A Stylist's Guide to Modern Denim - What Kind of Jeans are in Style?
Keeping up with what’s “in” or “out” when it comes to denim feels like it could be a full-time job these days… The Denim Gods like to keep us on our toes. Questions about jeans are probably my most frequent inquiry with my private styling clients and my IG and FB fam.
Before diving into this blog post, I wanted to let you know about a giveaway running now through May 31st. I am giving one winner a free, one-hour virtual styling session! All you have to do is enter your name and email address through the link below. The winner will be chosen on June 1st! Learn more and enter to win here.
The BIG Denim Questions
Can I still wear skinnies? What rise is the best? Low? Medium? High? What wash is best: dark, light, gray? Holes? Am I too old to wear holes? What’s the right length? Where should my jeans hit? The ankle or longer? Wide or slim? And then the shoe? What shoes am I supposed to wear? Ughhhhh! For real, the list goes on and on.
Skinny Jeans:
Skinny jeans are not out. They’re a classic now. So if you love them, wear them. However, if you’re buying new jeans, consider “diversifying” your denim portfolio. Changing up silhouettes and proportions is what keeps a wardrobe versatile.
Rise:
Find the rise that’s right for you… This is a very personal thing. And there are a gazillion options available right now. Generally speaking, if you are short-waisted (like there is not a lot of room between your bust and your waist), opt for a mid-rise - think 9-10 inch. The waistband should ideally hit right around your belly button. Just below or above is completely your preference.
Wash:
Just as having various jean shapes is ideal, so is having differing washes. A lighter wash is great for summer. And I personally love a washed-out gray (sometimes called dirty black, don’t ask me why - I don’t know) paired with neutrals. Having denim with undertones (gray, white, or cream) allows the jeans to pair nicely with other colors.
Holes:
Ok, so holes in denim is probably a whole blog post on its own. But here is my truncated answer. If you have jeans with holes or distressing currently in your closet - absolutely, 100% wear them with confidence. I am. However, I am recommending to clients not to purchase new jeans with major holes. IMHO, that trend has hit its saturation point, so the time of “buying into the trend” has passed. There is still a good 3-5 years to wear it. But on a cost-per-wear basis, you missed the time for investing.
Length:
The new trend is going a little longer when it comes to length. Even to the point of puddling. But this is the VERY BEGINNING of the fashion that’s in favor. Showing ankles, rolling jeans, a kick crop - they’re all still in style. BUT, if you’re buying a new pair of denim, think a minute before chopping them short. Again, the goal is to have a varied, forward-thinking denim wardrobe.
Helpful Tips for Shopping for Jeans
These tips are especially helpful when shopping for jeans online.
Be prepared to order A LOT and then return most - you need to kiss a lot of frogs to find your prince
Find a brand that fits and then search for style (typically if a brand fits you, it means their fit model and you have similar proportions)
Filter by rise, length, wash and even stretch (that one is the most important to me)
Don’t get hung up on the length; that is one of the easiest things to alter or fix yourself with scissors
Real Women’s Favorite Jeans (A Reader Roundup)
I posed the question in my private FB group (All Dressed Up With Somewhere to Go). I received a ton of answers about people's favorite denim brands, styles, and washes. I love this group for so many reasons - it’s supportive, kind, non-judgmental, and honest too! And best of all, it’s real people, with real bodies, living real lives that are making the suggestions. So, it’s not a 23-year-old, 5’8” 105 lb Insta darling telling you about her favorite jeans. It’s suggestions from people like you and me.
I linked all of the brands /styles mentioned - just click the pink words, and you’ll be redirected.
“I only wear Wit and Wisdom! I have no idea if they are in style but once you try these sweatpants masquerading as jeans, it’s hard to wear anything else.”
“Changing it up from skinny jeans and wide leg jeans. Just purchased the slim boyfriend jean (on SALE!) and the classic straight jean from J Crew.”
“Citizens of Humanity, Emerson in shorter and longer straights, they’re a mid rise and different washes. Also DL 1961.”
“Frame le original” (NOTE - these are a rigid denim. Meaning no stretch)
“Everlane jeans are my new favorite!”
“I’ve been wearing the R13 boyfriend straight in Indigo and Morrison Black.”
“I love AG jeans the best, especially the Beau style and the ex-boyfriend jeans but lately have taken a real shine to Joe’s Jeans in Madaket wash.”
“My faded & distressed 7 for all mankind mid-rise skinny, Hudson mid rise straight or kick flare, Rag & Bone mid rise cream, washed black Good American (my highest rise at 10”) - skinny frayed hem…. Actually, all frayed hems because I’m just short and cut everything!”
