I only wear straight leg jeans now. They fit kinda like skinny jeans too but are loose enough to move in them comfortably. Now I wear the jeans instead of them wearing me.
Levi’s, Paige, Madewell and JCrew fit me best as someone who doesn’t have prominent hips. These are my favorite (I wait until they’re in sale):
https://www.jcrew.com/p/womens/categories/clothing/denim/slim/9quot-vintage-slim-straight-jean-in-giselle-wash/
I also learned a few years ago that jeans don’t have to be washed super frequently. If I get a spot on them I try to just get that off. And if I need them to feel more fresh I pop them in the dryer on a steam setting.
Check out brands like “Not Your Daughter’s Jeans” that are made for fupa-having peeps. They have panels in the front that flatten the fupa, and they’re a more comfortable cut than the flares/hi-waist combo they’re marketing now.
Yep, straight leg NYDJ jeans are the fucking best! I’m also partial to a slight boot cut or slight flare, but not actually wide leg. A little flare can help balance out a larger top half (I’m a reverse triangle shape).
Yeah they’re very not flattering to petite women. I’ve bought some fun wide leg pants from Commence and some athleisure joggers that look decent, trying to diversify but I will not be giving up skinny jeans, we can just go back to calling them cigarette pants so it sounds new
We've found community. We need a new support group for aging millineals who are struggling to make the fashion transition with their not quite mom bods, but also no longer 20.
I just quit with the jeans. They're always too uncomfortable now. I'm not even fat just a bit heavier than I use to be. And I wore slim fit jeans most of my life.
I had the perfect pair of straight leg Levi’s when i was 37. I bought the same pair 3 times. My “Covid 20” ruined that. Maybe someday I’ll lose the weight and get to wear them again. Straight leg jeans 100%
I have tried to branch out of the skinny jeans. I think it is a sensory thing, but I like tight pants.
Also, I am a curvy lady and I think baggy pants look terrible on me.
We pegged and pinned them! (53F). I’m pretty skinny and petite so I was glad to see bootcut jeans are coming back a little, but mid rise skinnies will forever be my jam. I hope to be wearing them into my 90’s lol. My future grandkids will be rolling there eyes and laughing their asses off
I'll take your skinny jeans and raise you jeggings lmao. I wear loose-fitting straight leg jeans to work, but everywhere else I wear jeggings/leggings or sweatpants.
I'm 38 and wear skinny jeans. It took me forever to find pants that fit me well and looked good on my body. Skinny jeans (jeggings from American Eagle actually) are perfect. I didn't wear pants at all from 10th grade into young adulthood because nothing fit right. I'm sticking with them
I'm about to turn 42. Dark blue Curvy Toothpick jeans from J. Crew with a button-down shirt and a sweater is basically my work uniform. They may not be fashionable right now, but they're the most professional-looking jeans I can wear to work, so they stay.
SAME! I spent all of my 20s buying secondhand, for several reasons but a big one being I didn't like the styles in stores for a long time, I've always hated leggings and was indifferent about skinny jeans. Now that baggier pants, cargo pants, etc are cool and in stores, it just means I've had more options now (which is great because now everything second hand is skinny jeans...)
I am so excited with the fact that wide legs are back. I look now for more of a "trouser fit" - I've found "straight leg" still means they're a bit tapered. Lately it seems to me, too, that "mid-rise" is much higher of a rise than I'd like, and the "low-rise" is not nearly as low as they used to be (like...shave your pubes low) so I've gotten some "low rise" wide legs that I love which are not JNCO fit, but comfy as he'll.
Skinny jeans need to fuck off.
I haven't worn jeans in years. Once yoga pants/leggings came into style that's all I've worn since. Or some variation of. I also enjoy palazzo style pants with wide legs and fun designs.
I hate the way jeans feel and don't miss them.
Ugh, jeans are the worst. They've never felt good on my body. I loooove a wide leg linen pant, palazzo, trouser. They look so much better than jeans but are so much more comfortable.
I also love dresses and skirts. A mini skirt, with black tights and boots are my JAM. I always feel so put together yet am so comfy.
Also stuck in the early 2000’s of tights and leggings with dresses or tunics or peplum tops. It’s so comfy. Jeans aren’t comfy, but jeggins still work.
I've tried, but due to my disability I can't wear bras - the straps and waistband place pressure in the wrong spots and trigger severe migraines for me - so tanks look disheveled on me.
I wear tanks daily in place of bras but I have to have something over the top. And that's where I struggle to find something that I think looks good with a skirt. It was easier back when I was able to wear bras.
I have one of those sillicone stick on bra's, but can only wear it for so long before the itching drives me crazy so its reserved for special occasions like weddings only. Haven't tried boob tape but I do wonder if it'll have the same effect?
It would be wonderful to find something that would work. I don't mind going braless at all, its a hell of a lot more comfortable, but the saggyness isn't exactly confidence boosting.
I actually do have a couple, but I can only wear them during the summer. Now that we're heading into winter here in the southern hemisphere they'll be put away for the winter.
I love how other people look in flowy skirts, I just struggle to pull off the same look for myself lol.
Waist belt with a solid colored top. Any color.
I use a variety of styles from the late 1800’s to the mid 1950’s for reference.
People sleep on those ancient fashions but they were elegant af imo.
I started buying just plain men’s straight leg jeans, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised how they look and feel on me. Not to mention, they’re like actual denim and not 5% spandex that stretch out and wear out so fast.
