Going Jeans Shopping: I Have the Bell Bottom Blues
Typically, I feel pretty good about myself. Over the years, healthy food choices have become automatic and daily exercise keeps those feel-good endorphins pumping (hmm, funny how that works). But, nothing can put the kibosh on my usual happy-go-lucky self like a session in one of those four-by-four strangely lit torture chambers known as the dressing room. Trying to find a decent, affordable, well-fitting pair of jeans has truly become a study in frustration.
All summer, I’ve sported shorts and was secretly pleased with my hard-earned muscular thighs and sculpted calves. But now trying to fit into a pair of jeans makes me somehow feel like a failure. Rack after rack is filled with the skinny, the ultra skinny and now the skinny skinny. Why not just buy a bucket of body paint? Who are these designed for, prepubescent 12-year-olds and fashion models that have not an ounce of muscle on their waif-like bodies? Surely not the Fit Bottomed Girl who revels in the afterglow of a crazy-hard workout and takes pride in the fact that she can knock out a set of push-ups with the best of ‘em.
And then it hit me — I’m not the failure — they are! Designers have glutted the market with one style, for one body type, and it is just not gonna cut it. Their singular thinking has us stereotyped as a cookie-cutter army of women. I’ve worked hard to keep toned muscular legs and a rounded backside and have no desire to smash them into a pair of skintight, non-breathable, synthetic denim-like material just to be trendy.
I have tried them all, and personally don’t find them flattering or comfortable in the least. Someone needs to jump off the bandwagon and design a pair of dungarees for real women; a pair that feels good on our bodies and enhances our curves, not one that is akin to wearing a girdle and has us racing to the bookstore for a copy of The Skinny Jeans Diet.
I’d love to find a pair of plain old, shrink-to-fit, cotton denim. Luckily, fashion is fickle and the styles will change soon enough; until then I will continue to wear skirts to highlight my shapely gams and kick it in my worn but trusty boyfriend jeans. I’ll never be a poster child for this season’s must-have styles, but I will continue on my quest to be a healthy, happy Fit Bottomed Girl.
Are you a fan of the skinny jean? Are there other trending fashions you would like to see go away? —Karen
Comments
I feel your pain. My go-to for jeans that are stylish but fit real women (and I have hips and a curvy butt!) is Ann Taylor Loft. They have the usual options, but also offer “curvy” versions of the same styles. Strangely, I have also had luck with Old Navy’s “sweetheart” style in the past – again, more hip room!. Good luck!
“I’ve worked hard to keep toned muscular legs and a rounded backside and have no desire to smash them into a pair of skintight, non-breathable, synthetic denim-like material just to be trendy.”
You go, girl. Seriously, though–the skinny jeans thing is so over and done. What’s with only ONE style of denim being available, when there are so many bodies to accommodate?
I have been dreading buying some modern looking jeans because I did not think the skinny styles looked good on me – or many other women, too. I have found a pair that I like; full-disclosure – it’s from a company whose clothing line I sell but they often do not offer “jeans” per se… this season we do have some. The company is http://www.etcetera.com and the particular model is called “Jacquard” – there is a printed pair called “Ranch.”
Whether or not you buy the Etcetera brand jeans what I have figured from the way they fit is to look for Slim leg jeans, not Skinny. What makes these OK for a not-skinny person is that they do not hug the knee-to-calf zone. It keeps one (or me anyway) from looking like what I call an “ice-cream-cone” – that look when the woman just appears to get larger and larger as your eyes move up her body.
It’s hard to balance the need/desire to look modern vs. styles that are more flattering. I’d held off on buying new jeans AND I’d been avoiding wearing jeans in social situations b/c I knew the ones I had were “dated” but now with this less-grabby style I feel like I can wear jeans in a style-requiring-setting.
Hey, I’m over 40 and can rock any look thanks to my tough daily workouts. But I’m with Karen…who are these designers kidding?? They have lost my disposable $$$. I was ready to drop a ton of cash for new jeans. The ultra skinny jeans are ridiculous for anyone who has birthed a child and has womenly hipsl Their loss, I will keep wearing what I have in my closet til they figure out, us over-40 women have way more disposable income than these teeny boppers!
I dislike skinny jeans. I have the same problem with shopping. My 17 year old daughter recently saw the Special K commercial where the women are in the jeans store and the sizes are things like “radiant, strong, etc.” We then got into a discussion that someone should create a store like this.
Lennette,
They kind of already have… Old Navy has twee little names for different styles of jeans for different body types, like “Diva” and “Sweetheart”.
Amen! Well said! I am SO with you!
I agree with Loft and (sometimes) with Old Navy for those of us with the *ahem* strong hips and thighs (this is a genetic phenomenon in my family!) but I bought THE PERFECT PAIR OF JEANS the other day at TJ Maxx. Lucky Brand Sofia soft stretch skinnies – they are nice and high on my waist – no gapping, and slimming without being tight. And only $35 at TJ Maxx. I consider myself very very fortunate whenever I find good jeans because they are few and far between!
I dunno. I kinda like the skinnys. I have what might be termed a badonkadonk and thunder thighs, but I still rock the skinny jeans regularly. As long as they have a good bit of stretch they’re awesome. I hear uniqlo makes a supwr stretchy skinny but I’m too cheap to try them so far.
Amen, sister! Amen SO HARD!
I tried on some skinny jeans in H&M recently and looked like a sausage. Brands that have worked for me are Paige (they’re pricey, but I think they embrace your curves) and Gap, in certain styles.
OK, I’ll be the dissenting opinion here. I LOVE skinny jeans. I like them because 1) I’m short, and any kind of flare jean pretty much swallows me and 2) I can dress them up because they’re not as casual-looking as the looser fitting styles. I have very muscular legs, but I never have trouble finding denim at Express. Their jean leggings and barely boot styles are fantastic.
I agree with the other ladies that said LOFT! They’re the only skinny jeans I a.) fit into and b.) think I look good in! Wait for them to go on 40-50% off. I’m still on the hunt for a sturdy denim boot cut/straight leg jean.
I third the vote for Loft – but I prefer their outlet styles. Best fitting jeans I’ve ever found. I’ve tried on jeans elsewhere that I can’t get past my thighs.
Yoga jeans are a super comfy made-in-Canada skinny jean option, perfect for tucking into boots, but there are tons of other choices this season. I love the look of trouser jeans which are universally flattering and so easy to dress up or boot cuts which have a bit of flare to balance the hips.
In the last few weeks, I’ve ordered what I thought were skinny jeans online (I wear xl, petite which is hard to find in stores), but what I get are jeggings — those ultra stretchy jeans-wannabees. No way I’m wearing those, so back they go. My latest super find have been “real” jeans made by ANA from J.C. Penney. Real denim with a curvy and firm fit. And at a remarkably great price. New favorite.