Skinny Jeans vs. Straight Leg Jeans: Which Are Best?

Looking to update your wardrobe with some new jeans and trying to figure out which jean cuts and styles will look best on you? Two popular options include versatile choices like skinny jeans and straight leg jeans, but is there one that is better than the other? It's important to take a look at the various features both jeans have to offer and how to style each one. This will allow you to decide which option is best for you.

The Skinny on Skinny Jeans

Skinny jeans are a great go-to jean choice for every season and look most stylish when paired with an oversized top to contrast the cut of the jean. If you are putting together an outfit for a spring or summer day, pair skinny jeans with a tunic and a light duster jacket. The draping effect of the tunic top and the duster jacket will give an elongated, stylish, and slightly more dramatic appearance to the body. Alternatively, skinny jeans with a fitted tee or a tank top also pair nicely with skinny jeans and serve to show off a flattering figure.

Planning to wear lots of skinny jeans during the colder fall and winter months? They look effortlessly stylish with an oversized chunky knit sweater with a cowl neck or a luxuriously soft cashmere sweater. Would you rather piece together a more form-fitting outfit? Create a casual yet sophisticated outfit with a dark-hued, lightweight turtleneck sweater, and a pair of dark wash skinny jeans.

Sort of Skinny Jeans

If you aren’t in the mood to wear regular, traditionally less flexible jeans and would rather wear something more comfy and cozy while still looking good, switch things up with a pair of jeggings. Since jeggings are leggings with a denim style, they look just like skinny jeans and thus could be worn the same way you would wear regular skinny jeans with various tops and footwear. The benefit of jeggings is that they are typically far more comfortable and unrestrictive than a proper pair of jeans, making them a great clothing choice for traveling for long hours on a flight or lounging around the house on your day off.

Skinny Jeans And Footwear Choices

One edge that skinny jeans may have over straight-leg pants is that it is usually easier to pair them with more footwear choices. Skinny jeans can be paired with flat shoes, heeled shoes, winter boots, and summery sandals. Piecing together classy autumn attire? Wear skinny jeans with a pair of black or tan chunky heel boots and a cami top with a long open cardigan over the top. Want to achieve that casual cool-girl look on a breezy summer evening? Wear a pair of skinny jeans with a fitted tank top and a pair of slip-on sandals or flip flops. Yes, it really is possible to look put together and stylish with minimal effort.

Styling Outfits With Straight Leg Jeans

Curious about straight leg jeans? Thinking about adding a new pair or two to your wardrobe? Straight leg jeans are just as stylish as skinny jeans and like skinny jeans, can be worn at any time of year. It could be argued that straight leg jeans are the more trendy options of the two and can be worn when you’re feeling a little more fashionably adventurous.

Straight leg jeans can be worn in any color from a light wash to dark wash to black or grey and paired stylishly with many different tops. For the spring or summer, pair straight leg jeans with a fitted tee or slightly larger, loose tee that can be tucked into the jeans. You can never go wrong by recreating the classic white tee and straight legs jeans combo. Finish off the casual look with minimal jewelry and a bold statement piece accessory like dramatic oversized black sunglasses. In the winter, straight leg jeans look best with a paper-thin turtleneck sweater that can be tucked into a high-waist or an oversized sweater that drapes slightly over the waist.

Straight Leg Jeans And Shoes

As we mentioned previously, there are arguably fewer footwear styles that can be paired with straight-leg jeans. For instance, you won’t wear a pair of tall equestrian riding boots with straight leg jeans; the fit would be too awkward and there’s no way to properly wear the boots over the jeans or tuck the jeans into the boots.