Goldsign His jeans | almost sold out, I’m wearing size 29
James Perse linen top | size 2
Vince sneakers | mine are black, used to be called “Blair” – size down 1/2 size
Jas M.B. Bag | n/a
I love my legs. I decided when I was in Amsterdam visiting the Anne Frank house (observing people go up and down the narrow staircase on crutches or with a great deal of effort) that I would never be frustrated about my body again. My legs may be thick & “athletic,” but they are strong, and I can rely on them to get me where I’m going. I can walk miles and miles around cities and up mountains thanks to my legs. BUT. It’s very frustrating finding jeans that fit lately. I know, since I’m a pear shape, I SHOULD be wearing bootcut or flared jeans, but I don’t like them. There. I said it.
I see that they’re sometimes more flattering on me, but they feel dated and “old” on me sometimes. I love the modern boyfriend (girlfriend, ex-boyfriend…etc…) and skinny denim styles of late, but they do not always (ever) love me back. Back when there weren’t such skinny styles, all I had to worry about was fitting my waist/hips. Now my main concern is fitting my calves. Most of the time, it just doesn’t happen.
I am generally a size 29 in denim lately, but skinny styles don’t fit me in size 29; I stopped trying them on. I do have a pair of !iT Collective skinny jeans that fit me pretty well in a size 29 (I wish they had more cotton in them, and that they were shorter), but whenever I try other brands I can’t even get them over my calves.
So my solution has been trying to find boyfriend styles that are a little wider at the bottom and slightly more roomy in the calves. But the “new” boyfriend styles, which I guess are called girlfriend, or ex-boyfriend, I’m not sure, are similar to tapered styles of days gone by: slouchy and hip-slung, but tapered after the knee to pretty skinny at the ankle. I just wanted something that didn’t stick to my calves. So I ordered these Goldsign jeans when Shopbop had the extra % of sale items code.
I took them in my regular size, which as you can see doesn’t really leave them oversized at all. If you’re not hippy and don’t have thick legs, they’ll probably be perfect for you in your regular size, or even down a size. But I think I would have liked them better a size up. Or not. Anyway, I sent them back because they weren’t what I wanted exactly. They’re good though – just not for me.
And as I was trying on all of my jeans (every time I get something new, I try nearly everything else in my closet on either with it, or just to make sure I don’t have duplicates, or that it actually serves a purpose in my closet), I discovered that I like the jeans I already own better than the new Goldsign pair on me. The “skinny” boyfriend style works for me I think (I have the Frame Le Garcon jeans and Rag & Bone Dash jeans that are this style), and is more flattering that this Goldsign pair. I also have the AG tomboy jeans in a dark wash that look great, but they’ve always been a little snug on me (I sized down), so they’re not as comfortable as I’d like.
Anyway, jeans will always be the bane of my sartorial existence, but I will never stop trying to find an amazing pair or spending big $$ on them when I do! I love jeans, but mostly I love the way they look on other women; they never look quite the way I want them to on me. I will still wear them if they’re comfortable, and fit my mood at the moment, but I don’t hold out any hope that I’ll be able to find a “perfect” pair to fit my thick legs + small waist + wide hips. And that’s okay. There’s no need for perfection…
Hi Grechen! I thought those jeans looked really cute on you. Anyway I think you might like the Current Elliott Fling jeans. I have sorta muscular calves. If u saw me you’d find that statement funny but some designers really makes that area narrow. I’ve had pretty good luck with them 🙂
Ah, I think jeans (besides swimming suits) are the sartorial bane of most people’s existence! Though with the proliferation of denim, at least there are more options than there used to be…though sometimes it just means more options to be frustrated by when they don’t fit.
I have the opposite lower body type to you–I have a wide waist, hips that are almost the same size as my waist, and “average” legs, so anything with a waist that “fits” is way too big from the hips down. Even so, my go-to jenas lately are the skinny boyfriends too–the slightly lower waist doesn’t have to “fit” my waist and they fit my hips, although I do prefer the tapered style.
We wear the same size in denim and I have a very curvy shape with big legs, calves, and ankles. I hate the way skinny jeans typically hug my calves! I do go for boyfriend jeans but often find them too big in the waist. Oh, and crop just isn’t cute on my big ankles! With all that, I wear jeans daily!!
You look great in those jeans, Grechen! I am curvy and pear-shaped, too, with bigger hips and thighs and a smaller waist. I have actually bought bootcut jeans in the past and cut and distressed them to make “boyfriend” capris. I don’t know if that’s an option for you, but I like them for the spring and summer in Austin. I think boyfriend jeans look great on curvy figures, especially if paired with the right top.
