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Introduction
What is life without a good debate? Whether it is an in-depth political discussion, a consideration of important social questions and conventions, deeply concerning environmental issues regarding the plight of squirrels or just a big argument with your mates down the pub over how many chips you can jam up your nose, and who will fall in the most hedges on the stagger home (either with physical encouragement from said friends or without). The televised debates during the general election gripped the nation and proved that a good argument really helps us all become undecided about who we want to lead our nation, and if we’re all completely honest, who doesn’t enjoy the odd episode of Jeremy Kyle. Although that could be seen more as unnecessary shouting than a reasoned debate. It is fair to say then, that a life without debate isn’t really a life at all.
As you may well know, the fashion world is no stranger to debate, discussion and controversy. One needn’t look any further than Lady Gaga for proof that pushing the boundaries of fashion, particularly in terms of what is and isn’t acceptable (I’m thinking of the meat dress here) can cause some huge debates both within fashion specific circles and the wider world. However, while this is obviously an extreme example and the level of controversy and debate involved will probably never enter the world of the average fashion conscious gentleman, it would be naïve to think debate and differing views had little or no impact on our choice of clothing, even at an everyday level.
This can be seen clearly in our individual choice of style. Do you prefer a sharp, clean and tailored look or do you lean more towards the more relaxed, casual and rugged look? Obviously you an describe your own personal style in any way you want, but the divisions that separate each individual style can boil right down to specific items; which brings me neatly onto the main topic of this article, skinny jeans.
The For
You would find it exceeding difficult to discuss the fashion trends of the past few years without considering the impact of skinny jeans. In a very short space of time, they became a veritable fashion Behemoth, much to the delight of some and dismay of others. Of course they only appealed to certain groups, which is where we find the stark contrast between advocates of such a style and those that loathe it with a passion. The go to stereotype for skinny jeans would be the ‘Emo’ trend; what image of skinny jeans is more recognisable than the pasty faced teenager, with black hair, black clothes a ridiculous fringe and studs everywhere, who stomped down the road listening to heavy metal, and one must of course not forget the more feminine connotations of tighter jeans. How many wearers of such garments have walked down the street only to be hollered at by Jonny tracksuit and the white lightening gang?
However, skinny jeans are far more versatile than that. They help to create a much sharper silhouette, with cleaner lines and more definition, something baggy jeans or loose fitting trousers are unable to do. This immediately creates a far smarter, more formal look, harking back to the 1960s and the Mods, while still maintaining a modern feel, developing into the whole ‘Indie’ look. This look has become very popular, and you only need to look at many well known figures in music, fashion or television to see the results.
Celebrity Look Book:
Here we can see how skinny jeans have helped to create relaxed, casual outfits that still retain an air of formality and definition, without having to resort to a properly formal selection of clothing.
Lookbook.nu
Here are some LookBook.nu examples; I have tried to get a mix of looks, incorporating both casual and formal styles. I feel that all the looks, even the casual ones, have much sharper lines and better definition, but it is when they are used in a more formal way, with shirts, blazers, cardigans and smarter shoes that skinny jeans really come into their own.
The Against
But wait! This is supposed to be a debate, and here I am waxing lyrical on skinny jeans when I have hardly touched on the other half of the argument. Well, the time has come to consider the other side of this discussion.
While skinny jeans still remain a very much a force in the fashion world, The last couple of seasons have been awash with new styles and, fitting in with the vintage/heritage trends, a revamp of old styles. With skinny jeans playing a much smaller role on the catwalks, it was only a matter of time before their popularity started to wane, which has allowed different cuts to come to the fore, bringing with it new trends, different shapes and new possibilities. There has been an obvious shift away from skinny jeans to slim jeans, which afford the wearer much the same cleaner shape, and sharper cut but without the social stigma, more flexibility and a bit more practicality.