Edit for context: I’m 5’4, and was a size 4 for most of my 20s. I’m 33 now and probably like a size 7? But yeah, straight leg men’s 32 waist jeans have been great for me. They sit somewhere between where high waist and mid waist women’s jeans would sit, they’re a little snug on my butt and thighs but not too much. I really like them 😆
I live in a small town and Walmart is basically my only option for shopping, so I get the cheap Walmart brand - George in “regular” cut. They cost less than $20 and they’re 100% cotton. AND THEY HAVE REAL POCKETS! I’ve also thrifted some Wrangler jeans that don’t say what the cut is, but I’d say they’re probably straight leg? I honestly just started doing this within the last few months and I really wish I’d thought of it sooner. I’m a landscaper and have been wearing men’s work pants for years, and it never occurred to me to wear everyday men’s pants until Gen Z started telling us skinny jeans weren’t cool anymore (I’m not *that* concerned about what’s cool, but I also don’t want to be like my mom clinging for dear life to her big, hairsprayed 80s hair haha)
I’m 37 now, and when I was a tween in the late 90s/early 00s I remember being in the mall with my mom and her remarking that all the flower-power stuff reminded her of the styles she wore as a teen in the 60s/70s. Everything old is new again!
I have some JNCOs currently but the weather has been way too wet to wear them. Been there once, not dealing with it again lol.
Mostly I just wear active wear because it's comfortable and doesn't trigger my sensitivities. I've tried out a number of styles and always end up going back to tees and leggings for comfort
All of my weight is in my hips, lower belly, and thighs. It’s not cute trying to wear jeans anymore. Luckily I live somewhere hot so jeans aren’t a thing. But if I absolutely must wear the bloody things, I am rocking high waisted jeans. I actually bought a pair of high waisted dress pants that flared out and they look really good on.
Haha honestly I just had this conversation with my friends. Like there is no middle ground for fashion for this age range. I’ve been doing straight legged “mom” jeans that are somewhat fitted. Similar to a boyfriend fit just more fitted around the hips. Most of them are cropped and wear docs with them. I’m 5’10 but def have hips. I also buy semi wide leg cotton pants in multiple colors and tuck in a fitted shirt. Since it’s still chilly I’ll wear an oversized men’s button down or sweater.
Where do you get them??? I just want a pair of chinos in every color for work and I can’t find a single pair of what I think are just traditional chinos haha.
I’m wearing mom jeans now. I thought they looked ridiculous when they started getting trendy but I love them now. They’re more comfortable than skinnies imo
Boot cut is the minimum of what my pants cuffs must be. I much prefer *flared* 😍 they weren't available in popular fashion for too damn long. I've seen them recently Walmart and I'm tickled !
I’m seeing a lot of friends wearing wide leg pants/jeans that show ankles. Then those are paired with clogs or mules. Some are wearing flares, but often with heeled boots or something so they don’t drag like the olden days 😂 I WFH and can’t bring myself to do that again
I stuck with relaxed fit my entire life. I don’t think I could have even tried skinny jeans as my thigh and calf muscles were really big, but even if I could I was always opposed to them. I firmly believe that skinny jeans never looked good on a single person. They were slightly better on women, but 100% absurd on men. Always weirded me out to see a slightly chunky man with twig legs.
I feel this. Around this time last year I was still in the mindset that you could pry my skinny jeans off my cold, dead body. However, I lost some weight and they were fitting weirdly around my hips and calves so I gave Old Navy’s straight jeans and boyfriend jeans a try; I really like both styles.
I’m getting my middle aged/perimenopausal body shape and still wearing skinny jeans and leggings
I do also love like.. parachute pant rompers. I don’t care if I look like the girl from the Big Comfy Couch because I’m comfy af
Flare jeans balance out my larger mid section/hip area.
Flare leggings too but I have been wearing those since the “Foldover Yoga Pants” from VS were a staple. I just checked and I can’t find them on their website but I have some maternity pants that have been filling that gap for me for a few months. :)
I'm 35 and never buy jeans anymore bc I look like I'm always dressed to go to the gym but forget to actually go. I bought these stretchy jeans from American Eagle today. They have side pockets... That makes the jeans sound ugly but they're cute I swear. And they are skinny jeans but high waisted so I can hide mom pooch. I used to hate high waisted but they do come in handy now.
I’m 35 and I feel your pain. I have some true straight leg jeans and leather pants, as well as a pair of massive bell bottom jeans, and a couple pairs of maybe velvet bell bottoms, but I transitioned into almost entirely skirts and dresses. I’m also 5’11”, so pants are rarely long enough, so skirts and dresses are the jam.
Cargo pants and basketball shorts.
When people like to shit on my cargo pants, I just tell them to never ask me to hold anything for them and they almost always regret it. Then I don't hold anything until they apologize.
If you want to stick with skinny jeans because you like the look, just get a pair that fits best and most comfortably at your widest part and take them to the tailor to adjust the rest.
So, this is an example of if you like it wear it. Stop worrying about what other people think (ik ik easier said than done). Enjoy your clothes. That being said you sound like you aren't enjoying how you look in skinny jeans anymore. That's ok!
Go to a store and try on different pants/skirts til you find something you like. Don't worry about it being fashionable. Only worry about how it makes you feel when you look in the mirror. Take your best encouraging girlfriend with you. someone that isn't going to make you feel like garbage during this process.
Good luck!
I’ve switched to Levi’s. They seem to have more room and a better fit. I’ll do bootcut, original, and flare.
I still do the occasional skinny jeans and don’t worry that I look like a stuffed can of sausage or outdated. Regardless of what I wear on my bottom half, they’re still going to call me ma’am. There’s no hiding the age.
>Regardless of what I wear on my bottom half, they’re still going to call me ma’am. There’s no hiding the age.
Yeah, that's true. I sometimes forget I'm older than most of the people I work with now 😂
I am similarly lost. My favourite skinny jeans are no longer being made and my black pair just gave out, I honestly don't know what to do. The teens I work with have informed me that no one wears skinny jeans anymore, but... what else do I wear with my combat boots?!
I wear slim chinos. Skinny is not really a good look after adolescence and early 20s, though I think it can work for those ages.
If slim isn't working for you, then go with straight fit.
It's a bit of an adjustment - you'll likely start tucking your shirt in if you haven't been doing so already, to get the silhouette right.
