Question for lovers of denim - YouLookFab Forum

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Question for lovers of denim

Aziraphale

Veteran

What's your ratio of denim that you own to the denim that is in regular rotation?

I was noticing the other day that I've got an awful lot of denim bottoms. Too many? I counted them up:

Skinny jeans: dark indigo, faded indigo, faded gray
Straight leg jeans: dark indigo, faded indigo
Bootcut jeans: faded indigo
Jeggings: dark indigo, black
Wide leg jeans: dark indigo, faded light blue
Cropped skinnies: dark indigo (ankle length), faded indigo (clamdigger)
Boyfriend jeans: faded indigo
Flared jeans: very faded indigo
Knee-length denim skirts: mid-blue stretch denim
short denim skirts: black, dark indigo, faded indigo with rips and frayed hem
jean shorts: faded indigo

That's 19 items. So I was wondering if maybe that was a little excessive. But then I realized that nearly all of those things are in regular rotation. I really do wear nearly all of it, season-dependent, except the flared jeans and the really light blue wide leg ones, which don't fit my style anymore. (Probably should pass them on). Well, and the jean mini with the frayed hem only gets worn in very, very casual settings, in the blazing sun. But still, that's 16 denim things that get worn regularly, and I don't want to get rid of any of them, because they're all different and they all fill a certain wardrobe hole.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it. How about you?

Dressing

34 replies

Latest reply was from Scarlet

Anonymous

I recently cut my denim collection in half. I realized that my style was a little more denim-centric than I wanted it to be (or needed it to be, now that the kids are teenagers). I was thinking that if I have less choices in the denim department, maybe I'll choose another option. Yesterday I went out with NO denim on, and I wasn't even going to work! (Black skinny pants, striped pullover, silk scarf and pleather jacket.) wonders never cease.

It sounds like you love and wear all of yours, so I don't see a problem with that. Rock on!

Thistle

Veteran

If you wear it, there is no problem in my book!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I used to have amounts like yours and now am like Claire, halving that number. I think the difference was I got rid of a lot of 'almost' fits. I now have:

blue straight TR
blue skinny Vince (on the snug side)
blue bootcut Miss Me
blue straight Levi (on the chopping block, back rise is too high)

white straight Miss Me
red skinny moto Ralph Lauren
black skinny J Brand
ikat skinny UO

olive skinny non cargo twills Jacob Connexion
wine skinny cords Free People
grey skinny cargo cords VS

The last set isn't technically denim, but I wear them as I would denim, as casual pants. Out of my blue jeans, two pair aren't ideal. So that's why I've been on my insane hunt for perfect slim boyfriend jeans. I actually do really need another pair of blue denim.
I'd say outside of work, I wear most of these pants pretty equally and regularly, with the exception of the TR Disco Billy's. In my head, they are still my 'good' jeans. I need to break them out more often or they'll become dated before they're worn out!

Diana

Veteran

Minus one pair of "aspirational" jeans (as in, I can button them but need to lose 10 pounds to wear them comfortably) I think I actually wear all my jeans except for one pair that I still need to hem. I got rid of all the orphans (which was mostly the denim skirts and the wide leg jeans that I never wore).

I have:
light blue Vince skinnies
grey CoH Avedon jeggings
Liberty Paige skinnies
Wit and Wisdom brocade print skinnies
dark blue Kut slim straights
slightly faded black Kut slim straights
black Red Engine straights
faded holey MEK slouchy straights
darkish blue Gap Sexy BFs
medium blue Lucky Sweet n Low bootcuts
dark blue Joe's Visionaire bootcuts (still need to hem)
dark blue Radcliffe crops
mustard Pilcro crops
almost dead light blue Gap slouchy straights (only worn for dirty work)
(not technically denim but I think of it as jeans) Joe's plaid flannel skinnies

plus the aforementioned aspirational jeans (Red Engine bootcuts)

I did this from memory, so I hope I didn't forget anything!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I have quite a few denim items but wear them all in their seasons. I pretty much cull anything I'm not wearing or that no longer works, denim or not.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

Just my personal opinion but that seems like an awful lot in similar color ways. Do you have any colored denim or do you just stick to more neutrals? I f you like them and wear them it's not a problem, for me it's not enough variety...

Kristin SF

Veteran

Hm, I'm sensing an addiction.

12 BF and straight leg jeans
13 bootcuts
16 skinnies - and 2 more on the way.

I love them all.

But....most days, I alternate between 2 pairs of BFs.

I think I might have to do a personal denim challenge. I am definitely guilty of NOT wearing my FAB things.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I have so many jeans I've lost count. But I do wear them every single day.

There's no shame if you wear your stuff.

Anonymous

I will not count repeats, meaning, I have 2 of the same pair of bootcuts for PPL in 2 and 3 inch heels.

Sadly, my brand choices are very few, since I need long lengths. Most premium denim is too short.