The new Banana and Carrot cut jeans have proved hugely popular, so to have the drop crotch styles and they all provide a much needed switch to jeans becoming more of a focal point in your outfit. These new cuts are just as much statement pieces as skinny jeans, really letting your make the look your own so you stand out from the crowd. They add a whole new edge to the big trends of the season and look to become a fashion staple, with many designers and companies releasing pieces.
Of course one cannot ignore the monumental rise of the Chino, particularly during S/S10. This revamp of a classic style has brought with it a wealth of possibilities, with its ability to switch between a casual day time look to formal evening wear at the drop of a hat. It also provides a very real alternative to jeans as a wardrobe staple, something you could wear everyday and is always hugely practical, especially when dealing with the heat (or what little we actually experienced). While they became big over the summer, it is clear that they are here to stay as their versatility means they can be worn all year round and incorporated into a number of trends, highlighting the importance of investing in transitional items.
Look Book:
Fashion Beans Top Picks:
The Reader’s Opinion
Whether you like skinny jeans or not, there can be no denying that they have had a massive impact on the fashion world. But I intended this article to create some kind of debate, so I need to know what you guys think! Personally I’m a big fan of skinny jeans; they are versatile, different and make you stand out from the crowd. To be perfectly honest I feel uncomfortable wearing any other cut of jeans now. There are many factors that affect our opinions of new trends, old trends and specific items of clothing, so:
- What do YOU like or dislike about them?
- At what point to skinny jeans become to skinny?
- Do you think they work on men?
- Do you agree or disagree with the stereotypes?
Let me know in the comments and have your say.
And for all of those that might have been wondering, I can assure you that no, skinny jeans do not crush your gentlemen’s vegetables.
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i think that whatever your into skinny, regular or baggy there is a market for all….the question i think is where does the skinny jeans phenomenom stop & ‘meggings’ trend begin??? ala vince noir from The Mighty Boosh…
Skinny jeans do help to create sharper lines for a smarter, tailored look but I would argue that they only really work for particularly skinny guys and those within a certain age bracket. I think the slim fit jean strikes the perfect balance, achieving the same sharp styling but with the added bonus of comfort and practicality. They occupy my much favoured can’t go wrong middle ground. The slim jean is less rebellious rock and roll statement, and so more sophisticated, elegant and mature. On a personal level they also accomodate my disproportionality large thighs which I know to be a problem shared by many. I would argue that a couple of the celebrity jeans images you have classified as skinny are actually more on the slim slide, such as those worn by Jude Law above, who always gets jeans spot on!
I agree with you on this, all my jeans are skinny except one comfort fit pair which I feel really unfashionable when I wear them, they’re also the most useful style with regards to footweat,
I disagree that they’re useful in terms of footwear, I find it looks strange when your jeans stack instead of actually forming break around your shoes, especially with boots (bottom right, celeb look book). I also think you look better in skinnies when you’re buff than when you’re skinny. But you’re still better off with a slim fit.
I weight train and find that as with most “fashion”-able items Skinny Jeans and Slim Fit jeans are not even an option. It has also been touched on but it can highlight and emphasize a poor choice of footwear. Thankfully the preppy chino did the rounds early this year and I turned my look very varsity with a looser chino and fitted polo/rugby shirt
You can hardly use arc/carrot fit jeans as an argument against skinny jeans seeing as most of them are still skinny fit from knee to ankle. And those chinos look pretty slim fitting to me.
I’ve been wearing skinny jeans since high school and honestly I am getting tired of them. Whenever I wear them, I feel like I am a hispter. Going back to straight jeans and never looking back!
Honestly, skinny jeans don’t look that all great on skinny men. Instead of provide clean lines, the jeans just acentuate how skinny they are. Slim straights or just plain straight jeans work best with skinny men so they can build a good amount of volume on the bottom to counter the slimness of their body frame.
Just go to lookbook.nu for example. 99.99% of men there wear skinny jeans even though they don’t necessarily flatter them. A few of their outfits on lookbook are quite classy, but the skinny jeans they have on just kills it. Nothing classy about skinny jeans folks.
And yes, there should be an age limit for wearing skinny jeans. How about not being over 25?
