How to wear relaxed fit denim

Stacie Flinner x How to Wear Relaxed Denim-11.jpg

Skinny jeans will always be around (I think they’re a classic, especially with knee high boots), however there’s no denying that relaxed fit jeans have been the denim darling of the fashion crowd for the last few seasons. I was slow to convert to the relaxed fit denim trend but now that I have I absolutely love them! With the right pair and styling they can still feel classic and might just become your go-to silhouette, especially in the winter months.

One thing to note, as denim trends change season to season I rarely invest in expensive versions. I purchased two pairs from J.Crew that are the same cut but have different washes (a light wash and a medium wash) and love/highly recommend them. Just be sure to size down as they run a little big! Here are my four tips for styling relaxed fit jeans:

The right cut – Pinterest and Instagram showcase many women wearing long baggy versions of the trend, but to keep the look classic I recommend a pair that’s high-waisted and fitted through the high hip, then relaxes down the leg with a hem that hits slightly above the ankle. Above the ankle is quite important, as women’s ankles are often a slender part of their figures, and help visually balance the volume of the looser pant leg.
Tuck in your top – A great pair must be snug around your waist so you can tuck in your top to define your waist and elongate the look of your legs. (Tuck just the front if you’re wearing a sweater.) When your’re getting dressed tuck in your top while looking in the mirror, then untuck it and notice the difference, untucked instantly makes you look shorter and wider.
Pair with a great pair of shoes – Relaxed fit jeans are ideal in winter because the hem is wide enough to go over booties. The boots should fit close to your ankle and can have a low, medium or high heel depending on how dressed up you want to look, but all heights work with the silhouette. (You can even wear classic bean boots for a casual, New England look, or these for a chic alpine look.) I’d recommend a boot that comes up high enough so you can’t see skin between your hem and the boot while standing (I own and love these), and should has an almond or pointed toe to further elongate the line of your leg and balance out the wider cut of the pant. In warmer weather I’d recommend an almond or pointed toe flat or heeled loafer or block heel pumps (love these, these, or these) to give a tailored lift to your look.
The third piece – I’ve found two silhouettes look especially good here. Either something on the shorter side that hits at high hip like a blazer, or a below the knee coat like the one I’m wearing in these photos. If your third piece hits right above the knee I think it breaks up the line more and makes the look a little heavy.