Why Men Should Only Wear Skinny Jeans
After the great response for the bootcut jeans post, I wanted to do one for the men and I think it’s quite controversial. I’m a strong believer that men should only wear skinny jeans. I have multiple reasons behind this, so I thought I would turn it into a blog post.
Skinny jeans on men, for me, are the best fit. I’m not saying they have to be super skintight like a legging, but somewhere between a very slim straight, and a fitted skinny is the best. Much like women’s jeans and how the men’s denim trends follow them over time, bootcut and flared jeans are just not a thing for men anymore, which I am happy about. I’ve never thought bootcut jeans look good on men at all as I find they have a strange silhouette that doesn’t suit the male body.
Another reason that skinny jeans on men look better is because you actually see the shape of the legs, which is highly flattering. Whenever a guy is in baggy jeans, it looks messy and untidy, there’s nothing classic or sleek about it (goodbye 90’s!). Loose and ill fitting jeans always swamp the body and are not flattering to the male body shape at all. Much like women wearing skinny jeans shows off their figure, it does the exact same thing for men and keeps them looking proportionate.
Skinny jeans on men leave room to show off your footwear choice as well, so if you have some great sneakers, boots, loafers, driving shoes etc, your skinny jeans will show these off perfectly! There’s no bulky denim fabric covering them up, staining them blue, getting wet in puddles etc and ruining the shoes. It’s just a smarter choice all round.
I’m hoping that skinny jeans for men never, ever go out of fashion and they remain a thing, permanently. I know women’s have, so men’s should be the same. I think it’s one of the best denim trends there is because it’s so flattering, stylish, and even considered sexy actually when there’s a great fitting pair of jeans because of how much they show off the male frame. The pictures I included here of male fashion bloggers really highlight how good they look as they can be worn with anything, as you can see.
Obviously there are some exceptions, if you’re an older/mature guy, skinny jeans might not be for you, but my recommendation is to opt for a slim fit instead, don’t choose anything baggy. It’s much smarter to get a good fitting pair of jeans. If you’re a guy that’s bigger, and skinny jeans make you feel uncomfortable, that’s ok, my recommendation is a straight/slim fit, worn a size up. This way you still have that slimmer leg, but it’s not too fitted against the skin. Obviously if you’re using them for their original purpose of work and hard labour, a loose fit is fine, but for style purposes, I don’t think anything but a skinny/slim fit is ok these days. It’s skinny all the way guys! What’s your opinion?
I think the slimmer the better, to an extent, so I know a lot of you men wear women’s skinny jeans to get a more comfortable fit. Men’s jeans can often be thick and stiff, while women’s are really stretchy and lightweight, which makes them a great option for men to choose. I like that the boundaries in fashion are being pushed a lot these days! Let me know your thoughts!
Buy men’s skinny jeans at Topman.com and Asos.com
Image Credit: Your Average Guy, Rowan Row, Chez Rust, Magic Fox & BACKGRID.
Well said.
Me personally, I like a clean well defined look.
Author
Yeah, it’s much sleeker!
I agree with almost everything you say except about flare jeans,there you show your ignorance.i wear flares mostly,do you have a problem with that?
So you agree with everything except the flare Jean’s and get defensive. So the part where she speaks about other jeans and basically only good jeans are skinny ones is ok . Forget that ppl who dont wear skinny jeans or the jean she mentioned she doesnt like ,but dont let it be about your style of jeans
Do you still have the same thoughts?
The baggy look is in style now.
I remember wearing baggy jeans in the 90s but women didn’t like it. Now it seems the women are the ones wearing it more. But it usually begins with the women though. Men will follow and wear more baggy jeans later on too. My wife hates it and I’m used to skinny now so I’m not switching to baggy any time soon.
Author
I’m half and half on it! I love skinny jeans on guys and think they look fantastic, but I’m not into the legging style that once was a trend. I also don’t like the baggy trend either, so a nice slim skinny jean is great!
Ditto. Too many styles for men have so much extra fabric in the front of the crotch area. I wish I could start sewing my own so i could cut the seat material the same as slim/skinny jeans and the front with minimal extra fabric, more like a womens-style cut. Kinda funny, “mens” cuts have too much fabric almost everywhere, and “womens” have too much in the upper thighs.
I agree pretty much entirely with your thinking about skinny jeans for men and your reasoning particularly as they advertise a good leg shape and show off foot ware. But people come in all shapes and sizes and short and stocky or overweight men do not look good in very skinny jeans. Overweight females can to some extent get away with skinny or spray on type jeans, but men cannot. Some sort of standard cut, but never boot cut or flared jeans, is more suitable for these types. Long live skinny and tight jeans for the right legs. Henry
Author
That’s what I said in the paragraph near the end, for bigger guys, to wear a slim/straight fit in a size up.
Sorry Lorna, your article did not fully download – IT perversity!
Sometimes I wonder if there’s a double standard when it comes to bigger guys wearing skinny jeans. If bigger women can wear a good fitting skinny jeans and still look fab, I think guys can do the same.
Author
I think it’s all about how they are styled to be honest. Curvy ladies will often wear a looser top and tuck their skinnies into boots, so it’s definitely all in the outfit.
I’ve really come to appreciate the skinny jeans, with the knee high boots.
One or two years, you wouldn’t have caught me dead in knee high boots or skinny’s, but now, I’m the skinny jean w/ boots king. That’s my go too, I really dig the clean even look, no excessive material, clean lines, clothes move with you. Kind of an edgy look, but uniform.
I don’t know but I really like the look, I have not seen any other guys here in the States of America with the look, other than maybe Lenny Kravitz, or the late Prince, but those dudes also wear heels with theirs, and I have not got to that stage yet, and that’s a bit much for me.
Author
I haven’t seen anyone with boots and skinny jeans here either actually, maybe you’re a trendsetter!
Its still early in the season yet, but because of the thin breathable material, it makes a case of ease to wear the jeans, and with the boots, well they are boots, but when winter gets here I’ll be ready.
Yes, there all kinds of ridiculous double, triple, quadruple standards.
I don’t get that at all. My boyfriend is huge. And I don’t mean he’s fat. He’s 6 foot 1 and a half and weighs about 300 pounds, but that’s because he’s got a massive build, humungus shoulders, huge arms, huge legs. He’s got the biggest calves and triceps I’ve ever seen on any man who has never taken steroids, and is very muscular. He wears super skinny jeans and looks stunning in them.
Sure Jan ..
I totally DISagree with this. Skinny jeans only look good if you’re a slender teenager or a punk rock star. If you’re above 30, please stay away from skinny, ripped or stonewashed jeans. They look especially terrible on short, stocky guys or guys with big thighs. Like a coffemug with matchstick legs.. or a sausage with two much stuffing.
The average joe is much better off with slim or straight jeans for the classical look.
I believe those who are against skinnies, are those who purely can’t view themselves wearing such fashions. I am 43 and I still receive compliments.
The only ones who I hear complain, are those who can’t fill them out properly.
Usually those who are too skinny, or those who are too big. I’m not skinny, and I’m also not big.