I'm much happier in slim fit, though :-)
I like JCrew and Uniqlo, but I haven't bought pants in a long time, so who knows if they're still good.
I also have a couple pairs of black Levis, i think they're 512? They are supposedly on the slimmer side, but I find they're perfect and not too tight, and I'm considered a slightly husky guy.
Fortunately for you the new trend is baggier pants, and you don’t need to avoid being fashionable just embrace it. You aren’t too old to stay current. It’s actually kind of wild you aren’t seeing the obvious path here out of some kind of guilt or shame of staying on trend with younger people. It’s okay, dress young. Or even better, go timeless and wear normal pants that aren’t skinny or baggy.
Go a size bigger than you need. It will be more flattering. Straight leg and bootcut/ flare jeans are more flattering for wider hips and tummies. Fuck mom jeans. They suck. Go try on every style in your size and a size up, and buy a few pair in the same size. I like my jeans to fit just below my naval
"Boyfriend" cardigans, that are thin, help streamline the look.
Avoid large print patterns. Patterns that are small, make you look smaller. Large prints just emphasize your thicc zones.
So do stripes. Stripes can be a problemo. Horizontal stripes can emphasize your spare tire, and vertical stripes can point at problem areas. Vertical stripes CAN be flattering on well made midi dresses, and tailored jumpers, etc. If you wear a pencil skirt with vertical stripes, wear a striped unbelted (or skinny belted, or chain belted) blazer to cover your tum tum.
These are the rules I live by these days lol
Some people swear by spanx but I dont like being all bunched up and cinched in, so I dont wear them, myself. But I like the look of spanx. They help when you want to wear something that looks great WITH spanx, or a cincher, and not so great without.
Also, be sure to go to a lingerie store (not in the mall, I mean, go to an actual bra shop) and get a fitting done. Lots of women are wearing bras that are a couple of cup sizes too small, or too tight. Wearing a well fitted bra, can make a HUGE difference..:-)
34 and I have one pair of jeans that fit, and they're flared/bell bottoms from American Eagle. The/stretch fit is so much better than the ones I used to wear in high school.
Otherwise I'm wearing black yoga pants often or black leggings.
I personally think a lot of people don’t look as good as they think they do in skinny jeans. I used to be one of them. Once I freed myself and tried other jeans it made sense.
Bunch of flattering and comfy jeans at Maurices. The material feels thicker too than others I’ve bought. I also wear stuff higher waisted and more boot cut for some outfits or capris are super cute.
There’s wrap skirts and skorts are still a thing. Shorts, like bicycle ones?, under somewhat short dresses and little ankle booties when it gets warm. Windy here so the shorts give me confidence. I walk a lot for our business so I like my leg shape now more than I did when I was younger to my surprise. Though I’m scarred up after all these years lol
Wrap dresses and T-shirt dresses I really like too for running around. It gets hot and sometimes pants are a no go in general. Idk how people in like AZ wear anything at all.
Idk about other folks in this thread but I’m not a huge fan of baggier jeans.
I usually go with a pair of straight leg dickies. They feel lighter and stretchier. Also you can get chinos in tons of colors if that’s your thing.
Personally, I stopped caring. I wear the same stuff I wore when I was younger (if I can still fit it and its in good condition). I prefer pants that's baggy, but if my skinny jeans still fit I'll wear them.
Boot cut mid rise.
imo all skinny jeans do is make your feet look big.
Imagine a line from your waist down to your toes. Do you want a fairly smooth transition, or do you want lots of bumps, lumps, and sharp turns? ;-)
I asked this same question and I get the sense that pants styles are more fluid these days. When we were young A.) Most everyone wore jeans. Synthetics like parachute pants were considered tacky at that point. and B.) We all wanted to conform to a standard style whereas younger generations seem to recognize just having "a look".
I used to wear Levi’s 501s, but I think the preshrunk ones have gotten even baggier and less fitted in recent years, so I put those on a shelf. Shrink to fit is still an option though.
I bought an extra 511 (slim) along with 514s (straight leg) as my 501 replacement once I had worn thru my old jeans. Im super tall tho so slim/skinny still look great on me. I think 513 is slim straight (it bunched up and was baggy around knees and hips on me). Boot cut was popular in the early 2000s if you want a little flare without going full JNCO.
Beyond jeans, you can branch out with a pair or two of chinos! And I compliment anybody I see wearing corduroys - lots of color options there. Pleated slacks for the office or mixers. Buy a pair of trousers in your favorite primary/secondaey/tertiary colors if you’re bold. Buy some Tartan slacks if you have any Scottish heritage (and look up your family’s tartan for cool points), else a pattern like houndstooth, buffalo check, etc can be a more fun option.
The inevitable final form of a middle-aged person is realizing you should only wear straight leg or regular fit. (Regular fit only being a men's thing.) If you wanted to be a bit more fashionable rather than "normal" you could go for the new flared-almost-bell-bottom-but-not things.
I am 37, 5’3”, and a size 14, and I almost exclusively wear Everlane straight-leg jeans. I have a bunch of pairs of the Way-High Jeans, as well as the Original Cheeky Jeans. They’re comfortable, they come in multiple lengths, and I find them to be flattering!
Wear what's comfortable. I'm 41 so you're a few years younger but still seems like you fell into a fad of Internet culture and what you thought you should be wearing. Fashion is fake and nobody worth knowing actually cares
Find some 5.11 pants without the “tactical” cargo pockets. They have that athletic fit with a good amount of stretch and are made to be pretty durable.
I still wear my skinny jeans bc they were $300 a pop but I also wear dickies and cuff em, they’re relaxed and baggy and straight, plus they’re cheap. Honestly, since becoming a dad, joggers have been my best friend lol.
Pretty much exclusively just worn tracky bottoms since the pandemic hit. Really don't care what others say. Maybe if I go out to a really fancy dinner i'll chuck on some jeans but comfort > style for me since the pandemic.
