I'm Back on Skinny Jeans After a 7-Year Hiatus—Here's How I'm Wearing Them

If I think about it long enough, I'm pretty sure that 2013 was the last time I ever found myself in a pair of skinny jeans. I went through a heavy skinny pant–wearing phase in the years prior, wearing everything from classic denim to corduroy pairs, but eventually, my infatuation with them faded, I grew tired of wearing such fitted shapes, and I found myself reaching for straight-leg and looser fits that felt more in line with the denim trends of the moment.

I don't think I expected to like wearing skinnies ever again, but true to fashion's cyclical nature, I noticed that the industry was taking a renewed interest in the unwaveringly popular denim recently and decided to try my hand at wearing them again, and—shocker—I didn't hate it. To be honest, I'm kind of into them again. But I'm taking things slow and letting my relationship with skinny jeans build by wearing the denim in just a few key outfits, which I'm sharing here.

I picked up two pairs: Paige's Sarah Slim Jeans ($217), which have a healthy amount of stretch in them and are wildly comfortable, and the Yoko Slim Jeans ($110) from Denim Forum, a high-rise, button-fly pair that feels more like rigid denim and has a classic look. To see a few of the ways I've been styling both of them and to shop the pieces to get each look, just keep scrolling.

Wearing: Pull & Bear Blazer ($40); Paige Sarah Slim Jeans ($217); Vagabond Shoemakers Cosmo Boots

To kick off my return to skinny jeans, I had to source some outfit inspiration to get my creative juices flowing. This look was a result of trying to emulate something Rosie Huntington-Whiteley wore on her Instagram with a belted jacket and combat boots. I wanted to create the same structured silhouette, so I belted my blazer and paired it with similar chunky boots.

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Wearing: Wilfred turtleneck; Careste Sleek Silk Button-Down ($375); Denim Forum Yoko Slim Jeans ($110); Essen the Label Foundation Flats ($186); F+H Jewelry Dylan Double Link Earrings ($102)

Since embracing my skinnies again, I've really begun leaning into my wardrobe classics like button-down shirts and ballet flats. Here, I layered a printed turtleneck underneath and left the silky shirt a bit more undone to let the print show through, but I also like styling these jeans with the same shirt on its own.

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Wearing: Dôen top; Denim Forum Yoko Slim Jeans ($110); Who What Wear Axel Sandals ($95)

To balance out the ultra-slim fit of the jeans, I like wearing something with a voluminous shape up top, and this bell-sleeved blouse fits the bill. Pairing it with one of my favorite summer sandals from our Who What Wear line, it's an outfit I imagine I'd wear regularly in the warmer months.

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Wearing: Pull & Bear Blazer ($40); Lili Claspe Lara Link Lariat ($75); Paige Sarah Slim Jeans ($217); Mango boots

Well, well, well… It just so happens that skinny jeans are the perfect match for trending knee-high boots, so I knew I had to give the look a whirl and wore mine with a boxy blazer, bodysuit tucked in, and a few pieces of gold jewelry.

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Wearing: Vintage shirt; Zara Knit Vest ($40); Paige Sarah Slim Jeans ($217); ASOS loafers

Lastly, and one of my favorite new ways to wear skinny jeans, is more of a "grandpa-chic" vibe. I layered a sweater vest over a crisp button-down shirt because I think something oversize with skinnies puts a fresh spin on them and reached for loafers (yes, with socks) to fully embrace the old-school look I was going for. In terms of shoes, loafers and knee boots are my two go-tos to style with the denim.

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Next up, the best-selling basics on all of Nordstrom.