Every year denim trends morph. For the last several years, straight leg denim has been slyly making its way into the hearts of fashionable women around the globe. This year it is looking to take over our hearts and wardrobes kicking skinny jeans to the curb or at least the back of the closet. Boot-cut or flare jeans made an excellent showing, but the clear front runner for 2020 denim dominance is the straight leg jean.
Straight leg jeans are just what they sound like, jeans whose legs are cut straight all the way down. They tend to be tighter in the hip and thigh than tapered jeans. But, shouldn’t be confused with boyfriend jeans, which are more of a style than a cut. Boyfriend jeans can be straight leg or tapered, but their standard characteristic is an oversized fit.
Straight leg jeans can be oversized (which I prefer) or slimmer, almost looking like skinny jeans with a broader ankle opening. The skinnier version is a good option for those of you not quite sure about giving up your beloved skinny jeans.
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My Favorite Pair
My favorite pair of straight leg denim is Mother the Tomcat Ultra-High Rise Jeans. I purchased mine back in 2018 after seeing the brand on Meghan Markle. She wore a pair of Mother denim for her first public outing with Prince Harry, and the rest was history. The exact wash I am wearing is no longer available, but Mother makes this cut in several different washes. The rise is 10.75″, but it doesn’t feel too high. I like that the Ultra-High Rise has a button fly. The inseam is 27.5″, perfect for us tall girls.
Mother Denim also makes the Tomcat in a mid-rise skinny. Both are excellent! Mother jeans have the perfect amount of stretch and are available in several different washes so you can easily find your favorite. I love straight leg jeans in lighter washes. There is a throwback vibe with the lighter denim, and it works well with the retro straight styling.
Since my exact pair is no longer available, below I have linked several different pairs of the Tomcat in several different washes. Check them out to find which wash works best for you.
How I’m Wearing
Wearing straight leg jeans isn’t much different from wearing skinny jeans. However, I think they elevate booties and high tops to something special. I struggle to find cropped jeans that are long enough to wear with these types of shoes because I have a 34′ inseam. The Tomcat is long enough. They look great with all my favorite tops and shoes, and they are perfect for all sorts of everyday activities. Like….
1. For Running Errands
Most days, I have a to-do list that is as long as a CVS receipt. I cross something off and two more pop-up at the bottom. I guess you could say I am in a perpetual state of running errands, so it makes sense that I start with that. Adding a clean button-up shirt adds a little boss babe to this otherwise casual look.
But since errands mean lots of running around, I want to make sure I’m comfortable. Long gone are the days of heading to the mall in heeled boots. I am 100% a sneakers girl these days. Of course, if you wanted to dress this look up a bit, a pretty flat or one of the trendy loafers would work too. For warmth, add your favorite leather jacket or cropped blazer.
Shirt // Pants (similar) // Belt // Sneakers (similar)
2. For Lunch with Friends
One of my favorite things to do is to meet friends for lunch. It breaks up the monotony of running errands or doing laundry. I have the best girlfriends, and I enjoy spending time with them regularly. We’ve all got to eat, so squeezing in time for lunch together is a great way to stay connected. Of course, I want to look a little more pulled together when I see my friends. They don’t need to know I spend 90% of my time in leggings.
A button-up shirt is a great pairing for these jeans. This time I added a leopard print silk shirt with a little more drape and an oversized blazer. The flats are from Chloe, and they are the only flats I’ve found recently, that doesn’t hurt my feet. You could easily wear these with a thin-shaft bootie. I like the M.Gemi Corso.
Shirt // Blazer // Jeans (similar) // Flats // Purse
3. For A Kid’s Sporting Event
One thing we moms have in common is we spend a lot. I mean a lot of time waiting, watching, and traveling for our children’s sporting events. It doesn’t matter if you are a soccer mom, baseball mom, or a TKD mom like me; I am sure you never imagined that parenthood included so much time just sitting, waiting.
When life calls for long hours of hanging out, comfortable clothes become critical. Luckily straight leg jeans are perfect for momming. Not an official word but a synonym for badass, if you ask me.
Layering for sporting events is critical. Up until recently, my kids both did indoor sports, and I am grateful. I haven’t had to weather the elements outside. But even inside, temperatures can be all over the place. I once spent a day at a Taekwondo tournament with no AC in Las Vegas in August.
Now my son is rowing crew, and I am getting a taste of what it is like to wait and wait outdoors. Like I said, layering is essential. On any given day, it will be hot and cold. A graphic tee or sweatshirt is perfect for a day at any event. You didn’t think I was one of those moms who wear team gear, did you? I’m not.
As I sit waiting and watching a cool graphic tee or sweatshirt reminds me that maybe once upon a time, I was cool. At least in my head.
Sweatshirt // Jeans (similar) // Sneakers
Tee // Jeans (similar) // Sneakers
4. For Date Night
At 5’9″ and with long legs, these jeans hit just right on my ankle. I struggle finding cropped jeans that aren’t too short for winter. If you are short, straight leg jeans are great because you can easily hem without losing any shape of the pant because they are literally straight.
I like to size up in straight leg jeans because I think it gives them a retro feel. I am wearing these in size 30, but I wish I purchased my regular 29 as they have stretch, and I think they would look better a bit more fitted. The sizing recommendations for Mother Denim are pretty accurate. If they tell you to size down, unless you want an oversized fit, do so.
For date night, I added a pretty lace blouse and black pointy-toe booties. My lace top is only $69 and looks far more expensive. It comes with a nude camisole attached, which many higher-priced tops do not. It is the perfect top to add to your closet just in case. I love that the pants are long enough to touch to the top of the bootie. I also paired the jeans with a leopard silk camisole (my all-time favorite), cropped blazer and kitten heels.
Top // Pants (similar) // Boots (similar) // Purse
Top // Blazer (similar) // Denim // Shoes // Purse
Have you tried straight leg jeans yet? How are you wearing them? Drop me a comment below. I would love to hear from you.
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