Jeans and a Tweed Jacket

denim and tweed over 40

The tweed jacket is back…

And this time it looks relaxed and casual paired with my old pair of Levi’s. I actually have two pairs of jeans, but this is the pair I wear. When I wear jeans, that is. Which isn’t very often.

Anyway, I like my jeans straight-cut or boot-cut, narrow but not too tight. So, no skinny jeans… Let’s just say that skinny jeans were not designed with girls like me in mind (look up the dictionary definition of ‘thunder thighs’ if you need clarification…)

Still, every now and then I toy with the idea of buying some new jeans, but I usually change my mind after a few sweaty and uncomfortable moments in the fitting room.

You know what I’m talking about: when you’re trying to squeeze into something that was obviously not meant to contain your ample curves. And would require you to walk on stilts. I mean, roll-ups are fine, but there’s only so much you can roll up… And even if you somehow manage to get the damned garment pushed past your thighs, the waistline is gaping so much you could carry your grocery shopping there…

So, looking at yourself in the mirror, trying to make some sense out of the whole situation, you come to the oddly logical conclusion that somehow you’ve ended up in a parallel universe: you know, the one inhabited by anorexic giraffes… except for you, of course: the last of the almost extinct, oddly shaped breed of Hobbits…

40+ blogger

Such an experience can be soul-destroying and confidence-sapping, and can potentially lead to negative body image. So, it is understandable that I’m not too keen to put myself through that particular ordeal.

For now, I’ve decided to reconsider new jeans only if and when skinny jeans finally disappear from the face of the earth and / or designers finally acknowledge that some women have -gasp- hips that are significantly wider than their waists…

You may consider this rant the unavoidable side effect of  fitting room anxiety…

statement necklace

I am wearing:

Jeans: Levi’s Bold Curve (old) / top: Sand/ 

tweed jacket: Andiata (seen before HERE , HERE and HERE) / 

 necklace: Fenwick / bag and sunglasses: Chanel

Do you find it difficult to find jeans that flatter your body type?

Tiina
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Linking up with: 

Sydney Fashion HunterThe Pleated PoppyGet Your Pretty OnHappiness at Mid-Life
A Labour of LifeDoused in PinkCurly Crafty MomFashion Should Be FunRachel the Hat,
Not Dead Yet Style

36 Comments

  1. Tine Jensen
    29 April 2015 / 2:41 pm

    This sounds just like me ( I've never heard that expression "thunder thighs"). Only you look so much better than me in jeans! These days I don't even have any jeans, I've given up. Your tweed jacket is lovely with this outfit, and the white top underneath gives the outfit a nice, crisp spring feel 🙂

    • Tiina L
      30 April 2015 / 9:47 am

      Thanks, Tine. Yes, jeans… the source of so much agony… But sometimes, as with this jacket, I really want to wear them. But I'm finding them less and less comfortable the older I get.

  2. Marea Dotz
    29 April 2015 / 3:23 pm

    I think you look very chic, Tiina, but I get it. I am in desperate need of a new swim suit, but am dreading the ordeal. My strategy is taking dark sunglasses into the dressing room with me!

    • Judi Easley
      29 April 2015 / 4:08 pm

      Okay, now that I've stopped rolling on the floor laughing, I can type my response! I understood every word of your post intimately! I have come out of the closet! I, too, have thighs! But I live in jeans! And I have to wear them with flats due to a back injury. Thank heavens I didn't get rid of my old Lee bootcut blue jeans while I was working. I was also able to get several pair of Liz Claibourne straight leg jeans in colors. Leggings and jeans are my life these days. But my full-length mirror has conveniently developed a blind spot at thigh level. So, like you, I focus on the rest of the outfit. And yours looks great! Your jacket is back in style this spring and looks wonderful! And that necklace is gorgeous (has me drooling!). So slip on your celebrity sunglasses and take on the world! You look great!

    • Tiina L
      30 April 2015 / 9:59 am

      Oh, I wish my mirror had that blind spot, too! BTW, I always wear flats, can't walk in heels, they make my feet hurt and my back hurt, and then I get cranky… on my list of 'torture wear' heels rank number one, even before jeans…

    • Tiina L
      30 April 2015 / 10:00 am

      Thanks, Marea! Yes, swimwear… another nightmare. I had to get some for Christmas as I wanted to try the whirlpool in a hotel. I haven't had any type of swimwear for… maybe 25 years? Well, I don't sunbathe and can't swim, so…

  3. Suzanne Carillo
    29 April 2015 / 6:36 pm

    Weird…my comment just disappeared. Okay…will try this one more time.I hate shopping for jeans or pants. It is demoralizing. When I find a good pair I hang onto them for dear life. I think I've had my one favourite pair for 10 years now. bisousSuzanne

    • Tiina L
      30 April 2015 / 9:50 am

      Oh yes! I hate shopping for jeans, or trousers… and when I do, I tend to bulk buy. But it always takes so long to find anything…

  4. Rosemond C
    29 April 2015 / 7:07 pm

    I agree! Shopping for jeans truly sucks! And that tweed jacket is adorable!!

    • Tiina L
      30 April 2015 / 9:51 am

      Thank you! I've had that jacket forever, it's actually a rather boxy cut, but I make it work by pairing it with something more fitted.