Black 7FAM roxanne skinnies
Dark Indigo 7 FAM skinnies
CoH Flares dark wash
AE skinnies in white
AE skinnies medium wash
AE skinnies dark wash
AE bootcuts Light wash
AE bootcut medium wash
AE bootcut dark wash - to wear with flat sandals in summer
Cobalt blue AE skinnies
Teal AE skinnies
Olive green Old Navy skinnies
Grey AE skinnies - on their way out
Denim trousers (GAP)
Oxblood skinnies (GAP)
GAP BF's

That is 17 pairs. I wear them all.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I'm like Denise. I have at least 20 pairs, but I wear jeans almost every day. There are a few I don't currently wear (one aspirational pair that requires a 5-10 lb drop to really be comfortable, plus some that are really reserved for cleaning, painting, taking photographs in junkyards, etc.), and there are some that are distinctive enough that I may only wear them a couple of times a month, but I do wear the heck out of my denim collection.

One thing, though, I did purge my denim skirts. For some reason they no longer appealed to me.

jayne

Veteran

we are just talking jeans right? well, for winter I have....

3 pairs identical blue jeans that get pretty regular wear (one pair is kept at BF house)
1 pair black jeans, used every week
1 pair waxed black denim, use every other week
1 pair waxed brown denim, pretty new from Xmas, only used 1-2 times

I am going to also add 1 pair black cords, also from Xmas, and I love them....they are soft and fit perfectly and have a a nice rich black. (Levi, demi curve!)

so I total at 7. But I can wear jeans to work every day. So I think it is a reasonable amt.

and for summer I have 2 faded/bleached pair that are a bit loose and blah, but I wear them anyway.

cinnamon fern

Veteran

I have:

1 pair each of skinnies, bootcuts, and boyfriend jeans
2 straight legs (one dark, one light)
2 clams (one faded, one white)

also a denim shirt, a cropped jean jacket, and a denim blazer with a belt

But I am currently in the market for a pair of white bootcuts and a pair of grey/black straightlegs.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm renewing my denim capsule this year

I have moved away from bootcuts and body con skinnies (jeggings), and am wearing straight legs, the odd pair of skinnies, BF cuts and my beloved jodhpurs. Granted, my straight legs function just like skinnies. So I passed on quite a few pairs including two pairs of white jeans that were shot.

I wear ALL my jeans, now that I have done the cull. Although I might pass on my coral jeans as I am over that trend.

I wear trousers as much as I wear jeans.

Anonymous

Angie, so how are you wearing your OTK and knee high boots, with skirts? Or are you only wearing booties?

Aziraphale

Veteran

Claire, Mo: I did cull my jean collection about a year ago, getting rid of everything that did not quite fit. I didn't quite cut my collection in half like you did, but there were quite a few pairs that were uncomfortable, so out they went. Now every single pair I own fits me well. And I don't have doubles of any one style. Because I live a relatively casual lifestyle, I can get away with having quite a few options. Besides, according to Angie, the rectangle body shape is made for jeans! How can I NOT have a pair of each style? It would be sacrilege.

Haha, Diana, "aspirational jeans". I know exactly what you mean. I've had a few pairs of those. Two babies can change the shape of your hips *just* enough to make things not fit right....

Suz, yes, that's the other thing. I don't wear the jean clamdiggers in the winter, or the shorts, or even the knee-length skirt. And I don't wear super-faded regular length jeans in the winter either. So if you spread things out over all four seasons, my number of jeans seems more reasonable.

TraceyLiz -- yes, you're right, I've got an awful lot of dark indigo especially. I've always been quite disinterested in colour in general -- not just with jeans, but with everything. I don't rely on colour to create variety in my wardrobe. I'm much more interested in quality materials, good fit, and interesting detailing. Jeans are often the anchor of an outfit, and you can't go wrong with a great-fitting pair of dark indigo jeans -- always classy, always tasteful. And I can look good in just about any cut, so I guess I get my variety there!

Nothing wrong with coloured jeans, of course, or colour in general. It's just not my thing. If you're a lover of colour, you'd choke if you saw the contents of my closet -- we're talking navy, black, all shades of gray, white, a bit of other neutrals mostly. Oh, but I do rely heavily on bright red footwear. I've got two pairs of red shoes and a pair of booties, and a bright red chain belt.

Janet -- why did your denim skirt stop appealing to you? Was it the cut? Mine are not in fact jean skirts -- they all have a back zip and no back pockets. But they are denim, so I count them in my "denim bottoms" list.

Angie -- I will wear trousers one day too, when I get around to it. I just love wool tweed trousers in particular.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I don't wear jeans every day, and I don't own many. I have two pairs of dark wash straight legs, regularly worn, one pair of old skinnies which only are used for work around the house, and one pair of red skinnies (new). That's about it. I am looking for a new pair of dark wash jeans and a pair of white jeans. I think a pair of more casual, boyfriend style or lighter denim at least could be nice, too.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Zap, I wear my OTBs with straight legs and my zippered skinnies.

