Showing posts with label straight jeans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label straight jeans. Show all posts

Oct 18, 2024

Friday Favorites: Patterned Blazers & Light Jeans

 TGIF! This has been an overflowing week for me! Work has been unusually full of tasks and I've had several hosting responsibilities, to which I'm thrilled! I host a weekly bible study with the ladies of my church on Wednesday evenings, Thursday I hosted 1st grade mothers at Vivian's school for coffee, breakfast and wonderful conversation. Today, squeal, I get to host my gal pals that are coming into town (my sister comes tomorrow) so that we can enjoy the weekend together and see Morgan Wallen in concert!!!

Note: We were relieved when this concert was rescheduled from July to October but it looks like rather than melting we are going to freeze! Stay tuned for my outfit (although it may have additional layers)



Blazers, as you know are an essential in my wardrobe but today I specifically want to share patterned blazers and light jeans. 

Style Tip: A longer one is chic! Roll the cuffs to balance proportions, particularly if you're petite like me.

I believe that every outfit needs pattern and for a blazer I believe it makes it more interesting and less suit-like. Simply add a solid tee or blouse underneath. 

I like light jeans with blazers for a casual look. It contrasts the sophisticated nature of the blazer with a cool and comfortable feel. 

Here are some patterned blazers ...

PLAID

LEOPARD

I think this is fun!





Dress Beautifully in a Patterned Blazer
& Light Jeans

XOXO Sarah Louise

Oct 11, 2024

Friday Favorites: Jeans

 Gals, I'm a blue jean baby! I wear jeans (outside of Summer) nearly every day. I am that person that chills in jeans. I like the classic look, go with everything style and structure they give. 

I won't pretend that jean shopping is easy. In fact I've tried on piles of jeans recently in all different washes, designs and price points.


I love this trend - these are a splurge so they stayed at the store

Note: the high end designer jeans doesn't = best ... the best are what fit & feel great!

Jeans are specific to body type so my favorites may not be yours and vice versa. I have a narrow waist and hip but I'm curvy in my derriere and legs.  I like barrel jeans, loose straight jeans and trouser/wide legs jeans as they give room for my legs without clinging. 

Here are some jeans I've tried, bought that fit great ...


These are an AMAZING price! 


also great price - solid dark wash is classic & slimming











Dress Beautifully in Jeans

XOXO Sarah Louise

Jan 6, 2023

Friday Favorites: Jeans

 Gals, jeans are my jam! I wear them Every. Single. Day! I chill in them, play in them and dress them up in the evenings. I'll share this unsurprising fact - I have quite a few pairs. I go through phases with my favorites and have quite the variety of washes and cuts.  I gravitate to raw hems, medium washes, high rise (but not too high) and very little stretch. 

Style Tip: I'm 5'2" (if the nurse doesn't mash my hair when measuring my height) so jeans are often too long. After washing, I take a pair of scissors and cut them for raw hem - do NOT do before washing as they may shrink. You can always go back and cut more. 

I find raw hems lighter and less bulky on the leg. 


My favorite brands are Mother (designer and worth every penny!), J Crew and Madewell. In fact after review those are the only brands I have.

Style Tip: Find brands that fit for your body shape and stick with it! I have thicker legs proportionally to my hips and waist. 

Due to the number of wears and years I wear them I'm happy to invest because there's so much greatness about a pair of jeans that fit just right!

Here are my favorite jeans ...


These are a splurge but amazing! 
These are a rigid no stretch jean - I got up 2 sizes for a loose fit (27)


I love the interesting hem. Cropped styles are best for me because I am petite and they allow for any shoe.
These have some stretch so I stay true to my normal size 25


I call these my cool girl jeans. These are fitted and I typically wear on evenings out - stretch (true size 25) 


You can't go wrong!
They're great styled with absolutely ANY shoe - but there's something sassy when you dress them up with a heel and fun blouse for a night out.
I like a high rise - these have a little stretch I size down to 24 in almost all Madewell jeans.


These are my go-to for a classic and comfortable look. A medium wash, slight gradient fading and slim straight leg. These are the MOST flattering wash and design when it comes to jeans (IMO).
I size down in J Crew jeans to a 24.