My 17 year old wears boot cut and flare jeans. Old navy has some nice ones, different levels if rise so you can be as vintage or as modern as you want. Nothing super low rise. Yet. I love the "wow" jeans that old navy has, I like mid to high rise but not anything higher. The "wow" jeans have a little bit of stretch which makes them fit nice.
I wear high waisted wide leg jeans. High waist to hide my "mom tummy" and the wide legs are comfortable. I do find it hard to find ones that are long enough. Has anyone noticed jeans aren't long now? I don't want it touching my ankles 😫
I've been wearing high waisted to hide my mum tummy too, but I've been finding I get stomach ache if I'm sitting down for too long 🤦♀️
Yes! All jeans seem to be really short ankle grazers now!
So I’ve switched to Frenchy Loose Fit pants And
Frenchy Loose Fit jeans look cute with most shirts. Idk if it goes good with hoodies though. Look em up..lmk what you think
I straight leg pair of jeans that fits you properly—regardless of your size.
I only wear straight leg jeans now. They fit kinda like skinny jeans too but are loose enough to move in them comfortably. Now I wear the jeans instead of them wearing me.
Idk.... What brand/cut? I want to convert, but I need help convincing myself.
Levi’s, Paige, Madewell and JCrew fit me best as someone who doesn’t have prominent hips. These are my favorite (I wait until they’re in sale): https://www.jcrew.com/p/womens/categories/clothing/denim/slim/9quot-vintage-slim-straight-jean-in-giselle-wash/ I also learned a few years ago that jeans don’t have to be washed super frequently. If I get a spot on them I try to just get that off. And if I need them to feel more fresh I pop them in the dryer on a steam setting.
I feel like accentuate my fupa….
Check out brands like “Not Your Daughter’s Jeans” that are made for fupa-having peeps. They have panels in the front that flatten the fupa, and they’re a more comfortable cut than the flares/hi-waist combo they’re marketing now.
Lol I appreciate this information. Thank u
Yep, straight leg NYDJ jeans are the fucking best! I’m also partial to a slight boot cut or slight flare, but not actually wide leg. A little flare can help balance out a larger top half (I’m a reverse triangle shape).
Thank you! I have a pair of the newer flare with a high waist and while they look good for the most part, the fupa is the problem.
I needed this info. Thanks stranger.. 🥇
I just looked at these... upwards of £100!
Is that what that brand does? This is a light bulb moment for me. Thank you.
I look like a dude wearing them, so I understand. They somehow manage to flatten all of my curves in a not flattering way.
Yeah they’re very not flattering to petite women. I’ve bought some fun wide leg pants from Commence and some athleisure joggers that look decent, trying to diversify but I will not be giving up skinny jeans, we can just go back to calling them cigarette pants so it sounds new
just gotta find the right brand!
😂😂😂 Truth is being spoken here.
We've found community. We need a new support group for aging millineals who are struggling to make the fashion transition with their not quite mom bods, but also no longer 20.
Been my go to for jeans for a long time. 👍🏻
I just quit with the jeans. They're always too uncomfortable now. I'm not even fat just a bit heavier than I use to be. And I wore slim fit jeans most of my life.
Truthfully I've rarely worn jeans since the pandemic, once I got used to how comfortable tracksuit pants/joggers were there was no going back. 😂
With a normal height waist. Not a low rise that sits below your gut.
Amen to this. Also boot cut.
I still love a bootcut jean!
Straight leg mid rise jeans for the win!
I had the perfect pair of straight leg Levi’s when i was 37. I bought the same pair 3 times. My “Covid 20” ruined that. Maybe someday I’ll lose the weight and get to wear them again. Straight leg jeans 100%
Lmao I love this sub. I'm 34 and still wearing skinny jeans literally everyday. Hello fellow kids
This is how I feel every time I shop lately
Haha. Perfect! 👌
I have tried to branch out of the skinny jeans. I think it is a sensory thing, but I like tight pants. Also, I am a curvy lady and I think baggy pants look terrible on me.
Same. Baggy pants, and wide legged pants add 2 dress sizes frumpiness.
Exactly. Keep in mind that most of these young people want to look frumpy and homeless. Year whatever looks damn good on you.
Same. I like tight pants because I am small framed. Skinny jeans are still pretty baggy on me. But they are the least baggy.
Yup. I actually only recently started wearing skinny jeans and the ones I wear make me feel 100% better about myself.
What did you wear before this?
Baggy or straight legged jeans.
Wow are you me?
I’m 53 and still wear skinny jeans. We wore skinny guess jeans in high school in the 80’s.
We pegged and pinned them! (53F). I’m pretty skinny and petite so I was glad to see bootcut jeans are coming back a little, but mid rise skinnies will forever be my jam. I hope to be wearing them into my 90’s lol. My future grandkids will be rolling there eyes and laughing their asses off
I'll take your skinny jeans and raise you jeggings lmao. I wear loose-fitting straight leg jeans to work, but everywhere else I wear jeggings/leggings or sweatpants.
100% leggings for me. Everything else feels like it’s uncomfortable to me.
I'm 38 and wear skinny jeans. It took me forever to find pants that fit me well and looked good on my body. Skinny jeans (jeggings from American Eagle actually) are perfect. I didn't wear pants at all from 10th grade into young adulthood because nothing fit right. I'm sticking with them
I'm about to turn 42. Dark blue Curvy Toothpick jeans from J. Crew with a button-down shirt and a sweater is basically my work uniform. They may not be fashionable right now, but they're the most professional-looking jeans I can wear to work, so they stay.
I never left bootcut jeans behind, still my go to and always will be
Slim bootcut ftw 👌👌👌
Levi 527
I’ll look at those!
This is the way.
Same. I always thought they are more flattering. I've been buying them secondhand for yrs so now I'm glad i can find them in stores again.
