I was recently asked to share my thoughts ‘all about jeans.’ When it comes to having good jeans (punny! I know!), I really think it’s about variety. If you look in your closet right now, do you have lots of jeans in the same color wash? or similar leg style? If yes, then your outfits will start to look the same even if you’re always wearing a different pair of jeans. Here are some specific strategies for knowing when to wear which style.
everyday light wash
Having a few pair of updated, current jeans for everyday running errands or casual lunch is important. Choose something shorter in length (so you don’t have to wear heels but can if you want to) and make sure you have both a variety of washes (colors) and leg shapes. Having a ‘bell curve’ of choices makes sense—one super skinny, a bunch with a straight leg and one fuller leg is a great ratio. More expensive is not necessarily better although typically you pay for what you get in terms of fabrication and style details. If you wear jeans often, then investing a bit of money into a few good pairs is a smart idea. And don’t forget that many of these styles are available in Tall and Petite sizes. Mother has started to offer Petites (!!) and is selling out so quickly. Add your name to the waitlist.
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INTERESTING DESIGN ELEMENTS
Casual dinner or elevated lunch jeans are important, too. Choose styles with interesting design elements for these occasions as well as dark denim straight leg silhouettes. Try on a variety of shoes/boots with these jeans to see what works best on you. More on that below.
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Going out jeans
And then you want some Going Out jeans for evenings, cocktails, dinners, parties and shows. These are typically longer in length so you can wear a heel and often (but not always) a darker wash. Again, try these on with ankle boots, heeled sandals and pumps. Keep leg silhouettes in mind here, too. A great skinny jean with pumps + blazer is a sophisticated evening look and so is a flared jean with Western boots and a pretty blouse.
in summary: variety IS The Spice of life!
Remember the key to a successful and stylish denim wardrobe is variety in colors (washes) and leg styles (silhouettes) and then taking some time in your own closet to decide which shoe works with which jean. Click here for more on that.