I don’t remember when exactly skinny jeans became THE THING to wear as a woman (2006?!), but I swear, I forgot that other jeans exist. I spent approximately 25 years of my life wearing boot cut or flared jeans only, because no one in their right mind would have worn legging type jeans before that. Because really, they aren’t that flattering to most of us. I wear skinny jeans a lot with longer, tunic length tops, but anything shorter and I look awful. My legs just don’t look amazing in skinny jeans with anything other than a long top and ankle boots combo. Which I love, OBVIOUSLY, if you’ve been a reader here for long. 

However.

Remember how comfortable and flattering flared leg jeans were? They balanced us out and made our legs look long when worn with heeled boots, and looked really great with normal length tops. They were tight enough in the thigh to not make us look big, but loose and body balancing in the leg. There was no weird moment when you see yourself in a pair of skintight jeans and you wonder how on earth these are flattering to non 17 year old women? 

Does this mean I’m never wearing skinny jeans again? HELL NO. I wear them all the time, and love them with the type of clothes I outlined above, but it is also fun to switch it up again with a pair of flared jeans. I think American Eagle makes great ones, and the fit is pretty amazing. I bought these two years ago and they still look great. I prefer a lighter wash pair myself, as a dark pair of jeans in this cut looks not as current in my eyes. I know that color is universally flattering, but I don’t generally feel that great about myself in a pair of dark denim jeans. Medium and light wash for me, thank you very much (!), or black. That’s all I need.