Skinny Jeans: The
Inclusion and Exclusion of Groups
Skinny Jeans. The name itself
brings up positive and negative connotations that appeal to some while
excluding others. Originating in the 50s, skinny jeans were synonymous with
youth, rebelliousness, and sex appeal (Hayashida, 2006). Today the tapered legs
and form-fitting cut is found in major retail clothing stores, fashion
magazines, and college campuses.
Often
paired with a loose top and casual pumps or form-fitting blazer and stiletto
heels, skinny jeans appeal to a young and thin female population. Soon after
the birth of her daughter, Gisele Bundchen, Brazilian supermodel and goodwill
ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), reclaimed her
slender appearance by debuted her post-baby body in a pair of white skinny
jeans (Gisele Bundchen, 2013). Noticing the appeal and attention given to
skinny jeans, Stephanie Haddad (2012), a freelance writer for Yahoo, wrote an
article giving women suggestions and tips for finding the right pair of skinny
jeans. As its name implies, skinny jeans are often marketed for a slender and
fashion forward population.
Do not kid yourself into thinking
that skinny jeans are only for women. Its trendy looks and sex appeal has
attracted the likings of men, such as major music icons Lil Wayne and Justin
Bieber (Cocozza, 2013). During a 2012 survey of 2,000 British men, 50% of the
men surveyed reported experiencing discomfort while wearing skinny jeans
(Rattue, 2012); however, 40% of the men also reported they “would rather look
stylish than be comfortable” (Rattue, 2012). For many men, the desire to follow
the latest trends trumps discomfort.
Often associated with rock stars,
skaters, and fashion models, skinny jeans connotes a sense of youth, fitness,
sexiness, and beauty. During the 2012 MTV Music Video Awards (MVA), One
Directions, an all boy popular British music group, stylishly strutted down the
red carpet in skinny jeans (Hobza, 2012). They were not an exception. One year
prior, Lil Wayne, a renowned hip-hop recording artist, sported a pair of
cheetah print during his MVA performance (Twana, 2011). Its narrow shape and
numerous colors draw the attention of a young fashion forward crowd willing to
experiment with the latest fashion styles.
However, skinny jeans are not for
everyone. In “Staying Young with Skinny Jeans,” columnist Teri Agins (2013)
advises only older women with a “youthful attitude” to wear skinny jeans.
According to Agins (2013), baby boomers interested in skinny jeans should
follow fashion tips from How Not to Look Old by Charla Krupp and wear jean variations with a higher waist or bright
colors. By doing so, Angis (2013) claims older women can “shave years off”
their appearance. The attraction as implied by Agins (2013) is for older women
to appear younger and fit. Agins (2013) also makes a point by letting her
readers know that only older women with a youthful personality should attempt
to wear skinny jeans. The
exclusion doesn’t stop here. For year, Alice Dogruyol, author of “Big Girl in a
Skinny World,” searched for a pair of jeans. Frustrated and often discouraged,
Dogruyol swore off jeans until finding a pair of high-waisted stretch jeans
(Dogruyol, 2010). As illustrated by Dogruyol, skinny jeans are marketed for
skinny people. Only through adjustments and variations are older and plus size
women able to comfortably wear skinny jeans. The jovial and slender appearance
associated with skinny jeans excludes many.
Though designed for a slender and
young population, skinny jeans provide clothing retail companies lucrative
benefits. In 2006, Guess Inc., a clothing retail store, doubled its profit from
a year earlier (Semuels, 2006). Its monetary gain, in part, came from the lucrative
sales of skinny jeans (Semeuls, 2006). Similarly, on October 2012, Market Watch
reported a sale increase of 40% by the makers of Calvin Klein jeans (Cheng,
2012). Skinny jeans with its slender looks draw the attention of many and
benefit the sale profit of popular clothing retail stores.
How long will skinny jeans stay in
style? This is a difficult question to answer. However, one can deduce that the
style will continue to thrive as long as it continues to bring lucrative gains
for clothing retail companies and provide fashion forward individuals with
stylish looks and notoriety.
References:
Agins, T. (2013,
January 30). Staying young with skinny jeans. The Wall Street Journal, Retrieved from
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323375204578272302496548998.html
Cheng, C. (2012,
October 21). Home depot, lowe's jump on sandy boost. Market Pulse, Retrieved from
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/home-depot-lowes-jump-on-sandy-boost-2012-10-31
Cocozza, P.
(2013, January 09). Skinny jeans: The fashion trend that refuses to die. The
Guardian, Retrieved from
http://www.guardian.co.uk/fashion/2013/jan/09/skinny-jeans-fashion-trend-refuses-to-die
Dogruyol, A.
(2010, March 08). Big girl in a skinny world: Forget muffin tops. on me, we're
talking a volcanic eruption read more. Mail Online, Retrieved from
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1256182/Big-girl-skinny-world-Can-big-women-wear-skinny-jeans.html
Gisele Bundchen
Debuts Post-baby Body in Skinny White Jeans Holding Daughter Vivian. (2013, February
08). U.S.Weekly, Retrieved from http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-body/news/gisele-debuts-skinny-post-baby-body-holding-daughter-vivian-2-months-pictures-201382
Haddad, S. (2012,
August 19). The skinny on skinny jeans: Can you wear them? Yahoo! Voices, Retrieved from
http://voices.yahoo.com/the-skinny-skinny-jeans-wear-them-11652572.html?cat=46
Hayashida, L.
(2006, November 08). The skinny jean: A brief history. Ezine Article, Retrieved from
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Skinny-Jean:-A-Brief-History&id=351854
Hobza, K. (2012,
September 07). And the dude on the moon goes to… She Knows Entertainment, Retrieved from
http://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/articles/970715/mtvs-2012-vmas-the-awards-you-didnt-see
Rattue, G. (2012,
July 14). Skinny jeans cause health problems for men. Medical News Today, Retrieved from
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/247826.php
Semuels, A.
(2006, November 02). Guess inc.'s profit doubles in 3rd quarter; its shares
soar. Los Angeles Times, Retrieved from
http://articles.latimes.com/2006/nov/02/business/fi-guess2
Twana, T. (2011,
August 29). In blankstare news: Lil Wayne in his cheetah print skinny jeans @
2011 MTV Video Music Awards. Twana
tells da truth and nothing but da truth so help me blog, Retrieved from http://twanatells.com/2011/08/29/in-blankstare-news-lil-wayne-in-his-cheetah-print-skinny-jeans-2011-mtv-video-music-awards/
Twana, T. (2011,
August 29). In blankstare news: Lil Wayne in his cheetah print skinny jeans @
2011 MTV Video Music Awards. Twana
tells da truth and nothing but da truth so help me blog, Retrieved from http://twanatells.com/2011/08/29/in-blankstare-news-lil-wayne-in-his-cheetah-print-skinny-jeans-2011-mtv-video-music-awards/
