At the beginning of the fall, I quit skinny jeans cold turkey, packed them all up and put them away in the basement. Given that I used to wear ankle-cut dark wash skinnies practically everyday, this was a big change for me. The last months have been a bit of an adventure in denim. Posts from Jenn and Irina on successes and failures are really resonating with me! I'm still looking for the perfect pair -- and when I find it I will be sure to get multiples! -- but for the time being I seem to be able to get dressed and feel like I'm living in 2021 (for a few more days!) even if I haven't found my HEWI: a high-rise, wide-leg, dark wash jean with a finished hem and a touch of stretch that hits just at the ankle! In the meantime, I can report from the trenches:
1) Banana Republic High-Rise Wide-Leg Cropped Jean (28): These are a nice weight and a darker mid-tone, but are a bit boxy and gap at the waist. I may get them taken in. A good length that I can still wear with shorter ankle boots (and knee socks).
2) KUT High Waist Culotte Jeans (8): Similar the BR jeans above, but stretchier, more distressed, and shorter in the waist. I probably should have gone down a size. As it is, these read very casual. They may be better suited to warmer weather.
3) Oliver Logan Aberdeen Wide Leg Crop (28): These are a great dark wash and I can live with the unfinished hem, but I should have sized down: they sit too low on my waist and look much slouchier than on the model. I don't want to throw good money after bad, but I am thinking of trying these in the smaller size.
4) Levi's Ribcage High Waist Ankle Straight Jeans (29): I adore these jeans and love wearing them with button downs fully tucked in. Nice and high, heavy and tight in the right way, but sadly they are not blue and so not a versatile for me. Fingers crossed they pop up in a dark wash blue sometime in the new year!
As you can see, sizing is all over the map. I need to follow Irina's advice and be careful about sizing up in jeans: just because the legs are more voluminous than the old style does not mean the waist and hips shouldn't be snug too. Thanks for reading!
