* All my outfits emphasize flattering an apple shape -wider shoulders/narrow hips. In this picture I am 5’1” and 140lbs. Also, I am petite and have a high waist and short torso.
I used to never be a fan of skinny jeans for my apple shape. I would rely on bootcut, flare, or wide leg pants. Now, skinny jeans are my go to!
This is what has helped me learn to love wearing skinny jeans:
1. Make sure the skinny jean isn’t too tight like a jegging by evaluating the fabric composition.
I’ve noticed I feel more self conscious when I’m wearing a jegging versus a skinny jean. I don’t like the feeling of a jegging that hugs at every curve of my leg, enveloping my calves and my thighs like a sausage casing. One way to make sure this doesn’t happen is to get the fabric composition of your jean right. A jegging I have that I can only wear with knee high boots (to hide the majority of the “too tight” look) has the fabric composition of 58% cotton, 32% polyester, and 10% elastane/ spandex.
On the other hand, my favorite pair of skinny jeans and really the only jeans I wear has the fabric composition of 65% cotton, 23% polyester, 10% rayon, and 2% spandex.
The significant point here is that it’s possible to have clothes that have too much stretch.
The jegging has 10% stretch from spandex while my favorite jeans only have 2%. Fabrics that hold shape or drape better like rayon make me feel more svelte in my favorite skinny jean. Too much stretch means too much cling. Apples benefit from having a fabric composition that has stretch but also a decent amount of structure and thickness.
4. When in doubt, choose skinny jeans that are lighter in color to balance out a wider upper half of the body.
This is all about proportion. Lighter colors make objects look bigger, and darker colors make objects appear smaller. Because as an apple shape, I have a wider upper body and a narrower lower body, I tend to gravitate towards darker colors up top and lighter colors on bottom. With that in mind,
5. Choose tops/cardigans that are darker than your skinny jean.
In this outfit I paired my brighter graphic t-shirt with a torso elongating navy blazer. Again, this is all about proportion.
6. Go for a high rise BUT, always untuck your shirt.
The high rise allows everything to smooth over all the lumps and bumps instead of cutting you off mid-stomach and creating a spillover effect or a muffin top. Don’t even mention low-rise to me haha. (Did anyone say butt crack?!)
While you’re at it, make sure your shirt’s hem stops right where you want your hips to appear the widest, another trick for apple shapes.
7. If you still feel like your upper half feels “stumpier” than your long legs, cuff your skinny jeans or choose ankle skinny jeans over full length skinny jeans.
This tip is about proportion as well. My best friend who is a pear shape has a super long torso and shorter legs. I have the opposite- long legs and a short torso. To counteract this with skinny jeans, I will cuff my jeans at the ankle to break up the long line.
8. Make like the French and try wearing skinny jeans with heels.
I love this little French dressing tip and try to do it as often as I can- jeans and pants with heels and dresses and skirts with flats. Americans tend to do the opposite, but if you’ve followed me for any length of time, you know I’m a Francophile and just love French dressing. Something about this juxtaposition of casual with dressy (heels with pants/flats with dresses) evokes that effortless kind of dressing that looks instantly chic, but like you’re not trying too hard.
What do you think of skinny jeans? Let me know if you try any of these tips and how they work for you!
Outfit items similar to what I’m wearing(when available). Gray flat cap (I always shop in the men’s section for my big head) Navy fitted blazer at the perfect length. Made in America shirt. Peep toe gray booties. Black framed glasses. Gray clutch.
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- 12 pieces = 35 outfits
- tips for choosing each piece specific to flattering your shape
- picture of author wearing each outfit so you can visualize the items on an apple shape
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