Can I wear skinny jeans?

[Anonymous]

I'm also a 30-something (36) who wears skinny jeans. I'm 5'2 so I like to wear them with heals. I also wear them with a longer shirt or sweater so my butt doesn't show. It is definitely not just for gals in their 20s.

[Anonymous]

If you're in your 30s I think you can clearly wear them IF you are in shape for them. 5'4" and 4/6 sounds borderline, I'd have to see you in them. I'm 5"10" and a size 29 and I don't feel like they flatter me. I prefer the straight leg for a modern look.

[Anonymous]

Skinny jeans are not about age as far as I'm concerned, but maybe that's because I'm a 37 year old who still wears them. Skinny jeans with ballet flats and a flattering, age appropriate top, is stylish and does not make 30-40 somethings look like they're trying to be teenagers. Try J. Crew, I find their styles to be flattering and comfortable (slightly higher waists, forgiving stretch but not too much).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I'm 31...does that mean I can still wear the jeans or should I only have worn them a few years ago.

Seriously though, I just haven't figured out if they look good or not. I will try them with seriously high heels (which I do love to wear) and a loose (or more voluminous) top. I have a lot of great girlfriends but I can't say I have any that are that honest about clothes. Ha. I think maybe we tend to just be really nice to each other. If I only I could post a picture here, then I'd get a REALLY honest opinion. Right?

In my experience, if I "haven't figured out" if something looks good or not, I am better off not buying it and saving my money. These days I try to restrict my clothing purchases to those that I am 100% confident in how I look wearing. Trends be damned!

[Anonymous]

I agree with 6:58. General experience shows that if you are not quite sure, there probably is a reason you are hesitant. But go into the dressing and try it on while looking at all angles. Have all the right shoes and tops in with you. Bottom line is that if you don't feel fabulous in it, don't buy it. It will end up sitting in the closet.

6:58 "trends be damned" line reminds me of a friend who is a well-known clothing buyer. Her tag line is "Just because something is "in", doesn't necessarily mean that you should be "in" it." Fashion is fleeting - style is eternal.

[Anonymous]

If you're not sure if it looks good on you, take a digital camera with you when you try them on. Just looking at yourself on the screen will give you a more honest perspective than looking directly in the mirror. And put your thumb over your face so you're only seeing your body.

[Anonymous]

OP, Stop kidding yourself. Let me just pre-trash you now because if I see you bulging out of those jeans I am going to talk about you...i.e. It is so sad when an otherwise attractive woman does not know what is flattering for her aging form.

If you are an American size 4/6 you are way too big for skinny jeans. If you are say, an Italian or French 36, go right ahead but I highly doubt you are. Those jeans only look good if you are smoker skinny. If your 30-year old body is still teenager thin proceed without qualms.

By the way, I totally sympathize with you. I am an American size 6 and love the look of skinny jeans but I don't even try them on in my dreams.

[Anonymous]

OP - I think you will know. I put something on in the dressing room and if I am at all doubtful I just don't buy it.

Try a pair on. If you have doubt, don't do it.

Years ago I tried on capri pants when they were first coming out - I was so excited because I think shorts are so casual and yet pants seem weird in the heat, so I thought they were the perfect solution. I am 5'3" and skinny and I put them on and right away - I was like these totally cut my legs off and make me look like I have really short legs. I can't wear them.

Bummer. Back to skirts. Point is - I know what's it like to love a style and just not be able to pull it off. But you will probably know in the dressing room. If you doubt yourself take a friend who will give it to you straight up! Or take a picture of yourself and send to that friend.

In terms of age, I think as long as it looks good on someone they can wear it. Exceptions being short shorts, micro minis, and crop tops. Those are for the young, and I would argue crop tops are silly on anyone. And no one should be showing lots of cleavage, or wearing uncomfortably tight clothes, I don't care how old you are - that's tacky at any age.

[Anonymous]

There are a variety of views expressed here, so please don't take this as directed to you unless it applies to you:

I am very weary of 20-something chippies laying down the an age limit as to when women should stop wearing short skirts, bikinis, low rise or skinny jeans or whatever. You seem not to realize that you, too, will be in your late 30's/early 40's before you know it.

But that's kind of beside the point. Jillian Michael's is either 39 or 40 years old right now. Probably somewhere in between. Anyone who has a body like that can wear whatever they want. In fact, I challenge the 20-something's on this board to hold themselves up to Michaels and then decide if they really feel comfortable in their own skimpy clothes. And I don't wanna hear people say that they don't think Jillian has a pretty face. That's not the issue. I'm talking about her bod. It's the hottest bod I've ever seen.

BTW. exercisers looking for something new -- she has a big set called The Biggest Winner, which actually came out before The Shred. It's better. Each workout is about 25 minutes, and it's ass-kicking. You will need a step, though it's not step aerobics -- she just uses it as a tool. I've seen results in less than a week. It's awesome and hard to be bored by.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for all the advice. I'm not sure if they look good because I haven't really tried them on. I will but am doubtful. We'll see. I am not "smoker skinny" as 11:10 put it. I am a marathon runner and have a more athletic, although pretty slim, build. My legs do not touch above the knee as a previous poster asked but they are not the smallest part of my body! We'll see. I'm going to go try some on tomorrow. I was really just curious to see if others are pulling them off without being model thin and tall.

I agree people should not dress too young for their "aging body" although the term seems really harsh! I think it's more the idea that people, even in their 20's, should not be wearing the same clothes as high school girls. Having said that, I think there is a lot we can pull off that those teenagers can't! So, I'm going to keep playing with fashion and having fun with it. I never thought of skinny jeans as a young trend, just a really really thin person one.

[Anonymous]

To the pp who suggested taking a camera into the dressing room with you, what a great idea! Covering up the face and just giving an honest fashion autopsy of the body/outfit is the way to go. It's hard to be biased when you're looking at the living proof on camera!

[Anonymous]

Another example: Jennifer Anniston. Late 30's. Try telling her not to wear low rise jeans or a bikini.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another example: Jennifer Anniston. Late 30's. Try telling her not to wear low rise jeans or a bikini.

Size 0.

[Anonymous]

Right on. She works hard on her body. But she's older. It's not your age that matters. It's how you look, at any age.

[Anonymous]

Jennifer Aniston is 40! You go, girl!