Tired of skinny jeans but nothing else seems to look good?

A curvy girl's guide to a fresh take on denim

I had a different letter planned for this week, but a friend suggested I write about skinny jeans and the millennial denim conundrum. I have been writing drafts on this topic for months, but her message was the nudge I needed. I love to get messages with your real-time clothing challenges as well as your wins. You can hit reply to this email or find me @marydellstrecker.

If you’re a guy, scroll down to the postscript for a couple links you might be more interested in.

There is really a lot to be said on this topic, but for the purposes of this specific letter, I am focusing on denim for those with curves. “Curvy” does not indicate anything about specific size, but refers only to those with a natural curve line to their lower half and a somewhat defined waist line.

The reason for this focus is twofold: first because making sweeping claims about clothes rarely, if ever, works. And secondly because I think that in general, Gen Z denim styles are particularly challenging for women with curves like this. Or rather, it’s not entirely obvious how to make looser styles feel great on a curvier body. The fact is, certain styles of denim serve different women better than others (although Gen Z is trying to de-emphasize bodies, which carries with it some good, but clothing is still about dressing bodies). The people who are clutching to their millennial skinny jeans for dear life are likely, if not certainly, the women who have found that skinny jeans are the holy grail style for their body shape. When they put them on, they feel fantastic, they feel classic, their outfits work, and getting dressed is just a bit more effortless. If you don’t feel that way about skinny jeans, then by all means wear something else. One of the critiques I’ve heard from the Gen Z outcry against skinny jeans is that they are a symbol of elitism and put-togetherness. There’s nothing wrong with being put-together, and in fact, I’ll focus on showing how you can wear some different denim fits and still feel that way. But I find the idea of elitism troubling. It shows what power our clothing has to tell a message, and I think the only way to escape (to a degree) some of that messaging is to be open to trying different things. But let’s not lose sleep over it. Every generation has critiqued every generation before them with clothing, and the same will happen to Gen Z all too soon.

My interest is primarily on helping people find clothing that they feel good in, and I think that’s something Gen Z and Millennials can agree upon.

Really what we’re asking here is, on the “Personal Style Venn diagram” that we’re all after, what denim fits are right for you, the person with curves?

If you find that you have a curvy shape (rounded hips, bum, thighs), then you want to choose jeans that honor those curved lines and don’t try to make you look like you have a different shape. This means that waist-accentuating high rise, and fitted through the hips and thighs are going to look most natural on you. If you’re curvy and a millennial, you likely still love your skinny jeans. I fall under that category and remember the first time I put on a pair of high rise skinny jeans from Madewell. I had never felt so good in my body. It was one of those defining style moments for me. I bought my first pair right before we moved to Germany, and those jeans made me feel fantastic that whole year and beyond.

However, I get it. Even though it’s true that skinny jeans really let our curves do their thing, this fit has started to feel restrictive and lackluster for me personally. Right now they still have a place in my wardrobe, but sometimes I crave a bit more movement, not only in how my body can physically move but in how the fabrics I wear drape.

Height also matters here, you might not be rich in curves but if you’re under 5’6” you likely also feel that straight or wide leg denim swallow you or look off. Women taller than 5’6”, curvy or not, have a bit more leeway when it comes to denim shapes that are going to look most harmonious. I suspect that if you have some height and a less curvy frame, you have likely already jumped the millennial ship and found some exquisite straight or wide leg denim that you love. Trends bring waves of new styles and you have to pick and choose what serves you and leave to the side what doesn’t.

Curvy/Petite

For those of us that are caught in the crossfire of what we know to look amazing on our bodies and the current shift in trends, let’s dive in.

First of all, you don’t have to accommodate your curves if you don’t want to. Below, Marilyn Monroe is wearing denim that is less harmonious with her curves and height. She doesn’t look bad at all, in fact, she looks very cute, but she looks more like she’s going fishing than out for drinks with friends. And to put it in specific style terms, this outfit really draws attention to her jeans. They are front and center because they disrupt her natural shape. I think this is a really important point to consider. Some of us prefer baggy or boxy fits because we want to keep any and all attention away from our bodies. There are many valid reasons for this, but if this is you, I want to encourage you to consider working with your body instead of against it. This approach might actually be more effective at giving you the feeling of safety in your body that you’ve been craving.

Images vis Pinterest

If you’ve read this but still really want some wide/straight denim, and are wondering if it’s also possible to accommodate your curves, I recommend trying these from Everlane (affiliate link). They are very high rise, and the 27.5” inseam is passable for someone who is skimming 5’6.” I am that height and have found that a 27” inseam is ideal for me. Full disclosure, I have not tried these specific jeans. I have a pair of their Way High denim in their “non curvy” cut and really like them (You’ll see them in the photos below). However, I really need the curve accommodation for these to feel comfortable around my waist. For this reason I feel good about recommending their curvy style, and look forward to trying a pair soon. If 27.5” is still too long, consider cutting the hem to your desired length or getting them professionally hemmed.

