When I think about skinny jeans, all I can hear is Beyonce singing “If you don’t jump to put jeans on, baby you don’t feel my pain,” and have flashbacks to not only the jumping, but the inevitable cuff I always added at the hem of my jeans because they never seemed to fit the length of my 5’2″ frame. Yet, despite all that, I still have my favorite pairs of skinny jeans tucked away at the bottom of my drawer.
Although I am a firm believer in closet purging and purchasing clothes that you’re guaranteed to wear and feel good in, I haven’t gotten around to tossing my skinny jeans because I know what a staple they can be. They fit well, make me look good, and definitely have a time and a place to be worn (nothing else looks quite as good tucked into boots). Just because skinny jeans aren’t a part of the current trend cycle doesn’t mean they’re “uncool.” Just as trends change over time, so can the way you style certain things to make them feel and look more modern. And yes, that includes how you style your skinny jeans.
If trend cycles have taught us anything recently, it’s that everything comes back, even if you don’t want it to (hello Uggs, Birkenstock Bostons, and low-rise jeans). But you don’t need to wait until skinny jeans are at the top of the denim trend list again to wear yours. Here are ways to style your tried-and-true pair to make them look cool in 2022.
Pair your black skinny jeans with black boots
When fashionista meets super-spy. This combo is quite simply a match made in heaven, and it offers you a chance to show off the top half of your calf-height boots. Pair the seamless bottom combo with a chunky knit and oversized jacket and you’re good to go.
Tucked into a pair of knee-high boots
Pairing your skinny jeans with your knee-high lug sole boots is a prime example of combining old trends with new ones. How else are you going to show off your knee-high boots when it’s too cold to wear shorts or a mini skirt? Skinny jeans to the rescue!
Paired with a heeled sandal
Timeless and still trendy, a good pair of heeled sandals looks so good with your trusty pair of skinny jeans. Whether it’s strappy or more of a mule, the heel elongates your legs and gets you more than ready to step out. Especially if you’re dressing for fall while living somewhere warm, this is a killer combo.
Combined with lots of leather
Nothing screams cool-girl more than a leather jacket and a kicking pair of leather boots to match. Paired with skinny jeans and your tee or sweater of choice, this outfit is one that proves right time and time again.
With a pair of loafers
You know that pair of loafers you just got? Yup, they’re going to look great with your skinny jeans. No matter the color or texture, a good pair of jeans and a loafer go together like Sunday mornings and brunch.
Paired with sneakers and a cardigan
Sneakers, jeans, and a cardigan are the ultimate skinny-jean uniform. It’s low effort, but looks polished nonetheless. Don’t forget to top the outfit off with a cozy cardigan. Unbuttoned, buttoned—the look is all up to you.
With your favorite striped sweater
Stripes are certainly having a moment right now, and we’re all here for it. Oversized, fitted, draped over your shoulders, or quickly grabbed and thrown in your bag as you head out the door, they’re ideal for dressing up or for when you want to be casual and cool.
With a trench coat
I have a theory that everything looks good when you throw a trench coat over it. They just have this chicness that delivers no matter what you pair it with, and with skinny jeans? It achieves a look that a straight leg jean can’t quite master when combined with the trench.