We can only agree to disagree on this Stig. I like wearing skinny jeans, you don’t. That’s ok. We are allowed to be different. I love to see people who express themselves through their clothes, shoes, make-up, hair style… everything!!!! And I love to compliment people of their attire is expressive. It makes me feel good to say something nice to someone and I’ve never known anyone be upset yet.
Totally agree Lorna, baggy jeans make almost any man look like a vagrant. Men’s jeans have come along why in the stretch department. I grew up with Levis of !00% cotton and it was work to get a good fit that you could move in.
Lorna,
My god, a singular style of jeans for men, how boring would that be? Doing so would infer that there is nothing better possibly bringing to a halt the innovation and imagination that got us to where we are today. I love the excitement of exploring alternatives and new things and could not be tied down to a singular style of jeans. Of course, I’d probably be wearing skinny jeans while I pursued that holy grail.
Author
If there’s something else that can come along that’s better, then I’m open, but I highly doubt there is! Nothing so far has beaten it for women, so I’m doubtful on men!
Wow, did I step in it. Are we talking jeans styles or politics? All chiding aside, maybe the subject should be rephrased as “will men only wear skinny jeans” or better yet “will skinny jeans become as popular for men as they have for women”. After all, even women don’t only wear skinny jeans. I’d avoid the use of should as that could infer authoritarianism and we all know how that has worked out.
Never the less, I believe that this is a topic worth deeper discussion. Now if skinny jeans are the predominant style for men, how would we know? How do we know they are for women? At a fundamental level, just what is a skinny jean. We really need to agree on this our it is merely a philosophical discussion. In my mind, anything with a leg opening less than 12 inches is a skinny jean, 12″ to 13.5″ are slim, 13.5″ to 15″ are strait and greater that 15″ is just too baggy (if you ask about bootcut or flare legs, see Lorna’s article on women’s flair leg jeans). What would you classify as skinny?
In conclusion, I’m an evidence driven person. I need real data not anecdotal evidence to support dramatic proposals. This is our opportunity as stylized history maybe watching. This is our opportunity to put a stake in the ground on what is versus what we’d desire.
But there are different degrees, or variations of skinny jeans.
What you may call Skinny, I may call straight leg jeans.
But in all honesty, I like my jeans to fit like leggings, and that’s really only because I have a figure where I can wear it, as I’m not obese.
I don’t know what part of the world you’re in, but here in the States of America, it’s mostly frowned upon for men to wear skin tight jeans, as the article of clothing is often associated with women or gay.
Even myself used to frown upon skin tight jeans. But that was in part due to my own in-security, and the lack of stretch in jeans.
But times have changed, as well as my view on men wearing of skin tight jeans.
So the key factor is that most men are too insecure to wear them.
Now, do I think that men should only wear skinny Jeans? I’d say no. Now as far as my jeans go in my collection, I have slim straight, which some have referred to as skinny, but that’s only because they are tight on the hips, thighs, and calves, my logic for skintight jeans is having a 28”-29” waist but muscular legs, without wearing oversized jeans.
With spray on jeans, I get the clean look, and I don’t get that bunch of material cinching up in the small of my back.
All that being said, bodies are different, and evebody has their reasons. I’m sure you get the point me rambling on about the technicalities.
Jeggings have been my choice of jeans style for a year or so. They’re spray on skintight which I like the look and feel of, but they’re also quite thin and very stretchy material so I’m not cut in half at the waist. Being out and about in London is no big deal as pretty much anything goes. I get the comment about guys being insecure and I was apprehensive when I started wearing skinnies out. “What will people think?” I’d worry. What got me through that were the girls who served me when I went shopping for them. They were all very nice and lots made genuine compliments about how good I looked. Yes, they want a sale, but they weren’t selling, they were being honest. But even better, my girlfriend loves me wearing my skinnies and jeggings and that’s great.
It’s not cause most men are too insecure to wear them here in the US . Or because it associates with being gay ??where’d that come from btw ? The reason is because those men think skinny especially super tight skinny jeans look ugly . Like they’re wearing there 13 yr old sisters pants
Like I said they are insecure. And maybe even too out of shape to wear them. If you associate spray on skinnies with wearing your sisters clothes, that’s on you. I associate my clothes with my clothes. What if your little sister is just bigger than you?
I get it, if you’re a child, then you can’t say anything, because chances are, your parents dress you. But if you’re an adult, then you dress yourself. And by that time In life, will e you get the picture. Hey, as you become an adult, depending on your health, lifestyle, and generic make up. Your little sister may become your big sister. Even your like e brother may become your big brother, or vice versa. The fact is, if you’re comfortable in your skin, be happy, I don’t have time to worry about others insecurities.
Author
The reason I wrote ‘should’ is because I did a lot of research and my opinion seems to match a lot of everyone else’s, especially guys, as skinny jeans being the only fit that a man should wear. I of course added exceptions in the article, but it’s not just my opinion or authority here, it’s many, many peoples. Skinny varies in tightness, it’s just an overall term for a slim fitting jean. You can’t base it on a measurement as a 6ft 2 muscular guy wearing a 14″ leg opening can look like skinny jeans, however you put those on a 5ft 8 guy with slim legs, they look incredibly loose and sloppy, so it’s based on visual fit. My idea behind this post was to spark a debate and a lot of input, and it’s done just that, so I’m happy with the title and article. It’s just a light hearted article, you don’t need to take it as written word and that you serve jail time if you wear anything else, lol!
To continue the debate, as Black Stallion said, many men just lack the self confidence to wear skinny jeans. Part of that is preconceived prejudices here in the US. As such, I’m sure that men could use some confidence building help. Getting their wives, girlfriends or boyfriends to encourage them to try and wear skinny jeans would go a long away. Skinny jeans shouldn’t be just an urban phenomena.
Of course, it won’t be easy to get men to only wear skinny jeans. An observational test case would be very useful. I’d propose Singapore as the location for such observation. I say this because Singapore is geographically small, well educated, relatively well off, stylish, modern, and has demonstrated capabilities in mitigating environmental concerns with respect to wearing skinny jeans. To be honest, in colder (freezing) weather skinny jeans don’t offer much warmth and that’s not likely to change until there is a magnitude of improvement in the thermal characteristics of skinny jeans or if men adopt over the knee boots such as women have. In hot humid weather, skinny jeans just soak up the sweat. In Singapore, the year round daily temperature range is on the order of 6 or so degrees. They don’t have freezing weather and with the exception of jungle abodes, they have unparalleled air conditioning for both indoor and outdoor usage.
Vive la revolucion – skinny jeans for everyone at all times 🙂
Any form of long pants for outdoors in tropical climates is uncomfortable. So shorts tend to rule (pity!). Where I live (Johannesburg) the climate is hot in summer at times and cool at night, but never humid . In our winter, such as it is, it is generally cool and sometimes coldish at night. So one can enjoy skinny jeans the year round, without any sort of climate induced discomfort.
In the back of my mind I have a sneaky suspicion that the fashion pendulum will swing, as it always does, and there are ominous sign on the horizon of this, then loose jeans (curtains!!) will become the rage. Heaven help us!!! So keep up the pressure for tight jeans male and female. We are relying on you!!!!
