The One about Denim

It may be time to put the skinnies away. Do not throw them away but literally put them away until they come back in rotation in about 5 years. Skinnies held on strong though, popping on to the fashion scene about 18 years ago. Not everyone had faith in the new phenomenon at first but most of us became believers after a while.

The new skinnies are now “pencil” jeans or “slim” jeans, about a half inch difference on the seem and a less tapered. They are pretty easy to style but are also the same short distance away from looking dowdy when matched with the wrong pair of shoes or top.

Cuffed hems are also back in full force. Thick,single fold cuffs. Finding the correct length in these is the major challenge. Also keep in mind that this silhouette will not elongate your legs. I have not come across any cuffed hemmed jeans that I felt compelled to own.

I am, however, very exited about the return of bells and wide legs. You can say all you want about not sticking to fashion and wearing what you want, but try to find a solid pair of bells when the trend is the complete opposite. Today there are a few lovely options to choose from.

The bell bottoms were a fashion faux pas during the skinny era. I should refer to them as “flairs” since they are currently more a straight leg with a bootcut flair. This style will absolutely elongate your legs, especially when worn with a heel and not sneakers. I don’t shy away from the sneaks with this look though. It all depends on the length of the jeans which in every case should be long enough to cover your ankles and fall over your shoes.

Wide legs! I like the high waisted on me. I love the low waisted oversized look on everyone else. I can’t seem to get that look right. Somehow always looks frumpy. This style does pair perfectly with sneakers. Heels can make them look dated. Cargo wide legs are even more fun; the more pockets, the merrier. Now at 54 and a half, some may question wide leg cargo jeans but that won’t stop me.

Where I will draw the line are at barrel jeans, any form of mom jeans (now Levi’s even has Baggy Dad Jeans for women, which I do like) or denim capris; another hard no. I don’t care that the latter have popped back on to the scene with some heels…looking kind of fly..on some.

The one “newish” summer trend are long shorts. I bought a pair and am still figuring out how to style them. Definitely with a pair of strappy heels, a bustier and a jacket. Denim long skirts, jumpsuits, mini’s: bring it on!

I love denim, and I love summer even more!