My first pair of skinny jeans were, in words that belonged Tim Gunn, a risk. Our college town had one designer boutique that we’d all get salads and then saunter around touching everything. But when I tried on these ankle-length Juicy Couture *cigarette pants* with stretch, I punctured my bank account to have them at full price. My friend (who later materialized as my only true frenemy from this era) said I looked dumb, but I knew I didn’t. Flares were singing their swan song while skinny jeans graced the pages of my favorite magazines.
Fashion trends evolve due to forces larger than individual consumers. We can choose whether to embrace them or not, but we won’t stop them from arriving.
In the spirit of the inevitable, I approached my recent journey back into wide-leg pants.
Now, I would not consider this a joyous homecoming—the last time I wore jeans this wide was before I ever had a flatiron or an eyebrow wax. I’m really not trying to relive the most awkward years of my life, traipsing the mall in a Roxy tee, chain clinking against the leg of my JNCOs. But I did see it coming, this time not in physical magazines but on my social media feeds and on the streets worn by The Youth. I am no longer a youth, but I am also not one to dig my proverbial butt cheeks so deep into my ways that I can’t evolve. I am a participant, a shopper, a woman as interested in looking good now as I did back then.
With some nuance, of course.
As the cut gets baggier and less flattering, we must take care with our selections. So consider this an act of public service. I’ve scoured the internet and sacrificed my integrity to find the most palatable wide-leg options for us all.
AGOLDE Criss Cross Straight in Range. AGOLDE has been in the designer denim game for some time. And lately, they’ve been at the forefront of what’s trending, even if I have suspicions they came up with the crisscross waist by accident. AGOLDE’s line of actual “wide-leg” denim is too ironic for me, but their “straight” jeans satisfy my notion of “wide.” The raw hem at the bottom gives me some wiggle room on length, and they hold their shape, which is a tall order.
Z Supply Scout Cotton Jersey Pant. Z Supply just seems to get where I’m at in life. They elevate my sweats and soften my dresses to reach this middle ground of everyday attire that works. These cotton pants are the bottom of what I call my “Travel Outfit,” because I confess, I’ve worn the same outfit on every outbound flight I’ve taken over the past two years. Last month, I purchased a second of this set in berry pink so I’d have options; but in any color, the pants are the perfect width and length and are versatile enough to take you from one climate to another.
Just Black Denim Cargo Jeans. I discovered this denim line at a local boutique. In terms of price, they fit the bill for how much I’d ever want to spend on carpenter pants. I generally try to seek out affordable options for trends that might be short-lived. They are stretchy and comfortable and do just what I want them to do. They are no longer on the brand’s website or the boutique I purchased them at, but I found a link for you above.
DISSH Bronx Off White Mid Rise Cargo. I just discovered DISSH, an Australian women-run brand, this spring. I love everything about their elevated neutral tones and feminine-yet-flattering silhouettes. They manage to excite me with a cargo pant, which I shuddered at the thought of even considering before. These white denim cargos capture the style without going full-out, and the wash is versatile enough to wear with a sweater when it’s chilly or a tank when it’s warm.
Rag & Bone Dre Low-Rise Boyfriend. Boyfriend jeans are like an older sister of wide-leg jeans. These Dres were my first and still my favorite in the Rag & Bone collection. If you’re not quite ready to experience the next iteration of your denim journey, then a relaxed fit is a good compromise that’s a bit more classic. Recall my tip that Rag & Bone frequently puts older washes of their same styles on sale, so keep your eyes open for deals before you max out your debit card like me in 2005.
I hope my choices are helpful. But if you find yourself lost, wading through the abyss of a wide-leg pant alone, here are some shopping tips:
Shirts must be short. Make sure your shirt is cropped enough to see some of your butt and waist, or your outfit will have no shape whatsoever. Another option is tucking, which works, but you’d have to make sure the waist leaves enough room to make that an option.
Pants must also be short. Maybe not short but grazing the ground at most. These styles provide almost no flexibility on length.
Shoes matter. Decide when you’re shopping which shoes will work best, because these styles are really not that versatile. For example, I know that with my AGOLDE jeans and Just Black Denim, I have to at least wear a small heel to lengthen my legs and not have the pants curl under my shoes.
Expand your search terms. Don’t just search for “wide leg,” because lots of straight and relaxed fits give the less exaggerated silhouette we, as seasoned adults, are looking for.
Now go forth, conquer, and send me your pics: averagejoelle3@gmail.com.
The little things
Welcome to the season of transitional weather in the Northeast, where the jackets you have are never the jackets you need. I was fortunate to escape back to Florida for a parents-only wedding weekend and test run some colorful summer dresses I’ve been dying to wear. Spoiler alert: my closet is a bag of Skittles now. This dress is by Lavender Brown. The husband is Douglas.
Also
I read:
A Century of the New York “It” Girl – New York Magazine
26 Oh-So Refreshing Tequila Drinks to Sip on All Summer Long – Cosmopolitan
I begged:
For you to send me your tiny victories for next week’s Mother’s Day issue! NGL, it’s looking bleak right now. There’s still time to right the ship! SEND ME YOUR WINS! NOTHING IS TOO SMALL!
I watched:
The new season of Workin’ Moms, which is somehow still hysterical this many years in. Two words: zombie mask. IYKYK.