Some good debate going on here, thats what I like to see!
Noel – Certainly there has to come a point when jeans just cease being jeans and become meggings, which personally, I hate. being a wearer of skinny jeans I can definately see that there is a very very very fine line between skinny jeans becoming, too skinny and then just plain ridiculous.
Andrew – again I completely agree, slim jeans are a great compromise, they provide the much needed shape and definition of skinny jeans without the stigma and questions over whether they actually look good. The thinking mans jean perhaps. I also suffer from fairly large thighs and in terms of whether I can actually pull skinny jeans off, I think i’m right on the limit, it all comes down to personal opinion and comfort, and as always, jeans are something you have to get right, because they’re such fashion staple.
Omar – I think skinny jeans look better on people that are more. . . built, shall we say. Again it comes back to the, at what point do they become too skinny, and your body build has a big effect on that, as i say I’ve got big legs, so i’m right on the upper limit. In terms of stacking and footwear, it all depends on the maker of the jeans, i’ve got some standard 30/32 cheap monday jeans and they’re perfect length for my chelsea boots, they just rest. While my H&M skinny jeans tend to stack more on all my shoes. Again all about getting the right fit, it doesn’t hurt to pay more for the right pair.
Joshua – Very true, I wanted them more to show examples of alternatives to skinny jeans, and with the drop crotch and wider thighs they provide a very different shape.
Narong – As i’ve said, whether we like them or not is all down to personal opinion and style. I’m fully expecting, in the next couple of years to start wearing just slim jeans as my style develops and I want it to become more mature and suitable. The age limit is definately true, but i’d go as far as to say 23 – 24 (the point i’ll be at in a couple of years funnily enough), after that you can’t really afford to induldge the inner child. LookBook is a funny one, i’m actually a member of the site, and a lot of the looks I don’t like for one reason or another, sometimes due to skinny jeans, again its all a matter of opinion.
Right! sorry for the long post, but I wanted to reply to as many people as possible. I think its a fairly key debate, and its an issue that will definately have an impact on the fashion world in the months to come, so keep your opinions flowing!
Ya, the reason I got into skinny jeans in the first place was because my baggy jeans that I would sport before I got into style at all felt completely unfashionable and I needed a slimmer line. I tried on some skinny jeans (not super skinny, mind you) at a local forever21 and I was hooked. They had the exact clean lines I was looking for. I’ve tried some comfort fit jeans on since then (about a year ago is when I got into fashion). I mean David Beckham pulls it off and looks amazing so why not me? But every time I try them on, like you, I feel uncomfortable and unfashionable. I guess you just gotta be a certain type. I think skinny jeans are a great look for the whole rock vibe and they’re very versatile. On the other hand, a lot of girls I know (not all of them, mind you) hate skinny jeans on guys and I don’t want to be counter productive; for better or for worse, the main reason (though not the only) for me getting into fashion is to look as desirable as possible to the opposite sex, so there are some trends that I’d rather forgo than seem like a creep to a girl that otherwise might go out with me (though I know it’s not so much about looks with girls). That being said, I still love skinny jeans. I think when most girls say they hate them on guys they’re talking about super skinny jeans. I can’t stand the super skinny ones that look like tights on guys. And, of course, what’s most important is your attitude and confidence. Zac Effron wears skinnies all the time and girls are crazy about him. But even his aren’t super skinny. So, over time, I’ve come to find out that slim jeans, slim chinos, skinny suits and looser skinny jeans are what work great for me, rock/indie vibe being my favorite style. And when sporting more manly looks ala Beckham, Diesel, and D&G, which I do enjoy as well on a casual day, slim jeans/more fitted comfort fit work great. And I will get a little looser with age, not baggy, mind you, still being nice and tailored, but I do think skinny jeans do start to look strange on an older man.
Cheers!
I think the article ia missing any real criticism on skinny jeans. You scratch on the problem of the effeminite look they quickly produce and that is stereotypical to gay people. For me this acts as a reason to stray away from skinny jeans as I don’t identify myself with these kind of people.
