How do I up my denim game? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

How do I up my denim game?

Anonymous

Always with the sports analogies...

I wear denim all the time: for work, for casual , and for 'going out'...but despite having about 500 pair of jeans, I haven't changed the look in years. I stick to my uniform of GAP or JBrand skinnies, or Kut/Pilcro cropped flares and I'm getting sick of myself.

I know what I *don't* want : full length jeans (bootcut or straights) but beyond that, I don't see much out there that is grabbing my attention . Anthropologie is full of jeans that have the contents of my Grade 7 sewing box on them, Gap is full of their same old thing, and Aritizia is full of premium denim in sizes 00, 0 and 2, lol. Plus, is it just me, or is trying on denim right up there with trying on a swimsuit? I never know what size I am .

Premium denim is pretty pricey in Canada, and not easy to find locally....which means ordering online....and no free returns. Too risky.

What silhouettes should I be considering to bring myself in to the new millennium? Where do find a straight-legged, dark rinse, but lived-in and cropped pair of jeans (I have a pic of Alexa Chung in the perfect pair of unknown jeans saved in pinterest ) ? What is flattering to an aging body with a less-than-fab midsection but who refuses to go classic?

Dressing

50 replies

Latest reply was from

kkards

Veteran

lisa, i've had the same thoughts...for me, i've gone high waisted (which i know you really don't like) and button front. the button front feel new and current...

Treasure&Bond Look Fit Skinny Ankle Jeans

View Info

Top Pick

3

AG Isabelle High Waist Ankle Jeans

View Info

Top Pick

4

Sandro Sete Straight-Leg Jeans in White

View Info

Top Pick

3

Bijou

Veteran

I can really only sympathise with you on this one. It can be hard finding good denim and for those of us outside the US and with weaker currencies very expensive purchasing it online. I never buy denim online unless it is a replacement purchase or a brand that I know well. Is there the possibility of customising your own denim? If you bought full length jeans and cut them to the length you like. Janet was thinking about painting a stripe down the outside seam of her jeans.

DonnaF

Veteran

Is all your denim blue? How about colors, patterns, or both? Or uncut corduroy? I, personally, am mostly *off* blue denim jeans because I associate them with being more casual than I generally want to dress so I hacked off several pairs to give a raw hem look since I wasn't wearing them much anyway so had nothing to lose.

I have no brands to suggest because I think we probably have different figure/fit challenges. I will say that trying on the wrong size in a particular make and model can be demoralizing, and the right size can make all the difference in the world. I just tried on a pair of NYDJ in my regular size in that brand, and I had enough muffin to feed a kindergarten class. Ugh! I ordered a size up, and boy was it flattering. But due to its fabric flaws, I had to re-order. Maybe I should have re-ordered two to hedge my bets.

I haven't tried on a swimsuit in maybe 35 years and have no plans to do so in the near or distant future. Jeans are a sufficient challenge. For me, trousers are even worse because I have a pancake flat behind and one leg is shorter than the other so my hips aren't level.

NYDJ Ami Stretch Skinny Jeans

$114.00 $103.96

Sale

View Info

Top Pick

0

KUT from the Kloth Reese Release Hem Floral Straight Leg Jeans

View Info

Top Pick

16

Citizens of Humanity Elsa Mid-Rise Slim Jeans

View Info

Top Pick

5

NYDJ 'Samantha' Colored Stretch Slim Straight Leg Jeans (Regular & Petite)

Sale

View Info

Top Pick

24

Two by Vince Camuto Splatter Print Skinny Jeans (Rich Black)

Sale

View Info

Top Pick

6

NYDJ 'Sheri' Stretch Slim Leg Jeans (Kensington) (Regular & Petite)

Sale

View Info

Top Pick

1

Anonymous

kkards - i really like both pair of the dark button-fronts, but you're right: high-rise doesn't work on my body, and my lower ab area is not fit for human view (too poochy) and I always cover it. Those are both so great though. Envious !

donna - I have a few pair of NYDJ too and don't mind them - but nothing is different about them in terms of silhouette (just more of the same skinnies ) . I shy away from textured or patterned bottoms because in my small little mind, it's adding visual weight. Plus, I really do like blue denim and most of my wardrobe is built around it. I have some black and some white, but that's as coloured as I get.

bijou - yes, I can certainly customize length; I made that sound like more of an issue. I don't like full length jeans - or any pants for that matter, as they really don't work in winter weather.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

My suggestion is two fold:

1. Wait for Feb - new season inspiration. Things don't look fresh at the moment. Try to hold tight.

2. Wear trousers and dresses more frequently. Personally and FWIW, I set this goal for myself, and it only came right in the second half of the year after finding more suitable dresses and trousers WITH the right footwear to match.

deb

Veteran

I am going to watch this thread. I also want something different. Thank goodness the higher waist works better on me. Thanks Angie, for chiming in.

