Skinny jeans are such a staple, it’s impossible to remember a time when they weren’t front-of-wardrobe. From acid washes with distressed detailing to chic black cropped designs, there’s a pair of skinny jeans to suit every style. If you’re a skinny jeans lover, you may have come across the term skinny jeans syndrome and asked yourself (or the internet), can skinny jeans cause leg pain? Or, are skinny jeans dangerous? Below, we unpack everything you need to know about skinny jeans syndrome and its impact on your wardrobe.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
What Is Skinny Jeans Syndrome?
Symptoms Of Skinny Jeans Syndrome
A Case Study
Should You Avoid Skinny Jeans?
Find The Right Fit
What To Do If You Find Skinny Jeans Uncomfortable
Alternatives To Skinny Jeans For Women
Straight Leg Jeans
Mom Jeans
Boyfriend Jeans
Wide Leg Jeans
Alternatives To Skinny Jeans For Men
Slim Skinny Jeans
Slim Straight Jeans
Straight Jeans
What Is Skinny Jeans Syndrome?
Skinny jeans syndrome is also known as skinny pant syndrome or, in the scientific community, compartment syndrome. The condition can occur when constant pressure is applied to the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, which sits at the front of the thigh. This pressure can result in muscle and nerve swelling, and eventually, nerve injury as blood flow is cut off. Historically, this condition has typically been seen in people who wear military body armour, tight workman belts, or seat belts. However, in recent times cases have been observed in skinny-jean wearers.
Symptoms Of Skinny Jeans Syndrome
The main symptoms of skinny jeans syndrome are burning pain, numbness, or tingling across the outer thigh. Other symptoms may include increased sensitivity to heat on the thigh or worsening symptoms after activities that put a strain on the thighs.
A Case Study
In 2015, a 35-year-old Australian woman presented to hospital with leg numbness, swelling, and ankle weakness.
She told doctors she had been helping her family member move house, which involved prolonged periods of squatting in her pants of choice: skinny jeans. She noted that throughout the day, her jeans had felt increasingly uncomfortable and restrictive. Upon cutting off her jeans, doctors observed that the nerves in her legs had been injured and she was suffering from compartment syndrome.
Luckily, this woman’s case of compartment syndrome was mild. She was monitored in the hospital for a few days before returning home. In more severe cases, surgery may be required to relieve the pressure.
Should You Avoid Skinny Jeans?
So, what’s the verdict on skinny jeans? Should you rid your closet of the beloved silhouette forever? This is probably unnecessary, as experts agree this case is rare. Unless you’re planning any activities that put a particular strain on your thighs (squatting is a good example), then your skinny jeans are unlikely to cause compartment syndrome.
It may be a good idea to mix up your jeans collection regardless and swap between a few different styles during the week to give your legs some room to breathe. Experts also note it’s important that you stop wearing skinny jeans at the first point of any discomfort.
Find The Right Fit
If your jeans aren’t causing you any pain or discomfort, then you can continue enjoying your tried and true skinny jeans.
It’s important to select the right size when you’re shopping for jeans. Bad-fitting jeans or jeans that are too tight are never a good idea, and if you’re opting for a skinny style you’ll want to make sure you can still move comfortably in them. Visit our Fit Guide or read our article on ‘How Skinny Jeans Should Fit’ to find your perfect match.
Mavi Skinny Jeans are designed with supersoft denim that delivers superior structure and stretch, crafted with your comfort in mind. Discover styles that will enhance your everyday wardrobe, with everything from comfy black skinny jeans to classic distressed blue denim.
What To Do If You Find Skinny Jeans Uncomfortable
Tight jeans causing irritation? In this case, it’s time that you stop wearing them and opt for a style that will have you feeling as good as you look.
Now comes the fun part; exploring the variety of styles and cuts modern-day denim has to offer.
Alternatives To Skinny Jeans For Women
There are four key styles you can look to when finding an alternative to skinny jeans.
Straight Leg Jeans
If you want to stay close to the structured, streamlined skinny jeans look, straight leg jeans are the perfect alternative. It’s all there in the name; straight jeans are cut straight from the top to the bottom of the leg, meaning they don’t taper in at the knee.
There’s a spectrum of cuts when it comes to straight jeans, ranging from a slim-straight fit to a relaxed straight fit. Slim-straight jeans will fit a little more snug around the thigh area, which is ideal if you’re used to a sculpting skinny jeans silhouette. Relaxed straight jeans will leave a little more room around the leg while still delivering a structured look.
Mom Jeans
Making their mark in the 80s and 90s, mom jeans are a semi-relaxed cut. They sit on the body with some room around the thighs before tapering in slightly in the lower leg. So, mom jeans deliver effortless comfort while still giving you some shape. Mom jeans are usually cropped in length and sit higher on the waist too, creating a flattering silhouette.
Boyfriend jeans
If you want to experiment with a true relaxed shape, boyfriend jeans are for you. Boyfriend jeans are slouchy and cut to be slightly oversized, so they’re the perfect option for everyday wear. They can also be dressed up with ease; just add heels and a blazer. Much like straight jeans, boyfriend jeans exist on a spectrum. Some deliver a tighter cut, while others offer a baggy fit.
Wide Leg Jeans
It’s no mistake that wide leg jeans are trending. Delivering optimal comfort and a chic silhouette, wide leg jeans are a wardrobe essential. With this style, jeans become wider at the bottom and can be found in both cropped and full-length cuts. They are usually high-rise, a feature that helps to create some shape up top before the jeans widen out below the knee. Wide leg jeans with distressed detailing are perfect for casual weekends, while cropped or belted versions are great for a more elevated look.
Alternatives To Skinny Jeans For Men
For men looking to branch out from skinny jeans, the below styles are the way to go.
Slim Skinny Jeans
Slim skinny jeans are often slightly tapered, fitting slim through the hip, thigh, and legs. They are closest in fit to true skinny jeans. Slim skinny jeans won’t cling to the body as tightly as true skinny jeans, offering a bit more room while keeping things clean and structured.
Slim Straight Jeans
This design is slim through the top of the leg and straight from the knee down. They are usually slightly lower rise, sitting comfortably just above the hips. Slim straight jeans have a slightly more relaxed look than the slim skinny style, so are a great option for casual styling.
Straight Jeans
This style runs straight through from the thigh and down the leg, though some styles will taper slightly at the ankle. Straight jeans are generally mid-rise, sitting between the belly button and hips. Straight jeans offer a comfortable fit, making them the ideal style for everyday wear.