Another denim trend that has currently taken hold is full-length styles. I have found that this is extremely difficult to work with for my body, and still prefer to go with an inseam that skims my ankles. Ankle length will be pretty universally flattering on curvier bodies of any height, but especially those with a more petite height.

Curvy/Tall

Height is often an advantage in fashion, but when you add curves to the mix it can be difficult. When we don’t know how to work with our curves, it can make us feel bulky and clumsy in our bodies. For tall/curvy women specifically, in addition to skinny styles, I absolutely love a good crop length. Nothing too short, but ankle skimming really does the trick. Full-length denim + curves + height can feel overwhelming (but if you love it, keep doing it. There is no law here). I do think tall women in general have a lot of flexibility with leg style, so try whatever leg draws you in. Just look for a style that has a nice and high rise that sits at your actual waist, and if you’re still married to your skinny jeans, finding a tapered jean in a dark wash is going to best mimic the look of skinny jeans. I love the look of these. Inseam is a whole other beast for tall ladies, I know, but a lot of brands are doing a much better job providing a variety of inseams. If you’re tall and curvy, I’d love to know what denim has worked well for you!

A last note about styling your curvy, non-skinny denim

Curvy women really benefit from waist accentuation. And I really do mean make sure your pants/skirts come to the smallest part of your waist. I used to think that the rise of denim was just a matter of preference, and it could be, but if you have curves, the ideal high rise will hit at the indention of your waist above your hips. If you disguise your waist either with long tops or shapeless silhouettes, you’ll disrupt the natural lines of your body. If you typically wear loose or long tops, you might have felt really disgruntled about the move away from skinny jeans. For women with curves, a loose top + loose bottom is not going to be the most flattering because it isn’t harmonious with your curves. It’s not about hiding or emphasizing any one thing about your body, it’s about working with rather than against your natural shape. I know I know, it can be hard to love your natural shape. But you don’t have to love it. I find that trying to dress in harmony with my body shape simply helps me have more respect for it. Call it body neutral or whatever you want, but I think there really is something to this approach.

A simple front-tuck can do a lot for any longer shirt or button downs. Don’t worry about your tummy if you feel like this accentuates something you don’t love. I promise that revealing your waist line, no matter how billowy, will be so flattering on you. The button-down half tuck is probably the nicest to those of us who feel uncomfortable showing much tummy.

Another style I love is something cropped. I’m not specifically talking about belly-button-showing-cropped, but just something that comes about an inch or two below the waist of your jeans. This creates a natural line at your waist and will look so flattering.

Pair a cropped style with something longer underneath for an ultimate compromise moment. You get the waist accentuation from the outer, cropped layer, but you get a bit more coverage with the long layer underneath.

On the right are the J.Crew Vintage straight jeans I mention. The rise is not at an ideal height for my body. I prefer the 11.5” of these black Everlane Way High jeans (note that this style is best for those who are less curvy).

And of course the classic tuck in your shirt or bodysuit option. It’s another have your cake and eat it too solution. You can leave it as is, or if you want more coverage pair it with a blazer (not too boxy, not too long) or a cropped cardigan. If you want to wear a longer cardigan, search for a belted one. It will help keep the integrity of your natural curve line.

All of these combos work equally well with skinny, straight, or tapered jeans, so regardless of your favorite style, you can work towards a wardrobe that boasts maximum flexibility without compromising style.

Which style is your favorite?

Now for some denim recommendations

Maxey Greenseems to have great success with Abercrombie pants. Follow her for great recommendations.

Some curvy denim recommendations from a tall size 30

Madewell continues to be a crowd favorite for jeans. Here are all of their Curvy styles.

From Madewell, this straight jean looks promising. They already have a raw hem and are perfect for cutting shorter to your desired inseam or purchasing in petite. The darkish wash on these is specifically exciting to me.

I’ll link this straight style again from J.Crew since I’ve personally had success with it although I have noted that I actually need a higher rise to accommodate my natural waist line. So do some experimenting to find your natural waist.

None of these principles are going to be right for everyone. Each of our bodies are unique! But I hope that what I’ve shared gets you that much closer to dressing in a way that feels good. Jeans are such a staple in the modern style diet. It makes a big difference when you have a pair that you love.

Liebe Grüße,

MDS

P.S. I love reading about artists. Here’s a short piece I enjoyed about Matt McCormick. And speaking of Huckberry (a fantastic style resource for men), here are some denim brands for men that you may be interested in learning about. The prices are up there, but learning about brands is always interesting to me and can help be a style guide as you search for denim elsewhere. Which reminds me of another fascinating brand… Imogene and Willie based in Nashville. Does anyone know if any of their styles are good for women with curves? I’d love to know!