This post is going to start out with a soapbox-standing rant. The fact that it is snowing outside again and the weatherman tells me it’s going to be -2 and -4 this weekend and yet the racks at the stores are stacked with chiffon, shorts and bright spring florals MAKES ME MAD. I have never understood the huge gap between what the consumer needs in season and showcasing the upcoming season. It’s like torture. “Oh hello gorgeous little DVF mini dress- you are lovely but I need a sweater BECAUSE IT’S JANUARY!!!” Seriously, I need sweaters badly and yet all I find are sale rack pieces picked over by the Christmas crowds. Why can retailers not wait to put out the spring stuff on the east coast and mid-west in March, when there is HOPE that spring is somewhat around the corner? Bitter much, Erin? Yes, quite.
I digress- and am going to go ahead and actually talk about spring denim. I am not one for super trendy cuts but after seeing this image from the Derek Lam collection I am so on board with the high-waisted denim thing. I want to look like this when the snow melts. I can see it with fabulous boho chic jewelry and even a great little cropped brown leather jacket over it (because lets face it, it’s doesn’t really warm up until June).
What’s so great about this trend for me is that while I am 5’9″, I have the longest torso ever. I should be in a circus. So this cut lengthens legs and shortens said freak-show torso so I look proportionate! Magic. Of course this trend can look awful if done wrong (see Jessica Simpson and the Mom Jeans Incident). Here are some ladies makin’ it look good:
Just don’t go crazy with it like Kelis did. Those jeans will give me nightmares.
Here are some jeans to try (MiH, Current/Elliott, Gap)
Another trend I will continue to wear is the skinny denim trend (no longer a “trend” really)- whether tough-chick, French-inspired or New England preppy! I found these images on my new favorite street style blog Models Off Duty. So inspiring, yet also kind of depressing because well, it’s all models.
But one trend I refuse to hop on (even though Jenna is rockin’ it and showing it at J.Crew) is this denim on denim trend. Not a fan. I love a great denim short, but better when paired with black leggings or white jeans! But dammmmmn Jenna, those heels are the hotness!
Have a magnificent weekend my dears!
I completely agree with EVERYTHING you’ve said her (except the freak-show torso comment, I think you look great!). Denim on denim is not for me, but kudos to the girls (Jenna) who rock it!
Hope you have a lovely, toasty warm and relaxing weekend!
Denim on Denim seems so Jay Leno. Can we discuss those ridiculous yellow pants in the picture with Jenna?! They’re like cropped 1940s movie mobster pants!
Love the high-waisted jean look.
Is it because it’s Jenna that this style works????
Seriously! It’s 2 degrees with -25 windchill here in Chicago. I want warm clothes too. I don’t even have the energy or desire to shop for spring things until the weather changes in April. I just don’t get it either. I have a new baby and she needs winter clothes too and apparently it’s the same for babies. I have to pick through the clearance section to find something warm and in her size. It’s nice that everything is on sale, but come on. Can’t they stock different things for different parts of the country? Do people only buy boots and coats between September and December? I don’t want to buy my winter clothes when it’s still nice out. This happens every year, and every year I try to convince myself to buy my boots and sweaters at the start of the season, but I never do. And now it’s January and I lost one of my gloves and everything left at the store is ugly. Can’t they do something about this?!
I’m 6′ tall and have a super long torso too (due to an extra verterbrae…freaky but true!) and am dying to try this trend, though a little wary of just how seriously wrong it can go. I picture this with a crisp, slim white shirt tucked in, whiskey brown leather jacket, and soft blue chloe hobo slung over the shoulder. Early spring perfection!
I was wondering why the skinny jeans girls all had abnormally long, skinny legs. Then I read the text.
I agree with your venting! And it doesn’t just happen to the north/midwest either. Try going shopping on the Gulf Coast in August/September when it is going to be in the 80s & 90s for a few more months but all you can find in the stores are sweaters and heavy fall clothing. When I was growing up, it really put a damper on back to school shopping because you’re like, I cannot wear any of this for at least 4 months and even then I will only need it for a few weeks before it is back to warm weather again! They really should stagger dates for stocking clothes in different parts of the country.
P.S. I have a super long torso too – don’t even get me started on how much Ralph Lauren polo shirts annoy me.
Love these looks – basically because I love a good pair of jeans! Have a great weekend and stay warm!
Much love,
B
A. Men. The seasonal disconnect is so…silly.
Have you seen the Emerson Made Bluebell jeans? I think they may be the cutest iteration of the high waist trend (which really is wildly flattering on everyone), if only because they are genuinely modeled off of vintage.
Heard that! I never understand why there’s swimsuits instead of sweaters!
I too have the longest torso in America–love the high waisted look for proportion.
I completely agree with your spring fashions point. I live in Nashville now, but grew up in Minnesota and used to grow apoplectic over the MTV Spring Break shows and little tank tops on display in the mall in February.
love the higher waisted denim with the big bell at bottom but really only looks good on tall people. I have long torso but only 5’3″ and i look like a stump in these jeans. not pretty. i’ll stick with the skinnies!
Loving the high-waisted jean look.
Yikes, don’t mean to rub it in but LA has been experiencing summer-like temperatures. I might layout today. Sorry.
i like the higher waisted jeans-so when i squat down to pick something up, won’t show my $#%!
Really loving the skinny jeans too…hope they are here to stay!