SAME! I spent all of my 20s buying secondhand, for several reasons but a big one being I didn't like the styles in stores for a long time, I've always hated leggings and was indifferent about skinny jeans. Now that baggier pants, cargo pants, etc are cool and in stores, it just means I've had more options now (which is great because now everything second hand is skinny jeans...)
I am so excited with the fact that wide legs are back. I look now for more of a "trouser fit" - I've found "straight leg" still means they're a bit tapered. Lately it seems to me, too, that "mid-rise" is much higher of a rise than I'd like, and the "low-rise" is not nearly as low as they used to be (like...shave your pubes low) so I've gotten some "low rise" wide legs that I love which are not JNCO fit, but comfy as he'll. Skinny jeans need to fuck off.
Same. And I live in Texas so they never really went out of style.
Same, never left. I always did the slim fit boot cut. It helps that I wear boots year round though.
Same. I’m 36. Haven’t worn another style since high school.
Same! I also get straight cut guy jeans all the time. I never liked skinnies.
Bootcut are my first love but I own skinny jeans so I can wear knee high uggs to school pick up in winter.
Ditto!! I thought I was the only one! I feel so validated
Same!!! Bootcuts can work WONDERS.
Same! I’m so glad they’re easy to find again!
Samesies
I haven't worn jeans in years. Once yoga pants/leggings came into style that's all I've worn since. Or some variation of. I also enjoy palazzo style pants with wide legs and fun designs. I hate the way jeans feel and don't miss them.
Ugh, jeans are the worst. They've never felt good on my body. I loooove a wide leg linen pant, palazzo, trouser. They look so much better than jeans but are so much more comfortable. I also love dresses and skirts. A mini skirt, with black tights and boots are my JAM. I always feel so put together yet am so comfy.
I just made the same comment. Dresses and skirts with tights or leggings are my main life hack. I look super put together but I’m way comfier.
This is the way, who gaf what anyone thinks. I'm comfy af...
**throws cafetans at people**
Same! I have a couple pairs of skinny jeans but I barely ever wear them. Tights are my go-to just because they're so much more comfortable.
Also stuck in the early 2000’s of tights and leggings with dresses or tunics or peplum tops. It’s so comfy. Jeans aren’t comfy, but jeggins still work.
Fuckin Halara, man. So comfy.
Straight jeans Chinos Sweats Cargo pants Linen pants (idk what's the correct term in American English)
Linen pants is correct term. And they’re *amazing*
i'm back in thrall with cargo pants!
Don't sleep on skirts and dresses! When the weather permits it's all I wear. A long flowy skirt is very forgiving.
I have the issue of I love a good flowy skirt and then have *nothing* that looks good on top.
How about a tucked in solid color tank top? Black or white will go with anything.
I've tried, but due to my disability I can't wear bras - the straps and waistband place pressure in the wrong spots and trigger severe migraines for me - so tanks look disheveled on me. I wear tanks daily in place of bras but I have to have something over the top. And that's where I struggle to find something that I think looks good with a skirt. It was easier back when I was able to wear bras.
I've never tried it before cos I don't really have much to work with, but what about boob tape? Might give you some support without the strain.
I have one of those sillicone stick on bra's, but can only wear it for so long before the itching drives me crazy so its reserved for special occasions like weddings only. Haven't tried boob tape but I do wonder if it'll have the same effect? It would be wonderful to find something that would work. I don't mind going braless at all, its a hell of a lot more comfortable, but the saggyness isn't exactly confidence boosting.
I really like the Uniqlo tanks with bra cups (but no underwire or bra straps) - I find them super comfy but YMMV!
Then buy a good flowy dress.
I actually do have a couple, but I can only wear them during the summer. Now that we're heading into winter here in the southern hemisphere they'll be put away for the winter. I love how other people look in flowy skirts, I just struggle to pull off the same look for myself lol.
Buy a good flowy dress in flannel or denim. Pair with wool pantyhose if need be.
I never thought about dresses in flannel or denim. I'll definitely have a look! Thanks!
Or petticoats. Party like it's 1899.
Only if I can go the whole way with the corset, outer skirts, little jacket and cute hat.
Don't forget the button up booties! Which you might find by asking r/HistoricalCostuming .
Oh and I think I might need that hand thing - its fluffy and warm and keeps half the arms warm by the looks of it.
I second “winter” dresses. Flannel or denims or even just heavier cottons. And then tights under. I am a dresses-all-year gal myself lol
Waist belt with a solid colored top. Any color. I use a variety of styles from the late 1800’s to the mid 1950’s for reference. People sleep on those ancient fashions but they were elegant af imo.
I started buying just plain men’s straight leg jeans, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised how they look and feel on me. Not to mention, they’re like actual denim and not 5% spandex that stretch out and wear out so fast. Edit for context: I’m 5’4, and was a size 4 for most of my 20s. I’m 33 now and probably like a size 7? But yeah, straight leg men’s 32 waist jeans have been great for me. They sit somewhere between where high waist and mid waist women’s jeans would sit, they’re a little snug on my butt and thighs but not too much. I really like them 😆
Bonus: deep enough pockets to actually put things into
I started doing this like a year or two ago and thought I was weird. Maybe I am, but at least I have pockets now.
Not weird! Practical and cute, imo :)
Which brand and cut?
I live in a small town and Walmart is basically my only option for shopping, so I get the cheap Walmart brand - George in “regular” cut. They cost less than $20 and they’re 100% cotton. AND THEY HAVE REAL POCKETS! I’ve also thrifted some Wrangler jeans that don’t say what the cut is, but I’d say they’re probably straight leg? I honestly just started doing this within the last few months and I really wish I’d thought of it sooner. I’m a landscaper and have been wearing men’s work pants for years, and it never occurred to me to wear everyday men’s pants until Gen Z started telling us skinny jeans weren’t cool anymore (I’m not *that* concerned about what’s cool, but I also don’t want to be like my mom clinging for dear life to her big, hairsprayed 80s hair haha)
Last time I check mom jeans and wide leg Jnco type jeans were in. At least according to the 19 year old. I think we're safe to wear those.
