Eileen Fisher organic handkerchief linen top (gift from EF to review last year) | small
Rachel Comey slim legion jeans | size 8
Birkenstock Birko-flor arizona sandals
I mentioned a while ago that I’m only buying 100% cotton jeans from now on. Not that I need any more denim. No. I DO NOT NEED ANYMORE DENIM. But I love jeans. I REALLY love jeans. Really really really.
I’ve weeded out most of the non-100% cotton denim from my wardrobe, except my pair of 3×1 cropped flared jeans that I don’t wear very often, but appreciate having. They are very high-waisted and super-stretchy, and tight on my calves, but they’re a really great cropped and slightly flared length on me and look really good with certain tops, so I keep them to wear every once in awhile.
I sold my Levi’s wedgie icon jeans recently on slowre too. I did like the way they looked on me, mostly, but they were still snug on my calves, and I sort of secretly hated how the button-fly made the jeans stick out at my belly. AND, I always wished they were 100% cotton so they’d stretch out a little bit more (I probably could have sized up).
So, all that said, I decided to give these Rachel Comey jeans a try and see if they would work for me as a well-fitting, straighter (not boyfriend), slimmer jean. I originally ordered them in size 6 and couldn’t even get them over my hips. I ordered them in the size 8 last week and they arrived on Friday.
I love them. And it’s funny, because as “modern” as they are, in terms of styling, etc., they’re really just a basic, straight-almost -boot-cut jean, and sort of normcore looking. But they fit me really nicely. They’re super-high rise, which I love standing up, but man…high-rise jeans/pants are a challenge to sit in before they stretch. The legs fit mine well though, in spite of not being cropped at all. They do NOT STICK to my wide calves. Hooray!
I’m a sucker for jeans/denim though, and incredibly hard to fit, so that’s why I spend $$$$$ on them. This is the most I’ve ever spent on jeans, but to be fair I didn’t really spend cash money on them, I used some credits I earn at Shopbop every month displaying their widget here in the sidebar. That said, IF you love denim/jeans AND you have a tough body to fit AND you can afford $300+ for jeans, then I definitely recommend you try these.
(they show up at The Real Real sometimes secondhand, AND they’re a good item to wait for and buy when Shopbop has their “big event” coupon codes throughout the year…)
I wore them only on Friday, but of course spent quite some time trying them on with everything else in my wardrobe, and they work well. I do have to get used to how they accentuate my “curves” and body in a way I’m not really used to (saddlebags), but I started to get over that with the Levi’s jeans, so I’m on the way. It’s just still not “normal” for me to think about tucking tops in and showing my hips.
Look for more outfits soon! When I can stand to wear jeans…it’s getting HOT in here 🙂
Dear Grechen,
Hi, love this on you! Could you list the denim companies that make jeans that are 100% cotton. I know Levi’s does and that’s it. That would be awesome!
Hope all is well
xoxogena
You look really great. Black and denim is so, so versatile. I don’t see this as an overly body-con outfit at all. The tank has plenty of ease, and the pants fit looks spot-on.
I’m pretty devoted to 100% cotton denim as well, or just non-stretch pants in general, as much as possible. In my closet, I have:
3 pairs of Levi’s 501s (vintage black, vintage dark rinse, and a new light rinse selvedge pair)
Gamine Dungarees (these are more hardcore than anyone needs for fashion purposes, but they’re great if you engage in any sort of dirty physical labor — gardening, farming, building, trail maintenance, ceramics, whatever…)
a really ancient pair of Red Engine bootcuts
2 pairs of ancient cut-off shorts — 1 Levi’s and 1 Lucky Brand.
Also, 100% cotton chinos and khakis — so much better than the stretch versions — I’ve got an amazing pair from Taylor Stitch that I purchased this past winter, plus some ancient J Crew ones, and a pair of decrepit Mountain Khakis which were my go-to chore pants before I invested in my Gamines.
I’m really tempted to try the AGoldE Jamie and perhaps the GRLFRND Helena, although both are beyond my usual pricepoint. Also, Taylor Stitch is doing a pair of vintage-style selvedge jeans that I may have to try — the Rosie — the pre-order price is only $88…
Grechen, have you had any experience with Taylor Stitch? I have a few things from them now, and love it all so far — and all manufactured in California. Their aesthetic is dead-on for me (sort of outdoorsy-urbanite) but maybe a little outside of your usual wheelhouse? But, if your like your Tradlands pieces, Taylor Stitch seems like it might have some stuff that would interest you.
I would like to slap whoever coined the term “saddlebags” upside the head Gibbs-style. I don’t see anything except an anatomically-correct woman (a very fabulous, stylish woman) in that photograph. I even did a double-take after reading your post. I know we all have our body issues, but rest assured, you look great!
Wow! What an incredibly flattering silhouette on you! Sometimes e pensive is worth it. (And, fwiw, I did NOT even remotely notice saddlebags. I had to go back and look. Nope!)
thank you lisa, and agreed on the term “saddlebag” – it’s terrible. although sometimes i feel it is rather apt – i’m so pleased with my body, but those “things” feel like foreign bits just THERE that just won’t go away. just annoying 😉
thanks val.
Thanks for the suggestions kate! I am interested in trying AGoldE for sure, and probably will at some point – I’ll be sure to post a full review LOL
and i’d love to do some digging for “vintage” levi’s, but ironically enough, i don’t do well in secondhand stores. i know. haha… 🙂
i had a couple of taylor stitch t-shirts come through slowre and i thought they were great – and i’d love to explore more of the brand –
LOOK AT THESE PANTS: https://www.taylorstitch.com/collections/womens-new-arrivals/products/the-isla-pant-in-sea-washed-denim (it doesn’t explicitly say 100% cotton, but i’m assuming?? – i also like the black version)
and i WANT THOSE JEANS. i’m going to post about them tomorrow and pre-order a pair so they’ll get funded. thanks for reminding me to check them out!!!
did i mention that i REALLY love jeans??
yes, i will work on this. it’s tough, because most designers do a style or two in 100% cotton, but i’ll find some special ones 😉
I’m curious, what are the Gamine Dungarees like? I’ve been tempted by a pair for “chore” jeans. Thx!