I feel ya Miss Erin! I live in Michigan and have been disgusted by the same thing for years! It’s 10 degrees here with a -6 windchill today if that makes you feel any better. Love your blog btw :).
Happy Friday!
Gretchen
Tell me about it!! Tried to find a winter hat today and the place I was shopping was completely picked over. I live in Toronto and it possible to wear winter clothing until at least the end of April. Guess I should have shopped in August!
an old boss of mine used to call a denim jacket + jeans a “denim tuxedo!” hahaha. i agree with you there. that ain’t right.
xo
sami
I have a long torso also!! It drives me crazy sometimes! I never thought about the high waist jeans helping that. I was always scared to look like Jessica. Poor thing!! I am so ready for Spring!
Absolutely agree….I’m LOVING the wide leg jean trend. (So much so that I actually pulled out my bootcut jeans today, haven’t worn those in a while). PS, I’m a brand new blogger and would so much love you to check out my fashion blog and let me know your thoughts. Such a fan! xo
dresscodediaries.blogspot.com
Erin — I completely agree re: spring fashions. When I lived in Boston I would get so ANGRY with all the spring stuff in stores — especially the year it we had a snow storm on easter. I live in northern california now so it doesn’t bug me anymore — but yes, I have totally felt your pain.
One year I bought bright pink kate spade shoes in January and had to wait 6 months to wear them. It was so depressing.
Right there with you Erin…one torso girl to another. It’s 4 degrees here in Milwaukee and the only fun place today was the 50% off all clearance at Banana Republic …and 30% entire store. I warmed myself there. :) JR
when it shows up in the stores is the worst…hello it’s not tank top and shorts weather! But then you are afraid if you don’t buy it now it will be forever gone….wishing you warmth!
Idon’t know if I will be able to pull of the wide leg but I sure love them! These are fabulous examples. Can’t wait for spring!
Happy weekend,
Anna
I wore a pair of high waisted jeans today! They’re so figure flattering although the BF thought they were kinda weird. Boys just do not understand fashion :)
xoxo,
Mandy
yes yes yes to the high waisted jeans! i bought a couple pairs of seven brand at macys (thank goodness for all those macy’s coupons!!) that have high waist and wide legs and i love them. plus they have a nice long inseam-5’10″ here.
Uh oh..I’m the opposite. I’m 5’6 with a short torso. I fear that the high-waisted jeans will go all the way up to my bosom! Guess I’ll have to try a pair to know for sure… and I totally agree with the denim on denim. I just can’t do it, even when they (the fashion gods) say that mixing light and darker denim is the key.
still partial to low rise skinny jeans…not sure I wanna go back to high waisted jeans…
that’s what we had back in the 70′s and 80′s…ugh…
good post…love the pics…
maureen
I had to comment on this- because I too have the crazy long torso, but am only 5’5, and am loving the higher waisted pants coming out this spring. I’ve been a contender for many years when the low-rise horrible pants were everywhere! I saw someone else mention EmersonMade’s bluebell jeans- it’s all I can do to keep from ordering 500 pairs of them.
Love this post.
oh! one more thing! on the plus side about spring clothes coming out in january.. at least when it IS time to buy them on the east coast (read- may and june) many of those items are on sale! ;)
… looove my skinnies and when i was way younger loooved my high waisted bells. wish i were as tall as you (only 5’4″) then i’d buy me some… oh well! instyle mag says that 58% of men would least like to see on their lady wide leg trousers… maybe its a case of women like it on women… and the men??? who cares! i enjoy your fashion fridays.–deb
I know what you mean about the spring stuff…although I think some spring/resort clothing is in order for those heading south for a vacation. But,yes, you should be able to buy winter clothes in the wintertime.
I LOVE the wide-legged jeans look and have been waiting patiently for it to be back in style as well as the cut I favor. I am so in. As for denim-on-denim I’ll leave that for fashionistas who can pull off that kind of stuff.
I love the styles you posted and completely agree about denim on denim – ack! And you should appreciate your long torso – I am 5″3 (on a good day) with an abnormally short torso so I don’t get to pull off those awesome high-waisted jeans you posted about. Enjoy!
I literally wear jeans 90% of the time, so I just LOVE seeing classic styles paired with blazers, blouses etc…I have a pair of wide leg dark jeans that I adore, they are flattering, but tough to wear with heels for some reason. Thanks for sharing!
Here I was thinking I was the only one with a freakishly long torso.
Seriously, I’m 5’9″ and when I’m sitting I am taller than my 6’3″ husband.
I have to buy my swimsuits through Lands End b/c they have long torso (and I can’t rock a bikini after two kids)
Any long torso advice out there? Brands, styles?
[...] Source: Elements of Style [...]
1. Aw, poor Jessica Simpson. I’m liking the high waisted jean thing, too, or even more, the more wearable high waisted trouser. It’s just, I can see where Jessica was going and it seems the trend may not fare well for larger women.
2. I really did think skinny jeans were just a fad and used to despise them as much as I hate leggins as pants now. Now I’m a pretty avid jeggings proponent.
3. Models Off Duty confuses me. When I see so many risks, my taste in navigating between good and bad becomes slightly skewed. Agh! It also doesn’t help – to no one’s fault except the cruel cruel world’s – that fashion risks are pulled off much better on size 0′s. darnation.