The familiarity in this new jean is there–all-american and throwback–because it’s from the original. There’s comfort in it, a recollection.
A week ago I reported on The New It Jean, and I vowed to buy it and style it! Is there anything less enjoyable than trying on jeans? In the same company with bathing suits and bras, it’s an unpleasant task. You’re in the fitting rooms getting squeezed, and disgraced; stuck in the land of no stretch, no give. I took it on because I’m here for you! I eventually found the one that for me, was It!
Surprisingly, the perfect jean is with the men. No Venus and Mars debate here, no more couples therapy–we understand each other, we are one! That’s right ladies, the Men’s Original 501 has all the 411. Dark wash, stiff, weighty, high-waisted, roomy. They are the “shrink-to-fits” from our past. In my original post I hadn’t included a man’s jean option for the new It Jean. Who knew? Iris Apfel did! She wore men’s jeans before they were readily available for women. And Leandra Medine, from Man Repeller–she buys from the boys. And please don’t use stinking thinking and rebuke the lack of denim innovation in the 501 classics–it’s still meeting our needs: stiff fabric means gliding over imperfections, weighty equals smoothing.
We know that a good relationship takes work. Same here with your new love. To replicate the Dries Van Noten jeans in our previous story, get the Levi’s Men’s Original 501 Straight Legs, in the Clean Rigid rinse. Find the size that is the perfect fit, with some extra room to it. Then follow the sizing on the shrink-to-fit label. I was told by a guy working in the Times Square Levi’s store that after I found the perfect fit, to go up two sizes/inches from there–in both the waist and length. They will look really big, and though, per usual, you’ll want to override a man’s opinion, don’t do it. You are to wash them in cold water, and hang them to dry or else they’ll shrink too much. Don’t worry, there’s still room for a little rebellion. I stuck mine in the dryer for about five minutes just to mess with him…I mean to de-wrinkle them. We fit perfectly!
Pictured here, I styled my new fave jeans turning up the cuff two, and three times. Anything goes these days in pant length and hem style, so there’s a lot of room for versatility. You may even find that you want to cut this denim to fray the hem, or adjust the length. To keep the new It Jean versatile and fresh, watch that your total look doesn’t seem too staid. It might look dated if you wear these jeans too long–below the ankle. If you pair them with something and they look frumpy, roll up the cuff.
Don’t let familiarity breed contempt. If you’re having trouble communicating with this new style, get a little therapy in the comments section. Give some, get some. If you’re loving this jean, give us your styling ideas. And if you’re having 501 blues, do some venting below.
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- Transitional weather is tricky when summer returns to fall. This heavier jean keeps it seasonal.
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- Jeans and a top don’t look as offhanded with serious jewelry.
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- The metallics diffuse all the color in this Acne T.
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- The naturals in the rings mimic the T, and the gold chain brings together the shine.
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- Rings, rings, rings a la Gucci.
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- This sweater from H&M brings cool to any look.
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- These BCBG runway booties, from Spring 2016, are high maintenance–not going much further than cab to door. But I love them!
I shopped my closet for this story, except for buying the new Levi’s jeans.
Photos: Dawn Bell Solich