I am sure you will rock trousers, Elisabeth

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Well at the risk of sounding like the poor cousin, I only have:

2 pairs of slouchy skinnies (two different sizes)
1 pair Gap BF's
1 pair straight legs (dark wash)
2 pairs bootcuts (dark wash)
1 pair skinnies (dark wash) - hardly ever wearing
1 pair slim leg (grey wash)

But I only wear jeans in the evening (after work), casual Friday's and weekends.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I culled mine at the end of winter & I now have six pair - skinny & straight legs. I wear denim nearly everyday so I'm looking for one or two more pairs.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Shannon - poor cousin? I don't think so. I've got 14 pairs of jeans, two of which I never wear. If you don't include those two or the jeggings (which barely qualify as jeans), I've only got 10. You've got eight pairs. I think you're set!

cciele

Veteran

Let's see how many I have in my dresser (not including shorts):
- 1 silver slouch-ish skinny
- 1 distressed jegging
- 1 dark blue skinny
- 2 cropped BFs
- 1 slouchy skinny
- 1 flare
- 1 baby boot

Nowadays, I am wearing the slouchy skinny 90% of the time! The BFs will come out when the weather warms up. The others get various amount of wear, with the baby boot coming in last (don't remember the last time I wore them). I do have a pair of denim-like leggings (they are knit) I wear quite often, but they are not really denim so not in the count here. My jeggings and flares are on the tight side (weight gain!), but I'll still wear them out when it suits the occasion.

Anonymous

Shannon's got nothing on me - I'M the poor cousin! Here's my denim, uh, "collection":

2 pairs of Gap BF skinnies
2 pairs of Paige straights

That's it. I retired my Gap Leans from last year and my bootcuts. I wear a pair of jeans for probably 3 days before washing, too.

Aida

Veteran

I say if you wear them then you should have that many

I have 12 pairs:
2 Jegging (gray, black zippered)
5 Skinny (black, gray, green, red, white)
2 BF (faded light blue, faded dark blue)
2 Flared (faded light blue, faded dark blue)
1 Wide leg (dark indigo)

They all get worn, though some are seasonal.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

If you wear them and love them then why would it be too many? I have lots too, and go through phases of favoring some and ignoring others but do wear them all.

christieanne

Veteran

I noticed yesterday (laundry day) that I have accumulated a large denim collection in last nine months. Went from four pairs to ......well a huge stack in my closet.
I wear denim nearly every day (wore a slim black pant today and got some raised eyebrow look from boss'es boss during a visit) so it makes sense. Working on culling out those that I don't like anymore and donating faster.

If you wear them, it's just a number. Closets are for fun in my mind and that is the main thing.

Marley

Veteran

I have many, many denim jeans - too many to count - but, I wear jeans 7 days a week for all but just a few weeks out of the year. I love my jeans - right now, mainly my slouchy skinnies and my BFs - but, I'm not yet ready to get rid of any of the others in my wardrobe because I'm sure that I will come back around to them again in the future! I say if you wear your denim bottoms - then its not too many.

Astrid

Veteran

Now I feel like I need some better jeans options...

I have:

2 bootcuts (light and dark blue)
2 skinnies (blue and dark red)
2 straight legs (black slightly too big denim and blue cords I'm wearing just like I would wear denim)
1 BF jeans

I don't really wear the red skinnies and the blue ones have an unflattering rear view. They are good for layering over, but not much else. I think I could use a pair of well fitting (black or blue denim) skinnies and a pair of blue denim straight legs.

ManidipaM

Veteran

I have:

1 pair of BF-style maternity jeans
4 pairs of indigo bootcuts --- different washes and widths, from quite dark to quite faded all through, and one of them slightly oversized, edging towards flares
1 pair of highwaisted stone/cream wide-ish bootcuts
1 pair of indigo straight legs --- sold as skinny, but straight-ish on me (just like several of my bootcuts were sold as straights!)
1 pair of red skinnies (does that count as 'denim'?)

I currently *wear* just one pair :-p but I'm hanging on to the rest for now!

A good few of them aren't PPL with anything but bare feet, though. Those are just worn around the house --- they stay for their high comfort factor, good fit and because my lifestyle does require 'barefoot PPL' too :-/ I've realized I won't wear the proper PPL stuff at home for fear of ruining the hems, and I really spend more time at home than elsewhere so that I *want* more at-home jeans.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Elisabeth, I think both denim skirts that I let go had a ever so slight A-line shape to them rather than being more tapered pencil-ish, and I have figured out that I really don't care for that cut on me -- it seems to emphasize my lower half too much.

I still have one in the donation bag -- it sat for a long time in a pile of possible alteration items to see if I could get it tapered a bit, but when I looked through the bag, I realized I had not missed the presence of a denim skirt in my closet. So I'm letting it go.

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