I’ve been planning my upcoming autumnal/winter wardrobe, doing a seasonal clean out, or in today-speak; konmari-ing the heck outta it… and decided to bid adieu to these jeans. The last few times I’ve tried to wear them I’ve
just felt vaguely frumpy in them and peeled them off straight away. I’m just not feeling this style any more, feel like it’s becoming a little bit dated. Is it just me, or are skinny jeans appearing decidedly passé right now? Anyway; OUT THEY GO!!! Well… maybe just to the time-out box for a while. I have this box you see, that I chuck doubtful clothes into, and in a few months or a year or so I’ll check them out to see if it’s easier to make a decision then. Honestly, sometimes I wonder why I even have that box since it’s a kind of hoarder-ish thing to have and really nine times out of ten the items within get the flick! but for the one item that gets a reprieve I’ve always been glad I kept it after all. Sometimes, you and your clothing just need a bit of a break from each other. A trial separation. A conscious uncoupling, with the door open to re-coupling. Yeah. *madly justifying hoarding tendencies to oneself*
Anyway, here are six of my favourite outfits with these hardworking jeans…
I first made them about two years ago, one of my many Burda 7863’s and they have been absolutely fantastic in their day, I have to admit it. Very stretchy, therefore super comfortable, and a terrific colour that seems to go with everything I’ve got. Having said that; a heckuvva lot of the time, I wore them either with this big loose ivory shirt as in the first picture… OR like at right, with one of my Pattern Magic twist tops. Here, with the forest green one. In fact, it would be pretty accurate to say these two outfits were both very reliable fallback “uniforms” for me for quite a long time…
At left; another frequently-worn ensemble, worn with my white drape drape t shirt, and my leather jacket. At right; I do still like them rolled up to three quarter length like this. Hmmm, actually I really like this outfit too, maybe I should keep them after all…. (worn with self-drafted Tshirt, cardigan, self-made shoes)
At left; they’ve frequently done service in casual, dog-washing, beach walking, gardening, house packing-and-moving mode too… worn with my over-dyed blouse, black thongs… At right; another winter-y ensemble… worn with my Pattern Magic twist tops, my shearling jacket, hand knitted gloves and my self-made desert boots.
Okaaay! I’ve just done an excellent job of talking myself out of getting rid of them! 😀 So maybe I’ll see how they go this autumn/winter before giving them the big heave-ho…
Anyway, on a slightly related note: I’ve read a few good strategies about helping to clean out unwanted stuff from your house, the one I like the most and have adopted a few times in the past coupla years is to just walk into your closet/open a cupboard and immediately throw out five things without spending more than ten seconds thinking about each thing. If you give yourself permission to do this once in a while; and I use that phrase because I have terrible hoarding tendencies and really DO need to give myself a stern talking to, mentally giving myself permission to throw things out seems to work for me… anyway, it can be an excellent and stress-free way to de-hoard. The trick is to first say sternly to yourself “OK, I’m doing this NOW” and then to march in and NOT think too much about it. Five things, just like that. *snaps fingers* It can be surprising how quick and easily you then immediately identify those things that are just not working anymore.
Frumpy?!? Very funny! I don’t think you could possibly look frumpy.
It seems to me, tho, that these skinny jeans appear to have second thoughts at the very bottom and go for a bit of a bootleg look. And I notice that the two outfits you express most affection for are those where you’ve rolled up the bottom. So maybe you should slim down the lower legs? Or, alternately, as it should be cooling down in the coming months in your part of the world, perhaps try them inside high boots?
thanks J! Yes, you are right about the shape of them, and it’s funny, I used to be devoted to that jeans tucked into high boots look, but never even tried it with these ones, and I think that would work really well! Thanks for the suggestion! 🙂
I love those pants! The color is perfect. I struggle to find anything stretchy in a pant fabric other than denim. The box is such a great idea. I will have to do that. It seems that I can go months without wearing something, then I toss it only to wish I hadn’t.
