Capsule #2 // Outfit 8
Want to know a secret? These aren’t really boyfriend jeans. As hard as I tried + as much as I loved the idea of boyfriend jeans, I couldn’t ever find any that didn’t make me look like a man. Everything I tried just gave me baggy butt–not attractive. So I made up my own version…destroyed, baggy, straight leg jeans. They work!
All you have to do is find a great pair of destroyed straight leg jeans (these work pretty well, just sayin’), then go up one or two sizes from your normal size. When it’s time to wear them, cuff like this. And done!
So, I’m curious…have you ever tried boyfriend jeans? Did they work for you or not so much?
Top: American Eagle
Jeans: Gap
Bag: really old from Fossil (similar look)
Shoes: old from American Eagle (similar)
I have a pair I was really trying to make work, but they definitely give me a “baggy butt.” They look good with fancy shoes, a fancy shirt, and when I am standing against a wall.
Might have to retire them, and try this method ; )
“Standing against a wall.” This made me laugh out loud–it’s so true! Been there. :) xoxo Caroline
This is wonderful! You look gorgeous!
I have tried on sooo many pairs of boyfriend jeans and they all made me look like a saggy blue blob. Haha! Now I’m on the hunt for a great pair of destroyed straight legs!
Karis! Thanks for your kind comment. I’m so glad I’m not the only one who struggled with that. :) :) xoxo Caroline
I’ve just discovered your blog through a link in Veronika’s (by-theshore.blogspot.ca) and I AM IN LOVE. I’ve basically put away this morning to read ALL the posts. I really want to try what you’re doing, I think I’m gonna try give it a go! But because shopping is my thing too, I’ll have to ease myself into it, so I don’t fail/cheat (let’s be honest, it’s very likely).
I do feel like I’m slowly beginning to understand that capsule wardrobe is where it’s at for me. I feel exactly the way you said you felt before you started – full closet, yet nothing to wear.
As for boyfriend jeans, I really wanted to embrace this trend, they seem so comfy and effortless! But, again, like you said, they make me look three times my size (very contra-productive) and I feel so unattractive.. I tried Mom jeans on yesterday and I loved them but I took a picture of myself in the fitting room and was in awe of how fat they made me look :-D safe to say I didn’t get them (even though I did consider making cut-offs out of them). Great tip to look for straight leg jeans instead. The gap ones aren’t too price either.
Anyway, this is basically a long-winded way of saying – you’re my new dressing inspiration!
xoxo
Kat
Hi, I just discovered your blog via Into Mind, and I’m already a fan! You’re such a great inspiration to what I want to achieve with my own wardrobe. I also love the concept of boyfriend jeans, but I’ve experienced the same problems as you and the other girls commenting here – they’re just not that flattering! I just have a question about your “fake” boyfriend jeans – won’t they be too big around the waist when you size up?
When I did the BF jean in the early 00’s, I just wore my BF’s old jeans – they were a Levi button fly that were snug through the butt and loose enough in the waist for tucking and skimmed over everywhere else. Perfection. I was lucky, in the BF jean department that he was small like me.
I struggle with them too. Like you, I opt for regular straight leg jeans rolled up. :-)
Caroline, thanks for the tip. I like the look of boyfriend jeans and bought some just after I had my last baby. At first, I thought I still needed a few more months to get back into shape, but two years later, they still look terrible :) They just aren’t for me. I used your method and bought the ‘always skinny’ jeans from Gap in a size larger than normal (I love the ‘always skinny’ line from Gap already- great fit) and they are perfect. Can’t believe I didn’t think of this myself. I’m really enjoying the cool, yet understated fashion you are showcasing. Lots of fashion blogs are fun to read, but are too “fussy” for me to translate into my everyday life- which involves chasing 5 (!) kids around. Yours has been a breath of fresh air. Keep up the good work!
this is FANTASTIC! being petite (4’9″) i’ve always loved the boyfriend jeans look & level of comfy-ness. i always find myself looking and feeling a horrible combo of schlumpy (is that a word?) & stumpy. i’m definitely going to try this out!! Thanks Caroline!
I resolved the boyfriend jeans problem by inheriting my sons’ discarded boys’ size 12 jeans. They are just the right amount of loose without creating baggy butt! :-)
I love this site, I have just discovered it whilst trying to move house for the third time in 6 months with two small children and finding the amount of clothes that I have a major chore but not knowing what to do with them and realising that I don’t wear hardly any of them and that sometimes I force myself to wear something because I have bought it but I just don’t feel happy in it! Your style is incredible and you look great in everything you blog. I am definitely a jeans and t-shirt girl and comfort for me is paramount. Saying that I have about 20 pairs of jeans including a pair of boyfriend jeans which I bought post pregnancy and are now massive on me but I can’t bear to part with them because the idea of them is soooo good but they look baggy and awful.
You are a real inspiration.