This Team Jean thing or Jean of the Month thing or whatever we are calling it (are we even calling it something? *makes note to ask Gwen at the next meeting*) — whatever it’s been or not been coined: I like it.

It reminds me of the features I looked forward to most to in fashion magazines, like when Glamour used to stop women on the street and have them all style up pieces from the same tiny capsule wardrobe. Seeing one piece (or a handful of pieces) on a variety of bodies styled a variety of ways — with fit notes, to boot? It’s fashion at its most analytical, and it really fuels the ol’ fire. At the very least, it’s entertaining. At the most, it leads to some seriously informed decision-making. Some of the team loves them, some of the team hates them, but you get a really comprehensive rundown on the why.

jacket (at Levi’s/Revolve/Amazon) | jeans | shoes (similar) | vintage silk mask | sunglasses (at Nordstrom/Shopbop) | bag (pre-owned here, here and here or similar)

New Favorite Flares? Good American Good Waist Palazzo Jeans

I can’t recall who first suggested these Good American Palazzo Jeans — Shana, I think, quickly seconded, thirded and fourthed by Kat, Mer and me — but they are, quite simply, the first pair of jeans to make me feel inspired, fashionably speaking, in quite a while.

You know I love my rag & bones (the Dres and the Mayas — ohhh, my exact wash is on sale — in particular), but my love for those is associated with a sense of easy familiarity. I feel like myself but better in them. I mean, when it comes to styling them, I’m not reinventing any wheels. But from a personal style and even a cost-per-wear perspective, that’s really the sign of a fantastic piece of clothing, right? Something that can be effortlessly incorporated into your daily wardrobe.

jeans | tee | shoes (similar) | bag (pre-owned here, here and here or similar)

These Good American Palazzo Jeans also hit those same notes of familiarity and seamless integration, but they offer yet another advantage all the while — a transformative property that breathes new life into all the other pieces that have already earned a place in my closet. Suddenly all those graphic tees, sweaters, racerback tanks, camis and hoodies that make up my (clearly very casual) wardrobe are all born anew.

jacket (at Levi’s/Revolve/Amazon) | jeans | bag (pre-owned here, here and here or similar)

And, yeah, some of my newer pieces get to play, too. This sherpa trucker jacket — which it seems people either love or love to hate (but that’s fashion for ya) — felt like the perfect complement. In fact, it’s done for the rest of my jeans what these Good American Palazzos have done for my tops. It’s totally at home among my current wardrobe, but it’s also interesting. Invigorating, even.

All told, getting dressed has been kinda fun lately. Which is honestly kinda…weird. But it’s also refreshing as heck.

jacket (at Levi’s/Revolve/Amazon) | jeans | shoes (similar) | sunglasses (at Nordstrom/Shopbop) | bag (pre-owned here, here and here or similar)

Outfit Details

Jeans: Good American Palazzo Jeans (run a little large, wearing a 0; see fit notes, below) // My favorite fashion genre, without a doubt, is ’70s-by-way-of-the-early-’00s. Remember that? Seven jeans did those big baby-rise flares with the wide cuffs, and we all paired them with ribbed tanks and platform flip flops. Aside from the whole exposed thongs thing, I still live for that combo — albeit, with a higher rise jean that’s both more flattering and lower maintenance. And these? Are those. The stretch fabrication is comfy and flattering as all heck, the cut gives you legs for days (and yes, there’s no hiding your thighs, but why would you want to?) and — as I waxed so poetically about above — they’re the perfect way to refresh anything from a graphic tee to a cashmere sweater. I’d even bring a little button-down flannel action to the game.

Fit notes: I’m 5’5″ tall, straight through the hips/torso, with strong thighs and a decent booty. I carry my weight around my middle, so any style that attempts to nip me in at the waist usually isn’t super comfy, but I feel like these do give me a little bit more shape, and the stretch denim is super comfy. Usually between a 0-2 (or a pretty standard 25) and I’m wearing a 0 in these. Wearing 3″ heels in this photo, but I also tried them on with a micro-platform sneaker (1″ish) and they dragged a bit — but not so much that I’m opposed to the overall effect.

Top: Cotton On Show Some Love Tee (runs a little large, wearing an XS) // I’ve had some real hits and misses with Cotton On, but their activewear and their graphic tees are solid. Love this one (it’s one of the few non-band tees I own) — and I have a few of their band tees, too.

Jacket (**Sustainable**): Levi’s Ex-Boyfriend Sherpa Trucker Jacket (at Levi’s — where I bought it | at Revolve | at band.do | at Amazon) TTS; wearing an XS) // So stinking smitten with this jacket — it’s perfection for the weather here on the coast. There’s quilted lining, so it’s actually cozy, but not so much that it won’t be perfect for summer evenings later this year. Perfect with just about every style of denim. Roomy enough to fit a medium-weight sweater under, too. And just cool. I get comments every time I wear it.

Shoes (Similar) // I will always love a platform wedge, but I’m also exceptionally picky about them. They have to look more boho than cruise-shippy, while also being walkable, and trust me: there’s a fine line, friends. These, however, pass the test. There’s nothing trendy about them, and they’re as great with shorts as they are with skirts, house dresses and — yep, in an ode to my aforementioned obsession with all things ’70s-by-way-of-the-’00s — big ol’ flared jeans.

Sunnies: Le Spec Air Heart (at Nordstrom | at Shopbop) // Oh boy, are these a hot item. I bought mine a few years back, and then Meghan Markle started sporting them and they went out of stock for more than a year. Happily, they’re back now (and also stocked in the tortoise color, too, at Shopbop and Nordstrom). I love the weight — they feel VERY sturdy and high-quality– but they’re a fraction of the price of designer sunnies.

Bag: Joe’s Jeans Bianca Saddlebag // I’ve had this bag for years, and it’s been around the world with me. Classic saddlebag styling that goes with everything, and it takes up almost no room. I managed to find it pre-owned here, here and here; linking up a few alternatives with similar vibes below.

Shop Similar Saddle Bag Crossbody Purses

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Already looking forward to our next TME Jean Jam. (OK, coining that one.)

xo,
Em

p.s. If you missed it, see the whole team’s review of these jeans in this post; and our previous review of Abercrombie’s Curve Love Mom Jeans here.

Friends! Follow me on Instagram for more recipes like this, as well as peeks into our life on the Northern California coast. And if you feel so inclined, pop over to my personal food + lifestyle blog, The Pig & Quill, where I share salty scribblings from my kitchen and home life. Byeeeeee!

Photos by Carolyn Stockman.