They say that if you let it go and it returns to you, it was meant to be. Well, skinny jeans have found themselves back in fashion’s good favor—a sharp juxtaposition compared to the baggy silhouettes we’re used to seeing—and there’s definitely a crowd that feels joyfully reunited.
“The appeal of skinny jeans is that they are more dressy than leggings but just as comfortable,” says Jackie Schiavone, celebrity stylist and founder of My Someday Project. Plus, they’re versatile. You can pair them with a sweater and sneakers or dress them up for date night, she says.
Whether you’re new to skinny jeans or they feel like a familiar friend, here are some pro tips on how to style skinny jeans. These items just look better with a skinny jean silhouette!
Crisp White Blouse
You can’t go wrong with a crisp white blouse and a pair of skinny jeans; a dark wash will provide some nice contrast while a light wash creates more of an airy look. “To make it fresh and modern, I would suggest a crop boxy woven,” says Brian Floyd Austin, a personal fashion style expert. “The brand TWP makes the perfect white cropped shirt.”
Boxy Sweater
In fashion (and art), contrast is everything. That’s why pairing slim-fitting jeans with an oversize, boxy sweater just works, says Rhonda Marinoff, a personal fashion stylist in New York City. “It’s wide on the top half, and the understated silhouette of the jeans won’t swallow you up.”
Boat Shoes
Lots of footwear look great with skinny jeans since the silhouette allows you to show them off versus swallowing them up. One of Schiavone favorite trendy picks, though, is boat shoes. “These are all the rage this season; they have a more refined look making them perfect to pair with skinny jeans.”
Pointed Toe Flats
Another type of footwear that just looks better with skinny jeans are pointed-toe flats (or a high heal if you want some height). “Skinny jeans highlight the foot, so a pointed toe elongates the leg and adds instant chic,” says Cynthia Kennedy, a personal fashion stylist in San Diego. “Want to modernize the vibe? Go for a kitten heel mule or metallic finish to keep the look current.”
Moto / Leather Jacket
Structured and edgy, a cropped leather or moto jacket creates a polished look (with a bit of attitude) when paired with skinny jeans. The sharp lines look sleek over the streamlined base of skinnies, and the contrast in proportions keeps the outfit feeling balanced. Add ankle boots or sleek sneakers to complete the effortlessly cool ensemble.
Tailored Blazer
Austin says he’s a sucker for a neutral, tailored blazer paired with skinny jeans in navy, black, or dark gray. “A tailored blazer always works best with a pair of skinny jeans,” Austin says. “Think the classic Ralph Lauren look—a blazer with either a sweater, a T-shirt. You can never go wrong with great tailoring when pairing back to a skinny jean.”
Oversize Blazer
For a more relaxed look that’s perfect for weekends or casual events, Kennedy says to pair your skinny jeans with an oversize blazer. “The structure and volume up top pair perfectly with the slim bottom, creating that effortlessly polished ‘model off-duty’ feel,” she says. Leaning into a baggier silhouette up top is also a way to keep the look feeling now.
Long, Sleeveless Vest
Another one of Marinoff’s favorite items to pair with skinny jeans is a long, open sleeveless vest. “This would look too boxy with any other jean shape,” she says. The effect is clean, vertical lines that balance out the slim silhouette of the jeans and add a modern, layered dimension to your fit.
Ankle Boots
The ankle boot just doesn’t work as well with a baggy silhouette, but pair them a skinny jean and they look incredible. Austin says ankle boots look especially good with either a pair of skinny jeans that hit right at the akle, or a super long pair that gathers at the top of the ankle boot.
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