FashBlog.com

If you have been perusing the latest fashion magazines, or have just been looking at the upcoming Fall fashions online, you may have noticed a disturbing trend: the skinny jeans are coming back!

Actually this can be a good thing-- if you're in shape. Skinny jeans, or slim-cuts as they are also known, look great on long-legged models and thin-waisted waifs. And, come to think of it, the last time the skinny jeans were in vogue I was young and fit so they looked pretty good on me too (this was two babies ago, of course).

Women have had to deal with a lot of change over the years when it comes to jeans. I haven't liked most trends and then, once I get used to one, another style comes into play and I have to start all over again. The reason I am disturbed by the return of the skinny jeans is because I had finally, at the end of last season, found myself the perfect pair of boot cut jeans. They were worn and comfortable and fit me just right. They weren't too high rise and they weren't too low rise. They were-- sigh-- perfect. Now, though, I guess they won't be in style.

And speaking the low waisted jeans, that is one trend I won't mind saying bye- bye to. Now, by all accounts, the worst is over. Hopefully this Fall we won't have to see women's thongs peeking out above their jeans. The waistlines are rising, people, which means that at least we won't have to be afraid to bend over. Now I don't want a waistline as high as Fred Mertz's (remember him, from "I Love Lucy"?), but a slight rise is definitely nice as some of those ultra low rise jeans were a bit too low cut. But I am happy that the waistlines are rising a bit. But why couldn't we have at least one season with the higher waists and still keep the boot cuts? Why must we go straight to the straight- leg skinny jeans?

Of course, if you're not a fashionista you may not even care about this trend at all. I know a few women who still wear the same jeans that they wore in the 80's and 90's. That's not my style, though, because I think it looks dated. When trends come back, they tend to come back slightly different than they were before, so I see no point in holding on to my 80's stonewashed jeans (not to mention the fact that I'm a few sizes bigger now than I was then).

So, I will begin my search for the perfect pair of skinny jeans. It will take a lot of trying on and wearing, but I'm sure I'll find a pair. if you're looking for some of the latest slim fit, straight leg jeans, here a re a few places I have spotted them:

The Levi's online store. Their Drainpipe Skinny Jeans will look great on you if you're in shape.

Old Navy. I love Old Navy because their prices are reasonable and the clothes are of good quality. Old Navy's new straight, skinny jeans come in a dark wash (they call it Deep Denim). Oh, the rises still seem to be a little low.

The Gap. Gap has their Skinny Fit Zips-- and boy are they skinny! They suggest wearing them with a long top (that's the only way I would do it). Gap also still offers some boot cut styles, for those of us who can't quite do the skinny thing yet.

Kohls. The Daisy Feuntes line always boasts some trendy jean styles. Check out Daisy's embroidered jeans and rhinestone studded denims.

Lucky Jeans offer some skinny jeans that have a slight bootleg. They cost over $100 a pair though, so they will require an in-person fitting.

American Eagle offers a good mix of straight leg and boot cuts, in a variety of washes. This place could be one-stop shopping for the gal (or guy) that just can't make up their mind.

Other tips? If your legs are on the short side, elongate them by pairing some high heeled shoes with your skinny jeans. This will help you to pull this difficult trend off a little better. Also, consider having your jeans tailored if the waist is too big but the hips and thighs fit just right.