MY FALL DENIM GUIDE
Denim isn’t typically at the top of my shopping list, but every fall I edit down the jean selection I have in my closet and see what new fits I might need for the season. At the moment I am all about a high rise straight leg that is slightly cropped. While that is my current go-to fit I still wear skinny and slim jeans paired back to my high boots and recently I have also embraced the wide leg. The kick flare is also still a style that I am reaching for, but just slightly less so these days.
Before we jump into what exactly denim I’ll be wearing this fall, I want to share a bit more for you to take into account when looking through my recommendations! I am 5’7 and wear a size 25. I have pretty average size hips, but if anything I would say they run a bit narrow. I typically prefer denim with stretch as it tends to be more forgiving and comfortable, particularly in the waistline. While I will wear rigid denim it has to fit my PERFECTLY in order for me to truly commit. My favorite denim brands at the moment are J.Crew/Madewell, MOTHER Denim, Frame, and RE/DONE. I am always open to testing new brands and just recently I added some Sezane denim options to my closet. Now, let’s jump into what pieces I am loving for fall, plus a few pairs that unfortunately didn’t work out for me.
Denim: MOTHER Tomcat Ankle in ‘Cannonball’
Sizing: TTS I am wearing a 25
Why I love them: This darker wash is a great shade to dress up or down. While this is still considered a straight leg, this pair is much slimmer through the thigh with an easy opening at the leg. As you already know, I love an ankle length and find these to hit right at the perfect spot!
What am I wearing them with: I am pairing these with this TNuck top (sleeveless version here), these heels I’ve previously written about here, a Mark Cross bag, my favorite sunglasses under $40, and this new blazer from Sézane.
Denim: Pistola Ally Jean
Sizing: TTS I am wearing a 25
Why I love them: These jeans only have about 1% stretch and are one of the thicker, more rigid pairs of denim in my closet. I love how the lighter wash gives them a nod to the 90s nostalgia trend that is happening right now. This pair has a great high rise but are relaxed throughout the thigh and leg. I haven’t owned this brand before and was pleasantly surprised with the fit. I have been finding more and more ways to wear these. You can see how I styled them with sneakers here.
What am I wearing them with: These jeans look so chic back to these Amazon heels, this Vineyard Vines cable sweater layered over this J.McLaughlin turtleneck, and last but not least, with this amazing Alaia cape that I snagged on The Real Real.
Denim: Sezane Le Crop fit in ‘Denim’
Sizing: TTS I am wearing a 25
Why I love them: I always try and branch out and try new denim shapes as they trend. While it doesn’t always work out, it is so nice when it does – like in this case! I do like a wide leg jean but find that they sometimes look a bit too sloppy on me. The proportions have to be just right for me to commit. This pair of denim from Sézane ended up being a real winner. They are a great length and strike the right balance of wide leg without being overwhelming.
What am I wearing them with: These wide legs look great with these fun shoes that I just picked up, this sweater from last fall, this Cara Cara top, and this new-to-me jacket from ME+EM.
Denim: MOTHER Tomcat fit in ‘Kneeling on Stones’
Sizing: TTS I am wearing a 25
Why I love them: If you are looking for a great straight leg jean, the Tomcat is one of my favorites! I still also swear by these J.Crew slim straight legs, but I love to have options. The rise on these are a high rise and the length is slightly cropped. This wash feels like a perfect everyday wash and goes with nearly everything in my closet.
What am I wearing them with: These pair so well with this Blaze Milano blazer, Vineyard Vines sweater, Tanya Taylor sweater, Age of Innocence flats, easy $15 sunglasses, and this Prada bag that I found a few months ago on The Real Real.
Denim: Current/Elliott Silletto, under $100 skinny jean I love here
Sizing: TTS I am wearing a 25
Why I love them: While skinny jeans are no longer my everyday jean fit, I still need at least one pair in my closet to wear back to knee high and thigh high boots. I have owned this pair for almost 10 years now and still love them. They are by far the lowest rise I have in my closet but they tend to work well with my longer fall sweaters and jackets. If you are looking for an under $100 option – these are great!
What am I wearing them with: Right now I am wearing my skinny jeans with these under $100 boots, this La Ligne sweater, and this full length duffle coat from Zimmermann.
Denim: MOTHER Tomcat in ‘X Marks the Spot’
Sizing: TTS I am wearing a 25
Why I love them: The Tomcat strikes again – this time in another shade! This black/grey denim is a color that initially I wasn’t sure I would wear too often. Surprisingly they are now some of my most-worn denim!
What am I wearing them with: The Tomcat in this shade looks great with Adidas gazelles, this Vineyard Vines turtleneck paired under a fisherman’s sweater, and a Carven cape that I picked up way back in 2013 from Hampden!
While I wanted to take a second to highlight the newest denim options that I am loving for the season, I also want to shout out some of the styles I still own and love like these J.Crew straight legs and these RE/DONE kick flares. I also want to highlight a few pairs that I was hoping to love, but unfortunately just didn’t work for me.
SLVRLAKE London Jean: I mean, these look so insanely good on the model and they couldn’t have looked more different on me. They were just slightly too baggy throughout the leg and too long. That combination forced them to puddle and just appear a bit saggy versus straight on me!
AGOLDE Pinch Waist: This is another pair of denim I have seen on so many other influencers and they look incredible. The story was a bit different for me. I don’t have much of a butt and because of this denim and pants that are fitted for more room in the seat end up looking too baggy in the crotch area on me. That was the case here and I am so bummed because the hand feel and wash on these are great.
A few more denim trends I won’t attempt me this season – denim maxi skirts and the barrel leg shape. I love seeing all the ways so many stylish creators I follow have worn these styles, but at the moment I simply feel like they aren’t for me. But, never say never, right?
