Winter is here - waving my white flag at straight leg jeans/pants

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's just the millenials that can't handle this.

When skinny jeans came in (they were not always "in"!) we Gen Xers had to sort out all new boots and shoes and tops to wear with skinny jeans. Now we've been around long enough that it's easy for us to slip back into straight leg, flare, boot, etc. and know what works for us.

I think you'll find that straight and flare jeans are way easier to find boots or other shoes to wear that look good. Plus you can wear socks without making them part of your outfit.

I don't think it's generational. I think some women just went hard on skinny jeans and built a wardrobe around it and are having trouble adjusting. I know women in their late 40s and 50s (so Gen X) who are struggling with it too.

I also think the new jean styles are hard for some women who are simply uncomfortable with how they fit on their bodies. You see it in the comments on here often. A lot of women think straight jeans or anything other than a skinny makes them look big, they are just very accustomed to skinny jeans, often made from thin stretchy denim that does not add any bulk. The shoe issue becomes part of this because a lot of women got used to dressing in this long column with dark skinny jeans, a tall boot in a dark color, and then a fitted sweater or top (not tucked in, but fitting close to the body). Everything was close fitting and the emphasis with jeans was on getting a nice snug fit on the butt.

Straight jeans are like traditional trousers, not leggings, and that's hard for some to get used to. I personally love it because I like how the high waist, straight leg nips me in at the waist. I also developed a real aversion to tight clothes during Covid and now leggings and skinny jeans just feel real constricting to me. I love how a well-fitting straight leg jean feels on.

Also, a flat boot with a lug sole and a fitted, calf-height shaft is so comfortable! Easier to wear than a bootie or a tall boot, IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This cropped at ankle style is really just payback for all the years I did not have to hem jeans… I am 5’8” but leggy and for the longest time pants just fit. Now all jeans look like capris on me and shoes look stupid with them all. I think to get it right I need to buy the tall version and then hem … feeling for all my 5’1” sisters who hemmed through the oughts and teens!

This is me. I didn't have to hem jeans. But longs are overall fitted different where the stitchng to the knee/waist doesn't fit right even if I hem the bottom, so it's not always the solution to get longer and then hem. I feel like I can't ever quite find the right fit unless it's a brand/style that is meant to look long. Ankles are too short on me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's just the millenials that can't handle this.

When skinny jeans came in (they were not always "in"!) we Gen Xers had to sort out all new boots and shoes and tops to wear with skinny jeans. Now we've been around long enough that it's easy for us to slip back into straight leg, flare, boot, etc. and know what works for us.

I think you'll find that straight and flare jeans are way easier to find boots or other shoes to wear that look good. Plus you can wear socks without making them part of your outfit.

I don't think it's generational. I think some women just went hard on skinny jeans and built a wardrobe around it and are having trouble adjusting. I know women in their late 40s and 50s (so Gen X) who are struggling with it too.

I also think the new jean styles are hard for some women who are simply uncomfortable with how they fit on their bodies. You see it in the comments on here often. A lot of women think straight jeans or anything other than a skinny makes them look big, they are just very accustomed to skinny jeans, often made from thin stretchy denim that does not add any bulk. The shoe issue becomes part of this because a lot of women got used to dressing in this long column with dark skinny jeans, a tall boot in a dark color, and then a fitted sweater or top (not tucked in, but fitting close to the body). Everything was close fitting and the emphasis with jeans was on getting a nice snug fit on the butt.

Straight jeans are like traditional trousers, not leggings, and that's hard for some to get used to. I personally love it because I like how the high waist, straight leg nips me in at the waist. I also developed a real aversion to tight clothes during Covid and now leggings and skinny jeans just feel real constricting to me. I love how a well-fitting straight leg jean feels on.

Also, a flat boot with a lug sole and a fitted, calf-height shaft is so comfortable! Easier to wear than a bootie or a tall boot, IMO.

I think the flare jean but higher waisted, as posted above, is the solution for us millenial/gen Xers. The jean easily goes over the top of the boot. But I prefer longer flares, not this weird halfway down the leg crop kick flare thing. Ankles don't quite give enough room for the top of the boot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This cropped at ankle style is really just payback for all the years I did not have to hem jeans… I am 5’8” but leggy and for the longest time pants just fit. Now all jeans look like capris on me and shoes look stupid with them all. I think to get it right I need to buy the tall version and then hem … feeling for all my 5’1” sisters who hemmed through the oughts and teens!

This is me. I didn't have to hem jeans. But longs are overall fitted different where the stitchng to the knee/waist doesn't fit right even if I hem the bottom, so it's not always the solution to get longer and then hem. I feel like I can't ever quite find the right fit unless it's a brand/style that is meant to look long. Ankles are too short on me.

