Last summer I started dating a new woman. I considered her stylish, with a clearly preppy bent (my personal favorite look). Somewhere in the first few dates, my fashion obsession surfaced, and she asked me take a look at her wardrobe to make suggestions. This was both exciting and seemed mildly dangerous, as I didn’t want to offend her or discover anything that might raise a fashion flag. Preppy to the core, she had a mix of Polo shirts and argyle sweaters. Check. She had various khakis and loafers galore. Check. But when I browsed the denim section, things went south. Gap jeans, an old high-waist pair of Lucky’s and basic Levis. My stomach tightened.
She could tell by my slowed pace and lack of words that I had hit a snag. She asked what was wrong with her jeans, and I mumbled an awkward, “Nothing.” She could tell I was lying and pushed me further. “They are just so…pedestrian,” is all I could manage.
Thankfully she did not kick me out on the spot. Instead she asked me to take her jean shopping, which might rank as my favorite activity on the planet. She was horrified by the low rise in my closet, so we opted for some higher options (Paige and Citizens). She also couldn’t accept that distress actually made the jeans more valuable, so we stuck to the traditional wash, sans holes. After a few weeks, she admitted that she could tell the difference in both fit and quality. Success!
Since going freelance, denim is my uniform. Short, long, wide, skinny leg, distressed and dark, I have over 50 pairs at this point, and I love them all for different reasons. Some days I’m a hippy in wide leg with a flowing shirt and sandals, other days I’m more grunge with a tapered cut, a tank and boots. I have my jeans hemmed for the shoes I intend to wear, as heels add 2-3 inches over flip-flops and proper length makes all the difference.
I posed the question to my Facebook friends, “What are your favorite jeans?” The responses poured in as everyone has their brands of choice based on their body, budget and style. I even learned about a few new brands. Here are my findings.
The Boifriend Jeans
Part of Levis’ premium {Capital E}® line, this quintessential button-fly 501® original jean was hand-sewn and super-destructed. Made perfectly straight through the seat, thigh, they look great if you size up and roll a messy cuff for the perfect boy look or wear true to size and cuffed for a classic '50's Marilyn look. Cost: $248
These Chimala offer more room all the way around. Worn baggy with sneakers, these are perfect for the occasions when distress doesn’t fit. Slim straight in raw, these retail for $209.
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While I’m short-waisted and long-legged for 5’3” frame, Diesel always fits me like a glove. They have sophisticated washes and strategic pocket placement, so you look slim and styled. I particularly love these in stone wash black denim for the more rock and roll look. Also, notice the whisker detail around pockets. Cost: $260
The Comfortable Ones
Jbrand is inspired by Jane Birkin, Ali McGraw and all the fantastic ladies of the ‘70s. A slim fit through the knee and the wider feminine waistband give these jeans dramatic curves. Wear these with platforms or pointed-toed shoes — throw on a big necklace, aviator shades, and you’re off! $200
I fondly recall my first pair of True Religion's signature straight leg low rise 'Billy Petite'. I wouldn’t take these off for about 2 years. I know they’ve hit mainstream, but I have to say they fit well and they are flattering to a variety of body types. And because they are everywhere, you can most likely find some at your local resale shop for a fraction of the $172.00 you’ll pay in store.
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Lucky Brand was the favorite brand of friends voting on FB. I will admit that they are comfortable and fit well, although they lack creative detailing in the way of stitching or shape. I had to really hunt on their site to find a flattering photo (these are called the Lil Maggie Flare). They are good stand bys if you don’t want to stand out and they are priced more reasonably at $115.
These Paige Premium Denim are a more stylish, high-waist option, which can be worn with boots or flats. And while, you should expect these jeans to be snug initially, they will stretch and conform to your body. Highland - Black Pearl pictured above: $170
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No Apologies Tight
I haven't been able to wear Guess Jeans past the age of 13. My hips to waist ratio don’t match their metrics and my sporty calves were always uncomfortably tight. However, knowing they’ve been a brand that has sold well for decades, I decided to check back in and see what they were offering. I like these Peace skinny white jeans. Great for summer, they are slimming and minimal on detail. Cost: $ 118.
Rich and Skinny wins for the most bizarre website, hands down. They are selling a lifestyle along with their jeans, complete with a soap opera of characters and ridiculously hot models. After much debate, I chose these Super Skinny jeans, priced at $145. Girl not included.
Blank was a new brand for me, sent in by my fashionista friend Lori, who owns an adorable Park City boutique called Mary Jane’s. She has her finger on the pulse, so I had to check out her recommendation. Reasonably priced, this pair (Skinnie Classique) run only $70. They are quite a deal if you have the body to pull them off.
There are so many more brands to discuss, but I had to cut it off somewhere. A few of my favorites to consider are William Rast (Justin Timberlake’s brand), G-Star, who was not included simply because their site was so uncooperative, Current/Elliot, AG (great for rounder behinds), Joe’s and Earnest Sewn. How about trying something new?
More by Jenn Kennedy.