Agreed, Jen! I HATE shopping for jeans. I have the same issue as you, which makes it really tough to find anything that fits, plus, I’m “oversized,” like McDonald’s, I guess you’d say, so flattery is elusive. I can’t tell you how many pairs I’ve ordered using the “True Fit” (True to whom???) system utilized by several department stores, only to have to send them back, or eat the cost and find a way to sell them. Frustrating? Yes! Because many, if not most, of us live in our jeans. So why are they SO freakin’ hard to find?!?
Great post, Grechen!
I have recently started reading your blog. I was wondering,as you refer to the shape of your legs, if you had ever tried swimming? I know you do Pure Barre, but perhaps you might have better luck with swimming, as it shapes the leg, slims the thighs and hips and tones the upper arm. Just wondering. You always look fine in your posts and I am loving the brand tips you supply. My daughter had the same issues when she was in junior high school and she started swimming competitively and her body actually changed shape!
You are a lovely lady and I do enjoy your style!
My belief is that if one is pear shaped and quite tall, the bootcut or flare looks the most flattering. If one is petite, like you Grechen, the straighter/skinny cuts are best. I’m embarrassed to say that, when I want to find a new brand of jeans, I drive up to a Scottsdale thrift shop. They have all higher-end brands and styles all lined up in my size and I can “road test” a new design for usually less than $10. That way, if I end up not sold after a few wears, I’m not out major $ or hassle of returns. I’ve actually had great luck.
Don’t be embarrassed, Juli! You should be patting yourself on the back for being so smart!
Ugh, jeans. So hard. These look great on you, but I get what you are saying about wanting boyfriends to have the perfect baggy fit, and ending up with them tighter than you want. Meanwhile, I love that outfit you were wearing in your AG tomboy jeans link. So cute!
thanks! i think those are great, i just wish they were one size bigger 😉 they’re quite tight around my middle, making them tough to wear lately…
that’s perfect juli! i have been to some thrift shops around here, but never seem to find much. and now that you mention it, i do agree with you on tall vs. petite, although i hadn’t really thought about it that way. also, i think i can make my legs look a bit longer by showing some ankle.
thank you ronnie! and what a great suggestion to try swimming, but i really don’t like to swim … i’ll admit i’ve never tried swimming for athletic reasons, but when it comes to the pool or the beach, i barely like to be in the water! if i am, it’s only my feet, i never get my head wet….!!
weird. i know!
i didn’t used to think cropped was so good either, but i think if it’s JUST RIGHT – just right above the ankle, so you can see the smallest part – it’s actually quite a flattering length. i’ve been playing around a little with my jeans, and think that makes a difference.
but yeah. it’s frustrating, but i’ll never stop wearing jeans!!
ugh. don’t even get me started on swim suits. i just buy a black one-piece in my size at target and call it a day. i don’t even try them on…
i’ve thought about those jeans, should try them on…but aren’t they very similar to the le garcon jeans (you have those too, right?) – what’s the difference??
Strong, sturdy legs are the best. I’ve always been a big walker, and used to go on strenuous Sierra Club hikes when I lived in California. I still have muscles, underneath my winter weight. I loathe buying bathing suits, too, and haven’t owned one in years. I’m much more of a land-lover, though, so it’s okay.
Again, I agree. Well, we all know how I feel about thrift-scores. Juli, please feel free to brag here, you’re amongst friends:).
After dealing with a few injuries to my ankle and back which made walking difficult for awhile, I’m grateful for my legs, pudgy knees and all! (Ah, RJS, you brought back memories of hiking in the Adirondacks. <3 )
Is there a woman alive who loves trying on bathing suits? (Other than maybe Giselle or the other Sports Illustrated/Victorias Secret babes? And I'll bet even THEY have their issues!) Living by the beach required breaking down and buying several suits, since I spend a great deal of the summer at the beach. I bought myself a nice navy one-piece with ruching from J Crew, and I can't tell the difference between a fat-fold and a fabric fold, so I wear it proudly. As I saunter out of the ocean after a swim, I picture myself as Ursula Andress in that James Bond movie in her bikini with the knife. 😉
Val, from now on, I’ll envision you as Ursula with a knife. What a great image and confidence booster, too.
Haha!
Just bought a pair of Current/Elliott Weekender crops with my Anthro b-day coupon. Stay tuned…and cross your fingers that they’ll fit!
oh! fingers crossed!!
Yea they are really similar 🙂 I have them I’m black and the waist is bigger and the inseam is a little shorter and they are looser overall. I think you should try them on. Grab a bunch of sizes I took a size smaller and it fits bigger than my regular size. Oh I just remembered you might really like the Emerson from COH. Some fit to Frame but good tushy pockets. Good luck
Grechen, how could you have sent these back?! They really do look perfect on you. Re-order immediately, I insist 🙂