I used to hate jeans [1]. If I wasn't struggling with fit, it was an issue of them feeling too rigid or too stretchy; too suffocating or too baggy in the knees (a real issue I oddly run into a lot!); basically, just too frustrating! It wasn't until the past year or so that I had a breakthrough. What caused it? I'm not entirely sure (a terrible answer, I know). Although, I do, in part, attribute my change of heart to the fact that high-rise waists and straight-leg fits have become as ubiquitous, if not more, than skinny jeans; a silhouette that I can happily say I love and find to be quite flattering for my shape. It's basically the only style of jean I wear and, at this point, I've turned into a bit of a collector, stockpiling various washes and lengths to have at the ready when the denim mood strikes.
So, why this ode to the high-rise straight-leg jean, you wonder? Because I've come across a new (and very affordable!) pair that I'm utterly obsessed with: the POPSUGAR High Rise Straight Jeans [2] ($25, originally $50). Yes, you read that right. They're currently on sale for $25!
Despite having several very similar pairs of jeans, I'm the type of person who gets in denim "moods", if you will, and wears a single style on repeat for days or weeks at a time. Weird? Sorry, not sorry. But I certainly can't be alone with this, right?! Anyway, these new-for-January jeans from the POPSUGAR collection at Kohl's [3] strike the perfect balance between straight and slim; they comfortably hug my hips and cinch-in at my waist with slim-but-not-overly-clingy straight legs that eliminate my aforementioned knee-gapping problem and at the same give my calves just enough breathing room. The dream! They have just enough stretch to them that they're soft to the touch but with the structure to provide a nice shape throughout my lower body. And to wit, they come in a perfect vintage-inspired wash that's versatile to wear with both casual and elevated pieces with a great four-button closure that's an interesting-but-not-overly-distracting detail to set them apart. Is this starting to feel like an intimate love letter to these jeans? Again, sorry, not sorry. They're that good!
Since I'm clearly smitten with these straight-leg jeans [4], I had to share some of my favourite outfit combos as of late (all work well in cold weather but will seamlessly transition to Spring!). From a cardigan-worn-as-a-top situation (actually, two!) to a fresh take on the ole blazer-and-jeans combo, ahead check out four of my easy-to-replicate jeans outfits, all of which you can shop head to toe.
How I Styled My Straight-Leg Jeans: With A Cardigan, Coat, And Boots
I'm really into the whole cardigan-worn-as-a-top movement right now and love how this argyle style hits at the top of these jeans. I a camel coat and black ankle boots (mine are #OldCeline and I bought them second-hand on Vestiaire Collective [6]!), this is a comfortable and cosy look that's somewhat nostalgic in vibe, but still polished and classic for a day at the office.
POPSUGAR High Rise Straight Jeans
POPSUGAR High Rise Straight Jeans [7] ($25, originally $50)
Maje Short Jacquard Cardigan
Maje Short Jacquard Cardigan [8] ($340)
Wilfred Kerr Double-Breasted Wool Maxi Coat
Wilfred Kerr Double-Breasted Wool Maxi Coat [9] ($249, originally $428 )
Violeta by Mango Heel leather Ankle Boot
Violeta by Mango Heel leather Ankle Boot [10] ($130)
Celine Madame Leather Ankle Boots
Celine Madame Leather Ankle Boots [11] ($1,329, originally $1,477)
Aurate Infinity Ring
Aurate Infinity Ring [12] ($120)
Barbela Diamond Wilder Ring
Barbela Diamond Wilder Ring [13] ($1,150)
Missoma Lucy Williams Gold Pave Ridge Ring
Missoma Lucy Williams Gold Pave Ridge Ring [14] ($72)
How I Styled My Straight-Leg Jeans: With A Sweater, Knee-High Boots, And Earrings
If you weren't aware, we're in the midst of a boot-tuck Renaissance. One scroll through your Instagram feed and I'm sure you've noticed the surplus of bloggers, influencers, and fashion insiders rocking the look. One of my favourite aspects of these straight-leg jeans is that they're slim enough to tuck into boots, like this glossy faux-croc pair. On top, I wore another one of my go-to trends of the moment, the puffy-sleeve sweater [15] (this one is also from the POPSUGAR collection at Kohl's [16]!), and picked up on the speckled effect with pearl earrings to finish.
