I can't wear skinny jeans, they make my thighs look gargantuan. But seeing the perfect pair does motivate me, even if I know they wont look good.

I can see how skinny jeans may lead to poor body image but I think it's important to remember that the fit of skinny jeans and leggings have more to do with body type than with a person's weight. You can always opt for straight legs to achieve a similar look.

Skinny jeans always need to be about 2 sizes up. And THAT'S depressing!

I don't think so, and it's a bit worrying if that's how people see it. Skinny jeans might not be very flattering for some body types, but you could say the same about other jeans shapes on other body types. Isn't the key to wear clothes that make you feel comfortable, or to dress for your body type?

I don't think they are bad for body image, at least no more than any other piece of revealing clothing. Likewise, they motivate as much as any other item... Before skinny jeans there was a lot more skin tight tee's and tops, and now there's a tendency to oversized ones. Fashion is cyclical, and it can never make everybody happy at the same time.

I don't think so, at least no more than any other type of body con clothing that requires you to be in shape. I think it's just a matter of picking the trend that works for you. Not everyone can wear every trend that comes by. I think people need to keep fashion in perspective.

I agree with Advah and sourcherry. right on, ladies!

I don't really think either of the two.
Like the commenters above, I think that people need to realize that not every trend is for them, and to dress your body type means sometimes you have to moderate trends to make them wearable. No matter how much exercise you do, skinny jeans are a lot about the body type, so it won't really matter. If you have a "muffin top", it's not because you're "fat", you just need to go up a size in your waist. Fit the biggest part of you first and if the rest bothers you/doesn't work, get it altered or try a different fit/style.

I agree that there are other types of clothing that don't look good on everyone. And yes, we don't all have to wear what is trendy. The problem is, it seems like skinny jeans are all people wear these days and feel like a freak for not looking good in them. It also seems that all (reasonably priced) clothing today is made to create the big-over-small silhouette. Not good for us pear-shaped gals.

I completely agree that not every trend is for every body type. If you don't like the way they look on you, find something you do like.

However, I do see how not liking your appearance in a product called "skinny" jeans could bring up issues for some people. I am sure the name was to avoid calling them by their 80's moniker ("tapered" jeans...still sends shivers down my spine). But I can see how some girls would think, "These are skinny jeans. They are for skinny people. I don't like my legs in them. Ergo, I am not skinny." I don't think that is healthy or logical, but I see it.

they're just jeans. They neither inspire or motivate me, nor do they bring up any negative feelings either.

Like spandex, skinny jeans are a privilege, not a right.

A few people look good in them, but for those of us that don't, we should try a style that works with our body types and are flattering. For some of us, starvation and constant exercise will still never put us in those jeans! lol

No, I don't think so, even though I don't have the body type for skinny jeans. I have an hourglass figure, so for me, boot cut jeans are the way to go. Skinny jeans are so unflattering on me.

However, I don't feel bad about my body. It's like wearing the right colors for one's natural coloring. Some colors work, some don't. There's nothing wrong with one's self.

I'm much more inclined to wear straight leg jeans because I have big hips and skinnies make me look off-balance. For those of you who want to achieve the look of skinny jeans but can't, go for the straight legs, they look so similar and flattering.

whatever. i wear skinny jeans even though i'm not skinny at all. my BMI is 25.

I agree with the posters that said that not every trend works on every body. You should dress your body according to what most flatters your shape, not according to the fashion mags. I can't really wear the skinny jeans either because they make my thighs look like sausages on sticks. Boot cut styles always look better on me because they balance things out more.

Also, "skinny jeans" is such a misnomer. They aren't jeans you wear when you're skinny; they're jeans with very slim legs. I think they used to be called cigarette jeans or something like that in the past.

I have very skinny legs, so skinny jeans are perfect for me. But a year ago i was obese and then i couldn't waer skinny jeans but it didn't affect me. like spectra said you should dress according to what most flatters you.

Not at all, in fact I think skinny jeans have made it a bit easier for heavier people to stay trendy. With the skinny jeans came the tunics and short dresses worn as tops. For most people, their knee to their foot is not the biggest problem area, so you put on a cute tunic, some skinny jeans (than can make you feel super skinny when only the bottom narrow part is showing and ur covering the butt) and a cute cropped jacket and you are good to go.

