Ask Angie and others: Boyfriend jeans - worth considering for me?

I have completely skipped even considering boyfriend jeans as an option due to my personal issues with shorter pants lengths, i.e. to me anything short just screams "I couldn't find the right size so I had to settle for *this*". Sort of why I avoided 3/4 lenght sleeves until a few years back, they too reminded me of too many blah purchases in the past that just had to do while being so obviously short.

Anyway, fast forward to present and I have been on a real hunt for a new pair of skinnies for a few months with no sign of success. I desperately need a new pair of jeans, but those can't be bootcuts because they can't be tucked in the boots and have soaking-friendly long hems when in PPL.

Obviously, shopping in ladies' section would leave me with identical tweeny sizes and I'm not going to put myself through that... so, should I simply go to men's department and look there for some ancestor of what we call boyfriend jeans?

If so, should I bear anything additional in mind (other than going to ladies' side of the store to the changing room ) in terms of the fit?

I can't believe I'm asking this openly, but after today's fiasco at a few stores I had high hopes from, I am getting a bit desperate...

Photo 1: Store 1 and the shelf that looked promising, with stuff neatly sorted by inseam length and style. Left empty handed.

Photo 2: Mr.O. combing through one of the the piles of jeans. No success.

13 years ago

Inge

(website)

Moderator

I would love to see you in a pair of boyfriend jeans, Ornella, you would so rock the look. Plus if you have a pair of calf-length boots you can tuck them in, just like skinnies, but the result would then be a slightly blouson-y effect, which I love!

Jeans shopping can be very frustrating and time-consuming, sorry to hear you had no luck today.

Also: instead of skinnies how about a pair of straight-legged jeans, I find them quite easy to tuck into boots as well.

cinnamon fern

Veteran

I have no suggestions about jeans, but I love Mr. O's red trousers!

You never know till you try. I'm considering trying men's jeans too, the next time I'm in buying mode. In my case, the fit problem is at the waist as long legs are obviously not my problem.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Thumbs up! OF COURSE you can wear BF jeans, Ornella. In fact. I can't wait to see you in them! And, what Inge, said.

Have you tried shopping in the mens dept for BF jeans? Try Gap Talls online too.

Loving Mr. O's look

sarah

Go for it!

Mr. O is the best.

Sveta

I endorse! They are very comfortable - more comfortable than skinnies to ride the bike.What inseam do you need - 36" or 38"? I know that Long Tall Sally has 38" inseams in jeans - have you tried them?

Transcona Shannon

I can hardly wait to see you rock your BF's Ornella - you will look amazing I'm sure!

Deborah

Ornella I think you would wear the look well. I would definitely give them a try.

Alecia

Another vote to see you in BFs. I think your classic with a twist look would be so fab with BF. Good luck with the shopping!

Ornella

Wow, thank you all for encouragement, by majority vote I will give BFs a chance...

@Inge, I like blouson-y effect on others, just never cnsidered it for myself. Janet had a thread about bootcuts recently and it made me think of just how much I like sleek silhouette at the bottom.
I have, btw, tried straight-legged jeans although I am not happiest with what they look like on me. But, my problem is not just style, it is simply the size, or precisely - the length. This is the main reason I'm considering shopping man's jeans. More choice - hopefully!

@cinnamon fern, sarah, thanks. The red jeans Mr.O. is wearing are a perfect example of Angie's blog post to leave no retail stone unturned. After years of not finding red jean for him (he's quite tall too) even in places like London or Amsterdam, we have found these in an unassuming department store in a small German town. Mind boggles

@Angie, thanks for the tip. I have to check if Gap sells on-line here (I haven't seen brick and mortar store yet), but from remembering their lengths available in the UK shops they all stopped at 34". Making them at least 2" too short. I'm not in the market niche, I'm in the market crack!
As for Mr.O, we left no retail stone unturned...

@Sveta, I can get away with 36" inseam for some styles. Bt, I haven't seen anything I liked in LTS while I was at the shop a couple of months ago, I will revisit on-line though.

@Shannon, Deborah, Alecia, thank you... watch this space I guess

CocoLion

Long inseam jeans in a mens size is a great idea Ornella. Boyfriend jeans aren't supposed to fit like girl jeans. The extra fabric in the crotch, the looser leg fit, are precisely what this look is about. Size up and wear them slung lower on the hip with the crotch dropped lower. You will not even need as long an inseam that way.

I hear you on the length, Ornella. Have you ever tried this website:
http://searchbyinseam.com/Default.aspx

Not sure if you'll find many boyfriend jeans there, but you could always try sizing up in a straight fit style. There are mainly American brands there, but perhaps it's worth checking out which brands and styles come in the length you need and then see if you can find them anywhere near you (or order online if it really seems worth a shot).

@Denise, thank you for the quick tips on wearing BFs! I have not paid attention to styling tips at all, I just looked at WIWs and left it at that. I have so much catching up to do.

@Inge, this is precisely what I need!! Just yesterday I was telling Mr.O how such web site must exist somewhere :-))))
Search by inseam AND rise. Thank you, thank you!!!

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