9 October 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.Sources:
- Black cropped jacket – thrifted, remixed
- Burgundy top – A.N.A., thrifted
- Green tank – BR Outlet, remixed
- Skinnies – thrifted, remixed
- Gray wedges – Report, remixed
- Green tote – Kenneth Cole, remixed
- Sunglasses – H&M, remixed
- Onyx earrings – TJMaxx, remixed
Endnotes:
Until recently, I was under the misguided notion that there had to be at least 2 inches of visible space between one’s upper thighs to be able to pull off the skinnies look. You know, the full-out skinnies without the mitigating effect of boots or a long thighs-covering tunic.
Being in Europe has only confirmed how wrong I was. Seeing women of all shapes and sizes rock the skinnies with confidence and pep has led me to adjust my position on this matter. So much in fact that I unapologetically wore my skinnies with full thigh-touching action on the streets of Munich today. And no mitigating boots to balance out the fuller top portion of my legs with added ‘boot bulk’ on the bottom. A. and I have talked about this before, noting that we fear the ‘drumstick’ effect of untempered skinnies since neither one of us is endowed with stick-thin rail-long legs.
9 October 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.Well, call me a drumstick if you will, but I liked this look today and felt confident walking around like this. It also made me think of Sal’s recent post on having a quiet beauty revolution. I really like Sal’s approach of “localized and highly personal” activism that starts with oneself; feeling good about oneself despite conflicting messages from the media or popular culture. I may not have the kind of skinny jean-wearing legs that would make Christophe Decarnin come knocking on my door, but that’s just fine. My quiet revolution starts here.
This is totally off topic, but when I saw the announcement that Herta Mueller won the Nobel prize in literature, I immediately thought of you. Enjoy your time in Germany and good wishes for productive research!
And by the way, the skinnies look great.
AJ – I know!! Thanks for the comment, I was thrilled to see that today! Especially as a fellow Romanian, I felt a thrill at the news!
S.
I would never call you a drumstick! This look is fantastic. I love the dark dark denim with the three different colors on top and those shoes (love those shoes!!!) with the little life. Fantastic!
It is so funny to see you in Munich, a town where I was living for 16 years! ;-)
I know exactly where you were standing, when this picture was taken!!!
Enjoy your time in Bavaria!
Love, Mari
I too am searching for the courage to wear skinnies when these thighs definitely touch. What brand are these jeans? Super cute! And I love this outfit!
You look great! I’m so on board with the quiet revolution :)
You look great in those skinny jeans–no drumstick legs at all! I love the shape on top, too, with the cropped, loose jacket grounded with the longer, more form-fitting tees underneath. A+ ;-)
you look great! I was in Netherlands this summer and I absolutely loved European style. They don’t care about body shape or age – they just wear things they want to wear with tons of confidence!
You do not look like a drumstick!
Go Herta Mueller by the way, I read some of her work during my undergrad classes in Central and Eastern European politics, sociology and culture.
I think you look great. I’ve looked longingly at skinny pants after getting used to the phenomenon, but in my case they truly don’t bring out my best attributes (at least, not the F21 ones I tried on, but I suppose that store’s a whole different can of worms). Nonetheless, it is heartening to see you rocking them confidently despite your initial doubt.
So not drumsticks… if fact if I got drumsticks that skinny I’d be pissed because the chicken farmer is clearly not giving his chickens enough growth hormones…
Anywho, a skinny always looks good on you.
ps. my thighs touch.
You rock skinnies so well! And darling, I would never, ever call you a drumstick because, well, you don’t look like one!
Well you are definitely rocking those skinnies! And I ADORE the green/purple color combo with your shirts and bag. Lovely!
love this look…very cute with the layers, and the colors are perfect~~~~
You look so gorgeous! I always love to see ladies with non-skinny thighs rocking this look, since I have non-skinny thighs myself. It’s so affirming! (But the thing that makes me a bit self-conscious is the way they hug my butt . . . haven’t yet made my peace with that.)
Yet again I love the way you’ve put green into your outfit with the bag and tank.
Who’s taking your pictures, m’dear? Are you doing all this street-style photography with a tripod and a timer? Or with a lovely assistant?
I love this post. I love rocking the skinnies. And I really wish every woman would have their own quiet revolutions… what a world that world that would be!
To be honest, I wear my skinnies more than any other jeans I have, even knowing they are not the most flattering fit on me. I guess sometimes you just have to wear what you feel comfortable wearing.
Thanks for your really nice words, all!
@Sassy Molassy – these jeans are a brand called “Celebrity Pink”..? I just found them at a thrift store and they happened to have the most amazing fit and a great dark color that makes them easy to dress up or down.
@Nadine – you caught me! I am definitely not propping my camera for these street photos but am very lucky to have a good childhood friend of mine, who’s currently in Munich, take them for me. She’s known about the site all along and now that I have her here, I’m putting her to good use! ;)
S.
Hi S!
I am in the middle of my “quite revolution” right now and I do encourage you with yours. If you look confident and feel pretty, that’s what the people around will see (that’s not a topic, it’s totally true!).
On the other hand, I have a question for you. It’s only me or European girls do not mix patterns as much as the American ones like to do?
Thank you very much for your attention and have a good time!
S. you rock those skinnies!
By the way, I was just in Bucharest for a couple of days last week (work related). Nice and sunny and warm compared to cooold Denmark and delicious Romanian cuisine, definitely not the last time I go there!
Enjoy your time on DE.
Bless you! I am a huge advocate of skinny or straight leg jeans worn in this way and MANY body types. You look fab. Glad you joined the club :0)
S, you do not look like a drumstick in the least! You look fantastic. I’ve been converted to this look as well, and I have shorter, stockier legs than you do. The key for me is making sure I have a moderately skinny leg, like the kind you’re wearing, rather than the kind that is skintight at the ankle. I feel like that’s just enough to balance it out.
Looking good!
As a lady with junk in my trunk and thighs that touch, I have found Alloy’s Truck Essential Skinnys to be perfect skinny jean. Price point=right on, good comfortable stretch and various inseams.
http://store.alloy.com/item.do?categoryID=1668&itemID=47971&sizeFilter=&colorFilter=&brandFilter=
@The Spanish Lady – I actually found Romanian women to pattern mix quite a lot! I was really struck by it and thought it much more bold and striking that pattern mixing in the US. I have to pay more attention here in Germany…
@Anne – how fun! I’m glad you enjoyed Bucharest! I really like it too!
@MsAmanda – thanks for the skinny jean tip! Will have to check that brand out!
Everyone else – thank you again for your really nice words, it makes having a “quiet” revolution so much nicer when encouraging and supportive voices chime in!
S
Funny how we take our bodies to task for not being however we want them to be. I tend not to wear skinnies precisely _because_ there are 2 inches of space between my thighs, and I think skinnies make my legs look like sticks. Which I am sure I am imagining as much as you imagine drumsticks :)