It’s one of the most common concerns of women in changing rooms and at home - how do they look in a pair of pants. Here’s a guide to help you decide what’s best for you.
What’s what
Skinny leg pants are those whose legs are straight and narrow and hug the leg the entire length.
Straight leg pants fall straight from the thigh to the hemline. The width of the leg can vary, but when they are figure-hugging they become skinny and when they are wider than the thigh they are classified as wide.
Tapered pants fit comfortably at the thigh and taper to a narrower ankle. Please note that the tapered pants illustrated below also have a high waist and pleats, but it's the leg style only we're looking at here.
What looks best on whom
Skinny leg pants look best on people:
- with a balanced body shape, with a bottom that is neither flat nor large, or
- with a slim figure, such as a slim rectangle or hourglass.
A tapered-leg style used to be seen only in dress pants but are now popular in casual pants and jeans also.
- They work well for a slim, short body as the slimmer leg makes the legs look longer.
- It can also make a tall, slim person look too tall and too slim – depending on your perspective.
- Generally speaking, heavier body types should avoid tapered-leg style as they can make your midsection look quite large.
Straight leg pants or jeans are flattering on most people, which is why they’ve been around for a while.
- They are particularly good if you are carrying your weight in the middle because it balances out the midsection with a wider leg pant.
- Conversely, if you’re slim, keep the pants slim because if they’re too wide, they can put you out of balance and make you look heavier.
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