help - are skinny jeans flattering on short women?

st4r · Oct 9th, 2006, 04:39 PM

Do you think that skinny jeans are flattering on short women?

I have a problem - I'm 4'11" and I want to get a pair of skinny jeans, but I'm worried that it will be unflattering on me. I tried on Paige skinny jeans and I thought they looked good (and the salesperson at the store said they elongated my legs - but I'm not sure if she was being sincere or if she just wanted to make a sale!), but I keep reading in online articles & such that skinny jeans make short women look even shorter OR skinny jeans make short women look taller because more attention is drawn to the legs. So, I'm confused - which is it?!

Also, if any of you have seen Oprah where Stacy London gives jean tips (the "jean intervention" episode), she advises petites to try a straight leg, because bootcuts make petites look shorter....

Anyways, I'm not sure whether I should stick to bootcuts (even if Stacy London says it isn't flattering!) or try out the skinny leg. BTW, I have a very small build...thin legs, small backside. =) What would you ladies suggest? Thanks!

Saphynne · Oct 9th, 2006, 04:54 PM

hi :)

I'm 5'1, 92 lbs, long legs for my height 29/30" seam and same built as you. First place, that lady on Oprah is insane. Bootcut makes your legs look longer. In fact, it makes all types of bodies look better.

As far as skinnys I finally figured it out thanks to the help of the fabulous owner of my favorite boutique. One weeked I tried on at leat 10 pairs and i hated them all, my legs looked super skinny but didn't like the way the hip area looked. Then a week later I went to my favorite boutique and whined about the fact that I can't wear skinnys.

She told me the trick was to try them on wiht a shirt that goes up to your hip. You should never look at how they look on you without the waist part covered. This is especially true with petites.

I found that the best ones for petitites are Tsubis, and the 10" J jeans (the inseam is 29" so if you have skinny legs it has the effect of the 12" on taller folks where you can wear them a lil scrunchy on the bottom).

Shyloo · Oct 9th, 2006, 05:26 PM

Bootcuts can make short legs look shorter if the flare in the bootcut starts too high on the leg. If you are petite, the flare should be adjusted to start where it flatters the length of your leg.
I am short and wear skinnys ( not super-skinnys) and find that my footwear choice makes all the difference in wearing this style.
The above tip regarding the top that reaches your hip totally makes sense.

kattiepie · Oct 9th, 2006, 08:25 PM

I think the darker the skinnies, the more flattering they are. I'm 5'1" and 115 pounds and have noticed that lighter skinnies make me look.. stumpy. And definitely, straight legs and longer shirts are my best friend. The only 12 inch skinnies I have are black true religions- everything else are 14 inches.

melissa06 · Oct 9th, 2006, 09:08 PM

I think it depends on your body shape. I'm barely 5'4, 115-120 lbs., and I don't think they look that flattering on me. The only reason I'll consider buying a pair is to tuck into my boots. I have an hourglass figure, and even though I'm small, I think it draws too much attention to my thighs/hips.

goodmornin · Oct 10th, 2006, 11:27 AM

Hi there!

i'm about a 5"3 without any shape whatsoever and especially no ass - and I SWEAR BY Straight legged jeans - No super skinny and NO BOOTLEG.. For someone that has to take up their jeans, boot leg is always a bad idea as we just end up looking bottom heavy. and super skinny just makes you look like you're wearing leggings.

My favourite skinny straights would have to be True Religion Julies (cuffed up), nobody, sass & bide and TSUBIs.

sonya · Oct 10th, 2006, 01:56 PM

I think it really depends on your body type. You have to be much thinner (than another person of average or above-average height) to look good in skinny jeans if you are petite. In general, you have to have thin legs.

Boot cut is generally flattering if the flare isn't too wide and it doesn't start too high....

Bag Fetish · Oct 10th, 2006, 04:57 PM

I think bootcut will make your leg looks longer, simply because they will go to the ground and not show your show for the most part. Plus its jus that long, but i think you need to wear them in dark wash not light wash.

I think a skinny jean would make you look your height. you'll have to wear this jean with a thin pump/heel to give the illusion of height.

Quote:

Originally Posted by st4r

Do you think that skinny jeans are flattering on short women?

