How to Wear Skinny Jeans, No Matter Your Body Type!

Ever feel like your hips completely overwhelm your figure in skinny jeans? Like your bottom half just DOUBLED in size? Ever wonder how everyone seems to pull off skinny jeans when you feel they don’t flatter you at all?

In the latest edition of The Style Shop by Sandi Mele's mini-mag "Your Wearable Wardrobe: The Cool-Weather Edition", I cover 7 of the most versatile styles for fall and winter, and skinny jeans are one of the featured items (make sure to sign up at the bottom of the page to receive your free copy!). I've been anxious to share just HOW this style is one of the most frequently purchased styles by The Style Shop by Sandi Mele's clients.

In this article, I'll share some tips on how to dress your body type in skinny jeans, no matter your shape or your age (the following celebrity examples cover a range of ages!). With skinnies appearing in more textures, prints, colors, and styles than ever, you don't have to miss out on this pant style for work or play.

Before we get started, let's make sure we're familiar with the four major body types for women...

What To Wear With Skinny Jeans if You are Triangle Shaped:

If you are TRIANGLE shaped, which means your hips are the widest area of your body, you may feel that every time you try on skinny pants you end up grabbing a size up! To dress for your body type, stick with the following guidelines..

-Stick with the tight and baggy rule. If you have skinny jeans on the bottom, wear a loose top. If you have a form-fitting blouse, better to wear a loose style in a pant.

-Don’t wear a short shirt or blouse! Stick with long tops and blouses that glide easily over your hips.

-Try to only pair skinnies with a boot or bootie. The skinny pant follows the curve of your leg and hugs your ankles, which can draw more attention to your bottom half. If you’re obsessed with ballet flats, then make sure you’re wearing an extra long top to draw the eye upward.

-If wearing skinny jeans, pair with a top that accentuates your waist and bust, or reveal your waist with a skinny belt.

Beyonce is normally all about flaunting her curvaceous lower half, but here we see her in a long blouse, eye-catching blazer, and patterned scarf. The bright color and bold pattern draw our eye upward. The bootie creates length in her legs and the top hits just below the widest part of her hip (dollmaison.com).

Scarlett Johansson uses head-to-toe black to her advantage. She styles a fitted blouse that cinches at the waist, showcasing her hourglass curves in a slimming way (stylebistro.com).

What To Wear With Skinny Jeans if You are Hourglass Shaped:

If you are HOURGLASS shaped (same measurements around your bust and hips), you are envied by women everywhere! Don’t get a big head – you may appear bottom-heavy if you don’t treat this fashion trend with care. To dress for your body type, follow the guidelines for triangle shaped figures, with these exceptions:

-You’re allowed to break the tight and baggy rule. BUT don’t wear a shirt that’s too short or it’ll look skimpy. It’s always a good idea to wear long blouses when you have hefty hips!

-Another great trick is to stick with monochromatic color. The same color from top to bottom is incredibly slimming!

How To Wear Skinny Jeans if You are Rectangle (or Linear) Shaped:

From here on, it’s a breeze! If you are RECTANGLE-shaped, which means you have similar measurements between your shoulders, waist, and hips, skinny jeans are your best friend. Go crazy and invest in several pairs. You’ll make the triangle and hourglass figures jealous!

-Because skinny jeans hug the curve of your leg and accentuate your hips and rear, they’ll give you curves where they count the most.

-Feel free to wear skinny jeans or ankle-length skinnies in loud patterns, bright colors, and eye-catching details.

Zoe Saldana tucks a white v-neck into a brightly colored skinny jean, giving her curves where she's long and lean (denimblog.com).

Charlize Theron uses a v-neck to de-emphasize her large chest while wearing a long skinny jean (stylebistro.com).

How To Wear Skinny Jeans if You are Inverted-Triangle Shaped:

Last but not least, we have the INVERTED-TRIANGLE shape! This describes women who measure larger on top than around the bottom (we may just envy you too…).

The goal here is to make your bottom half appear as large as your top. To dress for your body type, follow the tips above for your rectangle-shaped friends, with one exception…

-To minimize your top, don’t wear skin tight shirts or tops with detail around the bust. A v-neck blouse or plain tee in a dark shade will accentuate the positive without making you appear top-heavy.

For all Style Shop Denver's size 14 and up clients, you are not excluded from this form-fitting style! The same body type principles apply to you. Remember, bigger pieces create volume. A form-fitting pant can be slimming when worn correctly! Stick to dark colors and long tops when in doubt. Check out how Lane Bryant sells this style...

Skinny Jean with Darts by Melissa McCarthy Seven7

Do you have questions about your body shape? Not sure what category you fit in? If the descriptions above don't resonate one way or another, there's a chance you might be a hybrid of two body shapes. Never fear! You're not alone.

Feel free to shoot me an email or add a comment below if you have any questions. I'm happy to help you further pinpoint your body type! Knowing your body type is the most powerful step in creating a well-designed wardrobe.

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I can't wait to hear from you,