I’m sad to say that skinny jeans, especially white skinny jeans, have pretty much had their day (for me at least).
Well I’m not actually that sad. Not sad AT ALL, in fact. The thought of squeezing my legs back into those tight, sausage leg-making denims has me cringing at the very thought.
The demise of the skinny jean has taken a little while – you can still get them easily from most online retailers – but I find they’re given very little prominence these days.
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Personally, I think that the style of jeans you wear is the one item in your wardrobe that can make you look old fashioned, for want of a better phrase. As you probably know, I’m all for #IWillWearWhatILike, but jeans seem to be the one thing that I think will add unnecessary years to you if you’re wearing a style that’s out of date.
I was no longer getting on with skinny jeans (this was maybe about… five, six? years ago), and anyway, I’d put on weight and the skinnies I’d worn to death just didn’t fit anymore. So they went on such a long hiatus that by the time came that I could perhaps fit in them again, the style window had passed.
Enter straight leg jeans. I’ve been wearing straight legs for a while now, but only in traditional denim colours, so was glad to accept an offer for white straight leg jeans from Land’s End*. These are NOTHING like wearing skinny jeans of old. Maybe I AM “getting old” (she says with tongue firmly in cheek), but whilst wearing jeans I don’t want to worry about how restricted I’ll feel, or the crotch digging into my lady bits, or my legs looking like sausages, or me needing to undo the button and zip if I so much as LOOK at a Mr Kipling French Fancy.
These are stretchy (I NEED stretchy) and a great fit. Kudos to Land’s End for not only making a comfortable pair of white straight leg jeans, but for making Water Conserve Eco-Friendly Jeans* which are made using less water than conventional denim wash techniques. And then long enough to need a roll-up at the hem (always more flattering to flash a bit of ankle), these are perfect for me for summer.
Shop the look:
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I styled them with a new [to me] vintage Indonesian/African-inspired (not sure which) batik(?) print top which I got from Etsy, and I LOVE it.
(If anyone knows fabric printing techniques well enough to tell me if this is batik please give me details in the comments… I mean I THINK it’s batik?)
This was the outfit I wore on my birthday for my trip to Clarks Village, and it was perfect for a warm-but-not-too-hot summer’s day out. Those of you who saw the reel on Instagram will know I bought the lush olive Osprey London shoulder bag* on the day which was kinda MADE for this outfit, don’t you think?
Thoughts on skinny vs straight leg (or any other style) jeans? Comment below…
Stay safe, XOXO
Top: Vintage, Etsy (love this one)
Jeans: Land’s End*
Sandals: Dune at JD Williams*
Bag: Osprey London* (bought with shopping voucher as part of Clarks Village collab)
Hat: Debenhams (similar)
Necklace: Jaeger (love this one)
Watch: Fitbit (I wear mine with this gold strap)
Other African/Indonesian/batik print tops you might like:
Linking up to… Monday: Stylish Monday, Inspire Me Monday, Ageless Style Linkup (first Monday of the month), My Glittery Heart, On Mondays We Link Up || Tuesday: Style With a Smile, Trend Spin/Walking in Memphis in High Heels, Turning Heads Tuesday, Spread the Kindness, Confident Twosday, Happy Now Blog Link Up || Wednesday: Style Me Wednesday, WowOnWednesday || Thursday: Chic & Stylish || Friday: Fancy Friday, On the Edge, Fabulous Friday, Fabulous Friday’s Link Up
Very pretty look! I love the olive bag with the print too. I know what you mean. I think I am going to get a new pair of white denim and now would be the time. I just bought a few pair of straights and mom jeans and am liking the change!
thanks for linking!
jess xx
Author
Thanks Jess – I honestly think they’re also more flattering than skinnies: funny how our perception of what’s “flattering” is so often skewed by what’s on trend, isn’t it…?!
It is a type of batik ( wax process) the dutch colonizers brought the technique to Africa and the people there
made it their own
Love the look of your outfit
Author
Wow thanks Cindy… that’s why I love vintage so much, there are always stories behind the pieces!
The fabric looks like Ghanaian kente cloth to me. Beautiful!
Author
Thanks Allison! I had to look up Ghanaian kente cloth, and yes it does look an awful lot like it so you could be right đŸ˜€
I must admit to being quite sad on the death of skinny jeans—mainly because I have about ten pairs of them in my wardrobe!! I do love them with boots though, and I tend to wear them a lot in the winter. However, I have been adding to my collection with wide legged and straight legged styles too, both of which I am quite fond of. I’m lucky that I suit most shapes. The one style I’m not overly find of are ‘Mom Jeans’ though, and this summer there seemed to be so many of them in the shops over here in Portugal. I’m hoping that style might die a swift death too lol!