Glad you decided to keep ’em after all as I think they are still super cute and on trend. Particularly the way you are wearing them in the middle column, far right. Maybe I should say…. I ‘hope’ they are still on trend because I have a skinny pair of pants in my queue right now!!!
You wore those jeans a lot! I see no frumpiness whatsoever … in my book those are a keeper. I declutter by putting a time limit on stuff … if I haven’t used it in 2yrs and I can’t repurpose out it goes. There are exceptions of course 😉 … I haven’t used my acrylic paints for about four years but I’m definitely keeping those
I like these jeans well, the colour is versatile to combine and I especially like the outfits with your magic pattern twisted tops. I am not so up to date with trends so I am no help there. I have to use the strategy of permission of tossing out five items.
I’m definitely not qualified to dole out wardrobe advice, since I have a similar dilemma as well! I have a vast and eclectic wardrobe (not so trendy now, it seems), in part because I used to work in an artistic studio environment where I wore lots of interesting clothes, but now I’m a stay-home mum to twin toddlers, and I wear all the boring but very practical (and washable) clothes that I don’t actually care about. (Mostly purchased out of desperate need.) It’s like I have two wardrobes, and I’m holding onto one because I really love those clothes, although unsure they’ll be useful to me again… As a mum, did you ever feel caught in-between like this? I like reading your blog so much because I really like your aesthetic and hope one day to achieve your ability to balance interesting designs and beautiful fabrics with practicality, casual vibes, and easy-wearing!
You will wear the beloved wardrobe again. These days of drab and dreadful will surely pass, just as quickly as your little ones grow up and out of the nest. I promise.
thanks so much Kristin!! and yes; absolutely I can relate to what you are going through, it doesn’t feel that long ago I was home with three very small children myself, and the very last thing you are thinking about when you are getting all of you out the door is what you yourself are wearing, you’re completely occupied with making sure THEY are all clean, tidy and well dressed; as well as well-fed and rested too, of course! It may feel overwhelming sometimes now, and this probably sounds like the biggest cliche, that you are tired of hearing; but enjoy these days! your children don’t stay little for very long and you will miss this time when it’s over. Little kids have such enthusiasm and vitality; exhausting? yes, but you will look back on this time with lots of nostalgia when they’re older, trust me.
If you don’t want to wear your old artistic clothes right now, the time WILL come when you will want to re-embrace them again 🙂
Yes, agreed… Even though they are barely two, I’m already glimpsing how fleetingly this time will fly! I am enjoying this time immensely, trying to soak up the moments as best as I can (and hoping one day they’ll want to bring me along to ComicCons too!). Thanks for your encouragement, Carolyn
oh ya, I know about putting the item in a time-out, or just needing some time apart 🙂 And yes I have rescued something from the donate bag because on second look I noticed that I could harvest something from it- a piece of fabric or something. yes….so hard to get rid of things I have sewn.
I’m with everyone else’s comments! I love these pants on you and they are a great colour and fit. I don’t think skinny jeans will ever go out to be honest – just like leggings – they compliment so many tunics which is a nice silhouette. And they are so comfortable and that’s that 🙂 Some women look great in wide legged pants but many don’t (me for one!) Back in the day they would say the very worst garment on MOST women is wide legged capris – it was a definite NO NO unless you had a model’s figure with a long slim body in which case you could wear anything anyway 🙂
thanks Kathleen! yes, you are right, as “leggings” they would work really well too, in fact can just go on and on forever!
How I admire your determination to rid yourself of unneeded clutter in your life!
I decided to give up hoarding for Lent. It’s been difficult — am currently storing furniture for my adult child until after her November wedding, and possible move of household; and also all the bits and bobs of furniture and stuff from my recently-deceased father-in-law … who could not bring himself to throw away anything he had left from his deceased wife … just in case any of the grandchildren want any of it.
