Are Skinny Jeans Still a Thing?

My daughter asked me this question recently - and I love it!! Because the real answer is so much more useful that a simple yes or no.

Here's the truth. Skinny jeans haven't disappeared. They're still being worn, still being sold, still showing up in wardrobes everywhere. But so are wide leg jeans, straight leg jeans, barrel leg jeans. Skinny jeans are absolutely still a thing. Fashion just gave us more to work with.

Your body shape is your best trend filter

This is the shift I want you to make. Instead of asking "is this in?", start asking "does this work for my proportions?" When you know your shape, getting dressed gets so much easier. You stop chasing trends and start choosing intentionally.

Skinny jeans are the perfect example. If they work for your shape and you love them, wear them. If a wider leg balances your proportions better and makes you look and feel more amazing, then that's your answer. Not what is on the runway (and let's be honest these models are not an accurate representation of the majority of women), not what your best friend is wearing, what works for you.

Let's look at the oversized blazer as another example

The oversized blazer is one of the biggest trends right now and it's everywhere for good reason. It looks incredible ... on the right shape. But an oversized blazer isn't for every body and that is not a bad thing, but it's useful information to remember.

The oversized blazer adds volume through the shoulders and chest with very little waist definition. Here's how that plays out across different proportions:

When it can be tricky:

Petite frames - if you're shorter or finer through the frame, all that extra volume can overwhelm your silhouette and visually shorten you. The shoulder line is everything - if it's dropping off your shoulder, the whole look loses its polish.

Fuller through the middle - if you carry weight through your midsection, a boxy blazer with no waist definition can box you out and add bulk exactly where you don't want it. Without anything to break up the silhouette, it can feel heavy and shapeless.

Fuller bust - adding volume through the chest and shoulders without any structure underneath can make the top half feel very heavy. The silhouette can read as one continuous block rather than a balanced, proportional outfit.

When the oversized blazer works well:

Narrower through the top, wider through the hips - the oversized blazer draws the eye upward and adds volume to the shoulder line, beautifully balancing out a wider hip. A wonderful combination and very flattering.

Straight through the body - if you carry your weight fairly evenly with less curve definition, the structure of an oversized blazer actually creates the illusion of shape. Worn open over something fitted underneath, it adds dimension without overwhelming.

Defined waist with balanced proportions - worn open over a fitted top or belted at the waist, the oversized blazer can really work. The key is creating contrast, let the blazer be the statement while keeping what's underneath streamlined.

A few styling tips if you love an oversized blazer

If you're not sure whether the oversized blazer is working for you, here's a few points to check:

Shoulder seams - it should sit at or just slightly off your natural shoulder. If it's dropping down your arm, it's too big.

Balance with fitted pieces underneath - think fitted tops to keep the proportions in balance.

Try belting it - add a belt at the waist can transform the silhouette entirely and make the trend work for a much wider range of shapes.

Consider the length - a longer oversized blazer an actually work really well as a layering piece over narrower trousers or even as a dress.

The Takeaway

Trends are suggestions. Not a rule. No one likes rules or being told what to do. Your body shape is the filter you run every single trend through and when you know your shape, getting dressed becomes so much easier, more enjoyable, and more you.

If you're not sure what your shape is, or you're ready to dress with real intention rather than chasing what's on the rack, that's exactly what I do. Styling sessions with me looks at your proportions, your lifestyle, your colour season, and your personality to create a wardrobe that actually works for you.

From overwhelm to ease.

Aroha nui

Kim Spencer-McDonald