An Ode to My Skinny Jeans

My Dear Skinny Jeans,

I am not sorry to say that I have slowly pushed you into the dark depths of my closet. Out of sight and out of mind. Lost in a pile that I no longer find myself ransacking on a Friday night. You have been replaced by my array of new and loose styles, from wide jeans to mom jeans and straight jeans.

Don’t get me wrong: I’m not over the good times we had. You stuck with me through the nights out, the late night study sessions, the marathon days of tailgating; you even kept me warm through the long, long winters. Not to mention, you could pair well with almost anything. Whether it was a crop top, a chunky sweater, an oversized sweatshirt or a long cardigan, you could always pull the look together. You used to be my go-to; whenever I was unsure what to pair with my new favorite top, I could count on you to complete the look.

And then, one day, I bought my first pair of wide-leg jeans. Despite our history, I found myself reaching for them more often than you. Soon enough, I had so many new styles that I stopped reaching for you completely.

What can I say? I’d love to give you the classic, “it’s not you, it’s me.” But, in fact, it is you. After trying on my first pair of wide-leg jeans, I just couldn’t look at you in the same way. You’re too constricting, too stiff, too uptight. With looser jeans, I do most of the same things we used to love to do together, but much more comfortably. You were simply too restrictive. and you never seemed to be the perfect fit. But these new styles got it right. Fitted at the waist and looser around the legs, the perfect pair always seems to find me. So for now, I will continue to reach for that perfect pair.

This is not a goodbye, but more like a see you later. In consideration of fashion’s cyclical pattern, I should not get rid of you just yet. Within the next five, ten, or even twenty years, I’m sure that I will thank myself for keeping you around. Whether for myself or for a young thrifter, you will likely prove to be useful and desired again. So, thank you for the memories, and I look forward to that day in the future when we can rekindle our friendship and you can return to the front of my closet.

Strike Out,

Katie Sharp

Editors: Kimani Krienke, Natalie Daskal, Will Kennedy

Writing Director: David Kramer

Blog Director: Helenna Xu

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