Still, every single day, I’ve thrown out and/or donated something. It’s a start. And after a whole season of re-training myself, maybe I can keep up the habit. It is extra hard to part with something you’ve made yourself. You know exactly how much labor went into the making of it!
thanks LinB! oh, yes; I can relate… I’ve also been through that storing of basically a whole house load of furniture and bits and pieces for your children before they move out… TWICE!! It’s awful and you feel like you’re living in a Furniture Warehouse for ages and ages. Sooo depressing. I think your one thing a day rule is a terrific one… maybe I’ll adopt that one too!
I think they look great. I’d say time out for now and then welcome them back because they’re really very nice and you’ve proven you can pair them really well with many items.
I like the time out strategy and I think it’s very far from hoarding. It’s the Konmari method I’m concerned about. Mostly I’ve seen it used as a way to make space for big, big shopping as soon as the eager acolyte discovers that not all useful things necessarily “spark joy.” I have yet to meet someone for whom toilet brushes “spark joy” and yet I’d be very wary of a house that doesn’t have them.
Hahaha! That’s so true!
Haha! that’s hilarious! I read a maxim once (can’t remember where) that a good rule to live by was that everything you have must either useful or beautiful. This one does allow us to have those toilet brushes, which is a good thing… 🙂
KEEP THOSE JEANS! (sorry for all caps, but SERIOUSLY keep them!) If you wear them all the time and they make your tushie look fantastic, you HAVE to keep them. I don’t think they look dated at all, in fact, they’re quite stylish.
I’m no help with your closet cleaning, am I?
Love your “five things” tip! I’m going to try that!
haha, thanks Darci! yes, you are right, maybe just a time out for a while. The five things tip has worked really well for me, it’s quick and easy, and a good thing to do every few months or so 🙂
I’m with first commenter J – could you slim them down in the ankle/lower calf? May also require very slightly shortening them. OR go the other way and insert a wedge of fabric in each side seam to make them flares! (That was pretty much how I started sewing, doing that to my jeans as a teenager in the mid-90s!) I also think they’re perfectly good as they are, but I reckon it’s the lower leg that’s making you feel doubtful. My worst hoarding problem is old clothes that I imagine I’m going to re-purpose! But then occasionally I actually do it and that seems to justify the mountains of ragged dressing gowns and stretched out t-shirts that are taking over the flat…
Although I think these jeans look great I agree with the principle: I’m not feeling skinnies anymore either. I’m not even sure why, but my many pairs of skinnies (made following a Burda magazine pattern basically identical to yours) have been sat untouched in my wardrobe for months. I’m not yet sure where my trouser preference will end up, but it’s definitely shifted.
Mmmm..I wouldn’t be too hard on these jeans. They look great. Still, I’m sure if you set them free you’ll make another equally great pair of jeans to replace them before too long.
Well I hope skinny jeans/pants are going out of style. Well maybe they are but these days you can wear any style and be just fine! They look great…keep them.
I also have a bag I keep in the garage as a sort of way station for things I’m not quite ready to give away! It’s hard to throw away handmade, I almost made a pair of similar brown jeans. They don’t look dated and maybe you are just bored of them. And that’s OK!
thanks Justine! You are right, a bit of time out is a good way to reawaken the love for a thing, so you can see it with fresh eyes again 🙂
He he they survived and they deserve to if the only reasoning is skinny jeans are not in fashion. I don’t think there is that trend this year, just about any shape is being shown, wear what suits you and is comfortable.
I’ve just scanned the Zara American website for trousers and pants. It should pretty much reflect the trend for us next summer. My take on it is that it pretty much is open as to whether pants are slim or fuller. The most prominent trend is for them all to be shortened to 3/4 length or so. Almost without exception, they are all ‘ankle freezers’!. I’d keep those pants and consider shortening them when the trend hits us.
I agree with you, Helen, I think they look a lot better rolled up to 3/4 length, almost like capris, and a far more “now” look! 🙂
The best thing about skinny jeans over bootleg and wide legged jeans is they don’t soak up water in the winter! When bootlegs were fashionable last this used to drive me nuts. Every time I walked across the grass in winter I would have about an inch of wet soggy pants hem which was fine until I took my shoes off and it draped across my ankles! Suffice to say, I won’t be ditching my skinnies any time soon!
that’s a great point, Andrea! 🙂
They don’t look frumpy at all, and the color looks perfect for your wardrobe! Even though you’ve already essentially talked yourself into keeping them, I’d agree that maybe you just need a little space from them and then it’ll be good again.
