candyland

hi, friends!

happy friday! it’s been pretty cold here but i think we’re supposed to get some warmer weather soon, so things are looking up! however, the best thing to happen around here is that daylight savings time has started! i know i may seem old to be excited about that, but having extra daylight after work is key, y’all. i am a lot more productive after work when i know i still have some sun to enjoy. my dogs are happier, too, because i can take them on walks after work that don’t feel like we ought to be on the lookout for ghosts.

anyway, wanted to share this little outfit today to discuss with you my ~*new favorite jeans*~ and also a few tricks on how to wear high-rise denim which, as you probably know, is trending. i have a feeling it’s actually more than a trend and here to stay; lord knows we better pray that the ultra-low-rise denim of the paris hilton era never comes back.

recently i was on the hunt for a new pair of high-rise black denim because the pair i had was beginning to show its age. i wear a lot of black denim because i frequently wear them to work, so i wanted to invest in a higher-end pair that would hopefully last a long time. i always have good luck with paige jeans — for whatever reason, they just tend to fit me well. so, whenever i’m on the lookout for a specific jean style, i tend to look there first. this is a great thing to pay attention to when you’re shopping, especially for items like jeans that are both wardrobe staples and very much a quest to find a perfect fit; starting with a brand or brand you have previously had success with could greatly minimize your search. since paige is considered “premium denim,” i may not go there for something ultra trendy, but their price point is still typically under $200 for good basics, so on my hunt for a high-rise black jean, they were my go-to. i actually have two pairs of their “verdugo” fit, which is more of a mid-rise skinny jean, in this same fabric, so i was making a very educated guess. another cool thing about paige is they often offer their jeans in a variety of inseams — regular, “ankle,” and “crop.” this is great for petite women who want to avoid having their jeans hemmed. my verdugos were crops, so i knew i stood a good chance of these being the perfect length. i may go ahead and get a second pair of these as well so i can wear them frequently without wearing them out.

so, the reason i was so dead-set on high rise jeans is that you can wear them with a lot more stuff; you can wear them with regular tops and they just look like a normal jean. but, you can also do the old front half-tuck to give your legs a bit more length, or you can pair them with a crop top for the full effect. i’m a big fan of the half-tuck and actually don’t wear much that’s cropped because i don’t like my butt. but, i loved this sweater and got it on sale so i made it work! the trick to wearing shorter items on top is to pair them with something higher rise, and preferably a pant or maxi skirt, to minimize the amount of skin shown. a high-rise mini skirt can work, but you’re probably not going to want to wear it with a fitted crop tank unless you’re like, 18. and it better not be a bodycon mini skirt, y’all. you really want to pick one area to highlight and stick to that — a crop top that shows too much cleavage is a hard pass as well. personally i think you should keep the amount of midriff shown under 2 inches, but that’s not a hard-and-fast rule. keep in mind, though, that just because something looks cute on instagram doesn’t mean it’s suitable for real life. that said, i think something blousy and cropped on top looks great paired with a high-rise skinny jean like this. the proportions balance each other. something more fitted on top would look great with your high-rise flares (think 70’s-inspired baby tees), or with a boyfriend jean to give you more shape. straight-leg jeans can kind of go either way because the silhouette of the pant balances out something tight as well as something more relaxed. a straight-leg jean that’s a bit cropped also shows off your shoes, so pairing them with a fun pair of heels is a great spring look for brunch with your friends or a casual date.

shopping tips

don’t be afraid of the high rise; they are flattering on most people, but you’ve got to find the right one. these are an 11-inch rise so they are really high, but pretty much anything 9.5″ and up can be considered “high-rise” or “high-waisted.” read the details and think about how high of a rise you’d want (most retailers will include the rise in the item description, similar to the inseam). 10-inches is a great place to start, or you can measure a pair of jeans that you like the height of and add a half-inch to an inch. some of it will be trial and error, but once you’ve found a pair that you like you’ll be more prepared to make better choices for the future.

hat – janessa leone {old, similar here}; sunglasses – wildfox couture {similar here}; mini backpack – zara; sweater – free people {on sale for under $75!}; jeans – paige; boots – free people {old, similar here for under $100!}; diamond choker – judith bright; labradorite bar necklace – carden avenue; sandalwood bracelets – judith bright; horseshoe cuff and matching ring – horsethief silver

shop some of my favorite high-rise denim right now

shop some of my favorite cropped tees, tanks, & sweaters