These Are the "Skinny Jeans" for Generation Y

Ask any girl aged around the 30 mark how she feels about skinny jeans and she'll likely note that while drainpipes still have a place, it's a straight-cut silhouette that's the most relied-upon denim style in her wardrobe these days. But we're not talking about just any old straight cut—by this time in a one's life, one can get a bit picky when on the quest for flattering denim to wear day in and day out. So these "alt skinnies" will need to skim the ankles rather than bunch at them, and a higher waist is preferable for maximum muffin-top avoidance.

And when we say straight-cut, we also don't mean full-on '80s mom denim—rather, we're talking slim jeans that glide (not tightly hug) legs. One such holy-grail offering is M.i.h's Mimi style—and unsurprisingly, demand for them is reportedly doubling from A/W 17 into S/S 18. Based on a classic five-pocket vintage style (only tweaked and altered to sit more comfortably), the most popular wash is a retro-inspired light blue called Shan, but you'll now find this silhouette in various colourways and finishes to fulfil consumer needs.

mih-mimi-jeans-241125-1509966673587-image

(Image credit: @hildasandstrom)

Recently M.i.h asked 26 cool women to be involved in its Denim A–Z campaign (each letter and woman represents the different values and qualities the brand stands for—"B" is for Bum, while "S" is for Sisterhood, for example), and the majority of the ladies involved chose to wear the Mimi, also opting in for the custom-order embroidery you can request at the moment.

mih-mimi-jeans-241125-1509966675556-image

(Image credit: @annabelrosendahl)

With unique styling ideas and the option of customisation, there's a body of proof to show that you can own the exact same jeans as your neighbour and still be unique. Norwegian buyer and stylist Annabel Rosendahl (pictured here) played up to the classic white tee + jeans formula, while Swedish editor Hilda Sandström (pictured first) took her look a step further with a patent jacket from By Malene Birger. Australian stylist Chloe Hill (pictured below in her customised Mimis) chose pink embroidery on the hems of her Mimis, pairing them with gold Dorateymur boots. Should you be stuck for customisation ideas, you can buy the styles these girls have already cooked up.

mih-mimi-jeans-241125-1509966677130-image

(Image credit: @chloechill)

shop mimi jeans from m.i.h jeans

Hannah Almassi
Editor in Chief

Hannah Almassi is the Editor in Chief of Who What Wear UK. Hannah has been part of the the Who What Wear brand since 2015, when she was headhunted to launch the UK sister site and social channels, implement a localised content strategy and build out the editorial team. She joined following a seven-year tenure at Grazia magazine, where she led front-of-book news, fashion features and shopping specials as fashion news and features editor. With experience in both print and digital across fashion and beauty, Hannah has over 16 years in the field as a journalist, editor, content strategist and brand consultant. Hannah has interviewed industry heavyweights such as designers including Marc Jacobs and Jonathan Anderson through to arbiters of taste including Katie Grand and Anna Dello Russo. A skilled moderator and lecturer specialising in the shift to digital media and e-commerce, Hannah’s opinion and work has been sought by the likes of CNBC, BBC, The Sunday Times Style, The Times, The Telegraph and MatchesFashion.com, among many others. Hannah is often called upon for her take on trends, becoming known as a person with their finger of the pulse of what’s happening in the fashion space for stylish Brits. Hannah currently resides in Eastbourne with her photographer husband, incredibly busy son and highly Instagrammable cat.