“Gap mid rise vintage slim (distressed and non distressed washes) and Madewell Perfect Vintage. I also have a 90s Wild Fable pair from Target that I bought to try the silhouette and I love them (non distressed wash).”
Jean Try-On Session
Video Summary
IT’S A REALLY LONG VIDEO - ALMOST 15 MIN - LOTS OF GREAT TIPS. BUT IF YOU WANT THE CLIFF NOTES, SEE BELOW…
Hallie’s Current Loves:
Note: these are pairs that Hallie has had in her closet for several years, most are not available anymore.
Citizens of Humanity - this pair is super old, maybe 8-10 years
Gap - a great straight jean
AG - nice, lightweight with a little bit of distressing
Nili Lotan - I love them, but they are a statement jean
What Hallie’s looking for in new jeans:
A jean that is not a statement jean, so that you can sort of wear it with a bunch of different things and it becomes a blank canvas.
No distressing (maybe not even raw hem, although I would be open to that)
A mid to high rise
A medium wash, meaning it is light and you can see some color coming through. Darker washes can be difficult to pair with other things
Stretch! I don’t do discomfort anymore, so I like a little bit of stretch in my jeans (but not too much or it will look like you’re wearing a diaper!)
A little longer. I am still wearing shorter styles, I’m still wearing crops and ankle cut, but I like the options of having them a little longer.
Jean Try On:
Note: for reference, Hallie is 5’4”, approx 125-130 lbs. Usually wears size 26 jeans, but can range from 26-28. The links below are listed in order of appearance in the video.
Citizens of Humanity Lilah High Rise Bootcut
SIZE: 26 (TTS)
These are great. They hit right at my belly button and they have a bit of stretch.
AGOLDE Riley High Rise Straight
SIZE: 26 (TTS)
It has a bit of stretch (there are some other AGOLDEs that come with a very stiff denim). It’s high-waisted, hits above my belly button and is straight leg with a little bit of a kick crop at the bottom. I think this pair looks great with heels and with something tucked in. It would also look great with sneakers. I like that this wash has a bit of a gray tone to it.
Evereve Brand EVER Straight
SIZE: 26 (TTS)
This is a darker wash jean, but not too dark. They hit just at my belly button. It’s a slim straight ankle with a nice amount of stretch.
Kut from the Kloth High Rise Rachael
SIZE: 0 (runs on the bigger size - size down)
This brand is definitely a fan favorite and this pair does not disappoint! This is a newer style from them, a mid to high rise with a button fly. I am a fan of a button fly because they tend to be very elongating and narrowing. This pair has a bit of stretch and runs a little on the bigger size. For reference, I am wearing these in a zero.
Frame Le Slouch
SIZE: 26 (need to size down to 25)
These are a pair that actually, I felt prey to an ad on Instagram. I thought they had really good pocket placement. They're awesome. They're very comfortable. They have that slouch, but I need to order down like a size down.
Madewell Perfect Vintage Wide Leg
SIZE: 26 (TTS)
Madewell is traditionally one of my favorite places to shop for denim. This is a wider leg and I like it a lot, but what I do not love is that personally, they kinda flatten my tush. But I like them and I would definitely encourage you to try them, but they’re not for me.
J. Crew Slouchy Boyfriend
SIZE: 26 (TTS)
I like this pair because they are a little slouchy, but not too slouchy. I love that it has a totally light wash, but I think it comes in a few other washes if a lighter wash is not your thing. I really like how this looks with a block heel sandal. You can roll the bottom or keep them unrolled which sort of changes the look and gives you more options.
Mother Hustler Ankle Fray
SIZE: 26 (TTS)
I own them already in the step fray, meaning it's shorter in the front, longer in the back. They are great jeans, I wear them all winter. Nice rise, right at the belly button. A good amount of stretch. I think they have really nice pockets on Mother jeans. They make a mother's tushes look good! This pair looks nice with a heel and then you can easily roll it up for a sneaker.
Mother Mid Rise Dazzler
SIZE: 26 (TTS)
If you're not a high rise fan, these still have enough of a high rise that it is slimming in the waist. And if you are a diehard, skinny jean girl, this might be your answer because they're slim, they're almost skinny jeans, but they have a little kick at the bottom. I think it's like a gateway drug to get into the wider jeans.
Loft High Rise Straight Crop
SIZE: 26 (TTS)
This is a Loft pair, so it's very similar to the Mother jeans that I tried on, but a fraction of the cost. So again, it's a mid-rise, mid to high rise, straight leg with a little bit of a kid crop. Pretty good pockets, a bit of stretch. I believe these also come in petite, which some of those other brands do not, and that it really is a fraction of the cost.
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