Must-have jeans: Mango wool coat | Blue button up shirt, similar | AGOLDE Riley jeans | Slingbacks, similar | Dior tote
The Season’s Must-Have Jeans … And How To Wear Them
My So Susie team and I had a Zoom call with the Frame merchandising team last week. It’s always so exciting to preview the upcoming season, and this year, almost every single fit has gotten an update thanks to the new designer at Frame. I share this because product knowledge for ALL denim brands is very important. It’s the number one reason I travel for “trend shopping.” This past week, while in NYC, I stopped by the Frame store on Madison Avenue and the Rag & Bone store in SoHo — both have the best denim collections. It’s great to touch and feel the jeans, and I love sharing with all of you!
As I always say: every stylish outfit begins with a great pair of jeans. This is why it’s so important to make sure you have several well-fitting, current styles. I get asked lots of denim questions everyday — everything from “are skinnies coming back” to “where should your jeans hit” and more! I realize buying jeans can be tricky, and even more so online. My Nordstrom co-workers and I used to joke that it was as bad as trying on swimsuits!! Yes, it can definitely be challenging. And I’m here to help! After all, denim is my specialty 😉
Keep reading to find out a pro-tip that works every time, which jeans are trending for spring, and a few denim mistakes you might be making … but don’t need to. I’ve included everything from white and écru denim to flattering wide-leg options to the number one selling style: a slim straight leg. There’s also a bit at the end about skinnies … who knew they were such a divisive topic! I hope you find this denim guide useful and informative. 💙
Special Codes
Frame: SOSUSIE15 for 15% off | Paige: SUSIE15 for 15% off
Style Board Inspo
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Love a great denim jacket, and this one by Frame is a personal favorite
A touch of leopard and caramel elevates every single outfit, and how cute is this Gucci handbag and these slingbacks
Ecru denim is perfect heading into warmer months, and I love this skirt and these new straight leg jeans
Denim mistakes you might be making … but don’t need to 😉
Image: me
#1 – Washing them to “shrink” them back to the right size. I often hear this, and the first thing I automatically think is that the size was wrong to begin with.
#2 – Not getting alterations. Nordstrom alters hundreds of jeans every single day, and there was rarely a customer I helped for whom we didn’t call a tailor. This is the biggest key to making sure your jeans fit properly. I wouldn’t let my clients leave the dressing room without getting alterations! 😉
#3 – Putting them in the dryer. This is a big no-no!! Of all the mistakes you could make, don’t make this one — just let your jeans air dry! The heat breaks down the fibers (assuming there’s stretch in the fabric), and over time you’ll get puckering. I recommend washing them inside out, then laying them flat to dry. (There’s one exception, and that’s white denim.)
#4 – Not purchasing the correct size. Typically, I see jeans that are too big because they’re stretched out. Of course, it depends on the stretch in the fabric, but in the dressing room, we always explained that jeans stretch out about 1/2 size. I would always say purchase them tight, but not too tight!
#5 – Washing too frequently. Only wash your denim when you must. This is according to every premium denim brand out there. Many mistakes are made here, and I always tell my clients to try and NOT wash your jeans. One sales rep years ago suggested just airing them out if they need a little freshening up!
Which ones to buy: The pro-tip you’ll want to know
So … what’s the pro-tip? Stick to the top sellers! If you stick to top sellers, then you’re pretty much guaranteed to find a pair. Why? Because the top sellers fit most everyone well, they’re on trend, and they get great reviews. And, denim brands do a lot of research and design their jeans accordingly.
Straight leg jeans are the #1 style to own
Left: Frame stripe top | Frame Ruler jeans | Right: Veronica Beard top | Levi’s wedgie straight
Hands down, these fit almost everyone! They’re easy to style and you’ll wear them all year long with everything. Curious about which shoes to wear? Wear everything!! Sneakers, boots, strappy sandals, flat sandals, sneakers … the list is endless because they all work.
