How to Wear Mom Jeans

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MOM JEANS: Topshop  //  RED SILK TOP: Treasure & Bond  //  BLACK LEATHER BOOTIES: Jack Rogers  //  LEATHER JACKET: similar Blank NYC  //  BELT: Raina Belts  //  SILK SCARF: J. Crew  //  LEOPARD BAG: BP.  //  HEART SUNGLASSES: Wild Fox  //  GOLD LION EARRINGS: BaubleBar  //  LIP STAIN: YSL in Grenat No Rules

Happy Fri-YAY friends!! As promised in this post, today I’m finally taking on the latest and greatest in this year’s denim trends…mom jeans! As I mentioned yesterday, I remember seeing my mother in early 90’s photos and thinking to myself “I will never wear jeans like that,” and yet here I am. So go do a little closet search in your momma’s closet (or just purchase this under $100 pair!) and read up on how to wear mom jeans in the 21st century.

 

You can read up on my full denim trend guide here, but for today, we’re talking about the mom jean. Naturally, my favorite place to shop for denim, Nordstrom, offers up plenty when it comes to every denim trend, and mom jeans is no exception. The pair I’m styling today is just $70, y’all, and there’s lots more options in the mom jean department…I linked more for you to shop below.

SHOP MORE MOM JEANS

So what classifies as a mom jean?! Well I’ve talked about how unfit denim is here to replace your skinnies, and this trend is a perfect example of the shift towards the unfit in the denim world. The mom jean style is a throwback to 90’s- style straight leg jeans that are just slightly high waisted to give you that elongated butt look from the back but still crop right above your ankles. After the Baywatch-style one pieces swimsuits that have been trending for the past couple of years which also give your backside an elongated look, I knew it was a matter of time before this denim trend from the same time period would be back…and here it is!

To give you a better idea/refresh your memory, I rounded up some 90’s style icons in mom the original mom jeans styles above. Unlike boyfriend jeans, which sort of fit loose all the way down to your ankles, mom jeans do slightly take on the shape of your legs, but they purposely don’t hug them. While it’s not exactly the most flattering look, it sure beats having your legs suffocated from skin-tight skinny jeans…#amiright?! While there are variations of mom jean styles available now that have more of a modern day twist like embroidery or rips, there are also a lot of styles, like the pair I’m wearing today, that look like they’re straight out of the original Beverly Hills 90210 cast shot (above). For today’s post, I decided to go full-on ’90s throwback with a pair that looks exactly like the original mom jean.

So how do you style mom jeans for a modern day look?

Honestly, Princess Diana’s above styling with loafers, a leather belt and a crisp white button down would be just as chic and relevant in the fashion world today (PS – she is one of my fave style icons…always on the forefront of fashion yet still so classic). But in case you want to add a little height to your look (and/or you have short legs like me!), opt for a pair of chelsea booties like this black leather pair by Jack Rogers I scooped up at Nordstrom. The chelsea-style bootie fits just above the ankle, making it the perfect match for the ankle crop fit of mom jeans (I had to give my jeans a bit of a roll due, once again, to my shorter legs). Nordstrom has tons of chelsea bootie options at all price points, textures and colors – shop them all here!

Next up, it’s time to pick out a top (or you can definitely do that first, whatever floats your boat!) I love the look of a sexy, slinky silk or satin top with jeans because the textures of the fabrics are so opposite that they’re the perfect yin and yang, and the ultra- feminine material helps balance out the ’90s grunge look of the mom jeans. I especially was drawn to this coral red satin top because of the gorgeous bright color and the sassy silhouette of the shoulders that are another node to the ’90s with their very slight shoulder pad look. With a bow tie back, I love the top from all angle. It also comes in a black floral print if the orangey-red is a little too bright for your tastes.

Last of all, let’s talk about how to accessorize mom jeans. If you can wear a belt without looking too gaudy, a belt is a definitely must with mom jeans! Besides adding a little chic flair, a belt will help accentuate your waist line and give a more flattering silhouette. This interchangeable belt by Raina belts was the perfect compliment to this outfit. Since the belt is rather flashy, I kept the remainder of my accessories simple, starting with these fierce lion head gold earrings by Baublebar and my go-to leopard crossbody clutch to add a little print to the mix. I finished it off with a little silk scarf tied up in my hair to bring out the poppy red in the top.

Another great way to style mom jeans?! With a tucked in graphic tee and blazer (stay tuned for that later on the blog!)

 

I’d love to know…would you try the mom jean trend?! Tell me how you’d style them in the comments below!

Fair-well xx,

–Photography by Angie Garcia Photography.

**Thanks so much to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own.