I have a problem - I'm 4'11" and I want to get a pair of skinny jeans, but I'm worried that it will be unflattering on me. I tried on Paige skinny jeans and I thought they looked good (and the salesperson at the store said they elongated my legs - but I'm not sure if she was being sincere or if she just wanted to make a sale!), but I keep reading in online articles & such that skinny jeans make short women look even shorter OR skinny jeans make short women look taller because more attention is drawn to the legs. So, I'm confused - which is it?!

Also, if any of you have seen Oprah where Stacy London gives jean tips (the "jean intervention" episode), she advises petites to try a straight leg, because bootcuts make petites look shorter....

Anyways, I'm not sure whether I should stick to bootcuts (even if Stacy London says it isn't flattering!) or try out the skinny leg. BTW, I have a very small build...thin legs, small backside. =) What would you ladies suggest? Thanks!

Saphynne · Oct 10th, 2006, 09:35 PM

That is so strange that some people don't think bootcut looks good on petites.

I myself as noted earlier is very petite, 5'1 92 lbs, and it makes my legs look super long. Straight cut is just blah.. they look like old 501s.

Also skinnys look good on petites, look at Nicole Richie she's tiny and looks very good in skinnys. Further, as I already explained in a prior post, the key is to not wear them too scrunchyon the bottom or better yet wear them with boots and wear a shirt that goes up to your hip which covers the waist area.

I think the key is dont' wear flats and alwasy wear heels/platforms.

Pursegrrl · Oct 11th, 2006, 03:18 AM

A straight leg in dark denim rather than super straight is most flattering, IMO.
Bootcuts are more universally flattering, but I as a 5'4" woman, size 8 with a 30 or 31" inseam (yuck), if the bootcut flares too much any hemming looks silly as there's just a short flare at the bottom couple inches.

I have a pair of Joe's cigarette jeans in dark denim which are becoming a staple for me this fall, as well as black denim TR Billy's which are a little edgier with the contrast stitching but still great and not too skinny.

I just wear my skinny jeans with high heeled clogs or high heeled wedges or boots - never flats.

hfxshopgirl · Oct 11th, 2006, 01:55 PM

i'm 5'2'' and i agree with the other posts about straight legs. they are soo flattering. i love TR johnny's with a high heel - no scrunching. my legs look long and thin, love them! true skinny legs were not flattering on me at all...

Oct 9th, 2006, 04:39 PM	#1
st4r Member	help - are skinny jeans flattering on short women? Do you think that skinny jeans are flattering on short women? I have a problem - I'm 4'11" and I want to get a pair of skinny jeans, but I'm worried that it will be unflattering on me. I tried on Paige skinny jeans and I thought they looked good (and the salesperson at the store said they elongated my legs - but I'm not sure if she was being sincere or if she just wanted to make a sale!), but I keep reading in online articles & such that skinny jeans make short women look even shorter OR skinny jeans make short women look taller because more attention is drawn to the legs. So, I'm confused - which is it?! Also, if any of you have seen Oprah where Stacy London gives jean tips (the "jean intervention" episode), she advises petites to try a straight leg, because bootcuts make petites look shorter.... Anyways, I'm not sure whether I should stick to bootcuts (even if Stacy London says it isn't flattering!) or try out the skinny leg. BTW, I have a very small build...thin legs, small backside. =) What would you ladies suggest? Thanks!

Oct 9th, 2006, 04:54 PM	#2
Saphynne Member Location: Manhattan Beach	Re: help - are skinny jeans flattering on short women? hi :) I'm 5'1, 92 lbs, long legs for my height 29/30" seam and same built as you. First place, that lady on Oprah is insane. Bootcut makes your legs look longer. In fact, it makes all types of bodies look better. As far as skinnys I finally figured it out thanks to the help of the fabulous owner of my favorite boutique. One weeked I tried on at leat 10 pairs and i hated them all, my legs looked super skinny but didn't like the way the hip area looked. Then a week later I went to my favorite boutique and whined about the fact that I can't wear skinnys. She told me the trick was to try them on wiht a shirt that goes up to your hip. You should never look at how they look on you without the waist part covered. This is especially true with petites. I found that the best ones for petitites are Tsubis, and the 10" J jeans (the inseam is 29" so if you have skinny legs it has the effect of the 12" on taller folks where you can wear them a lil scrunchy on the bottom). __________________ Yes.. Yes.. Shopping is sacred "Bird and bear and hare and fish, give my love her fondest wish."

