One Pair of Jeans Beats 100 | The Everyday Jeans Every Woman Needs
I probably own almost a hundred pairs of jeans, but if I could only keep one style, it would be my “Everyday Jeans.”
They’re the hardest jeans to find and the easiest to wear. The ones that don’t get caught up on your boots or look frumpy with sneakers. Every website calls them something different. Some say wide-leg, some say loose, and others say straight. I call them “Everyday Jeans” because you can wear them with every pair of shoes in your closet!
After 20 years in Nordstrom dressing rooms, I’ve figured out how to find your next favorite pair online without trying them on. It comes down to the right leg opening, the right fabric formula, and the right length.
Once you find them, you won’t want to stop wearing them long enough to wash them! I’m sharing my five favorite pairs, including one under $50, plus the casual fall outfit formulas that turn jeans and a simple top into an outfit worth repeating.
Let’s Be Honest About Openings
Forget what the website calls them. Wide-leg. Loose. Straight. Relaxed. The names change from brand to brand, but the measurement I’m looking for doesn’t. My sweet spot is a leg opening between 16 and 20 inches. That’s wide enough to fall over casual boots without getting caught up and narrow enough to look flattering with sneakers and ballet flats.
This is one of the first measurements I check when shopping for jeans online, regardless of what the brand calls the style. It’s also one of the easiest ways to narrow down hundreds of options to a few pairs worth trying.
The Fabric Formula | That Vintage Levi’s Look
I love jeans that look like vintage Levi’s, but I don’t want to spend six months breaking them in. My starting point is a denim blend with at least 50% cotton. Cotton gives you that authentic denim look, while fibers like polyester, modal, and lyocell can change how soft and comfortable they feel. A little elastane adds stretch.
My five favorites are AGOLDE (59% cotton), FRAME (70%), MOTHER (97%), Madewell (96%), and Quince (73% organic cotton).
The Length: The Only Long Jean Inseam That Works With Every Shoe
The secret to finding the perfect length for your Everyday Jeans isn’t your height. It’s your shoes! I’ve shared this formula in some of my most viral videos, and it’s the easiest way to figure out your ideal long jean inseam before shopping online.
- Step on a soft tape measure with the back of your heel. Measure from the ground to your center seam.
- Add the height of your lowest heel.
- Subtract half an inch.
That’s your ideal long jean inseam!
Now you can shop for jeans that work with everything from sneakers and ballet flats to sandals and boots without needing a different length for every shoe. Look for brands that offer multiple inseams, like Quince, which comes in three lengths.
The Top Tops for Women Over 40
Stripes
I promise you, stripes can be slimming on all body types, even horizontal stripes! The trick is choosing stripes that aren’t evenly spaced. An added bonus if one of the stripe colors is the same as your jeans or bottoms. Long or three-quarter length sleeves help too, especially with a crew neck.
Graphic Tees For Grown Ups
There’s a difference between a graphic tee from Target and a name-brand tee. It’s the quality and fit that make it look casual and effortless without looking sloppy. Anine Bing makes some of my favorites, with flattering sleeves, quality cotton, and graphics that feel grown up. I especially love the faded gray, almost black background on several of her tees. Pair one with gray Everyday Jeans for a monochromatic Capsule Wardrobe Kickstarter. I’m replacing so many of my black jeans with gray ones this year.
Feminine Flannels
Flannels can be less lumberjack and more ladylike! Try one with a little lace peeking out at the neckline, or wear it open over a fitted ribbed tank. My favorite combination this fall is a flannel tucked into fabulous-fitting jeans with a cool belt and boots to show off your waist. Pop the collar, push up the sleeves, and have fun with flannels!
I don’t discriminate based on price. Some of my favorite flannels are borrowed from the boys and cost less than $20 at Walmart. This new one from Banana Republic comes in two beautiful brown tones, caramel and chocolate. The softest, most luxurious flannels I’ve ever found are from Frank & Eileen. Get yours before the fall leaves start dropping, because these sell out every year!
Sweater Weather
I’m a retail cheapskate, but a sweater snob. My cashmere standards haven’t changed. What I spend has. The Jenni Kayne version of this fisherman sweater is $398. Mine is under $100, made from 100% Grade-A Mongolian cashmere, and cozy enough to wear instead of a sweatshirt. I love the subtle rib texture and slightly oversized fit. It’s the kind of sweater you’ll want to wear with your Everyday Jeans on repeat.
Read more in The Cashmere Sweaters I Used to Recommend vs. the Only Ones I Wear Now.
Three Layers That Change Everything
After 40, your casual jeans deserve better. If you feel like your casual wardrobe could use a little help, you’re probably missing one of these three layers.
The Classic Trench: This lightweight trench gets more wear than my Burberry, although I do love that plaid lining! Throw it over anything from a dress to sweatpants.
The Figure-Flattering Blazer: I bought my first Veronica Beard blazer when I used to dress up for work. Now I wear it more casually than I ever did back then! I love this style so much I have it in navy and black. The hidden zippers let you add a hoodie without bulking up your arms.
The Leather Jacket: I love my black moto, but I’m adding two more styles this fall. A chocolate brown Italian leather bomber from Quince with a bubble hem, and a lightweight funnel-neck jacket in vegan leather from Nordstrom. The vegan leather looks like the real deal without that shiny finish, and costs less than a casual sweater.
One great pair of Everyday Jeans can give you more outfits than you have plans for. Find your perfect fit, add a few favorite tops and layers, and you’ll have a casual wardrobe you’ll be excited to wear. Trust your instinct. Let it become your inspiration.
