This is such a funny (“When he first met me I had a pretty sweet ass.”), useful, and overall GREAT post and you could totally be a fashion blogger sans photoshop-you look great. Thanks for a fantastic round-up!

Personally, I think jeans (and all clothes, really) are so individual to each person, depending on body type. When I have a little extra weight (as I do now, four months post partum), I need a high rise. But I have an exceptionally long torso and basically no hips. Also, 125 pounds isn’t super skinny? Maybe if you’re really short. Numbers on a scale are only meaningful when paired with height.

Emily – Can you tell us how tall you are? It would help for fit! And you look great in the light washed ones! Forget about those 5 pounds. They’ll come off eventually. You’ve got enough on your plate without stressing about your already beautiful figure! As long as you can run after that cute little blonde boy and love on your husband I say you’re doing great!
Love the blog.

I find it offensive that you seem to name 125 lbs the borderline “ok” weight for skinny jeans wearing.. This comment ” If you are over 125 pounds you should probably try them on to make sure they work with your body.” gives me bitter beer face. Isn’t finding the right jeans all about finding the right size for your body no matter your shape/size/weight?? Not about that style working for 125+ or not??

You know, in all the candid shots you post of yourself – in your house, or at the market, or on a shoot – you always look good. In real life we don’t stand face forward / ass forward to a camera (or critical eye). That’s why I don’t really like the overly polished style posts about clothing. I like to be comfortable and confident in what I’m wearing, but who has time to obsess over every curve or dimple or angle. Sounds like you were comfortable and confident in several of your choices – I’m sure you’ll wear them well.

Very, very brave of you, Emily, to do this post! I personally find most skinny jeans to be too confining overall, although I do have a couple of pairs of colored jeans…and, good news, jeans with a ‘flare’ are back in a big way! How about a post on those? You look great in everything; talk about confidence. Shining through in all you do!

Loved this post. You are so right, it’s hard to base buying decisions on fashion blogger posts. I think your 125 pound comment was to remind people that this is what you weigh and look like in the jeans-not that you need to weigh 125 pounds or less to where them;). Thanks for keeping it real. It feels good to remember that everyone has their own body and how one thing can look great on one person, it may not do the same for another.

Great roundup! I will have to try those H&M jeans, they look great for the price! For anybody thinking about the Old Navy Rockstars, I just want to say, make sure you try on the “super skinny stretch” rockstars (there are different varieties so I’m not sure which one Emily is wearing in #12). I’m an elementary school art teacher and last fall I was looking for some jeans to wear to school that look nice but that wouldn’t be the end of the world if paint got spilled on them or something. I am 5’1″ and weigh 125 and thought, “Oh, these super tight ones will never fit or be flattering” BUT thank heaven I tried them on because they are THE most comfortable jeans I’ve ever owned. I bought a few pairs and they are literally the only pants I’ve worn since September. They are so stretchy that it feels like I’m wearing leggings, but they look like jeans, they don’t look or feel too tight at all. Plus they are the only jeans I’ve never had to wear a belt with. Never before have I found jeans that fit me correctly in both the hips and the… Read more »

Can I add a totally affordable pair to the list? J crew factory midrise skinnies. You can get them for under $30 on sale and they’re all I wear. And we could be twins: 5’3 120-ish pounds, post baby body (and an aversion to working out, if you don’t count moving furniture)…
To me, as a new mom, the word midrise means everything! Also, getting the right size (I wear a 24 in those-vanity sizing indeed), as you want them to suck you in but at the same be comfy once they stretch out (I used to have some beef with my butt, but then I realized the issue was the sagging denim).

