western grunge

hi, friends!

this week is all about me stepping out of my comfort zone and wearing some things i typically don’t wear. you might notice that i’m wearing a couple different “trends” at once — mom jeans, oversized statement outerwear, etc. — but i tried to make them my own. i don’t think i look like fashion roadkill, so whatever, it was fun!

i scored these topshop jeans on sale and had pretty low expectations for them. i’d wanted a pair of mom jeans (aka high-waisted, straight-leg jeans typically in a medium-blue wash) but hadn’t found any that worked, so i was fully expecting to send these back. needless to say they worked and i was pleasantly surprised! i’m excited to share my take on them.

hat – minnetonka; coat – via ascot & hart; turtleneck – free people; bola tie – vintage; belt – b-low the belt; jeans – topshop; boots – & other stories {similar here}; socks – free people; bag – alexander wang {similar here}

style challenge

obviously, mom jeans aren’t for the faint of heart. but, they are not as tough to style as you think — they’re pretty similar to boyfriend jeans. the trick with boyfriend jeans is to wear more feminine, flattering items with them so you don’t look too shapeless or frumpy. same thing applies with the mom jeans…the trick is to avoid looking like an actual mom. i wanted to wear mine with the fitted turtleneck and the statement belt to make it feel a little more feminine and (dare i say it) sexy — please note, i’m not saying mom jeans are sexy, ok? i’m saying i tried to make them slightly sexy. wear a heel or heeled boot and jazz them up with some accessories and you’re good to go. if you haven’t tried boyfriend jeans, make them a priority this year! if you’ve mastered the boyfriend jean, it’s time for a more advanced style challenge…time to take on the mom jean. bonus points if you can score a vintage pair.

style tip

this is basically me taking trends like statement outerwear or the mom jeans that are typically more “fashion girl,” and making them me. y’all know i love my western details, so the belt, hat, and bola tie lend that cowgirl flare that makes an outfit feel more “me,” while someone else might pair the same jeans and jacket with a statement necklace, or something more feminine. finding those key accessories/details that you can add to any blank canvas that make something “you” is really important for developing your style. most importantly to note, these things also don’t have to be what other folks like. how many people do you think consider a bola tie to be their signature accessory? but i fell in love with mine the minute i saw it and decided i’d figure out how to wear it, and i think i’ve done a pretty good job. don’t be afraid to wear something you absolutely love just because it’s different, or you think you can’t pull it off. if you love it, you can.