First I have to say I hardly disagree. Skinny jeans are not the “should have” for men ….. even for women if I think about it(thinking of how attractive loose pants and small top tank looked on superstars like Mariah Christina Britney…) Let me try to explain my point. I’m from ’85 so the late 90’s was when I started to really get to choose and style my own clothes. So of course baggy is part of our generation and there’s a reason why it is so. Let me just ask you this : have you ever danced on hip hop in tight jeans or on hard metal in loose fit? I guess not and the reason at my opinion is that it doesn’t represent the flow tried to be expressed by the beat. Imagine ACDC or Metallica or Lenny Kravitz etc.. wearing baggy jeans, it doesn’t seem to fit right? Now do the same but inverted Imagine what breakdancing, dance hall or whatever style’s serving you’re likes but in skinny clothes …. weird no? The reason why it seems not appropriate is simple. Style is all about the vibe you want to associate yourself with. Again I’ll try to prove my point. Crooner was kind of classy and slightly polite so a suit and tie was more than appropriated / Disco was all about liberation sexuality and attraction so tight pants (fork needed to zip?) and bodysuit were exactly suited for a sexual liberation and it’s totally fine. I could index by many more example but I’m sure you get my point. Please don’t get me wrong I DO NOT ASSOCIATE the music you listen to your style(I mean I also like Pavarotti and System of a dawn but it doesn’t define me). What I’m trying to demonstrate is that one of the easiest way to Express yourself is by the styling you choose to adopt (like military using a uniform to create a unified feeling). It shows without telling. That said “baggy” and loose clothing are a big part of the culture associated with the stylish flow behind that generation representing the fluidity between the beat and what your body motion expresses. I’ll finish by sharing my personnal thoughts. I personally hate tight jeans and think they are uncomfortable and even if I understand that styles are made to be changed I totally disagree on the fact that nowadays even if slim and skinny are leading the market It’s so hard to find clothes suiting me. I don’t mind it’s the design in “vogue” I want to be able to get what I want. Hope this helps understand why some people don’t like tight fitting and fingers crossed I hope that style evaporates fast ?.
I have good, shapely legs which are lean. I also maintain a physique which is lean. For me, for some time now it has been skinny jeans and sometimes spray on as well. It feels good, and does not sag, more so at the bottom. A narrow opening stops at the ankle, and makes it convenient to wear sneakers without any socks. Comfortable while walking, which is difficult with loose, broad openings. No jeans or trousers should ever be loose and baggy, they should fit and be skinny or super skinny. Age hardly matters, if one is fit. Enjoy skinny/super skinny jeans.
Yes, Yes, Yes!!!
I just wish I was more confident when I was younger. But now, I am in love with spray ons, super spray ons, and extreme skinnies.
Author
Thanks for your comment!
Go to: the-tighter-the-better.tumblr.com on Pinterest for excellent examples of guys in tight jeans. If this won’t maintain your confidence for tight jeans nothing will.
Thanks for the supportive article Lorna I echo your same thoughts! Women’s skinny jeans are unbelievably comfortable and so flattering from top to bottom. Love wearing Paige Verdugo and 7 For All Mankind second skin jeans. The few pairs of men’s jeans I have are only for things like working on cars or moving furniture. Look forward to more such articles from you.
Author
Glad you enjoyed it, Lu! I have numerous articles from over the last few years about women’s jeans for men, if you want to run a search! There’s many! As well as the super skinny fits. Let me know if you can’t find them!
Lu, you have hit the nail on the head! Men’s jeans are designed for exactly what you use them for, which is for comfort and ease of movement when doing manual work. It’s the old adage that you can dress for comfort or dress for style, but you can’t do both at the same time, whish is why any man who wants to wears jeans for style, shouldn’t wear men’s jeans. Ironic, yes, but it’s true!
Totally spot on article Lorna, I love my skinnies. As a callow youth in the 80s I simply lived in skintight jeans. They were so in fashion and were unisex back then. The 90s heralded baggy styles and I just hated them. So when the skinny jeans started appearing I just had to revisit my youth and get a pair. I’ve keep myself in good shape so I felt I could carry it off. This was about 12 years ago and I couldn’t get them other than in women’s so biting the bullet, I went to New Look in London’s Oxford Street and tried a pair in a size 8. They felt soooooo good on and I loved how they looked. Skintight waist down to the knees, then a little less so to the ankle but still real narrow. Since then I’ve really got back into skinnies and now have lots of different brands, colours and fit.
For the last year or so I’ve gotten more and more into jeggings as the material is even softer than the skinnies and they can be worn spray on skintight without cutting me in half!! I was a little wary getting into them as they’re really leggings, but to me now it’s second nature to wear them. As long as I’m not showing off too much, I think they’re great. My biggest challenge is finding footwear to match. Ankle and biker chick boots are great in the colder months, but for summer I’ve taken to lightweight trainers and thong flip flops, though I’m still not convince by these. Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks
James
Author
Hi James! It depends on your personal style, but loafers, driving shoes, low top trainers, that kind of thing is always good! Glad you like skinny jeans too, a lot of guys opt for jeggings actually! Topman even do a megging I think it’s called!
Yeah, I’ve gotten a pair of leggings from Topman.
I use them for athleisure wear, or going to the gym. But I like the way the real track leggings for.
Author
Oh I meant the jeans leggings, not the sports ones!
Question: I assume that “Jeggings” are denim jeans that fit like leggings, but with denim that stretches, functional pockets belt loops, fly or button fly, and button snap. If in fact that is the case, that’s mostly what I have, but I refer to them as spray ons, or super spray ons, or skinnies.
Author
Yep! That’s what they are! And like Henry said, the front pockets are often not working to keep it slimline.
Thanks for replying Lorna. Low top trainers are what I’ve been most comfortable with or simple plimsolls. But guess what? I was going through a cupboard earlier and found a couple of pairs of leather jazz shoes I’d forgotten about. One pair are a cranberry colour, the other bright red. Now it comes back to me….. I’d bought them from eBay a few years ago. Pineapple Dance Shop used to sell them in the 80s but like lots of things, they went out of fashion. They’re really light weight and I think quite stylish. How could I have forgotten these?!
I enjoy wearing thick soled creepers with secret socks, white or black . I think they go so well with the tightest of jeans.
James,
Regarding women’s skinny jeans, if you are looking for the most washes, skinniest styles, and most innovative fabrics, women’s jeans are usually the best bet. Not that they won’t become available in men’s offerings but they just seem to show up in women’s jeans first. I’m relatively slim such as you and women’s jeans were my introduction to real skinny jeans and some of my favorite pairs remain the women’s offerings from Citizens of Humanity.
For footwear, I’ve grown to like the combat boot look. Any tennis shoes look, but don’t do bulky tennis shoes.
I’m trying to find some extra tall combat boots, or goth style boots, that aren’t over the top.
Anybody have any suggestions?
Black Stallion,
What is your shoe size? Have you checked out the offerings from Dr Martens?
In shoe size I wear a 9 or 9 1/2.
I really want like a mid calf boot.
With that shoe size, a pair of women’s boots might fit. Maybe something from Frye.
Jeggings: Only problem is that a lot of the so called jeggings have back pockets like jeans but the front ones are sewn up and, although look like the typical jeans pockets, are not of any use as pockets. Nevertheless I can sort of live with this as they fit so well.