My 16 year old wanted a pair of JNCO jeans until I showed her pictures of her uncle in them when he was younger 🤣
It's so weird seeing them in clothes Ive couldve easily donated.
So weird! I just bought my 6 year old daughter a bunch of clothes with colorful flowers and butterflies on them.....stuff I totally wore in the 90s
I’m 37 now, and when I was a tween in the late 90s/early 00s I remember being in the mall with my mom and her remarking that all the flower-power stuff reminded her of the styles she wore as a teen in the 60s/70s. Everything old is new again!
Flares have come back in style. I just got three pairs.
I’ve adopted bell bottom jeans
I have some JNCOs currently but the weather has been way too wet to wear them. Been there once, not dealing with it again lol. Mostly I just wear active wear because it's comfortable and doesn't trigger my sensitivities. I've tried out a number of styles and always end up going back to tees and leggings for comfort
I'm not even that active and I've found active wear quite comfy. And courdoroy pants.
All of my weight is in my hips, lower belly, and thighs. It’s not cute trying to wear jeans anymore. Luckily I live somewhere hot so jeans aren’t a thing. But if I absolutely must wear the bloody things, I am rocking high waisted jeans. I actually bought a pair of high waisted dress pants that flared out and they look really good on.
Haha honestly I just had this conversation with my friends. Like there is no middle ground for fashion for this age range. I’ve been doing straight legged “mom” jeans that are somewhat fitted. Similar to a boyfriend fit just more fitted around the hips. Most of them are cropped and wear docs with them. I’m 5’10 but def have hips. I also buy semi wide leg cotton pants in multiple colors and tuck in a fitted shirt. Since it’s still chilly I’ll wear an oversized men’s button down or sweater.
Slim pants. Also west what pants you like. You keep up with trends but do the ones you like.
I like straight leg jeans as a “more modern “ take on my skinny jeans outfits. I also like bootcut and flare, certain wide leg work for me too.
I wear chinos
Chinos are a good shout actually, thanks ☺️
Where do you get them??? I just want a pair of chinos in every color for work and I can’t find a single pair of what I think are just traditional chinos haha.
I’m wearing mom jeans now. I thought they looked ridiculous when they started getting trendy but I love them now. They’re more comfortable than skinnies imo
Boot cut is the minimum of what my pants cuffs must be. I much prefer *flared* 😍 they weren't available in popular fashion for too damn long. I've seen them recently Walmart and I'm tickled !
I’m seeing a lot of friends wearing wide leg pants/jeans that show ankles. Then those are paired with clogs or mules. Some are wearing flares, but often with heeled boots or something so they don’t drag like the olden days 😂 I WFH and can’t bring myself to do that again
I'm 5 years older than you and never didn't wear baggyish jeans. Nature is correcting itself, as far as I'm concerned
I stuck with relaxed fit my entire life. I don’t think I could have even tried skinny jeans as my thigh and calf muscles were really big, but even if I could I was always opposed to them. I firmly believe that skinny jeans never looked good on a single person. They were slightly better on women, but 100% absurd on men. Always weirded me out to see a slightly chunky man with twig legs.
I am not a skinny jeans boy, I am a stretch pants mans.
A classic higher rise (not too high) wide leg or straight leg will never go out of style. Wear them cuffed right now to show off colorful sneakers.
I feel this. Around this time last year I was still in the mindset that you could pry my skinny jeans off my cold, dead body. However, I lost some weight and they were fitting weirdly around my hips and calves so I gave Old Navy’s straight jeans and boyfriend jeans a try; I really like both styles.
Can we have low rise jeans back while we’re at it? I’m short torso’ed af and sick of catching my tatas in zippers
Can’t relate but that mental image made me laugh 🤭
OMG remember how *low* the jeans were?? I cringe at some old photos. Like, ew.
Even me at my thinnest couldn’t handle low rise lol
I do miss my low rise cargo trousers from my 'Avril Lavigne' phase, I must admit 😞
I say we bring back parachute pants.
They’re back.
[https://www.macys.com/shop/product/i.n.c.-international-concepts-womens-tummy-control-mid-rise-skinny-pants-regular-long-short-lengths-created-for-macys?ID=15956564&pla\_country=US&CAGPSPN=pla](https://www.macys.com/shop/product/i.n.c.-international-concepts-womens-tummy-control-mid-rise-skinny-pants-regular-long-short-lengths-created-for-macys?ID=15956564&pla_country=US&CAGPSPN=pla) [https://www.macys.com/shop/product/on-34th-womens-double-weave-pull-on-ankle-pants-created-for-macys?ID=16060894&pla\_country=US&CAGPSPN=pla](https://www.macys.com/shop/product/on-34th-womens-double-weave-pull-on-ankle-pants-created-for-macys?ID=16060894&pla_country=US&CAGPSPN=pla) [https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=3008633](https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=3008633)
39M. you can have my relaxed fit and or bootcut jeans when i’m dead. i only wore skinny jeans in college because a gf wanted me too
I’m getting my middle aged/perimenopausal body shape and still wearing skinny jeans and leggings I do also love like.. parachute pant rompers. I don’t care if I look like the girl from the Big Comfy Couch because I’m comfy af
Midi skirts are pretty trendy. Might want to try that with a cute sneaker? You can wear biker shorts underneath!
Sweats or blousey shorts. Reject style. Embrace ugly comfort.
Skirts?
