’re the best choice there is. This pair from 7 For All Mankind is absolutely gorgeous if we do say so ourselves, shop them here.

Bootcut Jeans

Another great option is bootcut jeans. Similarly to straight leg jeans, they’re not crazy loose nor ultra-tight. They have a snugger fit in the thighs before loosening below the knee. They’re flattering on every body type but particularly curvy figures.

The goddess that is Gisele Bündchen, icon Kate Moss, and bombshell Alessandra Ambrosio are all massive fans of these style jeans, and an endorsement from them is pretty significant. They have a classic elegance to them, which is easy to style. Perfect for those looking for something simple but not plain. This pair from Diesel are just to die for, check them out here.

Slim Fit Jeans

Slim fit jeans are the perfect combination of skinny and straight leg jeans. They’re a super comfortable fit that looks great. Not as extremely tight as skinny jeans these will probably be easy for skinny jean loyalists to adjust to. You can see Sarah Hyland, Bella Hadid, Kaia Gerber, and Brie Larson all rocking slim fit jeans.

They look great on most body types, especially on petite size. They’re great for shorter gals as it’s a less dramatic flare below the knee, which can elongate the legs. They go great with boots, so if you’re a fan, these are the jeans for you. This pair from the icons that are Levi’s would suit perfectly. Shop them here.

Relaxed Jeans

Relaxed jeans don’t stray too far from the skinny jean comfort zone, but they’re not play it safe, either. A loose fit that still isn’t too baggy. Jennifer Lawrence, Camila Mendes, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Victoria Beckham, a.k.a Posh Spice herself, all wear this style.

They look great on all body types and are really easy to style. They tend to be a more casual style but can be dressed in a sharp button-up shirt for a classic, sophisticated look. This pair from Guess are beautiful and unique, take a look here.

Flare Jeans

Hands down, the comfiest cut of jeans you’ll find has got to be flares. The loose fit is an iconic fashion piece. Selena Gomez, Dakota Johnson, and Margo Robbie all own pairs of fab flare jeans. They’re a lot of fun and can be styled casual or chic, and they look great on all body types.

They’re probably most associated with the 70s, but they have a modernity to them that looks uber-chic. This pair from Reformation are stunning and perfect if you’re just getting used to wearing flares, shop ’em here.

Any of these styles would be great options to try. Branching out when it comes to fashion can be pretty daunting. However, finding a new signature style you love is well worth the risk. It doesn’t mean you have to abandon skinny jeans altogether, the opposite actually. It just means expanding your choices and will probably make you more excited to wear your skinny jeans as you’re not wearing them all the time anymore.

Adding more versatility to your wardrobe will make you more creative when it comes to outfit arrangement and means the experience is more exciting. So be it skinny, straight leg, bootcut, slim-fit, relaxed, or flare jeans, it’s what you like that matters.

At the end of the day, what’s important is that you feel confident, comfortable and excited in the clothes you’re wearing.

Words by: Sláine McKenna

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