IMHO, pockets on jeggings are a styling feature and aren’t intended to be used as pockets as you get lumps, bumps and bulges which spoil the sleek, sexy lines the jeggings give you in the first place. One favourite pair of Miss Sixty J Lot skinnies had front pockets which I got sewn up to give a smoother look.
Great article
I have a question can men get away with wearing women fashion nova Jeans?
Why shouldn’t we? If you like them, wear them!
Thanks I was curious about it I’m a straight guy but i like the material of the Jeans.
I have started wearing skinnys from Torrid, I get just snug but not spay on. For foot wear ???
so far I just wearing my flip flops, Its a great look. Don’t see too many guys really rocking skinnys around here, but i do it anyway.
The picture at the beginning of the article, what brand of skinny jeans are those?
Allow me to indulge! I am celebrating 13 years of skinny jeans for men. In 2005 after summiting Mt Elbrus in southern Russia my colleagues and I had two days to spend in Moscow before returning to South Africa. There in Red Square I beheld a dude looking very cool wearing denim jeans that were distinctly narrow. He was probably a tourist from the UK as he had the union jack logo on his back pack. Interesting! Was this just a bit of a freak or wearing old jeans from the mid ’80s? However his jeans looked pretty new. Then I started to see articles in GQ and Mens Health about skinny jeans. By today’s standards they would have been classed as merely slim. But nevertheless it was a change from the prevailing wide leg boot cut. I decided I wanted in on this so, being fairly adept with my wife’s sewing machine, I proceeded to ‘take in’ the legs of a couple of my Levis’ 501′. Bearing in mind that this material is ‘rigid’ (no stretch), it took me a while to get the legs right – sewing, then unpicking etc – tedious but I soldiered on in the cause of fashion. First attempt was too tight in that they became distinctly uncomfortable. Then my wife, who by coincidence, wears similar sized jeans to mine, albeit with a wider hip, suggested I try on a pair of her jeans that had a bit of ‘stretch’ and modify them. Voila! My first pair of ‘skinnies’. They were not skin tight but definitely ‘skinny’. The prevailing fashion dictate suggested they be worn with pointed shoes – a la ’60s style – really cool, dashing combination if done properly – and I still maintain so even though the pointed shoe phase for males has passed on. But I digress. Being adventurous as far as male fashion is concerned, I ignored the negative comments, mostly from males, and took heart from the positive ones which were mostly from females. After all, was it not Coco Chanel who said if one wanted to be attracted to the opposite sex, especially if you are male, make sure you ‘stand out’. So I kept a beady eye on developments in men’s skinny jeans. I noticed how they became popular, especially the black ones, with the ‘Emo’ youths of the late naughties. But these guys were so skinny that they did not look especially trendy in these so called skinny jeans – very slim, yes, but not tight – probably just as well as they did not have the leg shape to go. A case of fitting a match stick into a drinking straw!
To be continued. Next episode in a few days.
Author
Henry this is awesome! Part 2 please!
Super skinny jeans for adults or mature men look very good.
Example:
https://fastpic.co/image/ho5eHJ
https://fastpic.co/image/ho5U9H
https://fastpic.co/image/ho523n
https://fastpic.co/image/ho5f8z
https://fastpic.co/image/ho5QE7
I really like – a stylish mature man:
https://fastpic.co/image/ho5SKr
https://fastpic.co/image/ho5ON0
https://fastpic.co/image/ho50iO
https://fastpic.co/image/ho5ce6
Episode 2.
Well, we are now in 2010. Males generally have not yet embraced skinny jeans. Some of the younger set, like skate boarders have, but the mainstream not. I take the bold step of ordering jeans on line, with about an 80% success rate i.e. some fit nicely – brands like Nudie, Cheap Monday, Topman. Levis have not woken up to skinny jeans yet. I take my first tentative steps at buying ladies jeans and skulk furtively into the ladies sections of department stores – which afford a degree of anonymity compared to smaller shops. I look the other way when going through the check out – or ‘Oh, I am buying for my wife – she has a similar size to me’ (true). Now (2018), its WTF. I lose about 10 kg and get back almost to my middle 20’s weight. The pleasure of these jeans with pointy shoes propels me to be ever bolder in buying ladies jeans. My boogying at clubs improves. Then its tight jeans with military boots, laces loose – a true unisex look. My jeans collection passes the 40 mark and my cupboard becomes a kaleidoscope of colour. I become pretty adept at ‘tailoring’ the jeans with my wife’s sewing machine – less of a hit and miss. Very few jeans are narrower around the knee – so the sewing machine becomes handy in obtaining the tight fit around the narrower portion of the leg between the thigh and the calf. The slightest bit of bagginess in anathema. I notice that the percentage of ‘elastane’ in the women’s jeans starts to rise above the 1% mark – more stretch. Yay!! I notice, too, about now, that women are starting to wear skin tight jeans for the whole leg length (2011). High heels, legs to the ceiling and a cropped jacket, leather or denim. What a pleasure to behold!! I buy more ladies jeans. They fit off the shelf – utter joy!! ‘Elastane’ reaches 3% – so now it’s not necessary to take them in around the knee. Less male snide comments, more positive ones, and more women asking me where I get my jeans. How do you get them to fit so well? Well, you see…….. About now jeggings start to appear, and pointy shoes pass out of fashion – pity – I really enjoyed them. Ah, creepers to the rescue, and the Perfecto style biker jacket, and now, wait for it:::: true heaven on earth, STUDS. I flood my denim and leather jackets a la Burberry style and the odd few on jeans as well. Ever boldly I go. Studs on my creepers and Doc Martens……..
[I would love to give pics – is this possible on your Jeans Blog?}
Next episode: spray-ons.
Author
I sent you an email, Henry!
Great post Lorna and it points out that if men want to wear jeans for style, then only slim fit or skinny will do. However, as with most men’s jeans, even skinny ones can have a ‘pooped your pants’ look from the back, simply because the crotch is too low and hence there is too much unnecessary space. This is why I always go for the ladies fit. Lighter, more stretchy and form fitting. Henry, you say that Levi’s haven’t woken up to skinny jeans, but their 571 fit looks and feels great for those who like a slim fitting pair of jeans and like the Levis cut or brand. My rule of thumb is that a pair of jeans is not too tight if they still feel comfy when worn with boxer shorts, and although I am not normally a boxers man, I make an exception when wearing jeans. because they make the jeans feel more snug and don’t show a VPL or a builder’s bum.
Hi Henry, like your story about how you persevered with adapting Levis 501’s, but to me that style of jean is beyond redemption. You say that Levis have not woken up to skinny jeans, but if you like the Levis cut or brand and skinny or slim fit jeans, you should give the women’s 571 cut a try, because I find that they deliver everything I like in a pair of jeans and fit perfectly. For those who think that women’s jeans are too tight, my rule of thumb is that a pair of jeans is not too tight if they can be comfortably worn with boxers underneath and I can certainly do this with 571s. As these are low rise jeans, wearing them with boxers also brings the benefit of not exposing a builder’s bum when bending down.