What I find most important about skinny jeans though, and what is missing in the article for me, is the combination with shoes, which I perceive as much more complicated and difficult to get right compared to other types of trousers. What I’ve been observing recently is that skinny jeans will ask for “skinny shoes”, for else a too stark unharmonic contrast is created. Yet some people actually have used this to put emphasis on exactly this contrast, by combining skinny jeans with huge black boots (e.g. goth/emo).
Maybe if possible I would love a follow up article on the shoe-aspect of skinny jeans.
I’ve just recently discovered about this site and I enjoy reading your articles very much. Thanks for providing this service!
I love skinny jeans. Perhaps not superskinny jeans or men’s jeggings, but regular skinny jeans are great. I feel that it takes pretty much any standard outfit and makes it sharper, more contemporary, more edgy, in a way that other cuts don’t. Personally I don’t wear them in an “17 year old emo” way but use them with tailored and sharp clothes – blazers, macs – for that 60s mod vibe.
But the key thing about them is, (as long as you have the figure for them and you want to show it off.. – they do not look good overhung with a beer gut) they accentuate your form and sharpen your silhouette. That’s one of the main things style is all about right? Accentuating your natural gifts and hiding your natural flaws. Wearing skinny jeans also exudes confidence – they show the world you don’t want to hide away in bags of fabric. As for what women think, well – some girls don’t love them, some do – but most girls like confidence. And consider this – if you’re wearing that cut as a part of your whole image which reflects your personality, maybe you can do without the ones that don’t like them..
The problem with the alternatives is they don’t achieve the same practical, form-accentuating function. Honestly, I hate the new “fashion” fits that have appeared recently – drop crotch, banana etc – because they don’t do anything for your silhouette – they make you look like you’ve got a saggy ass. It feels like changing cuts just for the sake of a change, not because it actually looks good. Maybe I’m too old to be a slave to fashion nowadays but they just don’t do it for me. As for slim jeans, I think they lack the edge – they often look like the bog standard jeans of a middle-aged man.
Like some others said, my thights are way too big just from playing sport, so i have no chance at fitting in skinnys. I would love to be able to wear them just to add some variety to my wardrobe. To you guys that wear them religiously, do you not find them some what… restrictive?
I’m liking the responses guys.
Its always easiest to look at an article you’ve written in retrospect, and now I think I might well have added some more negative content, but I believe the basis is still there. The idea of a shoe article is definately a workable follow up, so keep your eyes peeled. My personal selection of footwear, is addidas high tops, black chelsea boots and Brown Brogue boots. I use the high tops for my informal outfits (usually) and my Brogues and chelsea boots for going out and my more formal days. I’m very keen on the whole mod look so it tends to lean more towards that. Low top trainers can work, but I absolutely despise the whole plimsole trend, I hate them with a passion. But equally you could try desert boots, boat shoes or loafers. As i’ve said, a lot depends on the cut of the jeans.
As for the new cuts of jeans, I only really like carrot fit. If used correctly they can create some really interesting shapes and new dimensions to looks (think the new avant garde ski trend and maybe even the heritage/country trends) they provide an alternative to skinny, slim or straight jeans. Experimental if you will.
Marcus – I can assure you that in the gentlemens vegetable region they’re actually quite supportive and comfortable, tends to be a bit harder to lift your knees though.
I found Skinny jeans are good as long as they have a bit of stretch in them, I’ve found the 100% cotton ones to be particularly restricting if sitting down for long periods of time! I’ve also noticed the quite concerning trend of the carrot fit trouser. A low crutch is good in a pair of skinny jeans but there a limit to how low a crutch should be!
@Mat “As for what women think, well – some girls don’t love them, some do – but most girls like confidence. And consider this – if you’re wearing that cut as a part of your whole image which reflects your personality, maybe you can do without the ones that don’t like them..”