Sal

Veteran

I am pretty conservative with my denim - I only have blue straight, skinny and flared. Here are some ideas:

- coated denim (I think this is now classic)
- grey denim
- culottes??

I do think if you prefer to hide your middle then slim legs are easier to wear than wide legs, although I could see you in the right pair of culottes with a slightly boxy top and a long line jacket/coat. It is a case of getting the proportions spot on though isn't it but in a non contrasting colour it can be done.

How about a midi A line denim skirt with tall boots? Or is that not warm enough? And I know denim skirts can go so wrong very easily.....but they can be so right too??

cjh

(website)

Veteran

Angie, more infrequently? Not sure I understand?

kerlyn

Veteran

Weirdly, I've been really into straight leg jeans recently. After years of skinnies (and I still wear them and love them), I'm also really loving a slightly slouchy, straight leg jean worn a bit low on the hip. Of course, I'm also really liking a lighter or medium wash and a bit of distressing (probably not what you're after right now). I'm wearing these straight legs like a boyfriend jean, with a small cuff. Around the house with slippers or sneakers, and with a chunky knit sock and lug sole boots for going out of the house. It feels fresh and new to me because I've never been a fan of straight legs before. I also almost always do a semi-tuck or front tuck of my top with this style, so lightweight sweaters have been a good bet. The whole vibe feels a bit tomboy or even a little rock and roll. I'm really enjoying the change. From what you've stated above, this might be the exact opposite of what you're looking for. But like I said, it sort of came out of the blue for me. But it's been a fun change. Maybe something to consider?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

We're fighting a looooong and hard battle in our winters. Skinnies or cropped (with the right high shaft footwear) work best in the climate. No question.

Denim is my fallback, my love, my place of ease. Jeans are a pain in the butt (literally!) in the dressing room but such a slam dunk once in rotation -- assuming I love the fit.

Because I consider denim an essential, I treat it like that --(i.e. pretty basic) -- but also take advantage of denim trends when they work for me. (If they don't work for me, or there just aren't enough changes, I look for other ways to update the look!) I find the premium brand/ cuts that overall work for me, and stop trying on too many others. For me (so far) this equals Citizens (in a variety of rises/ cuts) and Rag and Bone Dres. I have dark cropped Dres and a lighter wash slim BF denim (more like a only slightly relaxed skinny on me these days...); dark high rise slim CoH, medium wash mid-rise skinnies, and white slim crops. These are the core. Boring, yeah, but. They work.

I tend to diversify with cheaper brands. In the closet now: BR frayed flare crops. Kut dark plaid skinnies. J. Crew Rayner culotte. Etc.

I have experimented with rises. The high rise that worked so well when I was young no longer feels quite as good -- it tends to work better for me in trousers (with some drape) than in denim. Lower rise can work better than I expected, but overall, I still prefer a (fairly middle of the road) mid-rise for my proportions and my comfort. So be it. Lesson learned. I can wear some of the higher rise styles, and will wear them while they remain current, but I won't be super sad to see them go.

For more variety this year, I am turning to non-denim but still casual or super comfortable pants in ponte or stretchy fabrics. Just bought two pair of side zip trousers, and also have two pair of Halogen crops to play with.

Citizens of Humanity Cara Ankle Cigarette Jeans

View Info

Top Pick

16

Rayner trouser jean in dark wash

View Info

Top Pick

14

Chelsea28 Denim Culottes (Blue Mode Medium Vintage)

Sale

View Info

Top Pick

21

Rag & Bone JEAN 'The Dre' Slim Boyfriend Pants

Sale

View Info

Top Pick

25

Citizens of Humanity Elsa Mid-Rise Slim Jeans

View Info

Top Pick

5

Banana Republic

Resin Wash Crop Flare

View Info

Top Pick

24

Citizens of Humanity 'Arielle' Mid Rise Skinny Jeans (Ocean) (Nordstrom Exclusive)

$208.00 $124.80

Sale

View Info

Top Pick

5

KUT from the Kloth Women's Mia Toothpick Skinny Jean

View Info

Top Pick

11

The Dre Skinny Boyfriend Jeans

Sale

View Info

Top Pick

16

Go To Trouser 2.0

View Info

Top Pick

5

Banana Republic

Sloan Skinny-Fit Tartan Plaid Side-Zip Pant

View Info

Top Pick

15

Pleated cropped wide-leg pant in glen plaid

View Info

Top Pick

17

Halogen Kick Flare Knit Ankle Pants

View Info

Top Pick

9

Halogen Kick Flare Knit Ankle Pants

View Info

Top Pick

23

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Post your picture of the perfect pair here, so people can tell what you’re looking for. Reading through your post, it seems to me you’ve ruled out everything except Daisy Dukes. Even with all your jacket-less errand running, I don’t think you’re hardy enough for those in Canadian winter.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sorry, cjh. Meant frequently. Changed typo.