These are a slightly more roomy straight leg with a high rise, button fly & raw hem. They're just a smidge more casual that the classic straight jeans above. These are great for causal day-to-day living and super cute with sneakers!
This pair does not have stretch - I size up just 1 to a 26


This style is similar to a straight leg but with a slight little flare just at the hem (a true flare/boot cut begins to flare at the knee). I've had to cut the hem on these and to be honest they need a little more trimming. I chose to show you a charcoal wash - I prefer it over black as it modern and you don't have to worry about fading/color transfer with washing like you do with a pitch black pair.
A little stretch & in this brand again I size down to a 24

Dress Beautifully in Jeans

XOXO Sarah Louise

Nov 27, 2020

Friday Favorites: Straight Jeans

TGIF! I hope that your Thanksgiving was one filled with love and gratitude alongside those you hold dear. Ryan was hard at work at the hospital (he thoroughly enjoyed the leftovers we brought him) but Vivian & I had a blast visiting my family.  It was such a joy watching Vivian play with her cousins :)

Note: Praise for Trader Joe's bag salads, box mix of corn bread and box mix of risotto.  I despise cooking and the farthest from a foodie and these fit me to a T and were tasty for all!

Jeans, they're the quintessential piece for American style.  Starting in my teens and early 20's it was the boot cut style that ruled the denim scene.  Then it was skinnies that took over.  Now, the classic straight cut has moved in and it's my favorite by far.

The straight cut is the most flattering! A mid-high rise has made these jeans a star in your wardrobe for holding you in and creating a long leg line.

Lord, I pray that you never let us see the days of ultra low rise hipster jeans again, Amen. 

A straight jean skims the lower body, and as with ALL garments I believe that a fit that's close but not second skin or too baggy, is the best fit for all shapes and sizes. 

Tips:

1. Purchase on sale - every single pair of these I purchased at 30-40% off.  I do not believe in paying full price for hardly anything. 

2. Low Stretch - I like a thicker, stiffer denim.  A high stretch tends to cling, slide down and loose shape. 

3. Button Fly - with a higher rise this tends to flatten the lower abdominal/hip area

4. Ankle Length - this gives you a better fit and allows for any shoe pairing.  Bunching at the ankles is sloppy and cuffing can look lazy. If you need too, take a pair of scissors and cut off the bottom. It's fashionable to have a raw hem!

5. No hanging crotch - it shortens your legs and is an improper fit. We are ladies we don't need room for anything there. Sorry but it's true! Also, your top should never hit below your crotch. You should always be able to see where your legs start otherwise you're making yourself and legs look shorter. 

6. Back pockets - they shouldn't be small or up high (it's not a good look - think back to what your Mamma wore in the 80's & 90's) but they also shouldn't be below your derriere. The bottom of the pocket should hit right at the base of your behind.

Here are my favorite straight jeans ...


These are the ones you buy first.  They're a medium wash with just a hint of fading. 
They're what I call the dressy jean. You could wear them to a casual work setting.


These are a throwback to the 80's but without any of the trendy details. 
They do have a modern raw hem that I love for a subtle transition. 
A solid wash so more versatile.


These are as comfortable as it gets! They're looser on the leg but not too loose like a wide leg.
They have more severe color fading but still no rips or holes.
The wash is a medium but in a pretty blue color.


These are so modern and even more comfortable. 
Great for a day or night out with a fun top.
They are a splurge but make such a distinct statement. 


These are also super trendy and great to dress up or down with heels and a fun top.

Dress Beautifully in Straight Jeans

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Feb 28, 2020

Friday Favorite: Jean Queen

TGIF! This week was anything but typical. I'm still fighting hard against this horrible germ but I can feel small improvements - I can actually mutter sounds even if they do sound like a squeaky mouse but the all night violent cough refuses to leave UGH. I did made it to the gym yesterday for the first time in 6 days and gals it felt so good! 

You know what else feels good, when you find a great fitting pair of jeans! Since having Vivian Louise you can now call me the 'Jean Queen'. Outside of church and evenings out I'm in blue jeans Every. Single. Day. My sister was actually laughing because literally I do ALL the things in blue jeans. She even called me out on changing out of my 'nice' jeans when I get home from an outing into my 'toddler approved house jeans'. Several years ago she realized that there is a person who actually chills in their home in blue jeans.  That person is me #jeanqueen.  

Boyfriend - Distressed Mom - Demi Boot - Straight - Skinny
This picture hopefully showcases the differences in the leg/hem openings of each style. 