Oct 9th, 2006, 05:26 PM	#3
Shyloo Member Location: canada	Re: help - are skinny jeans flattering on short women? Bootcuts can make short legs look shorter if the flare in the bootcut starts too high on the leg. If you are petite, the flare should be adjusted to start where it flatters the length of your leg. I am short and wear skinnys ( not super-skinnys) and find that my footwear choice makes all the difference in wearing this style. The above tip regarding the top that reaches your hip totally makes sense. __________________ Life is too short to carry a bad bag...............

Oct 9th, 2006, 08:25 PM	#4
kattiepie Sofa King Banned	Re: help - are skinny jeans flattering on short women? I think the darker the skinnies, the more flattering they are. I'm 5'1" and 115 pounds and have noticed that lighter skinnies make me look.. stumpy. And definitely, straight legs and longer shirts are my best friend. The only 12 inch skinnies I have are black true religions- everything else are 14 inches.

Oct 9th, 2006, 09:08 PM	#5
melissa06 Member	Re: help - are skinny jeans flattering on short women? I think it depends on your body shape. I'm barely 5'4, 115-120 lbs., and I don't think they look that flattering on me. The only reason I'll consider buying a pair is to tuck into my boots. I have an hourglass figure, and even though I'm small, I think it draws too much attention to my thighs/hips.

Oct 10th, 2006, 11:27 AM	#6
goodmornin yanko Location: San Francisco!	Re: help - are skinny jeans flattering on short women? Hi there! i'm about a 5"3 without any shape whatsoever and especially no ass - and I SWEAR BY Straight legged jeans - No super skinny and NO BOOTLEG.. For someone that has to take up their jeans, boot leg is always a bad idea as we just end up looking bottom heavy. and super skinny just makes you look like you're wearing leggings. My favourite skinny straights would have to be True Religion Julies (cuffed up), nobody, sass & bide and TSUBIs.

Oct 10th, 2006, 01:56 PM	#7
sonya Member	Re: help - are skinny jeans flattering on short women? I think it really depends on your body type. You have to be much thinner (than another person of average or above-average height) to look good in skinny jeans if you are petite. In general, you have to have thin legs. Boot cut is generally flattering if the flare isn't too wide and it doesn't start too high....

Oct 10th, 2006, 09:35 PM	#9
Saphynne Member Location: Manhattan Beach	Re: help - are skinny jeans flattering on short women? That is so strange that some people don't think bootcut looks good on petites. I myself as noted earlier is very petite, 5'1 92 lbs, and it makes my legs look super long. Straight cut is just blah.. they look like old 501s. Also skinnys look good on petites, look at Nicole Richie she's tiny and looks very good in skinnys. Further, as I already explained in a prior post, the key is to not wear them too scrunchyon the bottom or better yet wear them with boots and wear a shirt that goes up to your hip which covers the waist area. I think the key is dont' wear flats and alwasy wear heels/platforms. __________________ Yes.. Yes.. Shopping is sacred "Bird and bear and hare and fish, give my love her fondest wish."

Oct 11th, 2006, 03:18 AM	#10
Pursegrrl Oh! That Joe! Location: Seattle	Re: help - are skinny jeans flattering on short women? A straight leg in dark denim rather than super straight is most flattering, IMO. Bootcuts are more universally flattering, but I as a 5'4" woman, size 8 with a 30 or 31" inseam (yuck), if the bootcut flares too much any hemming looks silly as there's just a short flare at the bottom couple inches. I have a pair of Joe's cigarette jeans in dark denim which are becoming a staple for me this fall, as well as black denim TR Billy's which are a little edgier with the contrast stitching but still great and not too skinny. I just wear my skinny jeans with high heeled clogs or high heeled wedges or boots - never flats. __________________

Oct 11th, 2006, 01:55 PM	#11
hfxshopgirl window shopping Location: canada	Re: help - are skinny jeans flattering on short women? i'm 5'2'' and i agree with the other posts about straight legs. they are soo flattering. i love TR johnny's with a high heel - no scrunching. my legs look long and thin, love them! true skinny legs were not flattering on me at all... __________________ whoever said money can't buy happiness simply didn't know where to shop!