8 Skinny-Jean Mistakes to Give Up Once and for All

Skinny jeans may be the most popular denim style, but the general consensus is that they're also the most difficult to wear and shop for. The fit and length generally need to be close to perfect, and because of their formfitting nature, they don't work with just any top or pair of shoes. That said, when you keep a few key styling and shopping rules in mind, we can guarantee that your future will be filled with flawless skinny-jean outfits.

In recent seasons, the stylish street style set has been stepping out in more straight-leg, cropped-flare, and other directional styles. Throughout the most recent fashion month, however, we were somewhat surprised to find that there were more skinny jean–wearing show attendees than usual. While we could speculate why, we're thinking that the oversize blazers and slouchy boots that were everywhere (and happen to look the best with skinnies) may have had something to do with it. Whatever the reason, we seized the opportunity to reflect on what mistakes to avoid so you'll never have to question how to wear skinny jeans again.

Keep reading to find out the eight skinny-jean mistakes to give up once and for all, and then shop stylish pairs that will lead to many on-point outfits.

DON'T: Let a less-than-perfect fit elude you

DO: Throw on a cool belt

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(Image credit: Style du Monde )

DON'T: Try to stuff them into too-tight boots

DO: Invest in the slouchy boot trend

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(Image credit: Style du Monde )

DON'T: Get sloppy

DO: Add polish by tucking in a voluminous top

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(Image credit: Sandra Semburg)

DON'T: Forgo cropped styles when wearing heels

DO: Elongate your legs by showing some ankle

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(Image credit: Sandra Semburg)

DON'T: Opt for tight-fitting tops

DO: Play with oversize proportions

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(Image credit: Style du Monde )

DON'T: Choose boring outerwear

DO: Show your personality with a cool coat

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(Image credit: Getty Images )

DON'T: Only wear them with a T-shirt

DO: Think outside the box in terms of layering

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(Image credit: Sandra Semburg)

Related: The Skinny Jean Style I Would Never Wear With Ankle Boots

DON'T: Let skinny jeans bunch at the ankles

DO: Choose skinnies that skim the tops of your ankle boots

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(Image credit: Getty Images )

SHOP OUR SKINNY-JEAN PICKS

Related: The Sneakers That Look Best With Skinny Jeans

This post was updated by Anna LaPlaca.

Allyson Payer
Senior Editor

Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.