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Here's a fun, low-stakes question right now: what are your thoughts on skinny vs bootcut for blue jeans, corduroy, velvet, and even pants for work? Does bootcut feel “more modern” since skinnier cuts have been the dominant shape for 10+ years now — or can you just not get into bootcut and wider openings?
For my $.02, I resisted the change from bootcut to skinny for far too long — for my curvy, wide-hipped self, I just never thought skinny jeans would be as flattering as bootcuts. So I'm excited to return to bootcuts and wider leg openings — in theory. My big hangup in the winter is that if it's raining, snowing, or slushy or pudd-ly outside, bootcuts tend to get wet — to say nothing of the fact that I just prefer the look of my taller rainboots and winter boots with skinnier pants.
Readers, over to you — what are your thoughts on skinny vs bootcut?
Psst: some of our favorite weatherproof knee-high boots…
Some of our favorite corduroys of late…
Some of our all-time favorite cords (again, mostly for casual offices) include the Kut from the Kloth ones at Nordstrom, available in regular, petite, and plus sizes. If you prefer a tighter fit, check out corduroy from denim brands like AG; if you prefer a looser but still tailored look check out NYDJ cords. Madewell also has a ton of great cords right now, and I'm drooling over all the colors of these cropped, flared cords from Tuckernuck.
Some of the best-selling denim in regular and plus sizes…
These are some of the best jeans for work: 1) Paige 2) Madewell 3) Topshop 4) Wit & Wisdom 5) Levi's
\Some of the best plus-size jeans for work: 1) Universal Standard 2) Madewell 3) Lane Bryant 4) Wit & Wisdom
Some of our favorite pants for work in regular and plus sizes…
As of 2024, we think the best work pants for women include longtime favorites such as Nic & Zoe, Theory, NYDJ, J.Crew, and M.M.LaFleur — as well as trendy brands like Spanx, Favorite Daughter, and Everlane. For budget-friendly styles, check Quince, Old Navy, and Amazon seller Tapata.
Hunting for the best plus-size pants for work? As of 2024, favorites include Eloquii, Nic & Zoe, NYDJ, Universal Standard, Liverpool, J.Crew, and Lafayette 148 New York.
Anonymous
Neither? Straight/wide leg is the only cut that won’t make you look dated right now.
Kitten
Yea i love a good stiff 100% cotton straight leg jean RN
Anon
Any recommendations??
Kitten
I got my favorite ones at & Other Stories
Anonymous
Haven’t the fashion authorities been telling us that skinnies were on the way out for years now? I won’t believe it until I see it, and given the pandemic there’s little chance of my observing any fashion trends in the wild.
Anonymous
For real, we’ve been hearing skinny jeans are gonna go for like 10 years now. I think at this point they’re just kind of a timeless staple. Maybe it’s not instagram-trendy, but I’ll never give up on skinny jeans and knee high boots.
Anon
Neither :) I recently went on Poshmark and ordered 4 pairs of an old favorite of mine – J.Crew Matchstick. They’re basically a straight leg and I’ve been living in them. They’re the perfect jeans. I do have a bootcut to wear with harness boots and a pair or two of skinnies somewhere, but it’s been all matchstick for me so far this year.
Anon
I’m “neither” too. Skinny is pretty unflattering on me, although I enjoy being able to wear flats or heels with the same pair of pants. I purely hate that with bootcut they have to be hemmed for a certain heel height. And I do not like them with flats at all. Why the hell can’t we have straight cut pants and jeans!?!
Anonymous
I only wear straight cut jeans. NYDJ Marilyn cut are straight cut jeans and look great on me!
Anon
I wore those all through law school! Those were my favorite fit.
Leslie
Please let’s not go back to the ‘80’s! Skinny is comfortable, flexible (casual or dressy, flats, boots, or heels), & chic. Straight is chic, reliable, & comfortable – whether dressy, business (!), or more casual. Boot cut is for the ranch.
Anonymous
Is there any point in going on a dating app now? I had deleted them a few months ago to regroup and focus on myself after getting ghosted. Now I’m feeling like I am in a better place to put myself out there, but my city is in a red zone and is falling into winter temperatures. Aren’t any dates just going to be in parkas and masks, uncomfortable and unable to actually see each other’s faces/bodies? Is there a point to that? Or are people on the apps just for penpals during the winter? Trying to gauge whether this would be a waste of time and if I should just resign myself to being single until spring.
Mask On
Are museums and coffee shops open in your zone? Or will they open when you move towards orange zone, etc? If so, you may be able to dates in those environments, masks on, until you are comfortable welcoming each other into your homes. It’s not the best, but such are the time never if you only go on one date a month, as long as you are planning safely, dating may not be completely ruled out. Good luck!
kh
I am in the same boat! I am staying off until at least 2021. For starters, I think the holiday season is a tough time to date under any circumstances. Putting aside the holidays though, I think you should think about what your goal is and let that be your guide. For me, I never spend a lot of time going back and forth before meeting. But that’s a personal preference– if you are open to spending some time in virtual space talking and getting to know each other than that might be a reason to stay active. Also, for some people, even if they don’t “meet” anyone the apps are a way of having human/social contact and that’s valid too. For what it’s worth, I did do some dating this summer but I just couldn’t jump past the hurdle of an outside meal to inside hook up right now.
Argon
My spouse and I started our relationship long distance … it was actually a great way to get to know each other & find someone I have a lot in common with/can speak to for hours and set a standard of always finding a way to make time for each other. I know it’s not the same thing as online/pandemic dating & understand meeting up to vet people and determine chemistry. In my case, we had a mutual friend so that helped. But good things can come from a penpal relationship over time.
It won’t be that long until spring … by the time you weed some people out & set up some possibilities for a later meetup maybe it won’t be that long. And perhaps you’ll naturally keep talking to the people whose conversations you enjoy & others will drift away. Maybe keep it in the friendzone-ish until you can meet in person so it’s not the worst disappointment if there’s no chemistry? Or start after the holidays when this wave is no longer peaking?
Monday
On a rare trip to the trendy area of my city, I noticed that none of the young women were wearing skinny jeans. They’re de facto becoming a “mom” look! I still own many pairs, and am solidly mom-aged, but am branching out to wide leg, straight leg, and boot cut but only if cropped. High waists seem to be holding strong on all styles.
Bonnie Kate
All of a sudden I really, strongly dislike skinnies on me. They feel very dated.
My favorite jeans right now are highwasted cropped straight legs and a dark wash flare.
Anon
Bootcut all the way. They balance out my lower half.
Anonymous
+1, I hated the skinnies years. I continued to wear my bootcuts until they fell apart, and bridged to now by buying old bootcut styles NWT online.
Linda
I like the variety of having all the jean styles in rotation – skinny, straight, boot cut, flare, boyfriend.
anon
I’m with you. I have all the cuts you’ve mentioned and I cycle through them all on a regular basis.
PNW
When I started my new job last year I bought a couple new pairs of boot cuts in a style/brand that I always loved and that I thought flattered me. For some reason, after the first couple of times I wore them I felt very frumpy and dated. My feet looked weird. So I was a late convert to skinny/ankle pants, which I now love.
I’m working with a lot of younger women, and although I don’t remember noticing anything particular about their style I do think some of it rubbed off on me.
Ali
Is anyone wearing anything besides leggings right now?
Yes
All of the essential workers who still go to work every day, yes.
Melanie
I’m all about the small bootcut. I can never find a good long enough top for the skinny look given my wide hips
C
I never left team bootcut. I don’t look bad in skinnies, and have a few pairs, but I never stopped wearing bootcut because I prefer the look. I’m a scientist so screw trends!