Millennials, you can keep your skinny jeans. Here's how to wear them with confidence. (2024)

People won't stop coming for skinny jeans.

But as fashion experts and fans have told Business Insider, you should probably throw that advice out the window and wear your skinny jeans anyway.

Here's how they suggest wearing the controversial denim style with confidence.

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Focus on comfort, confidence, and proportions — not trends

Kenzie Welch, a stylist and wardrobe consultant with nearly 853,000 followers across TikTok and Instagram, told BI that she's a big proponent of wearing skinny jeans if the style works for you.

"I don't think skinny jeans or any other style is the best for every body type," Welch said. "I think what's more important is figuring out the most flattering jeans to balance out your proportions."

While straight-leg jeans might be popular at the moment, as Welch pointed out, they might not work on every body type — and that's OK.

"Women wonder, 'Why do I hate them?'" she said of new denim styles. "And it's because they don't feel their best in them."

"If you think a style doesn't look good on you, you shouldn't be forced into this idea that you have to wear that," she added.

Millennials, you can keep your skinny jeans. Here's how to wear them with confidence. (1)

Don't be afraid to experiment

Krista Lavrusik is a 37-year-old fashion influencer who describes herself as a millennial mom with Gen Z style.

Speaking with BI, Lavrusik noted that the two generations don't dress that differently — they just approach fashion in different ways. For instance, Gen Z is more open to experimentation, she said.

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So, in her opinion, the best way to rock skinny jeans is to wear them on rotation with newer, more modern styles that you can slowly introduce to your wardrobe.

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"If you really feel secure in them and you love how they make your butt look, I get it," she said about skinny denim. "But don't let your closet only have those. Keep one or two pairs that you are obsessed with and that make you feel like a 10."

As for how to begin experimenting, Welch suggested trying on a range of denim styles — not just one that's trendy at the moment.

"If you want to get out of the skinny-jean look and move into something that feels a little more modern, go out for the day and try on multiple silhouettes, maybe a straight leg, a flare, and a boot cut," she said. "You'll be able to see which one makes you feel the most confident in yourself."

Use these styling tricks to perfect any denim look

If you look at outfits worn by fashionable young people and influencers, you'll likely notice one thing they all have in common: balance.

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They often pair their crop tops with baggy pants, and their oversized tees with tight-fitting jeans and leggings.

What they're employing is a popular styling technique that's easy to recreate at home, according to fashion content creator and marketing professional Mikala Mahoney.

"If you wear baggy jeans and a really baggy, slouchy top, you can start to feel swallowed — or like your clothes are wearing you," she told BI. "It's a big issue that people run into when they're trying to get into the baggy style of clothes. So it's about having a balance."

She said the same goes for styling skinny jeans — just in reverse. If you decide to wear them, it's the ideal time to wear your larger, baggier tops.

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Millennials, you can keep your skinny jeans. Here's how to wear them with confidence. (3)

Another trick is to focus more on the pieces you're wearing with your skinny jeans than the denim itself.

Lavrusik explained that skinny jeans look the most outdated when styled like they were in the 2010s, often with ankle boots, a tucked-in sweater, and no belt.

"That is the outfit that I can't get out of my head," she said. "It just screams, 'I'm a millennial. I'm old.'"

So instead, you could try pairing the jeans with chunky sneakers, an oversized crewneck — a staple of the "hot girl errand fits" that TikTokers love — and cool accessories like a hat or gold jewelry.

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Millennials, you can keep your skinny jeans. Here's how to wear them with confidence. (4)

But the most important tip that fashion fans and experts agree on is simple: Don't throw away your skinny jeans just because the internet tells you to.

"There's this narrative: 'Millennials, get rid of your skinny jeans!' But on some people, skinny jeans look really flattering and there's nothing wrong with that," Welch said.

Millennials, you can keep your skinny jeans. Here's how to wear them with confidence. (2024)

FAQs

Do millennials like skinny jeans? ›

While social media might be full of influencers telling us that skinny jeans are a thing of the past, there may still be life in them yet. According to a poll by YouGov, 54 percent of millennials still think they're a fashionable style, compared to 48 percent of Gen Z.