The best fits & size details
Frame Vertical — Front Rise: 11 5/8″ | Inseam: 32.5″ | Leg Opening: 18″
Frame The Ruler — Front Rise: 11 1/2″ | Inseam: 32″ | Leg Opening: 16″
AGOLDE Riley — Front Rise: 10 1/2″ | Inseam: 25″ | Leg Opening: 13″
AGOLDE 90’s — Front Rise: 11″ | Inseam: 25.5″ | Leg Opening: 14″
Paige Cindy — Front Rise: 10 1/2″ | Inseam: 28″ | Leg Opening: 14 1/4″
Mother Mid-Rise Dazzler — Front Rise: 9 3/8″ | Inseam: 27 1/2″ | Leg Opening: 13″
Embellished denim is everywhere, and here are the styles I love
I tried on the Veronica Beard ones below (third pair), and they’re SO cute!
Skinny Flares are making the news!
Susie: TWP blazer | Frame jeans (more sizes here) | Lady Dior bag | Meghan: La Linge sweater | VB flare jeans | SW boots
Boot cut jeans made the news this week, and now they’re everywhere! Talk about slimming – see below for the best-selling styles
The best fits & size details
Mother Weekender — Front Rise: 9 1/2″ | Inseam: 31″ | Leg opening: 19 1/2″
Veronica Beard Beverly — Front Rise: 10 1/2″ | Inseam: 34″ | Leg opening: 21 1/2″
Frame The Icon — Front Rise: 10″ | Inseam: 31″ | Leg Opening: 22″
Paige Laurel Canyon — Front Rise: 8 3/4″ | Inseam: 32″ | Leg Opening: 19 1/2″
Longer length, wide-leg jeans should be in everyone’s closets
Left: Veronica Beard Blazer | Frame Le Slim Palazzo | Tote | Right: Layering top | Paige Anessa | Bag | Slingbacks
A long length wide leg jean is super flattering and will keep your wardrobe current and cool. The best-selling ones to try include the Frame Le Slim Palazzo and Paige Anessa. They work any time of year and will level up all your denim outfits. Lately I’ve been wearing the AGOLDE Harper jeans which are a touch slimmer, and I feel kind of cute in them 🙂 Also, they’re very flattering, and a nice switch-up from everything else!
The best fits & size details
AGOLDE Harper — Front Rise: 11 1/4″ | Inseam: 32″ | Leg opening: 19 1/2″
Frame Le Slim Palazzo — Front Rise: 10 3/4″ | Inseam: 31″ | Leg opening: 22 1/4″
Paige Anessa — Front Rise: 11 1/2″ | Inseam: 31″ | Leg opening: 22″
Mother Hustler Roller — Front Rise: 11″ | Inseam: 32″ | Leg opening: 24 1/2″
Paige Sasha — Front Rise: 11″ | Inseam: 31 1/2″ | Leg opening: 21″
Cropped ankle flare jeans are perfect for spring
Left: Kinross jacket | Vince polo | Lil Mother Insider | Prada bag | Right: Vince button up | Mother Hustler | AGOLDE tank | Necklaces
This season, Frame launched a new fit called the Reboot Crop (also available in a full length style here). My everyday go-to ankle jeans are the Mother Hustler and Insider. They’re flattering on everyone and the difference is the rise and leg opening. They also come in petites! Check out the Lil Mother petite line here.
The best fits & size details
Frame Reboot Crop — Front rise: 11″ | Inseam: 27″ | Leg opening: 17″
Mother Hustler — Front rise: 11 1/2″ | Inseam: 27″ | Leg opening: 16″
Mother Insider — Front rise: 10″ | Inseam: 24″ | Leg opening: 15″
Paige Claudine — Front rise: 11 5/8″ | Inseam: 28″ | Leg opening: 17 1/4″
AG Farrah — Front rise: 10 ″ | Inseam: 27″ | Leg opening: 17″
And now, the burning question: are skinny jeans still in style?
Believe it or not …. they’re back!! Frame just launched the Alix skinny that sold out immediately! I haven’t purchased a pair yet … but I’m guessing I will! Stay tuned 😘
Thank you for reading xx
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