Don't Toss It: Skinny Jeans
A new series from This Stuff and Lotte.V1 on how to love the clothes you own.
On the top of every sustainable fashion list should be one simple idea, in bright bold letters: buying more is never sustainable. Unfortunately it doesn’t matter if it has recycled plastic or even regenerative materials, the best way to maintain an ethical wardrobe is to shop the one you already have. That’s easier said than done, however, especially if you haven’t already been investing in classic pieces.
For many of us though, that ever-spinning gravitational pull of the trend cycle has made it so that our wardrobes are filled with clothing that goes in and out of style quickly. According to a study conducted by Greenpeace, we buy 60% more clothing than just a decade ago and wear it half as long. Sure, we can joke about generational differences occurring between people who are sometimes less than a decade apart in age, but what that really does is make our clothing seem disposable as trends move faster. What’s more, over the last two years, our lives have changed and with that comes a style change too.
So how do you shop your closet when it feels like your closet doesn’t fit anymore?
That’s where New York City based stylist Sam Weir is trying to help. She was trained with renowned stylists such as Kate Young, Alex White, and Sarah Richardson, and held a position as junior fashion editor at Document Journal. Her new styling service, Lotte.V1 offers one-on-one sessions to help you rethink your wardrobe based on a custom three-step process, centering human connection, attention, and growth and conducted over Zoom or FaceTime.
Lotte.V1 has teamed up with This Stuff on a small series called “Don’t Toss It,” which will give you styling suggestions on items that have become maligned by mainstream trend cycles.
Part 1: Skinny Jeans
From Sam:
The notes you are about to read aren’t here to tell you how to have ‘better’ style. Who are we to say what good style is? This is simply a framework to help you develop and enjoy your style and wardrobe a bit more. This is not to persuade you to buy these outfits or pieces to recreate, it's quite the opposite. These looks are to inspire you to take the ideas and apply them to your own wardrobe. Something we say often at Lotte - Add ideas and techniques to your wardrobe, not pieces.
Style should reflect you as an individual, built from your unique influences and interests. That’s why trends like the one saying skinny jeans are out are so damaging to real style. Trends are for fashion, and it’s an attempt to sell you more product that you don’t need. Trends cause everyone to look the same. The best way to find your unique style? Ignore trends. Ignore advertisements. Ignore shopping so much.
Look 1:
Look Formula:
We paired the skinny jeans with pieces that are oversized and loose fitting. Our first layer is an oversized t-shirt. This brings a casual feel to the look and starts to balance our proportions. Then we placed an oversized button-up over the t-shirt acting as an outer layer. I love using blue against black, as they complement each other beautifully, without overpowering a look. Finally, add a long coat in a similar color to the pant. This lengthens the look through a visual effect. The skinny jeans fade to the background and act as our foundational piece. Finally, because we are covered up, finish the look with a sandal rather than a boot. This gives the look room to breathe with some skin. To wear this in colder climates, add tights underneath the denim. Not only is it practical, it adds a texture to the look creating even more excitement. Pair with a bag in a similar color to your coat and jeans so it doesn’t overwhelm.
Skinny Jean Trick:
Go oversized and layered! This takes the eye away from the pant and towards the layers, creating visual interest and excitement! It’s also extremely comfortable.
Look 2:
Look Formula:
Allow the skinny jean to blend into the rest of your look by pairing with similar colored pieces. Here we used all black which can go from the office to dinner without any changes. If you do want to show a bit more skin, remove the top underneath your blazer for dinner. The key here is to stay in the same color palette (black), and use an oversized blazer. The oversized fit of the blazer again, balances our proportions. For footwear, pair it with a boot that covers your ankles and if possible is in a different texture (such as patent leather) to add more excitement. Being that we aren’t using color in this look, play with different textures! Finally, add a bag that brings more dimension. Use color as we did here with a camel clutch to achieve.
Skinny Jean Trick:
Stay in the same color palette for an easy but effective look. Use a boot in the same color as your denim to elongate your legs. An easy but flattering look for the office to a dinner!
Look 3:
Look Formula:
Skinny jeans possess more versatility than one may think. Because they are so fitted, you can pair it under other items in your wardrobe like a dress - and yes that's actually a trend right now. Transition your spring dresses into fall and winter by adding your denim underneath. This has the potential to go very wrong so here are a few notes to follow if you try it. Note 1: The jeans should be in a color that is featured in the dress. Here you can see the dress has black in its pattern. That is picked up in the denim and coat. Note 2: Pair with a boot in the same color (black) to elongate your legs. Note 3: Pair with a long jacket as well to add a layer. Note 4: The length of the dress is key. Use a longer dress that hits mid shin for the most flattering length.
Skinny Jean Trick:
Use them under your summer dresses to wear them into the fall! Get the most out of your wardrobe by being creative with layering.
Look 4:
Look Formula:
Make them casual. For a weekend errands look, pair with a comfy, oversized sweater, a warm scarf and trench coat. The length and looseness of the trench balances the proportions. Instead of pairing with a low shoe, tuck them into a higher boot. Have your boot hit right below your knee. You can’t do this with wide leg or even some straight leg denim so take advantage of it! Pick a boot that has some room around your leg to again, (you guessed it) balance your proportions. A fitted boot would defeat the purpose.
Skinny Jean Trick:
Tuck your denim into a boot for a more casual look.
Look 5:
Look Formula:
Another item to pair with skinny jeans is a structured blazer (shoulder pads are plus). If you shop vintage or secondhand, you probably own something with shoulder pads and now is their time. This creates a slimming effect at your waist, and balances out the fitted denim. Keep things simple by throwing a classic button up underneath. I prefer button ups to be oversized or at least not fitted, especially for a look with fitted bottoms. To ensure you maintain shape, tuck the button up in your denim and add a belt. You can pair this with a sneaker, slide, boot, heel - really any shoe you feel most comfortable in. Clean, simple, and comfortable!
Skinny Jean Trick:
Use an oversized blazer and its shoulder pads to balance the fitted denim.
Look 6:
LOOK 6
Look Formula:
Now instead of a casual boot, let’s get dressed up! Tuck your denim into a heeled boot. You can use one in a different color to your pant. A similar color creates a clean line, elongating your legs. Thus far, we’ve been tucking our tops in. Another idea is to choose a top that is a bit longer in length and let it lay over your waist band. This helps balance proportions in a new way. Add a longer coat and a warm sweater thrown over the top of the jacket (adds another texture + practical to wear if you get cold).
Skinny Jean Trick:
Tuck your denim into a heeled boot. Try a top that lays over your waistband. This helps with your proportion balance.
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Lotte.V1 styling sessions will be launching in February 2022. They will release sessions on a monthly basis and in limited quantities, with the exact date and time announced via email and social media a week before. If you wish to receive this email when we launch, sign up on the website. 3% of the net profits from each styling session will go towards organizations working to protect our Planet.