So Sunday I had a day at the beach. It was blistering hot and I love it like that. Even so, I wore a pair of light blue jeggings, a simple dark blue tshirt and my rediscovered jazz shoes. I was laying on my towel minding my own when a group of young guys, late teens, early 20s at most walked by. One of them couldn’t contain himself and started yelling abuse, including “Oi, you, gay Pride is in Brighton”. He said it three times, loud enough for me to hear, but more so his friends could hear. I didn’t look, I didn’t reply, I didn’t anything. Nothing good would’ve come of it and his opinion of me is none of my business. He and his mates moved on. Interesting none of his mates joined in the abuse – good for them. I guess the poor soul has issues he’s unable to deal with or understand. I hope he finds peace.
Why do I tell you this? Well, as much as we dress with freedom of choice, there’s always the risk someone will object. It could’ve been worse, and I was no more upset than before it happen. How do you guys and girls feel? Do you ever experience or worry about it?
Author
I’m so sorry that happened to you! You’re right though, there must be some issues he is struggling with as abuse like that always comes from a deep deeded issue, and ignorance. Usually it’s lack of attention or feeling insecure so acting out like that is an attempt to get attention and be praised by his mates, which I am glad didn’t happen. To me, skinny jeans are just common place. I feel like it’s rarer these days (in the UK anyway) to get abuse about them, compared to how it used to be. I’m not even sure why people object, it truly baffles me!
Thanks for your kind words of support Lorna. I guess the young chap is insecure in himself and was trying to look big and clever in front of his friends. Never mind, I’ve heard a lot worse and it doesn’t affect me. Three days later and guess what? I wore the same jeggings and no one said a word. Funny old world, innit?!
Author
It is! It’s all about who you meet on that day, happy or angry folk. Good that you have the confidence!
I totally agree with this article. I purchase female skinny straight leg stretchy jeans. The jeans are very comfortable, period. They are thin, light-weight and form fitting. I do not wear them as jeggings, just snug enough to show the correct proportions of my lower body. I am bulkier on top, pecs and lats. I have yet to have one female ask me not to wear them. Equal opportunity, females are expected to illustrate their bodies so i give them the same respect.
Glad this post came back around.
I’ve found me knee high combat boots, and I must say the look has received many positive comments, and is a show stopper.
I have been stopped, and complimented on the look by both men and women, especially on the boots. If designers would just start making tall boots for men, there would definitely be a fashionable look once again for us men that is more sophisticated than the baggy look, with shoes. I guess for know I will bask in the uniqueness of being one of the less than handful of men sporting the look.
as always you speak much sense Lorna!… can’t believe i missed this article
my current fav. are Dr Denim Lexy, got a bright blue in XS (Asos sale) fit my short frame nicely with a lovey close skintight fit to the ankle, pairing them up with smart skinny shirts as always :)… guess the lexy are on the jean/jegging border …
keep up the good work… I know the forum is on the way out but added a picture anyway…
http://forum.thejeansblog.com/forum/women-s-jeans-for-men/24-the-best-women-s-skinny-jeans-for-men/page2
Matt
Author
They look great! Thank you for sharing, Matt!
thanks Lorna…
slightly better pics here…
http://forum.thejeansblog.com/forum/main-forum/22-what-are-you-wearing-today/page4
i’m pretty much living in these at the moment ….:)
cheers,
Matt
Author
I love when you get a pair of jeans and live in them!
I know right!
I absolutely refuse to even wear my slim fits anymore. I’ve tried to wear them, but then I may only have them on for 1hour, before I decide I don’t want to wear them, then I will put on my spray ons.
Honestly, have cut grass I. 90 dog high humidity temps, in my spray ons, which even in those temps, are more comfortable. Than the slim fits, which have no stretch.
I know what you mean about wearing spray on jeans as opposed to slim fit ones. I was in London the other day as wore a pair of what 5 years ago I’d have said were skinny jeans. They’re tight down all over but go straight down from mid calf to the hem so are loose around my ankle by an inch or so. But I missed wearing my jeggings so I went into Top Shop and bought a pair of Joni jeggings in a mid blue, 24″ waist and 34″ inside leg. They felt so much better being so tight, it was quite reassuring lol
I wore them straight from the shop and carried on with my day, only to get caught in a absolute cloud burst around lunch time and very quickly ended up soaked to the skin. If you ever want to get your jeans even tighter and wondered how, get them wet. I spent the rest of the day in them but by 4pm they were virtually dry again, I suppose from the heat of my legs, etc…
completely agree!!
it’s amazing how jeans which I used to think were genuinely skinny I would now think are just slim…
James – so true !! I love topshop joni… got some from oxford street a while ago and also wore them straight out of the store… they are a fab fit!… what are you wearing them with, have you tried Dr denim lexy?
I seem to need to find tighter and tighter fits to be happy these days!! – so let us now if you find any advances on the joni’s…
Hi Matt
I wear brown ankle boots with a side buckle (also normally sold to girls like the Joni’s) and a crop biker jacket. The time I got caught in the rain I had a shower proof jacket so my too half stayed dry but below the waist was like I’d been hosed down lol
I love your black Joni’s, you look fabulous in them. All of mine are various shades of blue, but I’ll have to get some black ones now. I mean, they look soooooo, you know ?? I tried registering on the forum but it wouldn’t accept me for some reason. If I could get on I’d post some picture.
Author
Hi James, the forum closed over a year ago because nobody was using it, that’s why no new registrations have been accepted. Thanks!
james – sharing a pic of my joni’s from a year or so ago….:)
http://forum.thejeansblog.com/filedata/fetch?id=28026&d=1510916058
are you on the forum?
thanks James… yep I know what you mean about the black joni’s … they are a no-hiding type of look:)…
if you manage to get a picture on the forum do share…
(Warning: book ahead. Tl;dr at bottom.)
Lovely! It seems at the time of my post, I am going to be the only dissenting point of view on this subject, which is excellent because in a discussion there should always be a converse opinion. First, I’m not here to take apart your article (which is a wonderful one, assuredly!) but say “Yes, and…” to further the topic. While your research is sound, I would point out that there is an equal divide on the subject, rather than a majority vote towards ‘skinny’ jeans, which as pointed out in another reply by Black Stallion, is subject to opinion. Perhaps it is location-based (googling from the US here), as I know the UK/Europe prefers a slimmer fit overall. This is personal experience from having worked in Richmond borough of London, as well as working for Suitsupply (Dutch company), which is all about slim fitting items. Now, to the point, skinny/slim jeans should not be the end-all of jean cuts because as Tim said, that would be boring. Also, because they are ubiquitous in society, skinny jeans bleed into other types of clothing through osmosis, causing a lot of trouble for other areas of retail, namely suiting. A skinny suit looks like a child’s suit. It is prone to ripping at the seams or the fabric itself. Jeans do not face the same scrutiny as they are tougher, but most folks will not make the connection, as to them, trousers are trousers and therefore are all durable and god forbid they rip, or else the world owes them their money back.
