borrowed from the boys

hi, friends!

hope 2015 is off to a great start for you all!  this week’s post serves a very specific purpose. one of my coworkers recently was presented with quite the dilemma: how to style boyfriend jeans while still feeling feminine.  fear not!  it’s much easier than you think, and no, the answer is not just to wear heels with them!  boyfriend jeans are actually a lot more versatile than you may think and are also really fun to wear (hello, they are comfortable!)

hat – janessa leone {similar here}; jacket – veda; top – free people {old;similar here}; jeans – one teaspoon; booties – jeffrey campbell; bag – alexander wang {got mine on sale, similar here}

ok, so obviously the premise of boyfriend jeans is that you’re supposed to steal them from your guy when they aren’t looking.  this is actually highly impractical for most women for reasons that i am fairly certain are quite obvious.  the underlying principle, however, is valid: that oh-i-just-found-these-on-the-floor-and-put-on-some-lip-balm, laissez-faire way of dressing.  now, that’s something i can get behind.

the single most important thing with boyfriend jeans is fit: the ideal fit for most body types is going to be fitted in the waist, but slouchy through the seat and hip, with a slightly tapered leg.  basically, you want it to just graze past your leg all the way down.  too much bagginess looks sloppy and generally unflattering.  if it’s too fitted, then, well, it’s not a boyfriend jean.  you may have to try on a lot of pairs before you find the ones that work.  i’d encourage you to also not be surprised if you end up needing a size up or down from your typical denim size, depending on the brand.  wash is also important but it’s completely up to you and your style, as well as comfort level. if you are on the curvier or more athletic side, you may feel more comfortable in a medium or dark wash as they are generally more flattering and slimming than light washes.  something with minimal distressing is a good way to start because you can dress them up and it’s less of a commitment.  distressed denim has come back into favor over the past couple years, and it’s definitely still having a moment.  there are a lot of options to choose from!  a pair with just blown-out knees is a great place to start (you’re going to see this style everywhere, both in boyfriend and other silhouettes, this season).

once you’ve found your ideal pair of boyfriend jeans, the fun begins!  you can really play with proportion with them, but there are a few key things to keep in mind.  if you’re going to wear something oversized with them, it’s probably best to style them with either a statement necklace or perhaps a pair of heels (or even a heeled ankle boot) to give yourself some feminine balance.  obviously, a bright lipstick won’t hurt, either.  also keep in mind the mixing of textures: leather, suede, and lace can balance out the tomboy, too.  i love the idea of a really simple, basic canvas like your boyfriend jeans and a great white v-neck.  the possibilities are pretty endless.  first things first, you could wear them casually on the weekend with a swingy cardigan, ankle boots (either flat or with a low heel), and an oversized scarf.  easy, no-brainer outfit that you can repeat by changing your third piece and accessories.  next, up the ante for dinner or drinks with your friends and wear the same tee and jeans with a great pair of heels, leather jacket or flowy kimono jacket, and a floppy hat.  finally, wear your boyfriend jeans and tee into spring and summer with flat sandals (don’t be afraid to try slides) or wedges (or these), your favorite layered necklaces, a swipe of sheer lipstick, and a messy topknot.

how cool is my funky new band for my watch?  it was on sale!

➶details➴

lipstick is nars in schiap.

can you believe this ice?  delaney and i had no idea this was going to be there when we planned to shoot at this location.  pretty crazy, huh!?

i hope this helps give you some ideas of how to style boyfriend jeans across different seasons and for different occasions.  if you’re short like me, athletic, or curvy, you may feel best pairing them with a heel.  Don’t feel like you have to pigeonhole yourself though; clearly, i’m petite and i still wear them with flat boots and sandals!  yes, women should dress for their figures but it’s also ok to have fun once and a while and wear something just because you like it.  don’t be afraid to try something new and try different things on together — shop your own closet, play dress up with your own wardrobe!  almost everything i’ve mentioned to wear with your boyfriend jeans are items you probably already have.  you’ll be surprised what you can come up with with the pieces you already own and love if you just take some time to experiment!

that’s a wrap, folks! ➸

many thanks for reading!

➳ alyssa