I hated the 90s fashion with the belly shirts and jeans down to the crotch. This style is a lot more friendly to fuller figures.

Neither - Just because something is trendy doesn't mean you should wear it. Some things look better on thin women, some things look better on curvy women. I'm very fit and also very curvaceous, you would never catch me wearing skinny jeans, I would look silly. Seeing women in skinny jeans doesn't affect me in any way. There are things that I can wear that they can't and it so happens that skinny jeans are more flattering on very slim women than they are on me. Oh well. Moving along

I absoulutely luuuuv skinnies and leggings. I luuve the way they look on me. I think everyone has to find the style they look best in feel most comfortable. I think anybody can rock skinnies if you pair it with the right things, even guys.

skinny jeans make me feel too thin because my legs are already skinny so I look a little underweight but if I get straight leg jeans they aren't so tight and still have the straight fashion look so I am confident in those

I love my skinny jeans and my leggings - completely embraced this trend,mostly because they make me feel comfortable and cute without trying too hard(think pair of fun leggings,cute boots and over-sized boyfriend's shirt:)I don't think about them as motivational or bad for my body image...mostly just comfortable,something that works for me.When talking about cloths being bad for your body image-why pick on skinny jeans?Short skirts,tops,open dresses,swimsuits...and list goes on. I think it all depends on each of us individually. Everyone dresses the way it works for them,while trying to avoid cloths that does not

I love my skinny jeans and tights, and it just happens to fit me well. I don't think they are bad for my body image, but each trend/style of clothing is not always suitable for everyone.
I don't wear a certain clothing (it's a top and I forget what's the name of the style) because it looked like I'm pregnant if I were to wear it

I think they're bad for fashion. Ugly!

I think you need to know what types of jeans flatter your body- if skinny jeans dont look the best on you, then don't force it-- it doesnt mean you are fat, just simply that other types of jeans look better on your particular body. accept yourself

I don't like the choices on this one...as in they are either motivational to the wearer/owner or they encourage bad eating habits?! Of course those who own them love them and think they are motivational! This is stupid...if you can wear skinny jeans then sure they make you feel good and motivated to work out.

The other obvious half is that the women who cannot wear them and feel horrible about the trend are then encouraged to eat badly because of this....................................What a crock of bull honky!!!!!!!

So this is a no option in this poll...you are either skinny and motivated or fat and all of this makes you tend tword "unhealthy eating. "

BS!!!!!!!!!! What a horrible way to look at this, and on a health site that should help people no less...

That's what I was thinking, zeze. The wording of the article suggests that skinny styles only work for skinny people, but I think akinnies or leggings and a good tunic can look great on curvy figures. The key to any trend is figuring out how to make it work for your body.

i like them , but i still prefer leggings

I think skinny jeans look ridiculous. Even on skinny people. So whatever.

I don't think they're attractive... looks like an 80s throwback.

They make me look like an ice cream cone. LOL

I love my skinny jeans. Plus they are a great indicator to tell if I need to work more on my thighs or do more core conditioning.

I hate the look, I don't see them being bad for someone else's self image but they're horrible for me having to see people in them. They look good on very skinny people but most of time they're still awkward looking. Leggings, ew, please stop those.

I have to say I love them.
Is that sienna miller in the picture?

The skinny jeans/leggings trend has no effect of body image whatsoever. As Spectra pointed out, "skinny" just means that the jeans are fitted below the knee, as opposed to being flared or boot cut - it doesn't mean that only "skinny" people can wear them. Besides, the worse thing a bigger person can do is throw on too-big baggy clothing, because that's not flattering at all.

I'm not even big and I look horrible in skinny jeans. My legs just aren't the right shape for them. I wouldn't say they're necessarily horrible for my body image, but they are frustrating. Often times when I go shopping they're ALL I can find, especially if I'm looking for colors other then blue. Why can't black jeans come in bootcut?!

I'm a curvy girl, but skinny jeans actually work on me. It's about body type, sure, but personal style and confidence can pull off something if you want to make it work. I'd actually say the body conscious nature of skinny jeans is good for my body image. Just because I'm not rail thin doesn't mean I should hide my figure in layers of clothing.