  5. Jill James
    29 April 2015 / 11:22 pm

    We must have been trying on the same jeans, you have just described my last jean encounter. About this time I gave up wearing jeans , why put yourself through this torture when there are other more flattering options available. I have also formed the same opinion as you on straight leg jeans, they really only suit the perfect body, neither too big or indeed too slim. Wear what you feel suits you I say.

    • Tiina L
      30 April 2015 / 9:53 am

      Hmmm, it seems there are LOTS OF women trying to find jeans that fit… You'd think there's a smart business idea there, for an enterprising designer…

  6. Doused In Pink
    30 April 2015 / 10:48 am

    A great fitting pair of jeans is so hard to find! This pair fits you perfectly! I love the fringe detail on your tweed jacket and that necklace is fabulous!JillDoused In Pink

    • Tiina L
      30 April 2015 / 2:49 pm

      Thanks, Jill. Trust me, I hang on this pair of jeans as if it was the last one on earth…

  7. josep-maria badia
    30 April 2015 / 3:36 pm

    I love the jacket, it's beautiful. The necklace is cute.

    • Tiina L
      1 May 2015 / 11:13 am

      Thanks, Josep-Maria!

  8. Carrie
    30 April 2015 / 11:37 pm

    That fringe detail on your jacket is great and all of these comments are a riot 🙂 I have a ton of jeans, but only one or two are my absolute faves. It really is hard to find the perfect pair and I feel they just get better as you wear them in!

    • Tiina L
      1 May 2015 / 11:14 am

      Thanks! Yes, the jacket has certainly been a long-time favourite, and so have the jeans…

  9. Natalia Lialina
    1 May 2015 / 12:30 am

    I love this necklace, so unusual. And the jacket is beautiful and timeless, of course! I usually buy my jeans in a couple of companies that I find fit me well. And I find that skinny jeans actually very much compliment curves… that's what they do exactly – emphasize curves. But I understand that they are not everyone's cup of tea. I find that I'm not especially interested in jeans lately – it's just so much more fun to wear skirts and dresses.

    • Tiina L
      1 May 2015 / 11:17 am

      Thanks, Natalia. I guess my problem with skinny jeans is that I prefer a bit dressier look, on myself (I like them well enough on others…), so the classic bootcut jeans and a fitted top is the holy grail for me. But as it's so difficult to find comfy jeans, I have started finding other options, dresses and skirts, mainly. That isn't so bad.

  10. Dawn Lucy
    1 May 2015 / 2:25 pm

    Your singing my tune, Tiina! Wide hips, generous thighs, and a small waist. I'm so happy for the return of boot-cuts! Cute look and adore that tweed jacket. Thanks for linking up and have a fab weekend! OXOXDawn Lucyhttp://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com

    • Tiina L
      3 May 2015 / 7:18 pm

      Oh, I would love to have a good pair of boot-cuts! Maybe I need to endure a bit more of that fitting room anxiety…

  11. Jessica Jannenga
    1 May 2015 / 8:42 pm

    Love the tweed and the jeans on you! The necklace is superb! No, don't have a problem fitting into jeans, I like low rise ones, but dont find them as comfortable as dresses.Enjoy your weekendjess xxwww.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

    • Tiina L
      3 May 2015 / 7:19 pm

      Thanks, Jessica! I guess I've always been more of a dress girl, dresses sort of skim over curves so easily…

  12. Natasha xoxo
    2 May 2015 / 4:31 pm

    Cute tweed blazer!xo, tashatwenty-something blog

    • Tiina L
      3 May 2015 / 7:19 pm

      Thanks, Natasha!

  13. Mrs C
    3 May 2015 / 3:12 pm

    Yay! Finally! And you look great in them too! Perfect cut and nothing can beat a pair of Levi's! I share your pain.. thunder thigh. But I refuse to go quietly without trying the skinnies. So I sized up until the thighs fit in. Then I alter the waist and the length. Lucky there are shops here that do the in-house alteration for free and they are good at it too! Anyway, I think you should wear jeans more whatever the style is 🙂

    • Tiina L
      3 May 2015 / 7:24 pm

      Thanks! Yes, having the jeans altered is an option… but it seems an awful lot of work, and can get expensive where I live. Levi's has a style of jeans called Bold Curve, with a smaller waist, that's what I'm wearing here. If only I could get that in boot-cut…

  14. Patti
    3 May 2015 / 9:17 pm

    Great rant, Tiina! There are actually very few anorexic giraffes but you wouldn't know it from the shops. Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday, xo.

    • Tiina L
      5 May 2015 / 8:31 am

      Thanks, Patti.

  15. S. Thomas
    3 May 2015 / 11:17 pm

    An elegant Channel look going here, very nice!

    • Tiina L
      5 May 2015 / 8:32 am

      Thank you so much.

  16. Glenda
    4 May 2015 / 12:59 am

    I would imagine that Coco Chanel would wear her denims with her tweed jackets on her relaxed days. You can't go wrong with these classic pieces 🙂

    • Tiina L
      5 May 2015 / 8:33 am

      Thanks, Glenda. I love the look of jeans with a tweed jacket, it's one of my all time favourite styles.

  17. Alice Warren
    4 May 2015 / 5:12 am

    Jeans shopping is one of my least favorite things to do. You are looking so chic pairing your jeans with the tweed jacket!Alicewww.happinessatmidlife.comHope to see you Thursday for TBT Fashion link up.

    • Tiina L
      5 May 2015 / 8:34 am

      Really?!? You actually go shopping for jeans… voluntarily?? Can I tag along, please? Maybe you could teach me a trick or two.

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