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LouieThe Skinny on Skinny-Leg Pants
March 26th 2007 03:50
Kate Moss - Queen of the Skinny Jean
Skinny-leg pants (and jeans to a lesser-extent) are an absolute must for winter. The trickiest of tricky trends to pull off if you’re not a size zero with legs that go on for days, but also a fantastically fashion-forward fad that will instantly update your look.
But how to wear them? Contrary to popular belief, most body types can wear the skinny silhouette, as long as you get the balance right and follow a few basic rules.
School of Skinny-leg Pants
Rule No. 1
Never ever ever EVER wear white skinnies. Not even if you are Kate Moss herself. It is the most hideously unflattering cut to wear in white, it hides nothing. Dark colours, particularly black are always best.
Rule No. 2
Get the right fit. That means getting that size up if you have to. Depending on the fabric, skinny-leg jeans and pants often stretch about half a size, so always take that into consideration when shopping. Although you want a tight, body-skimming fit, you don’t want jeans so tight that they start to bunch unflatteringly around the thighs or bulge around the sides. Also opt for a higher waist than usual, because there is nothing worse than butt-crack hanging out of a pair of tight, tight jeans. Such a bad look.
Rule No. 3
Balance, balance, balance. It’s my number one fashion tip, and it applies particularly to skinnies. If you’re wearing tight, slim pants on the bottom go for long, voluminous and relaxed on top. This doesn’t mean pull our last season’s peasant tops, but look for printed smocks (which are everywhere at the moment) or those 60s mini-dresses and pair with coloured flats. Alternatively, if you still want to wear a singlet, make sure it’s long (at least past your hips) and relatively loose-fitting, then team it with one of this season’s swing jacket for extra volume. One of the best things about skinny-leg pants/jeans is that because of the narrow silhouette, you can go crazy with the layering on top. I love wearing a man-style loose fitting white blouse with a relaxed waist-coat, long-scarf, vintage brooch and flat ruched boots. Which leads me to….
Rule No. 4
Show off your shoes. Skinny-leg pants are the best excuse to show of a killer pair of shoes, whether they be sky-high sling-backs, bright flats or soft leather boots. Your shoes can make or break your outfit. If you want to lengthen your legs go for heels in the same colour as your pants (eg. black with black). If you want to minimise calves tuck your pants into a pair of boots. To draw attention away from thighs or butt, wear a bright pair of pointed flats. For a more rock-inspired look go for a pair of Cons.
Abide by these simple rules and you’ll have the skinny-leg trend under control.
Here are some examples of how to and not to wear skinny-leg pants/jeans (pics courtesy of beauty.ivillage.com and style.com).
Sienna lengthens her legs by matching heels and pants
Mischa and Nicoe show us how it's done. Particularly love Mischa's high-waisted jeans
Balenciaga's skinny futuristic tux
Taryn Manning doesn't get the balance right, and what's with the hat? Yuck
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