Fab Find: Gap High-Rise Stride Wide-Leg Jeans

Gap’s High-Rise Stride Wide-Leg Jeans have been an unexpected success for me, a dear friend, and some of my clients. Despite their description, they aren’t too high rise, and fit neatly on the waist anywhere on the spectrum from a straight to curvier fit. Pass if you prefer a wider width waist. They glide very fluidly over the legs without overwhelming the wearer.

High Rise Stride Wide Leg Jeans

They come in full lengths and ankle lengths, across petite, tall, and regular sizing, across a few washes, and black too. They hold their shape after laundry and do not bag out at all. Super comfy, on-trend, fab quality, versatile, and flattering. They are thicker than Summer-weight jeans, with 1% stretch.

Our friend who visited for Christmas got them in a light wash, and I got them with the slanted tuxedo stripe side seam insets. We wore them a lot over the holidays and felt fab. We are a similar height — around 5ft 6 — making them full length on us in a regular length when wearing low-heeled boots or chunky sneakers. Mine have a raw and distressed unfinished hem, while my friend’s version has a neatly sewn jeans hem. Bonus, we got them at a discounted price.

I haven’t worn Gap jeans in many years. I’m reminded to leave no retail stone unturned. If something looks potentially fabulous in a store where you haven’t shopped for ages, try it. You might be pleasantly surprised.

The Magical Finishing Touch of Accessories

The right accessories will complete a look and take it from nice to fabulous. Jewellery, scarves, belts, eyewear, watches, hats, and handbags can all add interest and pull the outfit together. They are also easier to fit than clothes and footwear.

Amp Up With Accessories

They can be large, chunky and bold, or small, refined and subtle. Sport many accessories at once for a maximal look. For a minimal style, less is more. Keep the things flattering by making sure that you shine as much as the accessories do.

Don’t give up on accessories too quickly. Give yourself time to get used to wearing the ones that tickle your fancy. At first, they might feel fussy or jarring, but after a while they will integrate seamlessly into your style. Once they do, remember to wear them.

Team Short or Team Long Puffer

You are on Team Short Puffer if you prefer wearing shorter puffers to longer puffers, and vice versa. A shorter puffer is no longer than hip length. A longer puffer covers the seat and thighs, and sometimes a fair amount of the lower leg. 

I much prefer wearing short puffer jackets as opposed to longer versions. I find them more comfortable, practical and versatile. Easy to pack and wear. They are well suited to my climate too. I have two short puffers that are in high rotation, and I feel fabulous in them. They fit wonderfully well, look a little cheeky, and the colours make me very happy.

I have a very old long and lightweight thermaball puffer that I used to wear to and from yoga practice. I haven’t worn it in years. I keep it just in case it’s useful for similar sporty settings. The other old long navy puffer is reserved for very cold snowy and icy weather, and consequently doesn’t come out much in Seattle. Only a few times a year. I bat for Team Short Puffer.

Interestingly, I bat for Team Short Puffer Jacket, but Team Long Wool Coat.

Over to you. Do you bat for Team Short or Team Long Puffer? Tell us why, and no batting for both teams. If you can’t pick a side, I’m serving vegetarian skillet pizza with white chocolate praline truffles for dessert.

Roundups

Simpler Items

This week's list of top picks list is about basic pieces.

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Assorted Items

Items for Summer, both in and out of air conditioning.

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Casual Summer Vibes

This week's top picks are good for a casual Summer vibe.

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Summery Earth Tones

These items are for those who like to wear casual earth tones in warm and hot weather.

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Hints of Spring

Some tried-and-tested winning items to refresh your style for Spring.

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Dressier Items

An assortment of dressier top picks might be just what the doctor ordered.

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Minimize Hair Static With Dryer Sheets

If, like me, you find that dry indoor heat causes you to have static hair in the colder months, you might find this tip from my hair stylist helpful. She suggested I generously rub a dryer sheet all over my hair when it’s static. I tried that with Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Dryer Sheets, and it worked. It greatly minimized static hair all day.

My beanies can give me hectic static hair. So I keep a dryer sheet inside each beanie when storing them. I remove the sheet when I wear the beanie, and pop it back inside when I place them back in the drawer. This has helped quite a bit too.

Also, if an item of clothing is being particularly static, as in it crackles when I put it on or take it off, I rub a dryer sheet over the surface of the garment. It’s more successful than I expected. Has anyone else tried this trick? Maybe you have other ways of preventing static hair.

Outfit Formula: Minimally and Neutrally Coated

Some of my clients are really enjoying the minimal late ‘90s trend for daily Winter dressing. It’s simple, subtle, unadorned, generally neutral, mostly solid, practical, and easy. The vibe is more about pants and jeans than skirts and dresses. Wearing black from head to toe is not uncommon, and false plains act as solids. Some looks are dressier than others. 

Below are four more renditions in an assortment of neutrals. Note how beautifully each palette works with the colour of the model’s hair. Accessories like belts, bags, scarves, hats, and jewellery are not shown, and can be added for the next layer of fabness if that’s more your cup of tea. The blacks and greys can be substituted with navies and blues, if you don’t wear black.

1. Greys and Black

This tailored and polished minimal look is a fab palette on the black-haired model. The black shoes and pants match the model’s hair. The light grey sweater creates a punchy contrast against the model’s skin. Its texture and ombré pattern add outfit interest too. The dark grey coat at this long and elegant length amps up the tailored and dressy component of the outfit. I see a black bag complete the outfit. Or a silver one that adds some shine.

Greys and Black

2. Earth Tones and Denim

The tan sweater and toffee camel coat are a fab match with the model’s hair. The mismatched cognac booties complement these earth tones. The dark blue skinnies amp up the classic look of the outfit, and cool the warmth of the earth tones. Again, I love the length of knee-length and knee-covering coats. Graceful to my eye, and extra warm on the legs. An earth-toned or navy bag is a lovely subtle addition. Personally, I’d add an unsubtle bright red bag to the mix. Maybe you’d prefer a burgundy one.

Earth Tones and Denim

2. Chocolate and Denim

Chocolate brown is having an on-trend fashion moment, and was sorely missed by Team Brown. It’s a very versatile neutral, and well worth stocking up on if it’s your thing. It might disappear for a decade like it did the last time. Don’t let it get away! Here, dark blue jeans are paired with a creamy white chocolate turtleneck. The lot is topped with a dark brown puffer that matches the model’s hair. Black cowboy boots work well with the dark colours of the outfit. I’d have preferred to see dark brown boots. That would look fresher with the chocolate puffer, to my eye. Black boots are fab too, though.

Chocolate and Denim

4. Black, Cream and Red

Last, red is not a neutral, yet black, red, and tones of white is one of the most classic colour combinations of all. Black jeans are paired with a patterned blouse in the classic palette. A cream complement of boxy coat and big sneakers adds a layer of practical warmth. The red beanie adds a punchy finishing touch. The creams in the outfit are effective with the platinum blonde hair of the model. I see a cream bag and pearl earrings.

Black Cream and Red