Column

Veteran

Lisa: How about shopping your closet for denim under dresses, wearing them like leggings with booties or low contrast tall boots? Maybe you need new coordinates (like tunic dresses) instead of jeans? 'Tis the season to layer blazers, jackets, vests and sweaters for variety. I know I'm not telling you anything new here.

As for new denim, I am im love with Hudson's Nico line. I buy two sizes up (31) for a streamlined but not tight fit.. The denim is soft and stretchy without stretching out. But I don't think there are new silhouettes.

Anonymous

Just for a point of reference: I find gap jeans too sausage casing for me. I recently tried Zara curvy fit and they were Not sausage casing and had a nice wash to them.
They were high-rise though.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I feel like there’s nothing really new in denim right now as far as silhouette. We’ve had lots of new styles emerge in the last decade — remember when skinnies were so new?? And then boyfriend jeans, crops, and now high waisted styles are coming back. It seems we have more choices than ever, but yet with that has come a level of awareness of trends that makes us think “are these current?” when we put on last years jeans. So I hear you.

Maybe I’m uncool but I keep making bootcuts and flares a part of my style because they’re so damn flattering and they dress “up” well when needed. I wear boyfriends around the house or on ultra casual days. Skinnies go everywhere. Straights take a little thought to style for me so they don’t look normcore on my middle-aged self, but they have a place too.

I do like the step-hem and raw-hem styles but that’s not really a new silhouette if that’s what you’re after. I think details like that are what are making certain denim look trendy.

I’m with you as far as putting most colors or patterns on my lower half (but you have great legs, so I don’t know why you’re worried!). So frankly, I mainly focus on making my shoes and tops or jackets the more interesting part of my outfit.

Sorry to not be more helpful. Mainly just sympathizing.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I'm wearing lots of denim, because I'm already more "dressy" than my colleaguesand jeans make me seem "practical." They are really being practical, as I lug instruments, and sit crosslegged playing drums and chasing guitar picks every day! Fall/Spring are all about classy and classic bootcuts -- dark wash, as long as I can wear them. Like Janet, I find them flattering and, while not fashion forward, a little more of a "work wardrobe" item. I also wear crop flares (I reason that I'm just tall enough to make them work) in the warmer months and slim, not super skinnies, with booties in winter. I'm searching now for a pair of grey jeans. I thought I found them tonight --- but they were too short (and not in a way that could be cropped). I'm also seeing a resurgence of Levis -- all over Chicago, when I visited, and the 30 something urban pioneers in downtown Indy.

Gigi

Veteran

I haven't read any of the responses above yet. How about metallic-coated denim? Or denim that has been coated to look like leather?

KUT from the Kloth Connie Ankle Zipper Jeans

View Info

Top Pick

3

Runcarla

Veteran

What Janet said about silhouettes. My go-to for jeans has been Marks Work Warehouse. I don't know about where you live, but my local place is a stand alone store that has floor to ceiling shelves of jeans and nice big change rooms. I'm a fan of their house brand Hanna High Rise (really a mid rise) but they carry other brands including Levis. MWWH seems to be the one place I can count on for high cotton (98% and 99%) jeans.

Style Fan

Veteran

Can you share the picture of Alexa Chung? I like her style a lot. I love my dark rinse straight legged Levis which I found at Marks Work Warehouse. Some Marks are better than others.

LaPed

Veteran

For jeans/pants, I tend to be in the camp of "wear what fits, adopt trends that are easy." So if a new silhouette isn't appealing, look at what kind of embellishment is going on -- raw/step hems, embroidery, tux-stripes, etc. The last denim I bought was from Boden, late last winter. I was (and am) pretty excited about tux stripes/racing stripes on jeans, and these fit better than any of the designer options I looked at. I also added cropped wide-legs over the summer, but none in denim.

I agree with Angie that there's nothing particularly new/flashy right now, and that that's probably seasonal. I also like the idea of wearing dresses and trousers more. Maybe put together a "denim-lite" capsule for the next month or two while you wait for jeans inspiration to strike?

