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The mid-life crisis jeans

Bijou

Veteran

I don't think I am having a mid-life crisis, but when I came home with these jeans that are torn at the knees, that is immediately what my husband called them - and the name has stuck. To counter balance the RATE look of the jeans, I tried to keep the rest of the look polished. I wore my PAUW cashmere blazer, a silver top and grey boots.

It is now Spring in Australia and the days are getting longer. It was a cool but sunny day with a max of 17C. I had a fun day of taking my son to his Ju Jitsu class, going out to lunch at a sushi train and buying birthday and Father's Day presents. In Australia it is Father's Day tomorrow, so we will be celebrating my Father in a large family celebration. I will not be wearing the 'mid-life crisis' jeans, because that is not a look that my Dad would like - he would never understand why I would deliberately buy some clothing that is torn. I feel quite the rebel in them (maybe I am having a mid-life crisis)!

Jeans - Mother Looker jeans
Silver top - Witchery (Australian label)
Grey blazer - PAUW (old)
Grey boots - Hobbs (Australian label)
Bag - an extravagance from a few years ago (Fendi)

Hope you are having a good weekend too.

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31 replies

Latest reply was from Bijou

ClaraT

Veteran

So funny!

When I see the torn jeans look on someone, I think it's cute. But, along with boyfriend jeans, I can't wear this style without feeling messy. And yet--you look very polished indeed! I think keeping the top deliberate is the key, as you noted...

That bag is everything.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

That bag is amazing!!

Your polished accessories and tops/ topper make distressed denim seem deliberate and fun.

Bijou

Veteran

ClaraT - well I had resisted distressed jeans until now. I have yet to get on board with boyfriend jeans. So glad that you like my bag. My 8 year old son loves it because it is fun.

Suz - Yes the bag does steal the show. Glad that the distressed denim looks deliberate, I just really liked the colour and fit of these, which is why I bought them.

Anonymous

I totally enjoyed this story told in a delightful and lighthearted way and I think you look great.

I struggle with buying intentionally damaged clothing too but you look very pretty and stylish. When you face women who are sitting in these jeans it looks kind of like they're wearing shorts and knee socks which can be very eye catching.

I'm not sure why that "mid life crisis" term lives on in our minds and language, isn't there a better way to say "old enough to realize that sooner might be better than later"? Isn't maybe a little presumptuous to imagine that we even know when our mid life is?

Style Fan

Veteran

Great jeans. Not sure about mid -life crisis though. I keep getting drawn towards distressed jeans even though I am trying to give them up. I love how you have style them. The bag is wonderful.

karen13

Veteran

You wear the jeans well. They aren't the overdone distressing. And I adore that bag!

JAileen

Veteran

I think you look great! I love the bag. It's so angry looking!

Anonymous

Gorgeous Bijou. The first outfit is so funky!

cindysmith

Veteran

I love it. If you're having a midlife crisis, then I'm afraid to even ask what I'm going through. Some of my clothes (most especially cool weather ones) are so rate they look like I might have dug them out of the garbage

Seriously, you look great!

Joyce B

Veteran

YLF in that outfit! If that's the way to have a crisis then bring it on!

gryffin

Veteran

Bijou - I absolutely adore this look on you. If it makes you feel any better I ought the gap embroidered and distressed jeans and I'm 57 yo and am not having a midlife crisis either, lol!! I liked the artful distressing I bought those white iron on patches which I affixed inside so the distressing would remain perfect. I wear them exactly as you do but all black. Great belt, black cashmere tank and blazer. Great booties and bag. I feel cool, polished and hip when I wear them. Plus they are insanely comfortable. You look amazing and love the whole outfit. And what an amazing bag!! Enjoy it!!