How do you wear skinny jeans elegantly? ›

Effortlessly feminine, smart and sophisticated, style your skinny jeans with a tailored designer blazer. A single-breasted tailored blazer adds a luxe finish to your workwear or evening ensemble. Elevate your formal wardrobe with a rich cream blazer, perfect with a fitted blouse, indigo skinnies and ballet flats.

Who do skinny jeans look good on? ›

Skinny jeans for women are the perfect accompaniment to flowy and oversized tops. Whether you're curvy, straight or petite, play with the volume on top to create contrast. Or go for a streamlined silhouette with a fitted top.

When did skinny jeans stop being trendy? ›

From the mid-2010s onwards, the world at large started buying wider cut trousers. Or as James Harris, co-host of the 'Throwing Fits' podcast, puts it, “The skinny jean era was such a blight on society that the pendulum swung violently in the opposite direction.”

Is it still acceptable to wear skinny jeans? ›

Stylists say they're outdated. Celebrities have ditched them for wide-leg denim. And most notably, Gen Z hates them. But as fashion experts and fans have told Business Insider, you should probably throw that advice out the window and wear your skinny jeans anyway.

Should 65 year old wear skinny jeans? ›

Should a woman over 60 wear skinny jeans? “Yes, absolutely!” says Donna. “If you feel comfortable in skinny jeans, they can look very chic. A pair of dark blue, black or dark grey jeans are the most flattering and versatile in your wardrobe.”

What shoes not to wear with skinny jeans? ›

Pairing skinny jeans with a square or rounded toe shape can make you look like a flat-footed duck, and that's not a good look for anyone. Additionally, avoid pointed-toe flats if you have a long, lean foot as they can make your feet look extra long and awkward.

How to wear skinny jeans after 50? ›

Skinny jeans

Just be sure to check out your view from the rear — no sausage-casing horizontal creases tush to knees, please. Choose a medium to high waist cut — like Nicole Kidman, who finishes them off with a turtleneck and navy blazer, pumps and structured ladylike bag for a polished effect.

Which body type should wear skinny jeans? ›

You can find skinny jeans in low or mid-rise, so they fit a lot of body types if not all. However, the body type that it enhances the most is still the H shape. Since it allows you to feminize the bottom of your body without marking your waist. Its "tight" cut puts you and your forms in values.

Are skinny jeans coming back in 2024 Vogue? ›

The former fit model, who made a living trying on jeans before branching out on her own, has seen fashion peddling jean “cycles” over three decades, and the skinny is on track for 2024. “Equally, high rises are all the rage now, but they are about to get lower,” she teases.

What tops go with skinny jeans? ›

Style Skinny Jeans with a Boxy Knit Top and Retro Classic Sneakers. This is a classic look that is often worn with a variety of denim silhouettes; again proportion is what makes the skinny jeans look great.

How to make skinny jeans look more modern? ›

Create Balance With an Oversized Top

The easiest way to make your skinny jeans look modern is to go for a voluminous top. Struggling to make the oversized top look work for your petite frame? Try a French tuck - simply tuck in the front part of your top loosely and allow the back to be untucked.

Should I throw out my skinny jeans? ›

The bottom-line: no, you don't need to throw out all your skinny jeans, but it may be time to explore some new jean styles, especially when you're aiming to look your trendiest. Here are the jean styles that are in right now, and how and when to wear them.

What body type looks good in skinny jeans? ›

Slim jeans look great on the hourglass, apple, and athletic body types.

What kind of jeans do Gen Z wear? ›

The baggy v skinny fit is a debate that persists – only more so now that voluminous cargo pants have become popular again. Historically skinny jeans have been favoured by millennials, whilst Gen-Z have embraced the baggier look, but is that changing?

What is the millennial tuck? ›

Then there's the tuck: You may be inclined to tuck the front of your blouse into your pants, but what was once known as the chic French Tuck has now been deemed the out-of-date Millennial Tuck, Ms. Greer said. Consider layering to help define your waistline instead.

Are skinny jeans out of fashion for men? ›

According to a [cursed] few, recent reports of the demise of men in skinny jeans have been greatly exaggerated. “The shift out of skinny jeans has been slower than many might think,” men's fashion director at US department store Bloomingdale's, Justin Berkowitz, told WSJ. “Men are really reticent to change.

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