Skinny Pants
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Skinny pants taper completely at the bottom of the leg, and they are usually made with some stretch in the fabric so the super-slim fit can be pulled on, in some styles with zippers at the ankle to help. This short guide is expanded below with the skinny-versus-slim distinction in full and the style's recent history, from its 2005 reintroduction for women to its adoption as the norm for men by 2009.
Skinny Pants
Skinny jeans taper completely at the bottom of the leg, whereas slim fit pants (drainpipe jeans) are skinny but then the lower leg is straight instead of tapering and so they are often slightly baggier at the bottom of the leg than skinny jeans. In some styles, zippers are needed at the bottom of the leg to facilitate pulling them over the feet. Stretch denim typically has a certain percentage of spandex, which may be used to allow the jeans to have a super-slim fit. Skinny jeans come in a variety of colors and styles.
Skinnies are important in the jean market but this style of pant is also made in other fabrics.
In 2005, fitted pants were reintroduced to the mainstream market for women. This new style of pants was called "skinny jeans". Initially, it was not well received by the public, though there were some early adapters. It would not be until 2006 that skinny jeans would gain more steam in the fashion world. Throughout 2007 skinny jeans received more mainstream exposure as fashion trends started moving toward a tighter leg. Men's skinny jeans were introduced in 2008 and became the norm by 2009.
Alternate terms include skinny jeans, skinnies, skinny pants.
This type of pant comes in many different fabrics, colors, and sizes. They are typically made with some sort of stretch to the fabric.
Learn the difference between skinny pants and slip fit pants.
If you enjoy learning about different pant styles, you may also have interest in learn about jeans, yoga pants, chinos, and khakis.
You can find slim fit pants from companies such as Levi's.
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Skinny, Slim and the Rest of the Fitted Family
Skinny is the extreme end of the fitted-trouser scale. The leg tapers all the way to the ankle with no break in the line, which is why stretch is close to a requirement rather than an option: a woven fabric with no give cannot follow a leg that closely and still let the wearer sit, bend and pull the garment on. That is also why ankle zippers appear on the tightest styles, opening the leg just enough to pass the foot. Slim fit stops one step short of skinny: the thigh and knee are close, but the lower leg runs straight, so the opening sits a little looser over the shoe.
The same fitted idea appears across fabrics. Denim built the style's reputation, and skinnies remain important in the jeans market, but the cut is also made in other fabrics and in a wide variety of colors, under alternate names including skinnies and skinny jeans. Shoppers deciding between skinny and slim are deciding how the last few inches of the leg behave: fully tapered and close at the ankle, or straight and slightly easier at the hem.
Common Questions
How do skinny pants differ from slim fit pants?
Skinny jeans taper completely at the bottom of the leg. Slim fit pants, or drainpipe jeans, are skinny through the leg but the lower leg is straight instead of tapering, so they are often slightly baggier at the bottom of the leg than skinny jeans. In some skinny styles, zippers are needed at the bottom of the leg to pull them over the feet.
Why do skinny pants contain stretch?
Stretch denim typically has a percentage of spandex, which allows the jeans to hold a super-slim fit while still moving with the wearer. Skinny pants in general are typically made with some sort of stretch to the fabric and come in many fabrics, colors and sizes.
When did skinny pants return to the mainstream?
Fitted pants were reintroduced to the mainstream market for women in 2005 as skinny jeans, gained more ground through 2006 and wider exposure in 2007 as trends moved toward a tighter leg. Men's skinny jeans were introduced in 2008 and became the norm by 2009.