They never really went away. Years of wide leg trends and constant proclamations of everyone saying skinny jeans were dead couldn’t shake most of us from hanging onto that one pair at the back of our closet and continuing to grab them day after day. Why?
Because they work. They disappear into boots neatly. Slide under a blazer without adding extra bulk.
Dress up a simple tucked tee so it looks intentional, not accidental. That’s a lot to ask of one article of clothing, but skinny jeans have been doing it quietly for years. Trouble is, they have also earned a reputation for being tricky.
Cut too poorly and they become as uncomfortable as they are unflattering, which is why many people avoid skinny jeans altogether. Too much stretch and you look like you’re wearing pajamas by lunchtime, they slump at the knee. Not enough and sitting down is suddenly a workout.
Rise is important too, and almost never gets the consideration it needs. Too low and you’re adjusting all day long. Too high and the proportions are off.
Find the perfect balance of all of those things and you’ve got a jean that seems effortlessly pleasing, which is hard to do. It’s why we’ve been so selective with these picks, instead of simply rounding up every option we could find. We looked at fit on a variety of body types because there is no single universal skinny jean that works for everyone.
We honed in on mid rise jeans that actually stay mid rise, higher cuts that slim rather than squash, and fabrics that hold their shape all day long with real wear. Dark rinse jeans that look sleek enough for the office or for dinner. Destroyed jeans that look awesome with a white tee and nothing else.
A couple of black pairs because when done right, a black skinny jean is one of the most useful pieces your wardrobe will own. Speaking of black jeans, we also considered the ankle. The hem makes a big difference in how slim a jean actually looks, particularly when worn with ankle boots or heels.
Too large at the bottom and the whole point is ruined. Here, the details matter. Whether you’ve been on the fence about skinny jeans or you know exactly what you need in one, this edit is definitely worth a look.