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Jenni NZ

Veteran

I love your silver top and your Fendi bag. And I think the jeans look good on you. It's fun feeling like a bit of a rebel! I understand why your Dad wouldn't like them- spending good money on something torn?! Have a good Father's Day celebration. Our girls have come over and will cook dinner for their Dad which is nice. My Dad died in 2010 but I still think of him with love

Bijou

Veteran

Isabel - Yes, my husband was only joking, it is just RATE is not usually my style, so he was surprised to see me in these.

Style Fan - you always look beautiful, so I am glad that you too like distressed jeans.

karen13 - I too adore the bag. It always brings me joy to wear it.

Smittie - thanks!

cindysmith - you wear RATE so well, it always looks intentional and very cool on you.

Joyce B - Smiling!

Gryffin - I love the idea of keeping the rips under control, thank you for the tip on the iron on patches. I can see your jeans looking very polished with your black too.

JenniNZ - I hope you and your family enjoy Father's Day! Thanks for the vote of confidence on the jeans.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Ha! I think the bag represents a mid-life crisis better than the jeans - at least for me! You look fantastic.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

What a riot! That's a great name for the jeans, and I hope you are enjoying your mid-life crisis, because you look super fab! The whole outfit is so chic, a little rebellious looking, and fun. The Monster bag is a hoot.

Bijou

Veteran

Shevia - Noooo! I am happy to accept the jeans as my mid life crisis, but not the bag.

Firecracker - Yes, it is good to laugh about these things!

Jane

Veteran

The jeans look great, and I love the bag. The cashmere blazer looks lovely. Enjoy Fathers Day!

cheryl

Veteran

You look amazing! I want the silver top and that bag!

Anonymous

Bijou, I figured that either your husband has a good sense of humor that you share, or, you had unusual strength of conviction and were going to change his mind about those jeans. I still prefer the concept of middle aged enthusiasm to crisis.

But you look very pretty, and, interesting demonstration of how to pull rate back towards tidy!

Bijou

Veteran

Jane - Father's Day was lots of fun. My Dad is a lovely man.

Cheryl - so glad you like this outfit, I enjoyed wearing it because it is quite different from what I wear to work.

Isabel - my husband is usually very supportive of my fashion choices and he liked this look. I love 'middle aged enthusiasm' that is a great term for enjoying this stage of life.

Brooklyn

Veteran

The jeans look fabulous on you Bijou. Very polished RATE. I love your bag and booties too.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Adore the bag. And the jeans look fab. Nice juxtaposition with the dressier pieces. Is the blazer suppose to be oversized?

Bijou

Veteran

Brooklyn - I like the jeans because they are definitely different to what I currently have.

Angie - so glad that you adore the bag/ I bought this blazer two years ago when I was into a more loose style jacket with jeans - so I think it is now too big. I am reluctant to have it altered, as it is beautifully made in a double sided cashmere.

Sal

Veteran

You look terrific here - the silver top is great. And I like the jeans on you and it is fun to mix it up!!

I do not see a mid life crisis:)

Scarlet

Veteran

I have always liked distressed jeans. To me it adds an interesting element of texture and sometimes cooling I have torn-at-the-knee jeans, and they drive my mother batty. I always love it when I get a compliment on them from someone in her age group. I think you look fab in these, and the bag is such a great touch.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Perhaps we can see a better pic of the blazer, Bijou?

anchie

Veteran

I was also wondering about blazer fit, but did not dare to mention until Angie did
Jeans look great. I am sure I would also get teased if I get similar pair.

Bijou

Veteran

Sal - I know you are looking for jeans, these are by Mother (a US brand) and very comfortable and stretchy.

Scarlet - My Mum (who unfortunately is no longer alive) would have understood the appeal of distressed jeans. My Dad is much more old school in his thoughts.

Angie - I have the feeling that my blazer will need to be downsized. I will try to find a good tailor.

Anchie - thanks for your input, especially about the blazer fit.

Lisa

Veteran

Fun jeans, I like that they are ripped, but not crazy "I've been attacked by a bear" ripped. And that bag, it's amazing!

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