Cavendish Girlfriend Jeans

View Info

Top Pick

9

Staysfit

Veteran

For fall I purchased a pair of Frame denim front slit jeans. I wasn’t sure how I would like them, but I LOVED them! I wore and washed them so many times I think they are ready for the bin! This purchase was definitely a wildcard because my denim collection consists of skinny and straight leg mid to high rise, mostly ankle length jeans. I am not a fan of cropped jeans.

FRAME Le Nouveau Split Hem Jeans

View Info

Top Pick

16

Joyce B

Veteran

I just saw these in Shopbop. They are too short for now but maybe just as a style thought for Spring. I would not buy at that price but maybe something in a similar style will come up at a better price point.

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Watching too with interest...I have some light tan jeans that I enjoy as a change of pace and the deep olive cargos have been a great addition. Otherwise I have various slim cuts in dark wash to lighter wash, a couple of cropped, several older but still loved boot cuts, and one very slim straight pair of light wash AGs that I've found to enjoy again recently. I used to have gray jeans but they were just too low cut and I had to pass them on.

gryffin

Veteran

Lisa - would you consider an alternate approach? What about changing how you style the jeans? I know you love belts but feel they are not flattering. Would you do an experiment for me? Belt the jeans. Take a fluid knit top, split hem works best, faux tuck behind the belt buckle, not in the jeans. Put on a great blazer. The faux tuck will camouflage an imperfect midsection while showcasing a great belt buckle. I still have that photo I need to send you and Janet I did not forget. I can photo the faux tuck/belt/blazer combo. Just behind

Agree w waxed jeans. Love EF waxed black denim. Or leather jeans if you want to splurge. Total up your game. Also always add blazer. Does anything else up style quotient more? Except belt. Plz just once....

gryffin

Veteran

Sorry one last suggestion. If you can get your hands on a pair of EF coax booties or similar. They are like men's flamenco boots. I can't articulate but these up the style quotient of every outfit and are extremely comfortable. There was a reason they used them in almost every photo for 2 yr. That's my 2 cents. Sorry if that's not where you wanted to go w it.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Anonymous

gryffin - I am afraid you are going to be right ...but I don't even own a belt. Crazy eh? But I am quite sure I'm now sized out of women's belts and haven't bothered to look at an alternative (men's sizing) since my body changed. . But interesting re: tucking into the buckle and not the jeans.......you might just get me trying belts again after all Leather jeans would be fantastic. I've never tried EF denim - must take a look.

You all are full of wonderful suggestions, as I knew you'd be, and Carla and Style Fan have given me the info I really was looking for but may not have articulated well: dark rinse , straight leg Levi's that I can hem to whatever length I want. And MWW is ubiquitous here - lots of big stores . I"ll be going in asap!

BethAnn, Janet - I'd likely try wear full length boot cuts or flares, but you can imagine how impractical that is with snow on the ground - we have a good 6 inches here now. I do like cropped flares better for that reason - plus I like seeing my boots

Janet, you wear them so well, and I know they are flattering on most bodies......I have a few pair in my stash - with tags still on - I feel so Ali McGraw in them - and I am SO not that , lol. Actually, the more I think about that cut, I think of a comment you (Janet) made on your shirts/blouses post that other day that hit me like a ton of bricks: when I was younger, those classic/dressier styles were sophisticated, but now I feel too frumpy in them and need a look with more edge. I'm paraphrasing you , but you were so insightful with that comment and it absolutely applies to me too.

I think what I'm really looking for are labels that are doing interesting things right now or are looking "new" and different. Staysfit - i love your Frames with the slit front. Gigi - love those Kuts, thank you!

Sally - good ideas, thanks - and it's interesting that denim culottes/wide legs were something that never showed up at retail here. Angie - I have to admit that I don't own much in the way of winter dresses or trousers . Denim is such a core part of my wardrobe and look that I tend not to buy much else for winter wear. I have a couple of pair of pants, but wear those for work , not on personal time.

LaP - LOVE tuxedo stripes on pants and jeans. Those are gorgeous ! Wish I had easier access to Boden - (shipping and costs are issues) .

Anonymous

Of course, now I can't find my Alexa Chung pic.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Thanks for trying to find it—and isn’t it just the way life goes that it disappears right when we ask you to post it!

Anyway, I’ll be dropping out of this post now since you have messaged me to “Please keep your stupid comments to yourself and not on my posts.” Can you tell me how to set it back to grey permanently? Thanks, and cheers!

Anonymous

Gryffin - I'm not a huge fan of that boot for myself - but admittedly have never tried it on . I'm not sure EF footwear is even available at b &m here . Off to check them out on-line.........thanks for the tip.

12