Agonizing choices! Your own handwork. Perfect fit and color. (The outfit with the dark funnelneck, sheepskin coat & Sienna is perfect today and forever.) The elongated leg line. Looks good plain, rolled up, or tucked into a boot. Why would you let these pants go?
I’ve heard the same thing, that skinny-to-the-ankle stretchy jeans have turned the corner. Wide legs and flares, and high-waist and paperbag waistlines, have been ascending, as the last of us 1980s kids give up resistance and buy them. Again. Yes, it’s time to get some Miyake-flavored slacks back into rotation.
It’s a good question, though. There’s a difference between being a trend slave vs. enjoying new style influences. I happen to think pants this flattering are ever “out”. Besides, skinnies are still being shown all over the press. (Not sure about the new fringed hem, high-low hems, destroyed knees, but whatever floats one’s boat.)
I figure that the trick to feeling un-dowdy in slim pants will be subtle changes to the rest of the silhouette.
Architectural statement-sleeve-y blouses, tucked in or half-tucked.
Stripes (Sweater dress!).
Creatively oriented shirt stripes.
Mid-to-long gilets and coats. (Cosplay white coat.)
Ultra-long-sleeved, chunky, roll neck sweaters, with hem interest.
Monochrome tops worn in opaque + translucent layers.
Square-block heels. Flatform (thick soled) menswear style shoes. Boots, long and short, as always.
Hair worn in a messy french twist, with bold earrings.
Easy peasy for you. Many ingredients are in your closet already, and the rest waits in your materials stash. Can’t wait to see what you come up with.
thank you so much Sankati!! that’s absolutely brilliant and you’ve given me so many fantastic ideas! I can hardly wait to start wearing them again, actually! At the moment, I’m only feeling skinnies when they’re rolled up to three quarter length, like capris, worn with either chunky heels or lace up oxfords, but it’s true, sometimes you just get tired of a thing, jaded, and can no longer think of anything inspiring at all, so I really appreciate all your amazing suggestions! . I think it’s a traffic idea to toss a dress on over, and yes to the mid-length white coat. I really should get this out and wear it again. You’re so creative and thank you for your generosity in sharing fabulous styling ideas. xxx
This kind of exchange makes me love the internet. Next, off to see the ComiCon report!
I think it is even harder to throw out clothes you have made yourself but it can be done. I am actually due a new pair of these from this pattern. I wore my jeans for 2 years solid and the are a bit stretched out but I use them for gardening and farm job snow. I get rid of stuff by re dsitributing to others that is always a good start. Jo x
I agree Jo, it is a lot harder to throw out your own handiwork! I do give stuff to the salvos too, but most of the things that I’m throwing out have been worn and loved to death and are usually only good for rags, so not all that much 🙂
I think your brown jeans are really fabulous. They fit you beautifully and go with so many different items in your wardrobe. I say keep them! (But ultimately it’s up to you of course.)
thanks Tomasa! I probably will 🙂
Skinnies passé? Noooooo! And yes hang onto these guys a little longer! I’m pretty ruthless with getting rid of stuff – a small house means many things have a one in/one out policy… except for fabric!
I find it very hard to geht rid oft me made clothes that I don’t like anylonger. But you’re right, eventually I have to declutter.. One day.. Hehe. I like these pants,aybe you should go be them another chance, and if you haven’t worn them by the end of the winter, you can still put them away, even without putting them in your box first 🙂
Perception is a funny thing: you feel frumpy but look amazing. I’ve just made a couple of pairs of skinny jeans so they possibly are now out of style – so typical of me!! I’ve also been decluttering, and once I got going I can’t stop. Glad that you’re having success too!