Oh to weigh 125 pounds. Or even 150 pounds (I’m 5’6″). I don’t mind a post about skinny jeans (something I would never be able to wear for a variety of reasons) but it’s hard to read the comments about how they look good on anyone who is 100 or 110 pounds. I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I just wish I was more self-confident because this post has me feeling very self-conscious now. Wish I hadn’t read it before I got dressed for work! 🙂

i have a couple of the old navy rock stars — in colors and they’re pretty good but definitely not like forever ever jeans.

now i have to do a plug – the limited has a pair of cuffed skinny jeans 678 – OMG it is so soft and comfortable. HUGE fan of them. I wish they had a pair that was not cuffed in that exact same. makes me sad that i can’t get another pair that’s not cuffed.

Emily, please please please be kinder to yourself and your body.I know you aren’t trying to make anyone feel bad and you’re trying to be funny, but it makes me feel sad to read that you feel your 126-lb body isn’t skinny enough. I get what you are saying about style bloggers being tiny and everything will look good on them and appreciate that, but as someone who has never weighed 126 lbs my entire adult life, and barring some devastating illness or something probably never will (and do’t want to), I hope you can please take a step back and get some perspective. You look great!

I’m a big fan of this post, mostly because you’re so transparent and I’ve been waiting for a professional blogger to acknowledge that 200 dollar jeans are a splurge!
Love your awesome original content!

I LOVE my J Crew Toothpick jeans and also mix in the Matchstick ones. I have a few pairs of the others you showed but always choose these ones first. I didn’t take any offense to your post and I have a few lbs to lose at 5″6″ and 140. Not sure how this was read as body shaming post. I think some people are extra sensitive to the issue of body weight.

Just a shout out for Genetic! They are THE most comfortable jeans I have ever worn–I travel in nothing else because they look like jeans but feel like PJs. I’m on the petite side, so I have to have mine taken up, which means the calf part of the leg on me is meant to be higher up on the leg (if you had longer legs) so they’re not as “skinny” on me as they would be on a taller person. But if you don’t mind a slightly more relaxed look through the leg or you’re taller than my 5′ 2″ you should check them out! Made in LA, too, but available nationally through Bloomingdales and Nordstrom, I believe, or online. I’m a big fan.

Thank you for a funny tour of the big bad world of buying jeans. Jeans, clothes in general, are such a personal thing. i appreciated your jean tour, especially the price tag and material. I always think more expensive is better, but it is not the case if it does not fit correctly. Thank you for making me smile this morning Emily!

I loved this post! So helpful. I’m the same size as you, Emily, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the AG Stevie Ankle jeans from Anthro. I usually get a 27 or 28. They shape nicely, have a decent amount of stretch, but don’t get baggy over time. I just bought these (on sale!) and they’re amazing. http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/4122011330701.jsp?cm_vc=SEARCH_RESULTS#/

You are adorable in everything you wear, but I don’t feel like this post is very applicable to your greater readership. It really depends on a person’s body shape which jeans will look good on them. Some of your favorites could look unflattering on lots of people and vice versa.

Rolling hems is in right now if you like a pair that is too long. Scrunching kind of ends up looking sloppy or too big sometimes. I’m going to try some Old Navy Rockstars. I’m at a point where I don’t want to spend a ton on clothes but still want comfort and style.

I’m so glad you did this post! I have a similar body type, I’m petite but not super duper skinny. I definitely have a butt and thighs. I’ve always found it’s hard to find good skinny jeans.. I have had luck with H&M, Paige, and Old Navy as well. But seriously, you know whats my favorite..? Abercrombie! Their jeans have a great amount of stretch and perfect for ladies on the more petite side. My mom even started wearing them, she is much more curvy than myself and wears about a size 10/12.

Quick question: I LOVE that dark blue top! Where did you get it?

I personally just bought 3 pairs of the GAP always skinny jean in multiple colors.
Even though I’m fairly thin, I find it SUPER hard to find flattering jeans because i hold a bit of weight around my stomach (unfortunately).

The GAP always skinnies fit so effing well and come up to the perfect stomach height. They have stretched out a tad so I would recommend buying them on the snug side, but HIGHLY RECOMMEND

The Loft Modern Skinny jeans. I am built very similarly to you and both the blue and white fit awesome. I think they run about $80 but can usually be found on sale for almost half at some point.

