Getting skinny with slim jeans

Walking down the street, you can't help but notice that the legs of women's jeans are looking more like cigarettes than cigars these days. What once seemed to be a novelty for Linsday Lohan and other Hollywood starlets has become a full blown pandemic.

Women of all shapes and sizes have traded in their standard bootleg jeans for skinny jeans, something reminiscent of a ''Flashdance'' silhouette. And I'm here to say that's a good thing.

Now, I know what you're thinking: This is a style dreamt up by fashion Nazis, the ones who think Kate Moss could stand to drop a few pounds. But skinnies aren't just for skinny people. You can find them in mass-marketed retail outlets like Old Navy or Target, and you can make them work.
All the fashion staples for this season are made to be exaggerated -- oversized shoulder bags, Jackie O sunglasses and blousy tunics. Skinnies exaggerate the curves of the body, giving women who weigh more than 100 pounds an opportunity to flaunt what they've got. What they've got and don't want -- that fits nicely under the tunic.

The skinnies mark the return of something great: a bohemian look that emphasizes personal style. The skinny is a welcome relief from the boring WASP fashion of late '90s. Gone are the mid-length Lacoste shirts and Lilly Pulitzer dresses -- welcome the skinny.

HOW TO WEAR THEM: Pick a long shirt or oversized sweater that will cover your widest parts. Cinch it with a belt. You can wear it to a club, the grocery store or around town.

TOO SHORT? Tuck the legs into a pair of knee-high boots, or pair with stilettos to create an elongating effect. The boot can help balance your wider hips and thighs.

CHOOSING A STYLE: If you feel self-conscious because of your curves, opt for a darker jean with more stretch. The elasticity will help slim any bulging areas.

WORK IT: As with anything you wear, confidence is key to looking great.