3 Ways To Wear: Mom Jeans

Thank you to Express & ShopStyle for kindly sponsoring this post.
All opinions are 100% honest & all items were hand-selected by me.

I was reading a Facebook thread the other day about denim & someone hilariously commented that she & her friends lovingly refer to skinny jeans as “leg prisons”.  While I don’t feel that way about most of the pairs I own, I can definitely appreciate the desire to wear something less restricting from time to time.  There are so many spring denim trends that I just can’t get on board with (I’m looking at you, acid wash), but when Express reached out to me & asked me to try their high-waisted mom jeans, I’ll admit I was intrigued.  Never one to turn down a fashion challenge, I took the plunge & I’m sharing my full review with you today!

Technically, mom jeans are defined as classic no-stretch or low-stretch denim with a high waist, straight fit and tapered leg.  Some of you may have immediately written them off (as did I!) because you couldn’t find a style that worked for your body shape or you didn’t think you could pull them off.  Well, I’m here to prove that you CAN rock them by showing you 3 ways to wear this vintage-inspired silhouette.  Despite what you may think, these might just be the most comfortable, versatile & flattering denim you’ve ever worn!  Hopefully this post inspires you to give your skinny jeans a break & embrace a more relaxed fit.

CASUAL FRIDAY

One of my favorite ways to wear jeans is to style them with dressier, polished pieces – think structured blazers (like this or this), sequins and lace.  I think it provides the perfect high/low contrast & instantly gives it a cool vibe.  This boucle jacket has a high-end designer feel & the length is just right for pairing with these high-waisted jeans.  It’s a splurge-worthy piece, but if you want to snag it for less, thankfully Express regularly runs promos on their site.  Side note: if you click on the heart below an item in the widget at the bottom of this post, you can sign up for sale alerts so you’ll be notified when it gets marked down!

When it comes to what types of shoes to wear with mom jeans, I think sneakers, flats, mules & pumps work the best.  Because they have a looser cut, it’s the most flattering if the smallest part of your ankle is visible – this helps elongate your legs, so you don’t want to cut that off by wearing a sandal or wedge with a thick ankle strap.  Try these cap toe slingbacks, these v-cut mules, these suede loafers or these square-toe sandals.

What I’m wearing:
c/o Express Boucle Jacket, c/o Express Linen Tee,
c/o Express High Waisted Mom Jeans, c/o Express Leopard Mules

COFFEE RUN

For a more casual feel, I paired them with a slouchy sweater & comfortable mules (I’ve owned these since last year & wear them constantly!). Because these jeans have a more relaxed fit, it’s really important to define the waist so your proportions don’t get lost.  Whatever you decide to pair with them, you want to be sure to do a front tuck, full tuck or knot your top off to the side.  You could also add a belt for even more definition – try this classic double ring belt, this western belt, this tortoiseshell buckle belt or this polished nude belt.

One thing I love about Express jeans is that almost all of them also come in short, long & petite so you’re sure to find the best fit for your frame.  For reference, I’m 5’8″ and I got these in a regular (they run true to size) – it doesn’t show in the product details on their site, so I measured them for you & they have a 25″ inseam with an 11″ rise.  It’s so important to know your shape & what works for you – I recommend taking a pair of jeans that you love and jotting down the inseam & rise details so you know what measurements you need to find a great fit (this is especially helpful when ordering online).  The same cut as what I’m wearing here also comes in a dark wash and in white with a raw hem – just ordered & can’t wait for them to arrive!

What I’m wearing:
c/o Express Dolman Sleeve Sweater, c/o Express High Waisted Mom Jeans,
c/o Express Snake Print Mules

GIRLS NIGHT OUT

While I love a high-waist, the problem I’ve had with most “mom jeans” I’ve tried is that they make my butt appear long and flat – not exactly the look I’m going for.  What sets these apart is the yoke in back (the part of the jeans between the waistband and pockets) – the deep v-shaped seam creates a flattering silhouette that accentuates your curves…or gives the illusion of them if you need it.  Even my husband who has expressed his disdain for this style of denim said that these instantly changed his mind & declared them date night worthy!

This puff sleeve sweater is fitted & slightly cropped, so it’s perfect for tucking in (also comes in black).  Add a knotted headband, some jewelry & you’re good to go!  For chilly weather, I’d throw a cropped moto jacket on top of this to give it a little edge.  More tops to wear with this style of denim for a casual night out: this asymmetrical sweater, this lace bodysuit, this tie-front blouse or this ribbed square neck top.

What I’m wearing:
c/o Express Puff Sleeve Sweater, c/o Express High Waisted Mom Jeans,
c/o Express Strappy Sandals

MY EXPRESS FAVORITES