I don't see this fashion trend as promoting certain eating habits one way or the other. Personally, I don't wear skinny jeans or leggings because I'm not comfortable in them regardless of how my body looks or what the fashion trend may be. Even when I was barely eating and super skinny in college, my body still had the same general shape that it has now that I'm healthier, it was just a more narrow version of the same shape. I wouldn't have wanted to wear leggings or skinny jeans then either. I'd rather dress to fit my body rather than try to contort my body to fit a fashion trend because even these fashion trends will pass.

With boot season here, skinny jeans have been on my mind. Unfortunately, I know my body and my issues with finding jeans in general, so I haven't even tried any on. It may be damaging to my body image to see myself in ill-fitting skinny jeans, so for now I'm avoiding them.

I think they're a great indicator about whether I'm staying on track health and fitness-wise. And when I slip them on to go out, and I look good, then I feel good.

I hate how skinny jeans look on me - I'm a pretty thin pear shape and skinny jeans make my thighs look like sausage links. I don't mind though since I'm not a fan of the trend (i'm not big on anything 80's related) and I think very few people look good in them. I personally relegate skinny jeans to the emo teenage boys since in my area that's who I tend to see wearing them.

Leggings however - I'm addicted. They're so comfy! Throw on a loose flowy dress and belt and it's a work appropriate outfit that feels like pj's. What's not to love about that? You look chic while being comfortable. And I think everyone looks great in leggings, no matter what shape they are - just throw on a top or dress that works for your body type.

Like all fashion trends, some can wear 'em, some can't. No need for drama either way.

I think skinny jeans look weird/bad on pretty much any body type, even skinny ones.

I don't like that people find skinny jeans motivational for fitness. If my goal were to be to fit into skinny jeans, I would be a lot less healthy than I am now. I have muscle in my ass and legs and although I am small, I don't fit into skinny jeans. I know I am fit and I like having muscle though so I would never feel bad about myself for not being able to fit into a fashion trend. I agree with the comments above that not all styles are for everyone and you have to find what works for you. Sienna Miller may look good in her jeans that I will never fit into but I could probably kick her butt in any athletic competition;)

i dont find the renamed "skinny" jeans to be a trend at all. they were around in the 80s and back then people laughed at and shunned boot cut, i feel the same now. i find boot cuts to be so baggy, droopy and unflattering to everyone. but...i was a teen i t he 80s so i am biased. i think ANYONE can wear tapered leg jeans. but i think that it may be hard to find then cut in bigger sizes, its just a matter of time before they are cut to flatter all shapes and sized. i think people should wear what they like and who cares what anyone thinks about what you look like. especially if paired with a longer top. i mean if they fit correct, they shouldnt be unflattering! agree about comments about this poll, it shouldnt be about being motivated to look good to impress other people, your body should be about being healthy, and feeling good about yourself, whatever that may be. i also find the renaming of them "skinny" by the fashion industry to be very disclusionary. what fat person is going to want to wear "skinny" jeans. poor choice of word, imo!

I have only just found a skinny style that fits me well - Banana Republic's skinny black jeans and corduroys are amazing! Skinnier than straight leg, but a little roomier than skinny skinnies. I like them a lot! I'm a size 10, on the upper end of a healthy BMI and I do not have particularly skinny legs. However, I find that having a more fitted bottom does me more favors than trying to pull off slouchier bottoms. They offset slouchier tops better, too. It takes some work to find skinnies that will work with one's body type, and most people cannot pull off the skintight jeans that Sienna Miller is wearing at the top of the post, but I don't think that means much.

Just as with a lot of trends, I believe that "skinny jeans" will be looked back at a few years from now with laughter. They look horrible on everyone.

Same with Crocs.

I'm not in the best shape (like size 10-ish) but I do all right for an extremely busy college student who's awkward stage lasted... oh my whole life. I still really enjoy the skinny jean and leggings fad. Years from now my kids will laugh their butts off at it but for now i enjoy the confidence boost. If anything, even when i think my butt and thighs are on the large side, my boyfriend enjoys the skinny jeans look. There is a way for almost anyone to enjoy this style in my opinion.

I think they are just plain ugly -- unless worn by a thin elementary school child.

I'm a muscular & curvy size 14 and I wear skinny jeans with confidence every day. (Note: They're jeans, Levi's, not spandex-that-looks-like-jeans. I think that makes a tremendous difference.)

Weird thing is if I put on my old bootcuts, I look dumpy.

i am a size zero with short, very thin legs. skinny jeans make me feel taller while highlighting my tiny legs.