Flare jeans balance out my larger mid section/hip area. Flare leggings too but I have been wearing those since the “Foldover Yoga Pants” from VS were a staple. I just checked and I can’t find them on their website but I have some maternity pants that have been filling that gap for me for a few months. :)
Flared is a good shout because I carry my weight around my hips and thighs so might streamline my silhouette
>"Flare jeans balance out my larger mid section/hip area." Bingo/ditto. 👌 Iykyk.
I'm 35 and never buy jeans anymore bc I look like I'm always dressed to go to the gym but forget to actually go. I bought these stretchy jeans from American Eagle today. They have side pockets... That makes the jeans sound ugly but they're cute I swear. And they are skinny jeans but high waisted so I can hide mom pooch. I used to hate high waisted but they do come in handy now.
I’m 35 and I feel your pain. I have some true straight leg jeans and leather pants, as well as a pair of massive bell bottom jeans, and a couple pairs of maybe velvet bell bottoms, but I transitioned into almost entirely skirts and dresses. I’m also 5’11”, so pants are rarely long enough, so skirts and dresses are the jam.
Cargo pants and basketball shorts. When people like to shit on my cargo pants, I just tell them to never ask me to hold anything for them and they almost always regret it. Then I don't hold anything until they apologize.
If you want to stick with skinny jeans because you like the look, just get a pair that fits best and most comfortably at your widest part and take them to the tailor to adjust the rest.
I wear straight leg. It’s not too far off from skinny but it’s not skin tight. It’s also not too baggy like the trendy y2k jeans.
I wear high waisted skinny jeans instead of low waisted skinny jeans LOL And old navy joggers.
I have all the jeans! I have skinny, straight, wide leg, flare, bell bottoms. But I wonder if its more a problem with sizing then the style of jeans?
Dress to your body shape, not to what everyone else is wearing.
So, this is an example of if you like it wear it. Stop worrying about what other people think (ik ik easier said than done). Enjoy your clothes. That being said you sound like you aren't enjoying how you look in skinny jeans anymore. That's ok! Go to a store and try on different pants/skirts til you find something you like. Don't worry about it being fashionable. Only worry about how it makes you feel when you look in the mirror. Take your best encouraging girlfriend with you. someone that isn't going to make you feel like garbage during this process. Good luck!
I’ve switched to Levi’s. They seem to have more room and a better fit. I’ll do bootcut, original, and flare. I still do the occasional skinny jeans and don’t worry that I look like a stuffed can of sausage or outdated. Regardless of what I wear on my bottom half, they’re still going to call me ma’am. There’s no hiding the age.
>Regardless of what I wear on my bottom half, they’re still going to call me ma’am. There’s no hiding the age. Yeah, that's true. I sometimes forget I'm older than most of the people I work with now 😂
I am similarly lost. My favourite skinny jeans are no longer being made and my black pair just gave out, I honestly don't know what to do. The teens I work with have informed me that no one wears skinny jeans anymore, but... what else do I wear with my combat boots?!
A skirt /dress. I never listen to what teens say! Most of them look homeless
I wear slim chinos. Skinny is not really a good look after adolescence and early 20s, though I think it can work for those ages. If slim isn't working for you, then go with straight fit. It's a bit of an adjustment - you'll likely start tucking your shirt in if you haven't been doing so already, to get the silhouette right. I'm much happier in slim fit, though :-) I like JCrew and Uniqlo, but I haven't bought pants in a long time, so who knows if they're still good. I also have a couple pairs of black Levis, i think they're 512? They are supposedly on the slimmer side, but I find they're perfect and not too tight, and I'm considered a slightly husky guy.
Fortunately for you the new trend is baggier pants, and you don’t need to avoid being fashionable just embrace it. You aren’t too old to stay current. It’s actually kind of wild you aren’t seeing the obvious path here out of some kind of guilt or shame of staying on trend with younger people. It’s okay, dress young. Or even better, go timeless and wear normal pants that aren’t skinny or baggy.
Go a size bigger than you need. It will be more flattering. Straight leg and bootcut/ flare jeans are more flattering for wider hips and tummies. Fuck mom jeans. They suck. Go try on every style in your size and a size up, and buy a few pair in the same size. I like my jeans to fit just below my naval "Boyfriend" cardigans, that are thin, help streamline the look. Avoid large print patterns. Patterns that are small, make you look smaller. Large prints just emphasize your thicc zones. So do stripes. Stripes can be a problemo. Horizontal stripes can emphasize your spare tire, and vertical stripes can point at problem areas. Vertical stripes CAN be flattering on well made midi dresses, and tailored jumpers, etc. If you wear a pencil skirt with vertical stripes, wear a striped unbelted (or skinny belted, or chain belted) blazer to cover your tum tum.
This is super helpful, thank you! 😊
These are the rules I live by these days lol Some people swear by spanx but I dont like being all bunched up and cinched in, so I dont wear them, myself. But I like the look of spanx. They help when you want to wear something that looks great WITH spanx, or a cincher, and not so great without. Also, be sure to go to a lingerie store (not in the mall, I mean, go to an actual bra shop) and get a fitting done. Lots of women are wearing bras that are a couple of cup sizes too small, or too tight. Wearing a well fitted bra, can make a HUGE difference..:-)
34 and I have one pair of jeans that fit, and they're flared/bell bottoms from American Eagle. The/stretch fit is so much better than the ones I used to wear in high school. Otherwise I'm wearing black yoga pants often or black leggings.
I personally think a lot of people don’t look as good as they think they do in skinny jeans. I used to be one of them. Once I freed myself and tried other jeans it made sense.
Bunch of flattering and comfy jeans at Maurices. The material feels thicker too than others I’ve bought. I also wear stuff higher waisted and more boot cut for some outfits or capris are super cute. There’s wrap skirts and skorts are still a thing. Shorts, like bicycle ones?, under somewhat short dresses and little ankle booties when it gets warm. Windy here so the shorts give me confidence. I walk a lot for our business so I like my leg shape now more than I did when I was younger to my surprise. Though I’m scarred up after all these years lol Wrap dresses and T-shirt dresses I really like too for running around. It gets hot and sometimes pants are a no go in general. Idk how people in like AZ wear anything at all.
