What to do with these "boyfriend" jeans

I took a quick look through my jean collection the other night and tried a bunch of stuff on. It wasn't too traumatic, despite the fact that I'm carrying a bit more weight right now.

I put one pair in the pile to take to the tailor -- they're just a smidge too long and drag on the ground. And two pairs I pulled aside because I'm not quite sure what to do with them.

One pair is some old Paige skinnies that are either going into my "grungy" pile or my ranch capsule -- however, I was thinking I might pick the hems first and see if I could get a bit more life out of them with a raw hem. What do you think? They're a little short anyway.

Then there are these jeans, pictured. These are AG Nikkis. They were a bit more boyfriend-y on me before but now fit like normal jeans (although they stretch with wear so what you see here is more snug than how they would typically look.

One of my frustrations with these jeans is the closeness of the fit in the calves and ankles -- I can only roll them slightly. That suffices, I suppose, but I just don't remember wearing them a lot this past spring.

Can I make these more current somehow? Is there some hack I should do, or should I just stick with a small roll and booties?

One of my other two pairs of BF jeans became clamdigger length shorts. And the other is a pair of distressed, ripped AG's that I wear for ultracasual days. I'm glad I didn't invest too heavily in BF styles because they didn't speak to me that strongly, but if there is a good way to work with these jeans to make them more current, I'm all ears .

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9 years ago

Staysfit

Veteran

I have the same issue with my AG Nikki's. I haven't put on weight, I think they became Stiffer and tighter around the ankle as they aged. They stretch but not as well as in the past. I have considered slitting them kind of like Una did in imitation of the Frame denim jeans. If you go high enough they could look cropped in front front for an ankle strap or high shaft bootie.

Janet

(website)

I wondered about slitting them on the sides, too, Staysfit.

I really like the Frame jeans style with the shorter front and longer back, but I think the jeans should be wider through the leg and hang straighter than these do for that look. I.e., I think these might taper too much. Do you think so?

Anonymous

First, I've seen you comment about your legs and in no way do I see big legs here, speaking as one who has 'em! Your legs look shapely not big. That said, I don't have a problem with big legs. Onwards to the jeans. I think you might be right about them tapering a bit much for that type of longer in back/shorter in front look. I'd stick with a cuff and booties. They look good on you, though.

Sal

I have one pair of boyfriend-lite jeans (mine now are distressed through a lot of wear) that I like to wear summer evenings, spring and autumn. I don't enjoy tight jeans in summer so I stick to slightly looser fits.

I see these as a flattering comfortable pair of jeans - not super trendy - but definitely not dated. I think I would leave them, roll them with ankle boots. Would these be useful at the ranch for meals out etc?

Or if you honestly rarely wear them I would hand them on for someone else...

Thanks, Jen! Sally, I think you're right. It's never a bad thing to have more jeans at the ranch, if I keep passing them by at home. Sometimes it's really good to have a place to demote my unworn (or too-worn) clothing.

I'm feeling a bit like my denim collection might need a boost, but I just got two pairs of cropped jeans in the spring, so I don't know what else I would need to add. I like the Frame staggered hems a lot and would love to do a DIY, but I don't seem to have the right jeans to hack for that.

Yes it is fun to have variety for the bottom half as well as the top, and I also find that much more difficult fit-wise.

I could definitely see you in some velvet jeans in slim skinny or flared styles and I live in hope there will be some great bootleg non-jeans styles around, I had several awesome pairs back around 2000 (chocolate brown faux velvet bootlegs, black brocade bootlegs etc, grey pinstripe menswear pants with a good fit). There has not been much of that sort of trouser around recently.

Style Fan

The jeans look great on you. I would roll them and wear with booties. Maybe take them to the ranch if you don't wear them as much at home. Your legs look great.

I want to add my voice to keeping them as is. You look great in them.

Thanks, everybody. I will keep as is.

If the weather would ever cool off, I might even get a chance to wear them.

El Cee

I agree with the other ladies that these jeans look great "as is". I wouldn't change a thing. I think they would be fantastic for your "ranch capsule" if they are not feeling current enough for your home life.

RobinF

Wouldn't they also be good tucked into taller boots for winter? It seems like there are still a lot of tall boots around for this year.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Roll them or hack them for your ranch capsule.

How about the staggered hack?

catgirl

Have you tried the single large cuff? I find that works better on jeans that fit more tightly at the calf. Or copy my staggered hack, although I'm not sure how it will work with a more fitted calf skinny. The other thing I'm considering (which I think I've made up in my mind) is an ANGLED hack - like my asymmetric tunics but on jeans hems. Could do directionally whichever way you feel is more flattering

I think these are too tapered/fitted on the calf for a staggered hack, don't you? It seems they should fall without catching on the calves to keep that line, but that's a long shot for me in ANY jeans. My calves aren't even wide, but it feels like everything except flares catches on them.

CocoLion

I love them just as is. I think they look great on you. They look like a classic skinny jean as opposed to the legging or stocking look that has taken over. this is my favorite type of Jean because they look like pants.

I didn't consider the tapered calf when thinking about slitting them. Mine are super hard to roll up because of the narrow calf. I'm only able to get a very small roll at the bottom. It looks silly to my eye because it's not big enough, although there is a nice contrast of color. The outside of my jeans faded more than the interior.

minimalist

Here's a vote for enriching your ranch capsule.

BF jeans didn't call to me much either, but I ended up wearing my grey Zara (men's!) BFs quite a lot. Until it was enough, and they'd become too baggy, and so I sent them to an actual boy (well, older man) friend who wears exactly that size. Now he's wearing them several times a week. I don't suppose yours really come with that option.

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