This was a very, very brave post, Emily. I see this post was just about finding flattering skinny jeans. Inevitably, women’s clothes and their fit and body weight transfer over to the tenuous territory of women and weight and body image in our culture. It is crazy that marketers of women’s clothing do it to a phantom audience, i.e. hardly any of us actually has a model’s body weighing 100 lbs, and the fact that air brushing is a standard practice in the fashion industry seems criminal to me. Kudos for your courage as it opened up a dialogue on a very controversial topic. Super important for women to remember and keep perspective on this fallacy of weight and body image in our culture and to educate our daughters about this weirdness so their fragile and forming self body images are not harmed by this.

You didn’t try Target! My LA fashionista daughter-in-law who has always worn high end jeans, but then discovered Target jeans, so introduced me to them. They are fabulous…I have skinny, jeggings (really flattering and comfortable) and boyfriend. I love them all. Try then sometime and only $29.00 or frequent sales you get the 2nd for 50% off.

Love this post! Short girls rock! We’re similar size, so very helpful.

Hi Emily!!
Ok you’ve tried the rest now try the best!
I am not kidding you, these jeans are legit. GAP revolution skinny jeans. it looks like you tried some of the gap jeans but not those. they are relatively new. I am the same size as you, have a 14 month old and bought these jeans in EVERY color they make. and if you wait til they offer 40% off, which is frequently. you can get them for 50 bucks a pair. for sure get the short version. hits at the ankle perfectly. perfect rise. you feel solid and sexy. i could go on, but you get the idea!! tell me if you do it, seriously everyone. I’ve tried them all, these rock.

This was a great post. I love and appreciate your honesty. I am a big fan of the Gap Always Skinny (and Always Straight) line. I am 5’2.5″ and I love that they have an inseam for me. Also as a teacher, the $150-$200 price point is just not accessible and really I do not want it to be.

Thanks for posting this! Super useful resource for someone with the same-ish weight/body type. I’m a little confused by the negativity of some of these comments…for those who have a different weight/body type, they can look elsewhere for inspo! No blog is a one-stop shop 🙂

I also agree with the AG stevie from anthro–those are SO GOOD!

My fav jeans that I keep buying again and again are randomly from express. They feel like a hug. They’re the best, really.

http://www.express.com/clothing/high+waisted+jean+legging/pro/7096261/cat1320010

I used to looove Gap jeans. Then suddenly one day all jeans had so much spandex that they stretch out and start falling down a few hours in. I have learned to buy jeans in a size smaller because of that issue. That being said if you like the Gap jeans they go on sale around summer time and you can get them super cheap, like $10-$30 a pair, which is great. I’m 5’5 and buy the ankle length beause they make them so long. A friend of mine pointed me back toward good old Levi’s and they are great as well. Paige denim is great, but because it’s expensive I actually find them on ebay 😉

Love this fun little post and will say that Express has some Skinny jeans (Stella I think?) that will knock your socks off. Dark wash, stretchy, perfect!

I also share the curse of the shortness (5’2″) and never being able to find jeans that don’t have to be hemmed or altered in some way. I buy the Gap Always Skinny dark wash in ankle length again and again and they always look great (weirdly, I’ve tried other colors and the fabric stretches like CRAZY and none of them fit the same). This piece gives me hope that it MIGHT be possible to branch out and find a great-fitting skinny with more structure. I feel like that’s not too much to ask, right society?! Also, yes please do some flares!

The most flattering skinny jeans on me are the AG Farrah jeans: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ag-the-farrah-high-rise-skinny-jeans-brooks/3707410. These are SO SO comfortable and they hide my post-baby belly really well. The best part is, because of the high waist, I can get down on the floor and play with my kids without risking showing too much!

Loved this! Especially because I am also 5’3 and wear a 27 or 28 jeans…so, thanks for trying all these on for me! So good to know about the cheap-o’s from H&M!