I’m loving your white ones (I have some in white too, that I bought from Massimo Dutti a year or two back) with the blouse. It looks like batik—isn’t that the design process they use wax for?? I remember (vaguely) doing it at school!
Hugs
Suzy xx
Author
Oh, the mom jeans trend has really got me stumped, Suzy: I can’t EVER imagine wanting to wear them, they remind me far too much of what I wore in the late 80s, early 90s…!!!!
And yes, batik is the wax process thing – but this pattern is so intricate I’m amazed that it would be batik. If it is then crikey what an amazing skill to get a pattern looking like with that technique!!!! I went to Singapore when I was about 9 and we saw batik patterned fabric being made, and I kind of remember it. I think it’s a really beautiful technique <3
Thank you lovely xx
I am loving straight leg jeans at the moment!
Danielle | thereluctantblogger.co.uk
Author
You and me both, Danielle đŸ˜€
Definitely the straight jean has become my go-to as well. Loving the blouse and hat you’re styling! Have a great weekend xx
Author
Thank you Lucy…!
The colors and print on this top is beautiful, and love it paired with these white pants!
xoxo
Lovely
Author
Thanks Lovely – I think the print is beautiful too, especially with white (I think a dark denim would have deadened its impact somewhat)! x
I’ve added 3 pairs of non skinny jeans to my closet this year. While I still like my skinnies I do like having a variety of silhouettes to choose from. This pair you are wearing are a great length and style.
Author
Thank you Mireille… I like having choice too. I’ll still keep a couple of pairs of skinnies to wear tucked into boots (the ones I can fit into, anyway)! đŸ˜‰
Yay for straight leg jeans! I didn’t like skinnies much, my legs were too big and it was such a faff pulling them off! Your straight leg jeans look so much more modern and stylish. Thanks for linking at #WowOnWednesday!
Author
Thank you Gail, I’m just glad that skinnies are no longer the “only” style to wear and that there’s a lot more choice. Mind you, I never did stop wearing my boyfriend jeans…! đŸ˜‰
This year I am also preferring straights, although raw-hemmed, cropped by myself ones. Cannot stand being squashed in skinnies anymore. Your outfit is fab and summery.
Author
I love a raw hem too, Lie, though atm I’m partial to a long hem rolled up (or a deep fold). No longer being squashed into skinnies is a godsend!! Thank you xx
Thoughts? I think you look fab in them, but I don’t think a straight cut is for me. Are jeans like haircuts, bras, or a certain cut of dress? I think that not everything suits everyone – although there are some things that suit no one đŸ˜›
While I’ve worn a straight leg cut years ago, they do make me feel a bit blokey, which is not great. It may be a while before I give up on skinnies or wide legged styles.
Author
Funnily enough Lynn I thought that straight legs didn’t do anything for me when skinnies came into fashion, and I donated all my straight legs. Now I’m doing it the other way round…?!! Though my actual favourite style is a boyfriend cut, or something that’s slightly peg-leg shaped. Both in jeans AND tailored trousers. My oldest jeans are a classic BF cut, and they’re about 15-20 years old.
I think you’re right about there being some styles that suit NO ONE – I think it’s more that they’re just bloody awful, lol!! đŸ˜€
errm… straight pants of any sort make me look sort of mannish. Which I discovered quite by accident. I was aghast. Skinny pants do flatter me.
Author
That’s what I’m thinking about the skinnies on me, Ratnamurti – I just don’t have the right figure for them (and anyway there are other styles that I think are far more flattering on me). Plus, it’s all about how you feel. Nothing looks right if you don’t FEEL good, I’m sure you’d agree…!
Great top with the jeans. And yes, long live the DEATH of skinny jeans! Only liked them for wearing boots, and I’ll still keep them for that. I’m more of a boot-cut girl meself – balances my “sturdy” thighs! And yes, the olive purse is so perfect.
Author
I’m the same with keeping a couple of pairs for boots, MK – that’s the only way I’ll be wearing them from now on! Thank you lovely x
I’m with you. Overjoyed that skinny is out. Although I never got too far into the skinny trend. Straight leg are generally so much more flattering.
Author
I had a pair in every conceivable colour, Lorna, so I have a ton of pairs that need to be donated! And I agree that straight legs are so much more flattering, though I didn’t think the same 10 years ago when I wanted to get rid of all my straight legs in favour of skinnies…!! #FacePalm