Retail bias aside, so many people take the skinny jean to the painted-on, or ‘jegging’ level, which is not elegant on him/her, or ze/hir. Is it sexy? Possibly, because you see everything you are looking to see. Does it cause health concerns for anyone with testicles and a penis? Definitely. And where does the line fall for those with bowed or knocked knees? (No hate on what nature gave you, but merely posing the question) To those who love them, please continue to wear them, I am not shaming you. But I am pointing out that they do not flatter all body types, and in general, make most average-height folks look short or disproportional, and shorter folks look round and squat. It emphasizes the torso length, and in the exemplary case where a larger streetwear tee is worn, the person becomes large cardboard box supported by two bamboo skewers. A leg with a long, clean line is elegant and beautiful on most people, even those who may keep some beautiful extra weight on their bodies. A straight leg can add height, and the key here is to know how to wear jeans in the first place, regardless of their cut. Also, I will emphasize this: Hem length is e v e r y t h i n g . It can completely change the look of a jean. This is oft-overlooked and can actually be to blame for sloppiness or ‘vagrancy’ rather than the width of the jean itself. Excess bagginess at the bottom is absolutely not acceptable. Slight stacking? Definitely, if you have a more loose and casual aesthetic to your attire. The reason? it continues the line down over the shoe, again increasing the leg length. A wide leg can be powerful, so long as the hem length is also elegant. High waist and wider leg? Elegant, flowing, mysterious (what could be underneath?) representational rather than presentational. Why not do with clothing what our bodies naturally cannot? I personally love a high rise, wide leg, wide waistband, and a non-stretch material (to me, comfortability is for the weak lol [seriously though, if you have any kind of disability that clothing can exacerbate, my statement is absolutely moot!]) because there is a beauty in how something naturally forms to you, rather than have lycra or elastaine do the work for you. This, I believe, is what has made denim as desirable as it is to this point, because it is personal and tells a story over time.
If you are into dressing for yourself/others (no shame in the latter) and creating your image, the point is to create an aesthetic that is a statement of when, where, and who you want to be. If you want to show off your body, show it off. If you want to achieve something you don’t have naturally, then create it with what you wear! To summarize, slim jeans don’t leave much to the imagination (not in a prudish way, but in an obvious statement of fact) and don’t do as much for the wearer. If your purpose is to say, “hey this is my body, this is what you will get, no surprises”, then go for it. I know I would prefer to say, “hey, my body is gorgeous regardless, but I want you to have to get into my pants to really find out what it looks like” (tee hee), as well as make an intriguing statement of corporeal architecture. I want to be the 2020 art deco tower in a time when nobody else is, so you will look and see the effortless flow and drape, without knowing how much time and effort I put into it. That does not mean you have to be, but I challenge you to make the harder choice to buck a trend and try. As with all clothing, skinny will not stay – it will cycle. It will be here, leave, and then come back. To make such a declarative statement otherwise is shaky ground to stand on. But I thank you for making it so I could challenge it.
Tl;dr – Wider-leg jeans can be more elegant than slim/skinny. Nobody should wear skinny exclusively as it doesn’t flatter everyone. Hem length can make or break a trouser. But no shame in your choice, you live the life that makes you happiest.
Thank you Lorna for writing this article!
As much as I like super skinny or spray on styled jeans, I have purchased a wide leg styled jean, and I actually like that style too. They do have a classic timeless look that can go professional in the workforce, so yes, I’ve worn those at work too. I think it’s great to change it up a bit and not always wear spray-ons 24/7. Of course that’s just my opinion and everybody wear what makes you happy 🙂
i understand what a quite people are writing about, do I, don’t I? what do i like? what does my wife like to see me in. do i put my foot down, lean over the line or just do something to make her happy. after a few years of marriage she decided she wanted a more demur husband. at first it was wearing her over sized shorts and leggings around the house, which i admit the leggings were very comfortable. then coupled with no seam feminine panties, so no line or seam could be seen. ovemed to be normal. i was the recipient of lighter more comfortable clothes, so not all is bad. then came ther time she bought jeggings and yoga pants for me. she is always loving and attentive and all the changes see women’s pocket-less slacks, pull up linen and ankle pants. about the most masculine pants i wear outside after work was women’s slim ankle golf pants, and they were very form fitting as well. so now the majority of my wardrobe is feminine. i guess you can say she does wear the pants in our house now and thats not all. we have evening parties with her girlfriends and our close friends. and she dresses me to show me off. eventually wearing mens clothes to work was a bit of a chore, but i drew the line as so to speak. most of our clothes match now to include perfume. though if i had to make a choice, i would choose the female leggings and very feminine skinny ankle slacks. they are just so comfortable, almost weightless. i will add, it comes in handy if you have body to revel every inch of your body to every single stranger you have contact with. just do what makes you happy, and unless you try the other side, you will never know. do women even wear pants anymore? there is something to that. i hurry home from work so i can be a good husband and change into my comfy clothes.
it’s amazing how jeans which I used to think were genuinely skinny…. so I would now think are just slim… i like this jeans outfit… its also good
it’s wonderful how jeans I used to think were skinny…. so I now think are just slim… i like this jeans outfit… its also good
I completely agreed, some old ‘skinny’ jeans almost feel lose fitting … I’m correctly into the Asos spray-on’s sized down from the usual 28 to a second skin 26!! so tight, so cool :)…
https://www.asos.com/us/asos-design/asos-design-spray-on-jeans-in-power-stretch-denim-in-dark-wash-blue/prd/10999433?clr=dark-wash-blue&colourWayId=16345273&SearchQuery=spray%20on%20jeans
Love the look of these ASOS spray-on skinny. Sizing down is essential for an ultra cool look! Way to go, Matt
Such jeans tend to need a precise body shape to be at all appealing.
No, not really, it’s the confidence you need. People can see if you are nervous, or insecure, or not sure
I don’t think you could be any further from the truth. This theory stems from lack of self confidence, and poor self image.
Hey Lorna, great blog. Completely agree with your views. Personally I love skinny pairs and own quite a few including women’s (which are super comfy). I’m 35, almost 6ft, not so muscular in build. Lately, l’m having some confidence issues in carrying off a skinny pair, I get very conscious while in public. My thigh is 22 inch and calf 14.5. do you think skinny’s not good lookwise with these leg dimensions?
I know you didn’t ask my opinion, but I’m going to tell you anyways. Don’t worry about what others think. The only opinion that matters is your view of yourself. You buy your clothes, you live in your skin, and you are your own person. Most people have a biased opinion, based on their view of themselves, which makes absolutely no sense in a world of individuality.
JUST DO It!
Yeah there was a time when I used to do so. For just a change I gave a try to regular fit jeans and from then I never seen back towards any other jeans type. After reading this I thing its again to time to change now its time for slim fit or skinny jeans.
I read another blog stating that 80% of men’s jeans look like unsightly denim sweat pants, 15% look OK and just 5% look good. Viewed from the back, most men’s jeans have a look as if the wearer has pooped his pants because the distance between waist and crotch is too long and they are simply too baggy to look good. Men’s jeans are traditionally cut for comfort when doing manual work,whilst women’s are cut for a stylish fit, so women’s slim or skinny fit is the way to go if a man wants to wear jeans for style. I certainly don’t find them too tight because, whilst they are slim fitting, I still find them perfectly comfortable when worn with boxer shorts underneath.
I’ve come to like mine to fit like leggings.
They have the clean, lean look that I want.
They move with me.
And they dry fast.
They are light.
Not everybody likes the leggings look, but I do, and that’s how I wear mine.