Also, somewhat unrelated: I love how you rock the boxy top/skinny jeans look. I LOVE that look and always feel like it comes across super boxy on me. But, considering we have very similar sizes/shapes, I’m interested in trying again!

Thanks!

I’m AG brand crazed. They are pricey, but I always buy them on sale at Anthro.

You are getting a lot of mixed feedback, but I love that you are taking risks with your posts. Thanks for such great content in 2015.

Thought you might like this article by another mom who explains why Gap and Old Navy are gateway “mom jeans” she has great denim advice and explains why large pockets on the tooschie are not flattering – it’s funny and informative:
http://www.graspingforobjectivity.com/2012/07/gap.html

Yes! Emily, I OFTEN wish I knew where you sourced your clothes, so this post was super fun to me. I’ll echo the previous comments that you are a total goddess and would encourage you to OWN that (powerful role modeling for Charlie, no?), but I also totally understand not feeling quite at home in your body as it changes. There’s some life-work for ya: accepting, embracing and celebrating that change. Anyhow, you always look adorable, & obviously you are able to successfully turn your design eye on your wardrobe, and now I fully expect you to tell us where ALL of your clothes come from. Part of why your blog is so addictive is that you do a great job of bridging that gap of fantasy & reality. Would I do a fashion shoot for thousands of people to read if I had the resources (& the audience)? HELL yeah! And my bod is far from “perfect.” It’s just fun, like dress up, and it’s supposed to be fun, right? Roc k on mama!

I appreciate that you did not want to make anyone feel bad about herself. I hope you can do the same for yourself! Here is what worked for me: Having a baby girl. I was forced to deal with lingering body issues, because it hurt my heart to think of my daughter having such critical thoughts of her own body one day.

Fun post 🙂

Totally enjoyed this post. And, for what it’s worth, my opinion is that super curvy girls (like me) don’t look as good in skinny jeans because of the tapered leg. I’ve tried plenty on and just don’t like the way they look. I’m more of a straight-leg jeans kind of a girl, which I think makes me sleek AND curvy in the best way. It’s kind of freeing not feeling like you have to go for every trend or style out there, just because it’s popular.

I’m 5’4 and like high-rise skinnies that hold in my tummy. Faves are Topshop “Jamie” jeans ($70) and the new Gap resolution-denim high rise skinnies (I previously was not a fan of Gap jeans, but I really like these, and on sale they were $40)!

Rag & Bone!

All I can say is that you are awesome and hilarious. Love this! 🙂

Love this post! Can you please indicate which numbers correlate to the descriptions above? It doesn’t seem like they match up? (i.e. #13 is not the 2nd to last pair in your original list).

I too am tired of skinny jeans, not being so twiggy myself. Plus it’s all those years of Stacy London telling us that if you want slimming you NEED straight or boot cut jeans, period.

But I loved this post and am looking forward to more, but in other cuts/styles!

You’ve made my day with this brave, lighthearted post :)) !

Loved this post Emily. You are so genuine and adorable! BTW, I am 5’4 and 115 lbs and I hate the way skinny jeans look on me -give me flare or boot cut any day!

I never comment but I just wanted to say that I think that you are so wonderful and I love these honest pictures and reviews! The content about weight etc. was edited by the time I read this, but just glanced through a couple of your responses and wanted to say that I think you have responded so graciously and as a loyal reader I totally trust that you didn’t intend to hurt anyone re: body image. Body image is such such such a personal and touchy subject and I so appreciate your honesty!

love the post and your honesty! I’m a tall girl (5′ 11″) with hips and thighs and all sorts of things that make the perfect jeans a challenge. My big discovery was American Eagle’s sky high jeggings. I know, jeggings, it’s horrible. But they actually look pretty jean like, they have a zip fly instead of elastic waistband, and they are soooooo high waisted it holds everything in the tummy region in perfectly. They are the only skinny jeans I buy now.