The Real Reason I Never Wear Pants

The last time I wore a pair of jeans, a co-worker greeted me with, “Oh, hey! You’re not wearing a dress today.” That was the moment I realized how rare it is for me to step out in anything other than a skirt. It’s not that I don’t own pants. In fact, I put them on regularly—but I never feel good enough to actually leave the house in them.

My body type is curvy and petite. I have a small waist, but my hips, butt and legs are on the thicker side. On top of that, I’m only five feet tall, so needless to say it feels impossible to find pants that work. The ones I own but rarely wear are high-waisted with a flared or wide leg, to accentuate my waistline without drawing too much attention to my thighs and to make me look taller (at least in my mind).

Skinny jeans to me are the equivalent of the bandage dress. They put my figure on display in a way that makes me uncomfortable.

If I had to describe my style, I’d say it’s feminine and timeless (and maybe a little predictable). For the most part, I don’t follow trends too closely—I know what works for me and I stick with it. Think: sheath and A-line dresses, all cinched at the waist.

Thus, every time I attempt to bring a pair of pants into the mix, the morning becomes a struggle. It’s not uncommon for me to change two or three times before I leave the house. (You wouldn’t believe how many times I've tried to make the off-duty jeans-and-white-tee formula work—I've still yet to master it.)

The handful of times I’ve worn skinny jeans, I've felt so anxious all day. I couldn’t wait to go home and change. I feel too exposed in them. Skinny jeans to me are the equivalent of the bandage dress. They put my figure on display in a way that makes me uncomfortable. I feel they don’t look cute and casual on me the way they do on other girls. I swear you can even see my cellulite through them. And these are the thoughts that run through my head all day when I'm wearing them.

In fact, I think I'll just get rid of them already. After all, I know what looks good and feels good on me. So why am I trying so hard? I know it's far more important to feel good than to fit in. Trends come and go, but only I know what makes me feel confident when I walk out the door. And that's the best accessory.