Skinny Jeans

I went for a run last night in Homewood. After my run, I was meeting my husband for dinner and a movie. This meant I had to change clothes in the car. For the record, I HATE doing this. On this particular occasion, my changing clothes dilemma was all the more difficult because I had brought a pair of skinny jeans to change into. I was holding the pair of Levi's skinny jeans in my hands wondering how in the world I was going to pull this off.

It crossed my mind to wear my running pants and not even attempt to put on the skinnys. However, I am not one to back down from a challenge. Even still, I was worried. As every woman knows, jeans can be somewhat of a menace. More than any other pair of pants that we own, jeans seem to give us the most torment. They are a source of enmity. Jeans are a pain in the butt to shop for (no one ever wants to go up a size); jeans shrink and have the adverse affect of making us feel like we have gained weight; jeans change styles constantly, and we are pressured to look good in the latest jean trend.

Enter the skinny jean. The name of the style is completely deceiving. All women have a pair of jeans they dub their "skinny jeans." This pair of jeans is the pair that looks best on their owner, and make her feel better about herself. They are the pair that garner compliments from passersby. They are the go-to pair of jeans, a source of confidence. Skinny jeans as a style of jean do no such thing for their wearer. Even when I get a pair in my size, I look at the jeans then look at my figure and question whether or not putting both of my legs in and zipping them up is even a possibility.

Truth be known, skinny jeans do not make me feel skinny most of the time; they mostly make me feel self conscious. Let's be honest. Skinny jeans only look good on skinny, waif-like women with toothpick legs. Although in shape and not overweight by any means, my body type fits neither of these descriptions. So, the question is this: Should I even wear skinny jeans? Better yet, should any woman wear any item of clothing that does not make her feel beautiful and confident? I don't believe any trend is worth sacrificing your self-esteem for. Now, I do own a pair or two of skinnys that look great on my particular figure, and I'll keep wearing these. However, I have also bought a pair or two that I have no business wearing. They look heinous on me! I've decided I'll keep the good jeans, no longer wear the bad, and move on to a style of jean (trendy or not) that makes me feel fashionable and self assured at the same time.

Now, back to my story. I won the challenge. After much pulling and tugging (the usual putting on jeans gymnastics) I did eventually get those skinnys on thank goodness. No one witnessed this miraculous feat, but if they had, I'm sure it would have looked more like a wrestling match than an attempt at changing outfits. As a matter of fact, I burned more calories pulling those things on that I had during my run. Nevertheless, I emerged from the car ecstatic at what I had accomplished, but doubtful that I would ever attempt the same again.

- W:)