POPSUGAR High Rise Straight Jeans
POPSUGAR High Rise Straight Jeans [17] ($25, originally $50)
POPSUGAR Puff-Sleeve Sweater
POPSUGAR Puff-Sleeve Sweater [18] ($25, originally $50)
Aldo Ibilia Mid-Calf Boot
Aldo Ibilia Mid-Calf Boot [19] ($100, originally $200)
Lili Claspe Baroque Hoops
Lili Claspe Baroque Hoops [20] ($80)
Jenny Bird Landry Bracelet Figaro Chain Links
Jenny Bird Landry Bracelet Figaro Chain Links [21] ($95)
How I Styled My Straight-Leg Jeans: With A T-Shirt, Blazer, Ankle Boots, And A Bag
The way I feel about straight-leg jeans is akin to my love of blazers. The obsession is real. So, I plucked one of my favourite off-white styles from my closet, tossed it on over a long-sleeve tee (because, Winter), and finished with high-impact accessories including white patent-leather boots, a faux-croc bag, and gold vintage necklace. A modern take on Winter whites, if you like.
POPSUGAR High Rise Straight Jeans
POPSUGAR High Rise Straight Jeans [22] ($25, originally $50)
Khaite Cream Woven Blazer
Khaite Cream Woven Blazer [23] ($607, originally $1,350)
Wilfred Free Somer Bodysuit
Wilfred Free Somer Bodysuit [24] ($60)
Vintage 90s Double Link Chain Necklace
Vintage 90s Double Link Chain Necklace [25] ($32)
MIISTA E8 Ankle Boot
MIISTA E8 Ankle Boot [26] ($128, originally $210)
Rosetta Getty Black Patent-Leather Ankle Boots
Rosetta Getty Black Patent-Leather Ankle Boots [27] ($380, originally $845)
Catbird Jewellery Her Diamond Eyes Ring
Catbird Jewellery Her Diamond Eyes Ring [28] ($274)
Stella and Bow Nebula Ring
Stella and Bow Nebula Ring [29] ($45)
Ashley Zhang Classic Round Signet Ring
Ashley Zhang Classic Round Signet Ring [30] ($560)
Round Signet Ring
Round Signet Ring [31] ($32)
How I Styled My Straight-Leg Jeans: With A Cardigan, Knee-High Boots, And Jewellery
As I said, I'm very much in a cardigan phase, styling this cropped version (also from the POPSUGAR collection at Kohl's [32]!) over top my high-rise jeans. I'm also a bit of a white boot addict, finishing my casual-chic look off a knee-high pair for a fresh effect.
POPSUGAR High Rise Straight Jeans
POPSUGAR High Rise Straight Jeans [33] ($25, originally $50)
Popsugar Button Front Cardigan
Popsugar Button Front Cardigan [34] ($25, originally $50)
Marc Fisher LTD Ginnie Leather Knee Boots
Marc Fisher LTD Ginnie Leather Knee Boots [35] ($174, originally $349)
Rosetta Getty Leather Knee-High Boots
Rosetta Getty Leather Knee-High Boots [36] ($356, originally $445)
Tiary Pave Charm Hoop Earrings
Tiary Pave Charm Hoop Earrings [37] ($253)
Anne Sisteron 14KT Yellow Gold Diamond Zoe Huggie Earrings
Anne Sisteron 14KT Yellow Gold Diamond Zoe Huggie Earrings [38] ($395)
Maison Miru Mini Eternity Hoop Earrings
Maison Miru Mini Eternity Hoop Earrings [39] ($44)
Baublebar Niata Large 18k Gold Vermeil Huggies
Baublebar Niata Large 18k Gold Vermeil Huggies [40] ($68)