Should I Throw Out My Skinny Jeans? How to Decide

Keep your skinny jeans if you like how they look, feel comfortable in them, and reach for them regularly; a change in denim trends does not make a pair you enjoy wearing obsolete. If you are unsure, put them aside for a few weeks rather than discarding them immediately, then notice whether you miss them or keep choosing other jeans.

Check the product’s listed specifications when evaluating no, you don’t have to throw them out.

Try your skinny jeans on while sitting, walking, and bending: the waistband should stay comfortable, and the legs should let you move without persistent pulling or pinching. A pair that no longer fits your body or your preferences may be worth donating if it is in good condition, while jeans with substantial wear may be better suited to a textile recycling program where one is available.

Check the product’s listed specifications when evaluating let fit make the decision.

If you want more room through the leg, rotate your skinnies with a relaxed style instead of treating the choice as all or nothing; our Light Blue Casual High Waist Harem Jeans are one option to consider when you want to explore that different silhouette. Our guide to light-wash, high-waist harem jeans offers more ideas for thinking through fit and styling, so you can decide which shape works with the clothes you already own.

Our team suggests sorting your jeans into three groups: pairs you wear, pairs that need a simple repair, and pairs you are ready to pass along. Wash the keepers according to their care labels, avoid laundering them more often than needed, and repair a loose button or small seam issue before it becomes a reason to retire an otherwise useful pair.