This is all pretty tragic. Almost every user on this blog seems to be of the opinion that skinny jeans of some description are essentially the only way. Personally, I don’t like skinny jeans. They aren’t for me. If I wear them I look like an I’m on stilts (despite having chunky legs) and my feet look like canoes. Equally, I don’t wear slim fit shirts because my arms which have done some hard work do not fit in the sleeves.
I agree that some guys look decent in slim jeans but skinny jeans? Nope. For me, they are for boys who are happy to be told what to wear by their wives and the fashion industry and those who lack the confidence to choose for themselves. Don’t get me wrong, there’s guys out there who are undoubtedly more comfortable in them (all though I can’t imagine why anyone would want to bunch up their groin area like that) and genuinely, good for them.
Personally, though, I think everyone looks good in a straight leg pair of jeans. The classic 501 if we are talking Levi’s or even something a little more relaxed. I’ve always been complimented on my style by men and women alike and I’ve never worn a pair of slim fit or (god forbid) a pair of skinny fit in my life. I’ve also always had my share of interest from women, so I don’t see that skinny jeans are essential and very soon they won’t be anyway. They’ll be old news.
Few things provoke debate more so than fashion and I remember Levi’s 501s being heavily marketed in the 1980s. However, just 12 years later, the very same jeans became indelibly linked with pot bellied middle aged dads, thus coining the phrase ‘Dad jeans’. 501s had became largely identified with looking like shapeless heavy denim sweat pants and sales fell off a cliff. The young moved onto the next generation of jeans or simply less expensive and more comfortable sweat pants than 501s.
Your opinion is no different than those who support skinny jeans.
Fact of the matter is, wear what you want and let others wear what they want.
I myself used to be opposed to skinny jeans, until I tried a pair on, and seen how they looked on me. I’m one of many who can wear them, and the only negative comments come from those make and female, who may not have the body type for them, usually obese, or extremely skinny people, packing muscle tone, or having excessive fat.
Face facts, those usually turned off by skinny jeans are those stayed individuals, or those who lack self confidence.
There are also those with the fragile “male ego”, claiming to be too muscular.
Look here, they are only lying to themselves these jeans stretch so much, you can fit a football down the legs, add the stretch factor, along with sizes are available, skinny jeans could easily fit as”Harem Pants” or as we used to call them”Hammer Pants”. Therefore proving that the male ego can be quite fragile.
Now yes, I wear mine fitting like leggings, I find them very comfortable, and more forgiving of my leg muscles than slim fit, or straight leg jeans. If I could post a picture, I would, and as far as my leg muscles go, I can easily leg press over 1755 lbs, and I don’t think I need to do any more.
So fact is, if you can’t fit them, or you don’t like how you look in them, that is a personal problem, not a fashion issue.
I get so tired of people saying men can’t wear, or shouldn’t wear, and I agree some people can’t wear them, is, if you’re 5’7 and 200 lbs, then no, you probably can’t wear them how I wear mine, but I’m sure there is a size you can go to.
After all, any jeans can be skinny jeans, it just depends on your self image.
I think what I’m also noticing is that some women are secretly jealous of some men who wear skinny jeans.
Not trying to shame anybody, but the only females who complain about me wearing skinny jeans seems to be mostly those who in fact have a larger waist diameter than mine,
The line goes “your j eans are tighter than maine.”
Well if I’m wearing a 28″-30″ and you’re wearing a 34″ or greater then yes.
Also I’ve been complimented on how I fill them out, but I’ve never been told I’m to big to wear them.
So I believe that some of the females who say men shouldn’t wear skinny jeans are those who are themselves self conscious of how they would wear them. Because face it if you want to get technical, pants were originally for men. Women didn’t start wearing pants until the 20th century. But men have been wearing pants since 1000 BC of I’m not mistaken when they started riding horses. So females think about that before saying skinny jeans make a man look feminine.
Completely disagree.
All the images provided are ill fitting. They look revolting. I would best decribe them as cheap poly made and ripped (homeless look). Grown men wearing pants/jeans 2 sizes too small.
The silhouette looks lop sided. They look like chickens. With skinny thin legs and top heavy layering.
A good slim proportioned Jeans/Chino with some moderate structure on the legs would provide balance.
I think the guy in those pictures looks great in his jeans. They fit him really well and his over look in each outfit is fabulous. He’s in good shape so the comparison to being a chicken is in this writer’s opinion a tad harsh. Still, we’re all allowed our opinion and me having a different one to you and vice versa is ok.
Clothes, hair and make up is how we can express ourselves without saying a word. Even what is often called wearing “age appropriate” clothing seems to be going out of fashion. I mean, I’ll always wear skinny jeans and a fitted top regardless of my age. I’m certainly never going to wear the clothes my dad wore lol
Skinny jeans are literally for men without balls.
Or calf muscles, come to think of it.
And do most other styles of men’s jeans, which give the appearance that the wearer has pooped his pants, look any better?
Spot on. Walking seeing looking like you’re happy needs changing isn’t a look that I favour.
Speak for yourself. The reason I wear the spray on jeans is because they accommodate my calf muscles where as regular jeans have no stretch. And a far as Anatomy goes, think about it, think of how much they stretch.
Oh you have balls, if you wear skinny jeans. Its called confidence. I wear my big heavy work jeans
most the time. But I LOVE it when its comes time to wear my skinny jeans. A great look and feels so good. I wish i had a job to where i could wear them full time.
Right on !!!! thats exactly me too
Right. Skinny jeans with no stretch do not work as well and they are far less comfortable than if they have a good stretch. I take them in where the knee is so that the spray on effect continues for the entire leg length.
Hi Lorna, are ripped jeans quietly fading from being the rage? If so it means a lot of my jeans will now be dated. But I suppose that’s good as I always like buying new jeans. Henry
Author
Hi Henry! I think ripped jeans are mostly seen in the Summertime, but yeah, we aren’t seeing as much of them as we are the plain, minimal jeans as most people just see jeans as basics now! A basic for creating outfits!
I pretty much only wear women’s jeans. It’s takes forever to find any decent pairs of skinny jeans for men.
Me too. The denim is much thinner and the Lycra content usually higher which makes them much more comfortable than blokes jeans. The style and cut fit me better as I’m quite slim and I think I look better in that style.
The bottom line is that men’s jeans are cut for their traditional use as practical trousers for comfort when doing manual work. Women’s jeans are cut for style and you can’t dress for comfort and style at the same time. This is why, if men want to look good in jeans, they should wear women’s or unisex jeans. Very few men’s jeans look good and most look like denim sweat pants. It is simply not worth spending a lot of money on men’s jeans because you will unlikely look any better than you would in a cheap pair bought at a supermarket chain.
You can find jeans that look good and function, and are comfortable.
I have some jeans that just look good, and I have some that are function.
They’re all comfortable, and really they all look good, granted I also have some jeans that aren’t skinny jeans, and believe it or not, the jeans that aren’t skinny jeans are not as comfortable.
There jeans that aren’t skinny jeans have no room for my butt, or thighs, or Room for my knees to bend.
Note I can get jeans that will give me more room, but then I make a major sacrifice in the style department.
Yes, I can wear jeans that are way too big, but then they’ll sag, I’ll have to keep pulling them up, and they will bunch up in the small of my back, which is uncomfortable, ugly, and inconvenient.