Sigh. I feel like these jeans work in summer with sandals but are awful in winter. I just ordered a pair of everlane jeans with a 28.5 inseam and hope that works.

[Anonymous]

Can someone post an example of a bootie that will work with this style jeans, that does not have a lug sole. I am mid 50s and feel too old for those shoes - i want a “regular” sole/heel, but the shaft tall enough so that you don’t see my
ankles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can someone post an example of a bootie that will work with this style jeans, that does not have a lug sole. I am mid 50s and feel too old for those shoes - i want a “regular” sole/heel, but the shaft tall enough so that you don’t see my
ankles.

You’re not working with booties anymore. They’re done. Ankle boots with those fat little heels and almond toes are dated. Look for long slender mid shaft boots with structural heels and long toe boxes. The ankle is slender and comes up to your shin. Very simple to match with any pants; here’s an inexpensive example of what I’m talking about: https://www.asos.com/us/raid/raid-kennedi-mid-heel-chelsea-boots-in-black/prd/201329765?ctaref=we+recommend+grid_13&featureref1=we+recommend+pers

[Anonymous]

I live in a really cold area and am having a heck of a time finding ankle boots for snow that would look good with my straight and/or wide jeans. I am short, too, only 5 foot 1, so I already have to buy ankle length just to get normal length on my body. I would love it if I just had to wear the type of boots people are posting here but they just are fall boots for me…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone post an example of a bootie that will work with this style jeans, that does not have a lug sole. I am mid 50s and feel too old for those shoes - i want a “regular” sole/heel, but the shaft tall enough so that you don’t see my
ankles.

You’re not working with booties anymore. They’re done. Ankle boots with those fat little heels and almond toes are dated. Look for long slender mid shaft boots with structural heels and long toe boxes. The ankle is slender and comes up to your shin. Very simple to match with any pants; here’s an inexpensive example of what I’m talking about: https://www.asos.com/us/raid/raid-kennedi-mid-heel-chelsea-boots-in-black/prd/201329765?ctaref=we+recommend+grid_13&featureref1=we+recommend+pers

DP, but I don’t have chicken legs, so those don’t work for me. Oh well. Those are the kinds of boots that look dreadful on anyone who is not super thin and leggy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone post an example of a bootie that will work with this style jeans, that does not have a lug sole. I am mid 50s and feel too old for those shoes - i want a “regular” sole/heel, but the shaft tall enough so that you don’t see my
ankles.

You’re not working with booties anymore. They’re done. Ankle boots with those fat little heels and almond toes are dated. Look for long slender mid shaft boots with structural heels and long toe boxes. The ankle is slender and comes up to your shin. Very simple to match with any pants; here’s an inexpensive example of what I’m talking about: https://www.asos.com/us/raid/raid-kennedi-mid-heel-chelsea-boots-in-black/prd/201329765?ctaref=we+recommend+grid_13&featureref1=we+recommend+pers

DP, but I don’t have chicken legs, so those don’t work for me. Oh well. Those are the kinds of boots that look dreadful on anyone who is not super thin and leggy.

Any kind of stretch boot should work great for women with thicker legs. They’re much more forgiving than the more traditional leather variety. I say this as a pear-shaped woman who frequently has trouble with boots being too tight in the calf. I probably wouldn’t wear these mid-height ones with skirts because they make my short legs look even shorter but with jeans they’re great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone post an example of a bootie that will work with this style jeans, that does not have a lug sole. I am mid 50s and feel too old for those shoes - i want a “regular” sole/heel, but the shaft tall enough so that you don’t see my
ankles.

You’re not working with booties anymore. They’re done. Ankle boots with those fat little heels and almond toes are dated. Look for long slender mid shaft boots with structural heels and long toe boxes. The ankle is slender and comes up to your shin. Very simple to match with any pants; here’s an inexpensive example of what I’m talking about: https://www.asos.com/us/raid/raid-kennedi-mid-heel-chelsea-boots-in-black/prd/201329765?ctaref=we+recommend+grid_13&featureref1=we+recommend+pers

DP, but I don’t have chicken legs, so those don’t work for me. Oh well. Those are the kinds of boots that look dreadful on anyone who is not super thin and leggy.

So number one, they might look fine. You haven’t even tried them. Number two, you will NEVER have style or feel confident in wearing what you like if you always worry about what’s “flattering.” Younger women DO NOT do that to themselves they way Millennial, Gen X, Boomers do. They wear what they like and is comfortable and don’t necessarily worry about it being flattering. Free yourself from that and you’ll probably find a style you actually love.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love straight-leg ankle length jeans/pants. For winter, I just get longer pairs, so they cover my ankles, or I wear booties that more or less cover the lower leg. I will never, ever go back to skinny jeans.

