Unlike cupcakes and shoulder pads, there are two things that will never go out of style: the color black and denim. Although once seen as casual pants (and before that, as durable pants for men workin’ in the fields), jeans have become a staple in today’s fashion world. Because of this, women today can no longer survive with just two or three pairs of jeans. Oh no, we need a special pair of jeans for every (and I mean every) occasion.

1. Fat jeans
These jeans are great for a lazy day, but they’re even better for throwing on after a king-sized feast (i.e. Thanksgiving). Usually a size too big and made with “stretchy” material, you can always count on these jeans to fit you, even when nothing else does.

2. Comfy jeans
No, not Pajama Jeans (even though I am considering snagging a few pairs of those), but close. This pair manages to be just as (if not, more) comfortable than your sweatpants. Maybe it’s because they’re worn down or maybe it’s because they’re labeled as “relaxed fit”; either way, you feel great in ‘em and probably wear them a little too often.

3. Old jeans
Saggy knees, a few holes in a variety of places (like where your thighs rub together), torn to shreds on the bottom from dragging them along the street over the years, these jeans have definitely seen better days. That doesn’t stop you from wearing them, though, and try as you might, you just can’t bear to part with them.

4. Skinny jeans
The last thing a girl needs is for her bootcuts to get all bunched in her boots. Enter: the skinny jean.

5. Skinny jeans
Remember that time you gave up everything besides lettuce and water for Lent? Yeah, you also bought these jeans to celebrate your little weight loss achievement. Unfortunately, they’re so tiny that you only fit into them for a few days (if that) per year. Keeping them on the first hanger in your closet provides some good workout motivation, though.

6. Going-out jeans
You look hot in these jeans and you know you do. They fit snug as a bug in a rug and, damn, your butt looks good. They may not be the most comfortable things on earth (as in, you have to lay down on your bed to zip ‘em up), but that’s the price you pay for lookin’ hot.

7. Jeans for heels
Because god forbid the tops of your feet show in those new 4inch platform pumps.

8. Jeans for flats
Because god forbid your jeans drag on the ground in those new sparkle Toms.

9. Casual jeans
Too light to wear out to the bar but too fitted to lounge around in, these are your go-to jeans for those in-between days. And while you’re most likely wearing them with flats, they should not be confused with your jeans for flats.

10. Trendy jeans
High waisted, wide legged, bright skinnies, trouser, boyfriend, distressed, jeggings, cropped…. The trends are always changing and you gotta keep up.

Gosh, jean shopping is exhausting!

How many pairs of jeans do you have and which are your favorites?

[Do you ever feel like you can’t pull something off? Have trendy pieces in your closet that you would never have the courage to actually wear out? Well take those pieces out, shake off the dust, and continue reading!

In this series, I will choose a different piece that can be difficult to incorporate into an outfit and give you ideas on how to wear it. If there’s anything you would like to read about in the future, please leave a comment!]

Is anyone else getting tired of skinny jeans? I mean they look great on people like Kate Moss and Nicole Richie, but for those of us without personal trainers rocking skinny jeans can make one feel a little self-conscious. If you feel more comfortable with a wider pant (something a little more forgiving of that 3 a.m. Chinese food feast), then I suggest my current favorite style: wide leg jeans.

Wide leg jeans are just as trendy as skinny jeans right now, but they flatter a wider variety of body shapes. The difference between a wide leg pant and a pant that is wide at the bottom (i.e. flared denim), is that they fall from the hips instead of the knee break. To me, this makes them seem a bit more dressed up than other pant styles because most dress pants are constructed similarly. However, wide leg jeans are definitely still appropriate for class or a night out.

If you are just purchasing your first pair of trouser or wide leg jeans, you are probably wondering what to wear with them. There are two keys to rocking wide leg denim:

1)Wear a fitted top. Too often I see people make the mistake of wearing a baby doll or other wide top with their wide leg denim and the result is: WIDE. This does not necessarily mean that you have to wear something skin tight, but you should put on a slimmer top to help balance out the wideness of your jeans. The tank on the left, from Abercrombie ,is an example of a shirt you should not wear with wide leg jeans, while the Arden B top on the right would be perfect.

2) Watch your hemlines. Perfect tailoring will make any pair of jeans look amazing, but it is especially important for wide leg pants. The hem of your jeans should just skim the floor to create a long and lean look. This means that you won’t be able to wear the same pair of wide leg jeans with your heels and ballet flats – you have to commit to one (PLEASE – no cuffing!).

My favorite brand for wide leg jeans is 7 For All Mankind. Both pairs are super comfortable and stretchy. For a high waist, try the Ginger style (left). If you prefer a lower waistline try the Dojo style (right). Both are available at Nordstrom.

This pair of jeans from American Eagle is also really cute (for only $50!). The best part is that it comes in Long, Regular, Short, and X-Long styles so you might be able to skip the tailor!

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