March One Item to Buy
March is here, and it is time for a denim refresh. You guessed it. The one item I recommend you buy in March is a good pair of jeans. What a brouhaha started when Gen Z declared the skinny jean dead. Millennials about lost their minds. We the members of Gen X kept quiet knowing full well winter was coming and the skinny jean reigns supreme in winter.
Of course, we were right. The skinny jean is as practical as it is comfortable. But we are not rigid enough to die on a skinny jean hill. We are willing to branch out. As seasoned veterans of the trends cycle, we know to stick to what is right for us. Of course, there is always room for something new.
The great thing is there are so many fabulous jeans styles available now making it so much easier to find the perfect one for you.
There is no bigger workhorse in your wardrobe than a pair of jeans. Sure we all have many pairs, but when was the last time you bought a fresh style? The only thing to take from Gen Z’s comments is a reminder to refresh your style every once in a while. I am not advocating for giving up your beloved skinny jeans, but how about adding another cut to the mix? There are so many great options out there. But first, why the challenge?
Why the Challenge?
In one of my online fashion groups, the question was raised, “If you could only buy one item this month, what would it be?” This led me to start this monthly series. Each month I will detail the one item I suggest you buy. The idea is to be more thoughtful in your purchases. To build your wardrobe around quality pieces.
Related: January One Item Challenge & February One Item Challenge
If you are a minimalist fashionista, I hope this post will inspire you on what item to buy. If you are a fashion whore like me, this post can serve as inspiration for at least one of your shopping trips. Then maybe consider living more minimalist in another area of your life. Or not. You do you, boo.
A Good Pair of Jeans
What constitutes a good pair of jeans? Is it price? Influencer recommended? Or current trend? No. A good pair of jeans makes you feel happy. A pair that, even though we gained pandemic pounds, makes you feel like you still got swag. The price, the style, the wash are all up to you. Some styles can quickly date you but believe me, skinny jeans are not one of them. Think SNL’s Mom Jeans. Skip those! If you have no idea where to begin buying a new style of jeans, let me help you. There are a few major trends for 2022. I am sure you will find one that works for you.
A Quick Note On Fit
I’m purposely only covering different styles of denim. Use these suggestions as a framework for the right pair for you. For example, I cannot wear high-rise jeans. My waist is extremely short, and anything over a 10′ inch rise has me looking like Erkle. I also rarely buy any pair of jeans labeled cropped because I have long legs and anything shorter than a 27-inch inseam looks ridiculous on me.
However, good high-rise jeans may be exactly what looks best on your long torso. Or maybe you need the cropped styles for their shorter length. The great thing about denim today is there are so many options. Most styles are offered in various rises and lengths. My picks below include styles of various rises and inseams.
Know what works for your body and stick to it but always be willing to experiment with a new style. When bootcut denim first reappeared, most companies offered only high-rise versions. Knowing that a 12-inch rise would never work for me, I skipped the trend until companies began offering mid-rise options.
A Note to Denim Companies – Please get together and create a uniform code for what is considered high, medium, and low rise. It is so frustrating to have to search everywhere for details on the rise. I was looking at the AGOLDE 90s Midrise Jeans, which I absolutely love the cut and color, but upon further inspection, the rise is 12 inches. That is definitely high rise in my book and won’t work for me. My thoughts are low rise is anything 8 inches and under, mid-rise is 9-11 inches, and high rise is anything over 12 inches. That shouldn’t be that hard. Ok. Rant over.
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Bootcut/Flare Jeans
I am feeling the flare this season. It has been a quick minute since bootcut jeans were popular, which is just long enough to make them feel fresh again. If you want all my tips for styling flare jeans, check out my recent post, Skip the Skinny Jeans for this Trend.
A good pair of flare jeans are slim through the hips and thighs. I prefer a pair that only slightly flares out below the knee. I think anything more exaggerated, and you quickly move from cool to cartoonish. The pair I am wearing are the AG Jeans Angel Bootcut Jeans. The inseam on these jeans is 32 inches. I am not sure why in every model photo, they appear short. They are not. I am 5’9,” and you can see they work fine with a 2.5-inch heel.