This. Get a pair of mid-height booties that are fitted and wear your straight-leg jeans over the top.

looks ready for a flood

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love straight-leg ankle length jeans/pants. For winter, I just get longer pairs, so they cover my ankles, or I wear booties that more or less cover the lower leg. I will never, ever go back to skinny jeans.

This. Get a pair of mid-height booties that are fitted and wear your straight-leg jeans over the top.

But these look weirdly short with half the boot shaft visible?

That's how they're supposed to look. You allow the thinnest part of your (booted) ankle show, which is more flattering. This look works best with sock boots that hug the leg. I don't care for it as much with the raw hem above because the white fringe visually interrupts the leg line but would be great with a finished hem.

And for the PP who was worried how it looks when seated, a mid-shaft height boot will still cover your leg. I even wear knee boots under my straight legs sometimes, which is great when it's really cold. Because they're sock boots, they don't look bulky under my jeans. These are the ones I have:

https://www.nordstrom.com/s/ella-stretch-knee-high-boot-women/7184152

I think this is a generational thing. I was born at the end of 1979 so sorta gen X, millennial, early 40s now. My DH would ask me where the flood is if I wore something like this. It just looks weird to me and makes people's legs look short.

I prefer the flare leg jean look that cover the top of the food, perferably with a heeled boot. That was what was trendy when I was in college and given flare jeans are making a come back, I'll stick to that.

Hmm, I'm younger than you but my husband is your age and he would NEVER ask me where the flood is. And not only because he wants to sleep with me again. So maybe not so much a generational thing but more of an eye-for-fashion thing.

[Anonymous]

Ok, people keep asking for examples of boots you can wear with these jeans. I have been through this, so let me help.

Stretch suede with a block heel. Wear with sock that matches the boot so that if the hem creeps up when you are sitting down, the transition isn't jarring. Very sleek look (https://www.zappos.com/p/vaneli-sonny-cuoio-punto-stretch-suede/product/9791766/color/1017576)


Lug sole Chelsea boots. Look for the knit insets like on this boot (in a contrasting sweater knit is trendy this year, Chloe has some like this I adore) because it enables a tighter fit on the ankle. You can find lug soles that are huge and exaggerated or many that are sleeker, like this one (https://www.loft.com/lug-sole-chelsea-boots/597354)


You can also go sportier with a hiking boot. Note that these have a taller shaft as do the others. Wear with think socks that you expect to be seen. This is a nice casual look around the holidays, to be worn with cozy sweaters and turtlenecks. (https://www.zappos.com/p/sorel-lennox-lace-cozy-stkd-waterproof-velvet-tan-warp-red/product/9712683/color/986199)


You can also just wear sneakers or loafers or other non-boots with socks, but as someone who is always cold in the winter, I understand that doesn't satisfy a lot of people -- you want to be able to wear cozy boot socks that don't look good with those shoes and not worry about socks slipping down. You want the sleekness and warmth of a boot, I get it. But there are many, many options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone post an example of a bootie that will work with this style jeans, that does not have a lug sole. I am mid 50s and feel too old for those shoes - i want a “regular” sole/heel, but the shaft tall enough so that you don’t see my
ankles.

You’re not working with booties anymore. They’re done. Ankle boots with those fat little heels and almond toes are dated. Look for long slender mid shaft boots with structural heels and long toe boxes. The ankle is slender and comes up to your shin. Very simple to match with any pants; here’s an inexpensive example of what I’m talking about: https://www.asos.com/us/raid/raid-kennedi-mid-heel-chelsea-boots-in-black/prd/201329765?ctaref=we+recommend+grid_13&featureref1=we+recommend+pers

I have been waiting for this moment for a solid DECADE. I hated booties.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone post an example of a bootie that will work with this style jeans, that does not have a lug sole. I am mid 50s and feel too old for those shoes - i want a “regular” sole/heel, but the shaft tall enough so that you don’t see my
ankles.

You’re not working with booties anymore. They’re done. Ankle boots with those fat little heels and almond toes are dated. Look for long slender mid shaft boots with structural heels and long toe boxes. The ankle is slender and comes up to your shin. Very simple to match with any pants; here’s an inexpensive example of what I’m talking about: https://www.asos.com/us/raid/raid-kennedi-mid-heel-chelsea-boots-in-black/prd/201329765?ctaref=we+recommend+grid_13&featureref1=we+recommend+pers

I have been waiting for this moment for a solid DECADE. I hated booties.

The bad news is, they’re being replaced with kitten heel shaft boots lmao