That is a GREAT point. I would rather go out with a girl who digs my unique personality than a girl who’s trying to conform me to whatever her image of a man is. I also agree with your opinion on these new fits of jeans. I think they do just make you look saggy and they do seem to be here just for the sake of being different, which, in my book, isn’t enough justification for looking like an idiot. I don’t think that all guys necessarily look like idiots in them but I do think that a lot of guys (especially on lookbook.nu) will sport outfits that just look ridiculously stupid and people give it a ton of hype just because it’s different. I think you still need to keep a level of brains and pick out an outfit because it looks good first, and then add creative touches to make it your own. Yes, much of fashion is about standing out but I think the number one thing about fashion is still looking GOOD and not just different from the crowd.
Btw, Will, I LOVE brogues and chelsea boots with skinny jeans. =D
@Jonathan Russel
I like your response to this article, but I highly doubt skinny jeans would reflect any unique personality out there anymore. It is already too mainstream and almost uniform among the young (and the wannabe young).
I also love your comments, Jonathan, regarding with trying to be different. Being different isn’t always a good thing. People are just blinded by the fact if they try so hard to be “unique,” they would indeed be an individual. But they usually ended up looking like a hot mess and trying too hard.
It is actually funny how there more people who tries to be “unique” (like the ones on lookbook), when there are actually less people who knows how to dress themselves impressively.
Skinnies don’t do it for me I just don’t like the look on bigger guys plus my thighs are too big, I play squash and jog a lot, and I’m too big in the crotch department as well. It’s not that I’m bragging or anything like that, the last thing I want to do is parade my package off to all and sundry, it’s just that they seem to be more for the effeminate rather than the athletic bigger man. I’ll stick to my two sizes larger in the waist bootcuts and leave the skinnies for the girls.
Sorry guys..
@Narong
Ya, I wasn’t really referring to skinny jeans there, I was merely agreeing that I should be myself and the types I want will notice that and the ones that hate the way I dress are probably not my type anyway. But ya you’re definitely right, they’re not unique at all anymore…
…But ya, life is about balance. Going over to the extreme of just looking different isn’t any better than the other extreme of wearing nothing but a fitted shirt and slim slacks everyday just because you know it looks good, even though it can get boring after a while. My motto is always to try to strike a balance in most areas of life. Work on making outfits look good and attractive and, at the same time, figure out ways to make it unique and don’t go over the top.
I really like what you have to say about the alternative to the skinny jean being the slimmer-fit jean. I personally detest the skinny jean on my body, but would have to say that some people, as stated before, if particularly fit, can pull it off. I think slim jeans can offer the wearer a well-groomed, cleaner line, while the skinny jean seems to simply show too much information. I’m a dancer, so I tend to observe things about the body quite a bit. One thing is the shape of the bone structure in the leg (particularly around the knees) as well as the shape of the quad muscles and calves. Without going into too much detail, I don’t think anatomically, the skinny jean is a friend to any and everyone. One thing that also has bothered me is the fact that people sag skinny jeans… Maybe because my Mum always told me it wasn’t “gentleman-like” to show your underwear, but in my opinion, the combination of the two is again: too much information.
The dropped waistline is something I don’t agree with either. Some of the people I know (who have since cleaned up their act) used to wear them below the bum, actually under their arse. Not only did it look horrible, it wasn’t practical and was probably jolly cold. Getting the right waist size is key, if you have the right waist size then you shouldn’t need necessarily need a belt. thats when it important to get the whole cut of the jeans right. Its no good having jeans that fit the leg well as but have a massive waist. You pick the jeans for your body type, and skinny jeans don’t work on all men.
Keep the discussion flowing guys.
The good thing about skinny jeans that they give the rise of slimmer cuts to other kinds of pants.
I recently became in love with dress pants because they look handsome and very very comfortable to wear to school or anywhere for that matter. I am glad that more dress pants nowadays are cut slimmer due to the effects of skinny jean trend.
Skinny jeans, like any other trends, will eventually loses it spark and die off before being resurrected again later. We are getting older anyways, so time will allow us to depart with them sooner or later.