Another resurging style right now is the cropped flare. I initially skipped this trend, but now it will be my go-to for summer. The Mother Denim, The Weekender Frayed-Hem Flare-Leg Jeans in Groovin, changed my mind. I am in love with these jeans. I am a huge fan of Mother Denim in general, but the cut and the wash of these jeans are perfect. They are soft and stretchy and oh so comfortable.
For spring and summer, I plan to wear all my flares with statement sandals. They are perfect for showing off your favorite pair. Add a fun graphic tee or a pretty floral top, and you have an easy outfit formula for the warmer months.
Bootcut/Flare Jean Picks
Straight Leg Jeans
Straight-leg jeans are another fabulous option. Do you have a pair yet? They can be anywhere from loose straight to skinny straight. So if you are really lamenting the loss of your skinnies, look for a pair of skinny straight as a subtle alternative.
The jeans I am wearing below are more traditional, relaxed straight-leg jeans. They are the Emery Long Mid-Rise Relaxed Straight by Citizen of Humanity. The pair I linked is a slightly different wash without the distressed cuts at the hem. I prefer them to the ones I have on.
Straight-leg denim works perfectly with chunky booties. The proportions are just right. I’m wearing the Vagabond Cosmo 2.0 Chelsea Boots. They have a slightly higher shaft which helps keep them under your jeans. If the jeans were longer, I would add a cuff to show off my cool boots.
Straight Leg Jeans Picks
Ripped Denim
I’ve been on the fence about ripped jeans. They seemed to have had their moment and were on their way out. However, the fashion gods deemed loose ripped jeans to be hot for 2022.
Of course, baggy, distressed jeans make perfect sense for spring/summer as they allow maximum airflow, and with the right amount of rips, they are basically like wearing shorts without showing the back of your thighs, which we all can get behind. I wear ripped jeans all summer.
I also love Levi’s for distressed jeans. The pair I am wearing below are old 501 jeans, but you can find similar styles at Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, or even Levi’s website. Sadly, Levi’s seems to be making only high-rise jeans these days. Their Wedgie Fit is a popular, reasonably priced option available in lots of different washes and lengths.
Skip These Ripped Jeans Styles
- Skip the rips that look like they were made with kitchen scissors.
- Say no to a ridiculous amount of rips.
- Opt for ripped knees or rough hem. Together they look sloppy.
- Choose patching or distressing never both unless you are building a hobo costume.
Ripped Denim Picks
Loose/Baggy Jeans
I picked up these baggy jeans back in 2019. Apparently, I was feeling the loose jean vibe early. I blame it on my middle age, middle that no longer wants to be too tightly constrained. Add a year of quarantine, and I refuse to wear anything too tight or constricting any longer. So hooray for the loose-fitting or baggy jeans trend.
Baggy jeans have many names including mom jeans, dad jeans, wide-leg jeans, and skater. Mom jeans have a tighter fit at the waist and hips but room through the legs. Dad jeans tend to be bigger all over but straight through the hips. Wide leg jeans can be a combo of either but right now they tend to be seriously high rise. Skater jeans were popular in our hay day but back again. They tend to be loose all over.
You can also achieve the loose or baggy look you can opt to size up in any pair of straight leg or boyfriend jeans you love.
Style Tip: please, please skip the pleated baggy jeans. They are not flattering on anyone. I have no idea why these ugly jeans from the 80s returned to haunt us. They didn’t work on our teen bodies then and they definitely don’t work on our midlife bodies now.
Loose/Baggy Jeans Picks
A good pair of jeans can be transformational. Truly they can. When you slip on the right pair of jeans, it makes the day a little brighter, your mood a little higher, and boosts your confidence that much more. Finding the right pair can be daunting, but the angels appear and play Hallelujah when you do.
I hope you take my suggestions and consider trying a new fit and style of jeans for spring. All of the jeans I have picked are brands I know and love. The styles vary in rise as not all of you are waist-length challenged like me. If you find a new style that works for you, I would love to hear about it. Please drop me a comment below or send me a DM on Instagram with a photo.
I would love it if you followed me on Instagram for my everyday outfits or on Pinterest for my fashion inspiration. StyleDahlia is a fashion and lifestyle website with a modern take on midlife. We hope to inspire you to step out of your comfort zone, try new things, and live your life in full bloom.