Now, this doesn't mean I own a bazillion pairs.  I have one drawer and less than 10 are blue, 1 pair is black and 1 pair is coated black. Now, when it comes to white jeans I have far too many and I have no apologies about it.  I'll share about those as we get closer to Spring. 

Gals, jeans are the workhorse of your wardrobe. They are paired with casual cotton tops for home, dressier tops for daytime outings with flats or sneakers and completely jazzed up with sassy tops and heels for evenings.  They wear a lot of tops making them versatile and worthy of intentional investment. Meaning, streamline your denim inventory to include functional and flattering pairs!

Tip:  I wear my jeans about 4-5 times before washing.  I launder them inside out and NEVER dry them. And I always iron out the wrinkles!

Here are the Fab 5 I wear all the time ...

SKINNY

These are the ultimate skinny jean (in my opinion) because the rise is higher holding you in, the color is darker with shading that adds contour making your legs look long and lean, the fabric has the right amount of stretch for movement but not too much that they loose their shape and slide and super soft with Tencel in them.  The length is crucial in a skinny jean.  You never want bunching at the ankle so if you find a pair that fits just right but too long - HEM them! Tailors can work magic to keep the original hem style.  

I've had this pair for a few years now and they are THE pair when I want to look and feel sassy! Skinny jeans are the perfect style for fun nights out with an embellished top & heels for a more polished and modern look.
They're also great for day with an more voluminous or tunic top to balance the proportions. 

STRAIGHT


These are currently my most favorite! And the most flattering on EVERY gal!!! In a higher rise and straight cut they are the most slimming.  These have just the tee tiniest amount of stretch and very subtle shading for a classic clean look. They skim the legs unlike the skinny which is like a second skin. This allows for easy movement and is extremely elongating on the legs. I'm petite and super self conscious about my legs and these help me feel confident in how they look. #winner


DEMI BOOT CROP


These are very similar to the straight with just a tad more of an opening at the hem which is ankle length on this pair.  An ankle length jean is hands down the way to go so that you can wear absolutely any pair of shoes you want! Even for boots you don't have to worry about shoving extra fabric in them. The little kick of flair on these is fun, modern and subtle which makes them more of a staple piece rather that a 'here today gone tomorrow' trend. 
I also want to add that button front is slimming on the lower abdomen which is a common area of concern for gals. I also think it adds just a little more shine and classic look :)

DISTRESSED MOM


Gals, these are my favorite fun jeans.  'Mom' jeans are all the rage! In a lighter wash, higher rise and straight/tapered leg they are basically what your Mamma wore in the 80's & 90's with modern touches.
They're super fashionable right now and not to mention crazy comfortable. I love the higher rise, looser leg and modern distressing. In fact they have a few new rips gifted from Vivian haha. These are a splurge but I was able to find them online for 70% off #winning. Normally I would advise against a wash this light as it isn't as slimming but in this roomier straight design they don't cling to the leg.  I've worn these casually and dressed up.

BOYFRIEND


These are more of a lower rise and much looser fit.  They're casual and don't really cling to any part of your lower body. The trick is to have them fit the hips and have the rest a little loose but NOT baggy! That would make you look sloppy and bigger. I would stray away from tops that are super fitted and supper loose because you'll create unflattering proportions. Opt for semi-fitted tops and a loose tuck to add some shape. 
Boyfriend jeans are great for day and weekends but I would save them for when you already have an inventory of the more classic jeans in your closet.

Blue Jean Baby!

Here are my tips for scouting out a good pair of jeans:
1. Darker wash with subtle shading - slimming & hides stains #momlife
2. Slight stretch - too much and they loose shape, slide down and too clingy
3. Mid-High rise - holds in place, flattering on your torso, creates small waist line & great for tucking.
4. Back Pockets hit at the bottom of your derriere - too high adds width and lower will flatten
5. Ankle length - allows for any shoe pairing

Dress Beautifully in Blue Jeans

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Aug 28, 2019

Balloon Sleeves


Gals, give me all the puff sleeve tops! I love the statement and fashion forward look it gives my outfits.  Paired with trousers or a skirt and you're sophisticated for the office, and with jeans for a casual but modern look.

It also keeps the attention up towards your face and balances your shape if you're like me and a size bigger on your bottom half.







Dress Beautifully in a Balloon Sleeve Top

XOXO Sarah-Louise