I was (fashionably) late to the jean party. My first foray into pants was experimenting with my mom’s old stirrup leggings, but beyond that, dresses and skirts were strictly my jam. Anything with separate legs felt restrictive and as far as hemlines were concerned, the shorter the better.
That all changed when I discovered vintage in high school. Turned onto the “joy of the hunt” by a friend, I became addicted to the adrenaline rush of discovering one-of-a-kind pieces. My previous grievances against pants were quickly forgotten when I fell for a pair of perfectly worn-in Levi’s. This was holy grail denim: buttery soft, slightly androgynous, and in the most perfect sky blue wash. I was hooked, and my repertoire expanded quickly: frayed cutoffs in lieu of miniskirts, indigo bootcut jeans over slip dresses. My sweaters were set aside in favor of oversized, distressed denim jackets. I’d turned into a true blue-jean baby.
Denim still factors heavily in my closet. I’m in jeans almost every day. Recently, I crossed over to the dark side. Black jeans create a totally different look, and I was keen to switch things up. Revamping my denim drawer made me feel like I was in high school again, chasing a high through different cuts and washes. If you’ve recently fallen into a denim rut, read on to revitalize your black denim spark.
The perfect travel day outfit. The high crew neck is cozy and less restrictive than a turtleneck while a wide-leg faded jean is instantly more interesting than leggings or skinny jeans. Sneakers and a cute claw clip will keep you zipping through TSA to pre-board.
A foolproof everyday look. Layering a colorful cardi will brighten even the grayest day. Straight-leg rigid denim is a subtle homage to the ’90s, and patent leather lug soled boots are functional while staying on-trend.
Your to-do list is longer than a CVS receipt, and you need your getup to look as sharper than you feel. Keep it simple with a blazer-and-tee combo, then add some interesting texture with an over-the-shoulder striped sweater.
Date night on the books? A lace-edged cami and sky-high strappy stilettos add sex appeal, while baggy cropped jeans anchor the look. Top it all off with a delicate gold chain to highlight that collarbone.
Next up: 8 Fancy Winter Outfit Trends to Wear With Jeans.