Gen Z doesn’t always get it right. While this generation might be calling the shots on fashion trends, not everyone agrees with every decision they’re making.
As the most active demographic on social media sites like TikTok, Gen Z has a bigger sway on fashion trends than any other age group. In the age of comfort-driven fashion and athleisure, it’s no surprise that Gen Z has canceled skinny jeans.
But not everyone is ready to wave goodbye just yet. For a generation of women, skinny jeans will always be their ride-or-die. The good news is that you can still wear skinny jeans – you just need to know how to style them and the best jeans to buy.
This guide is your cheat sheet on how to keep wearing your skinny jeans even when Gen Z has canceled the style. We’re answering all your burning questions – from which shoes to wear with skinny jeans to what styles are now in fashion.
Beyond the Basics: Mastering the Art of Skinny Jean Styling
The secret to wearing skinny jeans is all in the styling. The trick for styling skinny jeans is about finding balance for your look. Not all skinny jeans are made equal. Therefore, these rules will vary depending on your chosen style.
When styling your skinny jeans, you don’t need to worry about letting them bunch up. This look was once a fashion faux pas but now screams ‘effortless chic.’ This styling tip will give you the best look when wearing cropped skinny jeans.
Like any style of jeans, you can wear skinny jeans with any top, from an oversized sweater to a tank top. The one thing you want to remember is to create balance in your look. If you’re wearing a crop top, you want to skip skinny jeans with a low-rise silhouette.
1. Free People Blue Bell V-Neck Sweater, $128, 2. True Religion Stella Low Rise Skinny Jeans, $149, 3. A.L.C. Jordana Crop Top, $225, 4. Kut from the Kloth Donna Fab Ab High Waist Ankle Skinny Jeans, $89
Skinny jeans can also be the perfect way to experiment with wearing denim on denim. The jeans have a more understated silhouette, so they can feel less daring when styling them with another type of denim or the same denim wash.
You can take a leaf from Hilary Duff’s style book by coordinating your favorite skinny jeans with a contrasting denim jacket for a colorful moment.
1. Levi’s Ex-Boyfriend Denim Trucker Jacket, $98, 2. Agolde Cropped Mid-Rise Skinny Jeans, $176, 3. Marc Fisher Ulani Pointy Toe Bootie, $188.95
When in doubt about what to wear with your skinny jeans, stick to the classic look of jeans and a T-shirt. This combination will never fail you and should be a staple in your closet.
You can make this classic look your own by adding a signature piece that incorporates a little of your personality. This accessory could be a statement bag, an oversized jacket, or eye-catching sneakers.
Elevate your casual style with this iconic combo: a ruched Sanctuary Lou Tie Tee and Topshop Jamie Ripped Ankle Skinny Jeans, complemented by a Chloe Woody Small Crossbody Felt Tote
Shoes for Success: Pairing Perfect Footwear with Your Skinny Jeans
Booties – including duck boots – are your best friend when wearing skinny jeans. If you want to give the illusion of a slimmer silhouette, shop around for ankle boots with a stiletto heel.
Create a sleek silhouette with Joe’s The Charlie Coated Ankle skinny jeans and Chinese Laundry Elba booties, perfect for a night out or a chic day look
Although short boots are the perfect match for your skinny jeans, don’t overlook the potential of knee-high boots. These shoes are ideal for winter or when you want a more seductive look.
Wearing skinny jeans means you don’t have to worry about excess fabric when slipping into your knee-high boots.
Pair Isabel Marant Nadeloisa trousers with Schutz Magalli knee-high leather boots for a sophisticated, winter-ready outfit
While heels are usually a go-to for skinny jeans, you want to consider the length of your jeans.
If they’re too long, heels can quickly become a hazard. As a general rule of thumb, your heels should be clearly visible when wearing jeans – meaning that cropped or ankle-length styles are the best.
If you want to elevate your skinny jeans, try styling them with a classic nude or suede heel.
1. Liverpool Gia Glider Pull-On Crop Skinny Jeans, $98, 2. Stuart Weitzman Suede Heels, $489, 3. Paige Transcend – Hoxton Ultra Skinny Jeans, $189, 4. Gianvito Rossi Gianvito Suede Pumps, $695
What to Avoid: Fashion Faux Pas When Wearing Skinny Jeans
While skinny jeans might seem like a style you can wear everywhere, they’re not foolproof. Although there are several garments you want to stay away from styling with your skinny jeans, these all have easy swaps and alternatives you can wear instead.
You want to avoid wearing a tight tank top with your skinny jeans. While this might look like a throwback to ‘90s supermodel chic, it’s a dated look that sits awkwardly in a halfway house between athleisure and classic jeans and a t-shirt.
Instead, try something different with a voluminous top that balances the sleekness of your skinny jeans with a slightly oversized silhouette.
One shoe style you want to avoid is strappy sandals. These shoes generally don’t go well with any style of jeans, including skinny jeans. Swap them out with classic flats with a statement feature, like intricate embroidery or oversized jewelry.
Skinny Out, What’s In? Exploring Emerging Denim Trends
So, if skinny jeans are out, what’s in? While you might not be ready to ditch skinny jeans right away, it’s always a good idea to try something new.
If you’re thinking of updating your closet for spring/summer, these are the jeans styles you’ll be seeing on the rails of your favorite department stores.
Boot-cut jeans are making a serious comeback as a throwback style from the ‘70s. While these jeans may take you out of your comfort zone, they’re universally flattering and a halfway style between skinny jeans and a wide-leg silhouette.
Embrace the ’70s vibe with these choices: Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda hr boot cut jeans, Diesel bootcut D-Ebbey jeans, and Nili Lotan high-rise bootcut jeans
Fans of minimalistic fashion will be no strangers to barrel-leg jeans. This sleek silhouette is one of the most versatile styles on the market and instantly elevates any look. If you’re creating a capsule closet, this style is one you can’t afford to sleep on.
BDG Urban Outfitters Logan barrel-leg jeans, AG Adriano Goldschmied Renn high-rise barrel jeans, and Citizens of Humanity Calista cropped barrel-leg jeans for a sleek, modern twist
It’s not just classic jeans that have everyone talking. Asymmetric jeans are starting to appear across streetwear fashion. This slightly oversized style adds a quirky finish to any outfit and draws the eye to your waistline with its asymmetrical closure.
Make a bold statement with Grey Lab asymmetric wrap jeans, R13 asymmetric cropped jeans, and Maison Mihara Yasuhiro asymmetric patchwork-design jeans
Straight-leg jeans are the perfect way to start if you want to shake up your style and try something different. These jeans are a staple in every woman’s closet and feel different enough from your skinny jeans without being too much of a style shock.
Update your closet with BDG Urban Outfitters two-tone Pax straight-leg jeans, Raey Push straight-leg jeans, and Helmut Lang distressed high-rise straight jeans for a versatile, chic look
Are you still devoted to your skinny jeans? How are you styling them?