Ah, the Trouser Jean. One of the easiest and fastest ways to look pulled together in a tshirt and jeans combo. Trouser jeans add just enough polish to elevate your look a notch, without giving anything up in the comfort department. The trick is to find Trouser jeans with real Trouser details — you need more than just a wide leg. A real Trouser jean should have the wider leg, a slightly higher rise (very mom friendly!), a tabbed waist, front slash pockets, clean back pockets (not jean styled back pockets), and be made out of a thin fabric that drapes nicely. You want them slightly slouchy — you should be able to easily put your hands in the slash front pockets. Trouser jeans come in all kinds of colors, but my favorite pick for fall is a nice dark wash. Expecting? There are some amazing trouser maternity jeans on the market.
High End
Pictured above is the Liza Trouser Jean by Anlo in abyss, $207. Below left, the Mackenzie Trouser by Raven Denim in dusk, $233. Both pairs are made of very soft denim, but if you have muscular thighs, the Anlos will fit better as the Ravens tend to run tighter in the thigh. Also, buying a size larger than your normal skintight jean size will give you that slouchy trouser feel.
Expecting? Isabella Oliver’s Flared Jeans (above right), $160 is a great maternity trouser. They are designed to fit under the belly, so no elastic waistband…which means that they might work well post-pregnancy. I still wear my Isabella Oliver Garbo Trousers.
Affordable
There’s a couple of great affordable trouser jeans currently on the market. The jeans pictured above left are the AE First Edition Trouser Wide Leg Jean in authentic indigo wash from American Eagle Outfitters, $50. These jeans have a very low rise, which isn’t necessarily mom-friendly, but the waistband is wide-ish and not too tight, which helps to hide a muffin top (very mom friendly)!
The jeans pictured above right are the Victoria’s Secret Slim Trouser Jean in rinse, on sale for $30.
How To Style
Trouser jeans look amazing with heels — they are designed to make your legs look miles long – but again….how mom friendly are heels on a daily basis? I don’t want the wonderful trouser jean relegated to date night only. My favorite way for Moms to sport trouser jeans are with sneakers. Canvas sneakers, specifically. Tailor the jeans so they are a half inch (no shorter!) from the bottom of your sneaker. Add a cool graphic tshirt (or, if you consider yourself too old, a plain, well fitting tshirt will do), a little blazer and a scarf, and you are walking out of the house just a little bit cooler.
I like the Proud Peacock tee from Ruby Republic, $45. For some additional warmth when the days turn a bit colder, add a simple black blazer, like the Allora LS Pinstripe Blazer, $27, from Forever 21. Any Chuck Taylor style canvas sneaker will do, but my favorites are a cool gray color. J. Crew has Jack Purcell Broken In Chino Sneakers, $65 that I’m coveting. For a trendy, yet kid friendly accessory, try the new beret hats. Yet another way to disguise the fact that you haven’t had time to shower. I like the V Pointelle Beret in lotus, $24 from Urban Outfitters.
Beret too scary? Then throw on a scarf. But try the beret. Really.
xo, S