…not unless you’re going pretend to be 16 again at age 30.
to not have fabric around my calves makes me feel weird. I’m so used to having my skinnies on that i don’t buy any other jeans. i have my black skinnies i where around all the time. my blue ones that i wear going out and my dark grey ones on good occasions (obviously i have other pants but skinnies are my main choice :)
whoops there’s ma email :P
Agree with Calum above.
I feel odd not wearing my skinny jeans and split my jeans pile into skinny and ‘other’. The ‘other’ pile is a lot smaller.
The problem is I’ve now got it in my head that I will only feel smart wearing skinny jeans with an outfit. Non-skinny feels baggy and doesn’t feel like I can wear them with shirts and ties. The carrott thingy jeans are a no go because they feel far too casual.
But wearing slim back trousers is becoming my new favourite option.
That said, I’ve decided once I hit 30, I’m not wearing skinny jeans anymore (unless they’ve already gone out of fashion). I switching to suits, but that’s a different story…
In terms of shoes, I always feel my shoes don’t look right when not with skinny.
Personally I used to love wearing flared jeans and would love them to come back!
Excellent article!
@ anyone who has trouble matching the right shoes to skinny jeans…It’s not hard!!
Brogues are extremely popular just now and look perfect with skinny jeans on any occasion.
Shoes/boots with a more pointed toe also go well(slightly cliched somewhat now though).
Hi-tops or plimsoles for a laid back comfortable look.
But more importantly… BOOTS BOOTS BOOTS!!
Boots look great with skinny jeans be it ankle boots, calf high boots, doc martins etc. They look good and no not only for emo/goth look as mentioned by someone above.
The great thing about (black) skinny jeans is just how versatile they really are. You can achieve so many different looks depending on footwear/jacket/t-shirt/jumper/cardigan etc. The (black) skinny jean will allow you to wear just about anything.
One last thing. We all know how popular skinny jeans are nowadays but something that is a bit different is to wear black ultra-skinny trousers (see Topman) with a pair of boots. I often opt for calf-high boots with this look as it is an alternative look with smart trousers and boots and then any top that takes your fancy ie printed tees, stripy tees, and of course, the essential – leather (biker) jacket.
Conclusion: If you don’t have a pair of (black :) ) skinny jeans – BUY THEM!!
a good quality of slim fit jeans are by far the best bet, and I mean put your hand in your pocket, not the high street.
i see very few guys out there who I feel can pull them off, I think most add to the unwanted pete doherty downbeat look, regardless of the rest of the outfit. Im also pretty sick of seeing peoples underwear!
besides, at 6’4″ tall, 35″ legs and size 12 feet, i really could throw claim to possesing real drainpipes.
I will say however, that its my opinion, and only my opinion. If you love them and the look, wear them………..
“Skinny jeans are far more versatile than that. They help to create a much sharper silhouette, with cleaner lines and more definition, something baggy jeans or loose fitting trousers are unable to do. ” I agree with this idea. Man with skinny jeans is so cool.
Personally, i LOVE skinnys and i know alot of girls(i’m a guy) who think theyre awesome too, but only if you can pull them off. Not only do you need to be skinny(buff can work, too, but sometimes it looks like your bursting outa your clothes) but you need to fit the indie/rock’n'roll stereotype aswell. it looks somewhat out of place if you’re a 40 year old bank manager, no matter how in shape you may be.
age? under 24/25. earlier even, maybe.
@Will Colman – i HATE people who wear their pants below their arse. Admittedly, most of my pants are a little big on the waist (i need 27′s and most places only do 28′s) but i ALWAYS wear a belt, i dont get people who think its cool to have their boxers on show all the time.
i think, if anyones going to be taking the mic of something that will UNDOUBTEDLY go out of fashion sooner or later (sooner, god, please), it should be drug dealer pants(those massive grey tracky’s)
YES, they are comfortable for wearing around the house or car journeys, i own a pair myself, but in public? PLEASE NO!! just NO!! aaaaah…. anyway, back to the point.
I love them although my thighs are big