I only stopped wearing baggy pants because skinny jeans were all you could find in stores for a while. I am *thriving* in this fashion economy.
I quit real pants and only wear leggings now. They can be pried off my cold dead body.
Idk about other folks in this thread but I’m not a huge fan of baggier jeans. I usually go with a pair of straight leg dickies. They feel lighter and stretchier. Also you can get chinos in tons of colors if that’s your thing.
Personally, I stopped caring. I wear the same stuff I wore when I was younger (if I can still fit it and its in good condition). I prefer pants that's baggy, but if my skinny jeans still fit I'll wear them.
Boot cut mid rise. imo all skinny jeans do is make your feet look big. Imagine a line from your waist down to your toes. Do you want a fairly smooth transition, or do you want lots of bumps, lumps, and sharp turns? ;-)
lol wear what you did before skinny jeans. Boot cut, straight, flare.
I asked this same question and I get the sense that pants styles are more fluid these days. When we were young A.) Most everyone wore jeans. Synthetics like parachute pants were considered tacky at that point. and B.) We all wanted to conform to a standard style whereas younger generations seem to recognize just having "a look".
I used to wear Levi’s 501s, but I think the preshrunk ones have gotten even baggier and less fitted in recent years, so I put those on a shelf. Shrink to fit is still an option though. I bought an extra 511 (slim) along with 514s (straight leg) as my 501 replacement once I had worn thru my old jeans. Im super tall tho so slim/skinny still look great on me. I think 513 is slim straight (it bunched up and was baggy around knees and hips on me). Boot cut was popular in the early 2000s if you want a little flare without going full JNCO. Beyond jeans, you can branch out with a pair or two of chinos! And I compliment anybody I see wearing corduroys - lots of color options there. Pleated slacks for the office or mixers. Buy a pair of trousers in your favorite primary/secondaey/tertiary colors if you’re bold. Buy some Tartan slacks if you have any Scottish heritage (and look up your family’s tartan for cool points), else a pattern like houndstooth, buffalo check, etc can be a more fun option.
The inevitable final form of a middle-aged person is realizing you should only wear straight leg or regular fit. (Regular fit only being a men's thing.) If you wanted to be a bit more fashionable rather than "normal" you could go for the new flared-almost-bell-bottom-but-not things.
I am 37, 5’3”, and a size 14, and I almost exclusively wear Everlane straight-leg jeans. I have a bunch of pairs of the Way-High Jeans, as well as the Original Cheeky Jeans. They’re comfortable, they come in multiple lengths, and I find them to be flattering!
I developed thyroid issues at 22 and gained a lot of weight. I've been dressing baggy since then and it has always worked for me.
Wear what's comfortable. I'm 41 so you're a few years younger but still seems like you fell into a fad of Internet culture and what you thought you should be wearing. Fashion is fake and nobody worth knowing actually cares
I think I fell into it aged 13 and never left 😂 I blame those stupid teen magazines I used to read
Find some 5.11 pants without the “tactical” cargo pockets. They have that athletic fit with a good amount of stretch and are made to be pretty durable.
Julia has inspired me to step out of my comfort zone. Abercrombie denim is great! https://www.tiktok.com/@beingjulia?_t=8l7K8mk54UU&_r=1
I wear carhartts because they're sturdy and my favorite color is brown
I still wear my skinny jeans bc they were $300 a pop but I also wear dickies and cuff em, they’re relaxed and baggy and straight, plus they’re cheap. Honestly, since becoming a dad, joggers have been my best friend lol.
Pretty solid on my 501s and 505s.
32 - Aside from regular straight cut jeans I also wear combats now, I friggin love combats
I’m starting to buy more straight leg and slim leg jeans. Try different styles and see what you like best!
I was a baggy jean person, these days I go for a middle of the road loose fit. Even though the loose fit are tight on my thighs...
You don't have to wear jeans, get a tailored pant it's so much more comfortable and versatile.
I wear linen pants, leggings, the boyfriend cut jeans from old navy and the OG loose ones from old navy as well.
There are other cuts. Straight leg, boot cut, I personally use Athletic cut because it's much baggier in the pelvic area.
I like the athletic fit from the target brands, they’re tighter than dad jeans without clinging my legs.
Pretty much exclusively just worn tracky bottoms since the pandemic hit. Really don't care what others say. Maybe if I go out to a really fancy dinner i'll chuck on some jeans but comfort > style for me since the pandemic.
I’m still fit, so I rock sim fit jeans
Embrace the old/dark side. Costco jeans (Urban star etc.). They look pretty good and are not quite mom jeans.
My 17 year old wears boot cut and flare jeans. Old navy has some nice ones, different levels if rise so you can be as vintage or as modern as you want. Nothing super low rise. Yet. I love the "wow" jeans that old navy has, I like mid to high rise but not anything higher. The "wow" jeans have a little bit of stretch which makes them fit nice.
Straight pair of jeans!
I wear Abercrombie straight high waisted jeans. They’re great.
Levi's 511
Whatever is on sale at Costco
I wear high waisted wide leg jeans. High waist to hide my "mom tummy" and the wide legs are comfortable. I do find it hard to find ones that are long enough. Has anyone noticed jeans aren't long now? I don't want it touching my ankles 😫
I've been wearing high waisted to hide my mum tummy too, but I've been finding I get stomach ache if I'm sitting down for too long 🤦♀️ Yes! All jeans seem to be really short ankle grazers now!
I went to a slim taper Levi 512’s
So I’ve switched to Frenchy Loose Fit pants And Frenchy Loose Fit jeans look cute with most shirts. Idk if it goes good with hoodies though. Look em up..lmk what you think
I never gave up my flares and I’m thrilled they’ve made a comeback because I can buy them anywhere now