A Denim Deep Dive

my love for denim, my denim mood board, and the holes in my denim wardrobe

Before we be begin a deep dive on denim, you may want to click over to the Substack app or website to read this one because I’ve included so many images, it’s too long to read in your inbox. :)

Ok let’s begin! Unless I’m wearing a dress, my getting dressed thought process nearly always starts the same way with, “which pair of jeans do I want to wear today?” My love for denim runs deep.

The great thing about denim is there’s something for every mood, in every season, and nearly every occasion (within reason).

And these days it seems like there are so many different styles to choose from: wide leg, straight leg, low rise, high rise, stretch, no stretch, and everything in between.

You can really lean into your personal style with denim because there are just so many options. As you may remember from this post, my personal style adjectives are: chill, classic, minimal, intentional, and sexy. I created this mood board of denim styles I’m drawn to right now.

All images are courtesy of Pinterest and can be found on my “Denim” board

When you find yourself drawn to what you see on someone else, rather than immediately going to purchase that exact piece, it’s important to ask yourself why you like it. Try to finish the sentence, “I am drawn to it because…” or “I like it because…” And try to get as specific as you can.

I’ll give you an example. Let’s look at the image in the top left of the collage above. I am drawn to it because I love how relaxed she looks - how at ease in her outfit she seems. But I’m not going to stop there because I could say that about nearly all the images above. So what specifically do I like about this outfit? I like seeing denim in a trouser with the darts. It makes a typically more tailored look feel more chill, which is more my in line with my style. Although I like the way classic trousers look and I do have a pair, I rarely wear them. They feel more occasional for me. I’m now curious if denim trousers would be a good addition to my closet. I don’t have anything like it, so now I think I might order a pair or two and see if I can find a good fit.

Let’s walk through one more with the bottom left image - the woman in the dark denim. I like this image for a couple reasons. I love the denim on denim look and I love the mix of summer and fall feels with the flip flops paired with a darker wash. I like how the fit of her clothing feels loose, but not sloppy. She could easily be going to work or to lunch with friends. Now that I know why I am drawn to this image, I need to take inventory of my closet. I have one pair of dark denim that I really like, but they are a little wider leg and a little longer in length. I couldn’t wear flip flops with mine. That said, I could recreate this look with a different pair of denim even though it wouldn’t have this dark wash. So in this case, this image will serve as outfit inspiration rather than shopping inspiration.

Hopefully that makes sense and you can see the difference.

I’m going to walk you through 10 pairs of my own denim, my thought process about each, where I see holes in my own closet, and what I’m going to be on the hunt for this fall.

Before I do, I want to share a couple of my style beliefs:

• anybody and any body can wear any style.

• size is just a starting point. every brand is a little different and sometimes I size up for a better fit, and less frequently, but occasionally I’ll size down.

Dark Denim

Mine: St. Agni¹

Others I like: These are more of a straight leg. These are a great price.

I love wearing dark denim in the fall and winter. The length on mine is perfect for wearing boots. My go-to outfit with these is a button down tucked in with a belt and boots. Speaking of belts, I have and this one and love it, but am looking at adding one with gold metal or a brown leather and am eyeing this one.

Light Wash, Wide Leg

Mine: Boyish (the wash I have is no longer available)

Others I like: I’ve seen these on several people and they are really cute. They look great cuffed too. These also look like a great option with a little stretch. I always love how Mother Denim fits.

I’ve had these jeans for about four years and I still love them. They are the perfect loose fit I want in the summer when I just want to be chill and comfortable. I’ll wear them into the fall and in the spring with a light sweater, but usually I retire them for the winter months.

Barrel Leg

Mine: Tibi

Others I like: My friend Natalie has these and they are so good on her, they tempt me, but since I have something similar I’m thinking about these (same but in a lower rise).

These are my favorite pair of jeans I’ve ever owned and the ones I get the most compliments on. They were an investment for sure, but one I am happy with. I can wear them 12 months of the year, dressed up or down. I just feel good in them.

Off-White

Mine: Mother Denim

This is the best pair of off-white/white jeans I’ve ever owned. I don’t know about you, but for some reason I’ve always had a hard time finding white/off-white jeans I like. These are truly perfect and because they’re off-white, I feel like they are seasonless. They have a little wide-leg vibe to them without actually being loose/baggy. And…I love how Mother Denim fits in the butt - they have that nailed!

Black Denim

Mine: Raey (old)

Others I like: The Frame barrel look like they would be worth a try. These from B Sides also look good - more of a straight leg and washed black look.

The black denim I pull for most in my closet is a pair of Raey jeans that I cut the bottoms off of. I love the dark black color of the wash and I love the mid-rise loose, but not baggy feel.

Wide Leg

Mine: Citizens Ayla Raw Hem Crop

Others I like: These from Alex Mill are more of a traditional wide leg.

I bought these magenta pair of jeans last spring when I was feeling like I needed some color in my wardrobe. I really like the fit of the Ayla jeans - I bet they’d be great in any wash. If you’re in need of some color, I love wearing these with beige and browns.

Beige Denim

Mine: Citizens Horseshoe in Copper

Others I like: These are a relaxed straight cut and these are cropped with a slight flare/wide leg vibe. I also like the cappuccino wash in the Citizens Horseshoe for a different beige tone.

This is my most “trendy” pair of jeans right now and I feel great about them. This color is so perfect for fall with cream and browns and blacks. I took my usual size and I love the fit.

Straight Leg

Mine: Vintage Levi’s

Others I like: These look very similar (slightly darker wash) and are a great price. I really like the look of these with more of a tapered cut straight leg. And these look very similar to Levi’s 501s.

I love the worn-in feel of vintage Levi’s. I was lucky to find a pair that are a great fit at the length I wanted. Buying vintage can definitely take more time and effort to get the right fit, but is worth it when you find them!

Cropped/Raw Hem

Mine: Re/done

Others I like: These from Everlane are a great price and these are the same cut as my off-white jeans above.

I’ve had these for 2.5 years and still love them. They are the perfect cropped denim with a raw hem. I love these with a little bit of a heel for a more refined look equally as much as I like them with flip flops.

Denim Shorts

Mine: Citizens

Others I like: If you want something a little longer without a raw hem, I like these or these, with the raw hem.

I have these in black and love them. I don’t wear shorts a ton and these are my only denim shorts. They aren’t too short or too - just that classic length that always works.

What I’m missing and what’s on my wishlist: