Third Year History of Art student Miranda Smith discusses her favourite fashion essential, and explains why it's not going out of style anytime soon
Hard as we try to hate them, as much as we complain about their lack of comfort, the skinny jean is and will always remain a wardrobe staple - one which we all rely on.
It is one of those items that if you are struggling to find an outfit, either for day or night, that is always worth bearing in mind. The ‘jeans and a nice top’ rule can fix any semi-fancy sartorial dilemma. However, they also prove to be perfect for a whole host of situations. Feeling a bit down and grey? Skinnies and an oversized jumper. Not sure what to wear on a first date? Skinnies and a leather jacket. Running late to lectures? Skinnies and a hoody. Hungover as hell and your mum is coming for lunch? Skinnies and an oversized tee.
They are even more practical now that it is getting colder. I always find skinnies keep me warmer than wider leg jeans because they eliminate the draft you get from the ankle up the bottom of the leg which is something surely nobody wants. Also I always find in winter when I am wearing huge, thick jumpers and fluffy coats that a nice skinny leg beneath can balance out the proportions so there’s not too much bagginess going on. And if it is a bit warmer on some days, tucking in a thinner jumper or a long sleeved tee has that ‘effortlessly’ cool vibe about it -the perfect amount of smart and casual.
As much as we try to force them out of style, by purposefully shoving them to the backs of our wardrobes in favours of straight leg jeans, or wide leg trousers, or flares (which I am extremely over now), the skinnies will always bounce back. There is no other pair of trouser which will get as much wear in my opinion.
You will never be able to tear the blue Joni jeans out of the hands of British teen girls, as they all wear them with a parka and stan smiths. There is no way in hell you could get me to part with my Jamie jeans, which I believe to be the older sister, or more mature version of the Joni – less jegging, more jean. Topshop’s denim selection rivals any on the high street and I honestly do not think I know a single girl who does not own at least one pair of the brand’s skinnies. At a reasonably good price point of £40-50 (depending on the details), and with student discount of course, Topshop wins for their skinnies.
In my head when I talk about skinnies, I think mostly about black jeans but obviously a classic denim wash is also a staple. White denim is something I have never fully got on board with but particularly this autumn/winter season seems to have cropped up quite a few times both on the runway, but more specifically on the streets outside the shows. White skinnies paired with bolder, brighter hued jumpers and block coloured boots is an outfit that seems to have been favoured by a fair few bloggers lately. But white jeans also work really well with monochrome outfits; I’m picturing skinny white jeans, an oversized grey or black jumper, a black faux fur jacket, and a pair of black Chelsea boots.
However you spin it, the skinny jean remains a wardrobe staple, and let’s be real, we’re not getting rid of them any time soon.
Featured Image: Bruce Mars / Unsplash
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