I went shopping for jeans the other day, and I’m still reeling by some uncomfortable revelations.
I take a minute for this to sink in. I have have been holding on to the lowrise bootcut for years. I’ve been clinging to this fashion like my grandma clung to polyester long after it’s time. Like my own mom clung to light denim with pleats and a 9″ zipper.
My shopping quest started because I decided it was time to venture out from my hoodie-and-yoga-pants uniform that I wear pretty much every day. I decided it was time for a little self-care. I’m still young and hip, right? I need a young and hip outfit.
I started my adventure in Urban Outfitters, and then headed over to H&M. I can count on these stores to clue me in on the latest trends, I figure. But I am disturbed by the fact that each of these stores seem to carry only one shape of jean, in varying colors. The skinny jean.
Now, I know the skinny jean is cool. I’m not living under a rock. But I know my body type. And I know that a pear shape in a skinny jean is not a pretty thing. Why would I want to emphasize my midsection and thighs with jeans that sqeeze my legs into a small taper at the bottom? I have always been a fan of the Lowrise Bootcut. The lowrise makes my waist look longer, and the bootcut makes my leg look more proportioned. Hmm, I think in dismay. I guess I need to head over to the Gap for the old standby jeans.
I wander over to the Gap, which has always been dependable in making jeans that fit me. Actually, as I perused the back of the store, I noticed it was lined with jeans for all shapes, sizes, and generations. They even still carry their “classic” jean, which is the Mom Jean of my own mother’s generation. I begin to think that perhaps the Gap should not be my fashion compass.
I leave the Gap and wander the mall again. I start to take a mental note of what people around me are wearing. I noticed that everyone under 25 is wearing skinny jeans. And I mean everyone. Anyone who looked cute, hip, and trendy had on some version of this jean.
I begin feeling the slow, sinking despair one feels when they finally crawl out of denial. Like the feeling of finding out a boyfriend is cheating. Or like reading the nutritional content of a Starbucks Frappucino.
“Oh my gosh,” I say out loud to no one in particular. “LOWRISE BOOTCUT IS THE NEW MOM JEAN!”
I take a minute for this to sink in. I have have been holding on to the lowrise bootcut for years. I’ve been clinging to this fashion like my grandma clung to polyester long after it’s time. Like my own mom clung to light denim with pleats and a 9″ zipper.
So now, I’m stuck with two options. 1) continue rocking the bootcut lowrise, the New Mom Jean, or 2) look like a stuffed sausage in a pair of skinny jeans.
Oi vay. Back to the yoga pants and hoodie for me.
SAY IT AIN’T SO! I, too, will not part easily with the low-rise bootcut from GAP. (Long and leans are a particular fave.) Perhaps we are being as stubborn as our mothers with their high-waisted pants that made their butts look 13 inches long, but I am not ready for skinny jeans. (Plus, it is too close to the peg-leg trend of the late 80’s for me.) Long live the bootcut! –Jenbunch
who actually has space between their legs like in the top picture. i’ll tell you who… people who take those pills from mexico or those barfing up their food. no, i’ll stick with my legs touching and my gap jeans….
“Like my own mom clung to light denim with pleats and a 9″ zipper.”
Those zippers were NOT 9″ long – they were only 7.5″!!! And I just happen to LIKE light blue!!!
Love, Mom
PS: Yes, I have thrown away ALL those jeans . . . now I buy cropped jeans iin dark colors . . . which make me look 4′ tall and 4’wide. Oh well – at least I’m not wearing elastic waisted polyester pink pants with matching flowered button-up collared shirts like my mom did. . . . yet.
Yes, Mom, you have upgraded. I affirm you for that! 🙂
And Diane, the only time my thighs aren’t touching is if I am attempting to do the splits. Which is never.
Oh, how I love this post…
I HATE shopping these days because I’m suddenly a tween all over again. If I shop trendy, things don’t fit and I end up looking like I’m trying too hard. But if I shop “misses” I hate everything.
Today I hit the jackpot and got like four pairs of low rise, boot cuts! They MUST still be in style if there are so many to choose from. Oh, wait… I got them at a garage sale!
True story.