Ah, skinny jeans – the fashion trend that sparked endless wardrobe dilemmas. I remember when they first hit the scene. You couldn’t walk into a store without being bombarded by racks of these tight, form-fitting denim wonders. And if you’re anything like me – not exactly the stick-thin type – you might have raised an eyebrow and thought, "Skinny jeans? Yeah, not for me!" The word "skinny" is right there in the name, after all. Clearly, they were made for, well, skinny people, right?
For the longest time, I avoided skinny jeans like they were the ultimate fashion enemy. Flared? I was all for it. Straight-leg? Sign me up. Even jeggings, those strange jeans-leggings hybrids, seemed like a more comfortable option. But skinny jeans? No way. I was convinced they were designed to make anyone above a size 6 feel awkward and out of place.
The real reason behind my skinny-jean avoidance was pretty simple: I assumed they would cling to every curve in the most unflattering way. You know that sensation when you squeeze into something and feel like you’ve been wrapped up in a sausage casing? Yep, that was my mental image. Plus, there was this unspoken rule that certain clothes just weren’t “for” certain body types. Skinny jeans? They were for thin people, end of story. It didn’t matter that every now and then, I’d catch a glimpse of a plus-size model looking stunning in a pair on Instagram. I chalked it up to good angles, perfect lighting, and maybe some magical stretchy denim that only existed in the digital world.
So, I steered clear of skinny jeans for years. Whenever I saw them on mannequins, I’d wrinkle my nose and think, “Not today, Satan!” as I reached for my reliable flared pants.
Fast forward a few years, and there I was, launching our very own denim line at Disclosed Denim. Naturally, the skinny jeans craze hadn’t died down—because apparently, people love the challenge of squeezing into something that resembles a second skin—so of course, we had to include them in our collection. When we had models trying them on, I was shocked. Even they seemed a little wary about the fit of skinny jeans. If our gorgeous, effortlessly stylish models had doubts, what hope did I have of avoiding the dreaded "over-stuffed sausage" look?
Then came the day of the big photo shoot. I stood there, watching as the models strutted around, and all I could think was, "Wow, you look amazing!" And they really did! The jeans flattered them in ways I never thought possible. That’s when it hit me—how could I, as part of the denim brand, be selling a product I shying away from? We prided ourselves on celebrating all body types, and yet I was too chicken to wear the very thing we were promoting.
So, I decided it was time. Bracing myself like I was about to face my biggest fashion fear, I grabbed a pair of skinny jeans. I half expected to be stuck in a denim straitjacket, unable to sit, breathe, or even think. But something miraculous happened. They slid on smoothly. Sure, they hugged my curves, but not in the "I can’t move" way I had imagined. Instead, they were stretchy, structured, and surprisingly comfortable—like denim that actually wanted me to win at life.
I stared at my reflection in disbelief. These were skinny jeans… and they actually looked good. No, better than good – they looked amazing. I reluctantly walked back into the office, fully expecting some polite nods. Instead, everyone erupted in praise.
“Oh wow, those are perfect on you!” they gushed.
And you know what? They weren’t wrong.
I had spent so much time convinced that skinny jeans weren’t meant for someone like me – someone who didn’t fit the so-called “ideal” body type. But here I was, a plus-size woman, rocking a pair of skinny jeans that highlighted my hips, showcased my legs, and, most shockingly, made me feel confident.
It turned out, I hadn’t been avoiding skinny jeans because they were unflattering. I had been avoiding the possibility that I could actually look and feel good in them. It was a mental block, not a fashion block. I had convinced myself that certain items just weren’t meant for my body, but the truth is, clothes are meant to fit us – not the other way around.
So, here’s what I learned: don’t fear skinny jeans. Or any other piece of clothing, for that matter. Fashion is supposed to be fun, a way to express yourself, not something that causes anxiety or makes you feel restricted. Plus-size bodies can rock every style, trend, and fit, including skinny jeans. The right pair can do wonders for your self-esteem, and you might just be surprised by what you see in the mirror. Who knows, those skinny jeans could become your new go-to.