A few articles ago, I had a “bleh” (technical term) try-on of the ’90s Cheeky Jean from Everlane. Oh how I wanted these under $100 jeans to work. “Might as well also try on the MOTHER Denim Tomcat Ripped Crop Straight Leg Jeans I’ve been putting off just to cap off this failed try-on sesh,” I thought grimly to myself.

Ok, maybe not as much to myself as I might have hoped. My husband looked concerned by my thrashing around the room whilst trying to take a conference call. V. glam around here.

But, of course, I slipped on the $200+ pair of jeans and “cue early-aughts-teen-movie-makeover-montage music” and she was suddenly all that. “Why must I be cursed with champagne tastes, I don’t even drink! WHY,” I cried to myself, doing my best Nancy Kerrigan impersonation. Ok, maybe I said it aloud based on my husband’s raised eyebrow. Here’s the thing, The MOTHER Denim Tomcat Ripped Crop Straight Leg Jeans are literal perfection (I did the math).

Top | Jeans | Sandals | Purse (similar) | Sunglasses (similar) | Lipstick (#94 Cherry Moon)

Another MOTHER Tomcat Convert: Why I Love These Straight Leg Jeans

The Tomcats are a beloved style from MOTHER Denim for a reason (Laura’s ode here and Linzi’s try-on here.) The deconstruction is perfect and doesn’t leave you with droopy knees (if you’ve tried on enough ripped denim, you know what I mean) and the jeans have just enough stretch to break in at the waist after a few wears without losing their shape. Quite frankly, they just give great bum. I’ve found that 30% of fashion blogging is just taking pictures of your butt, so I would know (again, I did the math).

How Do MOTHER Tomcat Jeans Fit?

I find the MOTHER Denim Jeans are TTS (I am wearing a 30. I have heard some people need to size up, it just depends). They were definitely on the edge of “scary tight” when I first tried them on, but after a wear or two they were comfortably broken in. Also, unlike the “cropped” ’90s Cheeky Jeans, these actually appear cropped on my 5’7 frame. My body type is short torso, long legs, somewhere between a straight and inverted triangle body shape. I tend to carry my weight on my middle and have higher/narrow hips.

Are MOTHER Tomcat Jeans Worth It?

They are worth it…to me! I love Shana’s cost-per-wear post where she talks about the Circle of Life or Pie Chart of Life (I think I’m confusing musicals with real life, which tracks). It inspired me to look at my life and what it necessitates clothing-wise. I am at home with elementary school-aged children, Bam-Bam in baby form, and I blog; I’m not wearing ballgowns and Loubs every day. That’s reserved for Fridays thank you very much. Kidding. I’m wearing jeans, joggers, tees, button-downs, stupid pants, Birkenstocks, and the occasional chunky heel; easy, minimalist, casual is my momiform. I’ve already worn these MOTHER Denim Tomcat Jeans multiple times. They are perfect for weekend park playdates, block-walking (gotta look cute when you GOTV), and just hanging around the house (they pass the button test, as in, you don’t have to unbutton the top button post-meals or after sitting too long. I know some of you feel me).

Tee | Jeans | Sandals

I’m at the point where I’d rather pay more for a pair of jeans I will reach for over and over again (cost-per-wear) than buy a pair that–while cheaper–I don’t feel as good in that will inevitably end up shoved in the back of my closet after two wears, donated next season. You really don’t need four pairs of straight cropped jeans if you have one pair that make you feel really fly. 

Where To Buy MOTHER Tomcat Jeans

Remember to mind your “Mother.”

x, Meredith