Boyfriend jeans offer a roomy alternative to skinnies and jeggings, and are an extremely comfortable, ultra-relaxed denim option. The tomboy vibe they create is fun, modern and on-trend. There have been many, many questions about the fit and styling options of boyfriend jeans on our forum lately, so I thought I would outline the way I break down the decision of which pair to purchase and how to wear them. 

1. Find your Bagginess

The photos show an assortment of boyfriend jeans with varying degrees of bagginess. Some styles are slim fitting and are virtually cropped skinnies (the first two pairs). Others are roomier on the hips and thighs, but fitted on the waist, bottom and tummy. And some styles are unstructured and roomy enough for the crotch point to drop (the last 3 pairs). In fact, they slide right off, even when the button and zipper is fastened, and wearing a belt is the only way to keep them up. 

If figure flattery is your top priority and you prefer to wear tailored clothing, slim style, structured boyfriend jeans are best. If you really want to embrace the authentic boyfriend jeans trend and are happy to forego a little figure flattery, go super baggy. The good news is that there is also an option in-between that allows you to bat a bit for both teams. In this case the slightly all over baggy fit that is still structured is the way to go.

My own sweet spot is pretty baggy. I sized up on my Sexy Gap boyfriend jeans (which I call my “Husband Jeans”) in order to achieve the same baggy fit that’s on the model. The crotch point is dropped and they fall right off without a belt. They are roomy on the thigh, bottom and tummy area. The fabric bunches on the waistline when I add a hip slung belt. But this is how I want them to fit because it’s the look that I’m going for. A less baggy pair of boyfriend jeans was more figure flattering, but the baggier style stole my heart because they are fun to wear and look more “tomboy”. Remember that you sometimes forego a little conventional figure flattery in order to create an edgier look. 

2. Find your Waistline

Most boyfriend jeans have mid length rises. A fitted pair will keep the same position of the waistband with and without a belt and tucked top. But an extra baggy pair of boyfriend jeans, because you’re swimming in the style, allows you to manipulate the position of the waistline by wearing a belt. Wear the belt tight with a tucked top, and you’ll create a higher rise and more natural waistline. Wear the belt loose so that the crotch point of the jeans drops, and the waistline is low rise. 

Since my boyfriend jeans are baggy and loose, I only wear them with a belt and fully tucked top because it gives the look more structure and polish. This is by no means a rule, but it is the way the silhouette works best for my style. Semi tucking a top works particularly well for boyfriend jeans too. 

3. Find Your Length 

Sort out the length after finding your waistline because the position on your waist will affect the length on your leg. Roll up the hem to the length that you prefer. I like the variations around calf length that are shown below, some a little shorter and some a little longer. To my eye, they flatter the length of the leg line. I do not find the “just above the ankle” lengths flattering unless the hems are very tapered (as they are in the first pair in row 2 below). You might need to taper the hems of the jeans a little more to get the desired effect, and that’s an easy alteration. 

At 5 ft 6, I wear my boyfriend jeans rolled up five inches above my ankle bone, both with flats and low heels. They are too short to wear full length, but they’ll work with mid calf and taller ankle booties. 

4. Find Your Wash 

As with all denim, choose your degree of distress. Boyfriend jeans are typically quite faded and distressed, but darker washed are available too. 

Feel free to ask further questions in the comments section. Do you wear boyfriend jeans? If so, what’s your baggy sweet spot, and how do you like to style them? Or are boyfriend jeans not your thing.

Wong Kar-Wai’s poetic film, In the Mood for Love, set in 1962 Hong Kong tells the story of newspaper editor Chow Mo-wan (Tony Leung) and secretary Su Li-zhen (Maggie Cheung) who move into neighbouring apartments on the same day. Soon they discover their spouses are having an affair. Hurt and angry they find comfort in their growing friendship, but while trying to piece together the circumstances behind the affair, they realize they now need to come to terms with their own mutual attraction.

This movie with its outstanding acting, the poetic and melancholic story, compelling music and deep film noir colours is a must-see in my book. I could watch it over and over again just for actress Maggie Cheung’s movie wardrobe alone. During filming she wore a total of forty-six different cheongsams, the straight, body-hugging silk dress with a high neck and short sleeves worn traditionally by Chinese and Indonesian women. Not all of them made the final cut, but there were more than enough left to leave me breathless. This is my type of alluring! The cheongsams are exquisitely elegant, formfitting but very covered-up, with the slit skirt showing just a hint of leg, and the bare arms contrasting beautifully with the high collar.

I’ve seen this type of dress work outside the movies too. At my sister’s wedding, a friend of hers wore a stunning bright red version with a gold and green pattern. Brigitte is a tall lass with a blond pixie and a long neck, the dress fit her perfectly. She certainly stood out that night, but it didn’t feel contrived or out of place at all. It was without a doubt an unusual choice, and a very individual look that really appealed to me. We all agreed that she was one of the best dressed guests at the wedding.

Do you like cheongsams? And would you ever consider wearing one yourself for a party or a special occasion?

We’re talking about the crease lines that are deliberately pressed into the centre front and back of both men and women’s trousers as shown in the photos below. 

I have an irrational dislike for crease lines on my own trousers. I iron them out immediately when a new pair comes into my wardrobe. I also inform the cleaners, “no crease lines, please”. Strangely, I do like the creases on Greg’s trousers. I also don’t mind seeing these crease lines on the trousers of others. But when it comes to my own trousers, I definitely prefer the way they look sans the crease. I guess I feel more polished and streamlined that way. It’s illogical, but there you have it. I cannot make peace with this particular crease.  

I am a nay vote for me, but a yay vote on others. What’s your verdict? Do centre crease lines enhance the look of trousers, thereby adding vertical integrity and elongating the leg line. Or do they take away from them.

After the controversy over Chinese-produced Team USA uniforms, Ralph Lauren pledges that, beginning with the 2014 Olympics, the uniforms will be made in the United States. In the meantime, FLARE Magazine takes a look at some of the biggest designers in fashion who are dressing athletes for every moment of the Games. Jamaica wins gold for the most cheerful uniform, wouldn’t you agree?

Can wearing the right-coloured outfit make the difference between walking away empty-handed or with a medal? The Guardian did some research into the psychology of dressing for Olympic success.

From French tennis player René Lacoste to twelve time swim medalist Dara Torres, in honour of the 2012 Olympics, Lucky Magazine pays tribute to the hundred most fashionable sports stars of all time.

Fab Links from Our Members

Sarah found a fun board on Pinterest, where the pinner creates outfits based on Disney characters.

Apparently refreshing one’s hairstyle is overrated. Rae was highly amused by this tip on how to become a fashion icon.   

Angie is super excited about the “Miss Wu” collection that designer Jason Wu is creating for Nordstrom. The collection will be a few price points above Target, and Angie has high hopes that the fabrications will be luxurious. 

Laurinda recommends this Design Fix DIY to sew a hospital gown that is fashionable and more comfortable – and also a great way to introduce a newborn to colour and pattern.

Who says prom dresses have to cost a pretty penny. Gaylene thinks this 17-year old girl had a lot of fun making her own dress by using her math homework as the material. 

Shevia is smitten with the combination of lace, length and pointy-toed flat loafers in Giorgia’s outfit, and would love to find a similar pair of peds for herself. 

Last but not least, SuzyCue discovered this wonderful tutorial on fitting denim over at Grasping for Objectivity. Blogger Rachel used twelve volunteers with different body types to model the jeans!