Yeah, my jeans may look like leggings, but I’m comfortable, and I’m clothed, and I look decent If not good.
Most of my jeans now are skintight fit, they are far more comfortable than baggy ones. Bizarre or what? I’ve got a couple of pairs of jeggings and they are awesome. They’re really no different to the leggings I wear to fitness classes. No one bothers me. In fact when I was in the supermarket last week one lady said she thought I looked really good in them.
I have worn big baggy work jeans forever and still do for work. Im pretty new to wearing skinny jeans, and yeah im older not some rock star kid. I have absolutely fallin in love with the Fit feel and look of good quality Skinny jeans. Blues for daily wear and black for nicer times out. They ROCK !!! Im all in !!!
Been following this thread for a while now, been a fan of slim or tighter jeans since my teenage years as a Levi’s fanboy. Even now as a bigger guy on the wrong side of 40 that style is still my go-to jean. In fact I still have some Levi’s 511 from the late 90’s that I can still (just) get into. I’ve always shied away from any jean that has even a tiny amount of elastic in, as to me they just weren’t proper jeans. Fast forward to a little post lockdown weight gain (I’m sure I’m not alone!) and my favourite 2 pairs of skinny jeans are now unbearably tight to wear. Just 2 weeks ago I found on the racks in TKMaxx a pair of Levi’s 710 in dark grey and a reduced pair of Wrangler Spencers in jet black (for £6 who wouldn’t?). Changing rooms are closed of course, so took a bit of a gamble…
Firstly, the Levi’s. Super Skinny on the label and my first ever stretch jeans, these have 1% elastic in them and assured by the sales girl they would be comfy, I bought them. How these are ever a true 34 I’ll never know, I just about got them on but boy these things were unbelievably sausage skin tight but weirdly just about comfy at the same time. Not sure..
Secondly, my first ever pair of Wranglers. Jet black and my preferred 100% cotton, I never thought they’d fit me at 32” waist but they do! A serious struggle at first, these are really waaaaay too small but luckily not so much in the waistband. Quite thick but soft, once buttoned and worn a bit these are super tight but amazingly just about wearable. Not so sure on the look, a bit self conscious maybe when out as it’s quite obvious these jeans are squeezing me but I admit I do quite like them.
So after all these years, my preference seems to have gone from tight jeans to super skinny – jury is still out on the stretch though. I just hope I can get over the self conscious thing lol!
Edit: Levi’s are 519’s not 710
I bought a pair of light blue Levis 710’s waste 30 about a month ago – from the Levis ladies section. I had to take them in a bit around the knee, to keep the skin tight all the way down. They are superb. I wear them with thick soled white creepers.
Henry
Good for you, I’m in a similar position with putting on what I’d like to say is “puppy fat”, but it’s really loads of cake and chocolate due to the stress of it all. I still get self conscious sometimes, but with a mask on that feeling seems to go 😉
So now I’m wearing the clothes and boots that I want to wear, not what other people think I should wear. In these times, we may as well live our lives without compromise. It’s only clothes and if you like wearing tight jeans, do it. Please yourself and be happy. Hopefully you have people in your life that love you and will provide support if you need it.
I am a fan of Levis 571 which offer a perfect fit. Your earlier comment about women’s jeans containing elastane, making them lighter and more comfy than men’s jeans was spot on. I tried men’s 501s in the 90s and I would describe them as the heaviest, least comfortable and most expensive sweat pants I have ever worn. It was aggressive marketing that made these jeans popular because you only have to look at past footage, just to see how ugly they are. No wonder the young don’t touch them now.
Hi Lorna,
I love Skinny Jeans and most definitely are looking into wearing women’s skinny jeans as well. Any tips?
My only concern is always visible panty lines with skinny jeans. What underwear can you recommend wearing underneath the skinny jeans? Some women told me they cannot live without a thong underneath it and advised me to look into men’s thong. What is your view on this?
Best,
Peter
Where I’m from, “skinny” and “slim” are noticeably different. “Slim” I can agree is often a good, sleek look, unless you’re plus-sized. “Skinny”, however, is often ridiculous. Also known as “spray-on”.
I can get away with wearing slim. Usually they fit me snug on the thighs, and close (but not tight) below the knee. “Skinny” would essentially be skin-tight denim from waist to ankle, with nothing left for the imagination. I have a decent amount of junk, so I’d feel self-conscious wearing something so tight around that area….
I agree with almost everything you say except about flare jeans,there you show your ignorance.i wear flares mostly,do you have a problem with that?
Yeah…no. Skinny jeans look TERRIBLE on a man. It needs to go away and retailers need to stop feminizing men. They are also NOT comfortable. At all.
I like my jeans like I like my women: Straight.
Fashions go with the time flow the later period where the fashion was of flattered bottom jeans but with time it changed and now with time men are also wearing skinny or you can say slim fit, I usually go for jeans for men online and offline also and found that now the world is accepting this kind of fashion may be the upcoming time will kick off the present-day fashion or maybe not who knows.
I will slit my wrists if baggy jeans ever come into style again. Who wants to wear curtains (drapes) and hide the shape of good legs, no matter what the dictates of fashion become.
Henry
I agree in100%. The whole Life i wear slim fit jeans but always think they a little too baggy. When i First try skinny there is a game changer. But i have couple and with different leg openings. To dress shoe( more business casual look) , in my dark blue wash, or dark washes skinny i have wider lego opening. Not too tight not too wide(between slim and skinny)I think this give more classic look and work a little better with dress shoes . In my more casual outfits with sneakers the leg opening is much more tapered and narrower. But overall leg shape is the same on all of them only ankle area is a little different. Cheers from Poland.
And i almost forget. There is a huge difference between skinny jeans and spray on, super skinny. Most of men when think about skinny jeans they think of this images with guys in sprayon jeans. And of course there is no standard so each brand have different fit of skinny fit jeans. In levis skinny fit its more like slim fit on slim guy in another brands like zara or H&M tehy be more to skinny fit. So you shoul not buy wha label or pants desription say but how they fit. In some brand skinny jeans will be too tight and in some they be superb
There’s no need to worry about men not wearing skinny jeans. Skinny jeans are a comfortable and stylish style that should be maintained by all men.
There is nothing wrong with wearing jeans that fit well and like a comfy pair of shapeless jogging bottoms. If women thought that saggy dad jeans looked so good, they would wear them themselves. Guess what, they don’t!
I meant ‘and not like a pair of shapeless jogging pants’
How old are you? There is no silhouette that fits every shape. To claim any particular silhouette looks good on no one just sort of shatters your legitimacy as a style critic. I’m sure that history would find it amusing to learn that a cowboys jeans don’t fit his masculine physique.
Author
The purpose of this post was to build a discussion, which worked. My point was baggy, ill fitting jeans do not look as good as a slim or skinny pair of jeans, which look more refined. A cowboy wears jeans pretty slim to be honest, so this type of fit is perfectly good enough to be refined. My last statement says there’s exceptions too. But no baggy, ill fitting pair of jeans is going to look better than a slim fitting pair on anyone. I stand by that and my legitimacy as a denim expert.
So…
We agree!?
Good grief, what’s my damage??