THE JOURNAL
Jeans, for all their simplicity, can sometimes be hard to style – especially when the silhouette is one you’re not accustomed to. Many of us have been wearing a straight cut for years (some of us are still in skinny jeans), so the re-emergence of baggy jeans might be completely freaking you out. How can you wear them without looking like an extra from Clueless or the notoriously unfashionable Chandler Bing from Friends?
To help with this 1990s-era conundrum, we’ve assembled three outfits, each of which is anchored by baggy jeans. Far from being too grungy or messy, the silhouette is fairly versatile – even office appropriate, depending on where you work.
A styling suggestion, and one that actually kind of goes for literally everything in your wardrobe, is that you should always make sure these jeans are neat, tidy and even lightly pressed. That way, there’s no risk of sliding into messy mall-rat territory.
01.
The light-wash jeans
Here we’ve chosen a tricky silhouette in a slightly tricky wash – just to keep things interesting. Light denim can be challenging to make modern and sleek even in a narrower fit. When you add some volume, it’s important to make sure every other piece is current, minimal and super easy. So, let’s start with these flared jeans by Séfr, which have a low-ish rise and a very light blue hue.
Working from the bottom up, we’ve added some heavy Bottega Veneta steel-grey boots. They have some heft and will therefore anchor the look without appearing overly punk or costumey. A simple white T-shirt with contrast tipped cuffs and neckline by Theory creates the ideal base outfit. Adding on from here, let’s get a shirt by Acne Studios with blue stripes that match the jeans. We suggest wearing this unbuttoned.
Finally, the accessories: silver jewellery from Tom Wood continues the cool tones, as well as a black tote from LOEWE and a silver-buckled belt from Mr P. For a lone shot of warmth, we love these Mr P. x Cubitts sunglasses in a honey resin. Simple, easy and very stylish.
02.
The almost black-wash jeans
Mr Rick Owens doesn’t make clothes that are easy or safe – he makes clothes for risk takers. These faded black jeans are extra slouchy, so we beseech you to take some extra care in the styling. Luckily, we’ve done the legwork for you.
Feel free to lean into the laid-back, everyday-ness of these jeans with a graphic tee from Enfants Riches Déprimés and a track jacket from Japanese cult brand KAPITAL. This is a look for meeting friends or mooching around a gallery or museum – we don’t recommend this for work (unless you work at a skate shop).
Keep your accessories on theme, too. Rectangular shades from Off-White, a beaded necklace from éliou, a simple belt from the not-so-simple Balenciaga and a satiny bag from Porter-Yoshida & Co. Finally, it seems almost silly not to slip on some Birkenstock Bostons with some bright white Rostersox socks, doesn’t it? Off you trot.
03.
The dark blue-wash jeans
We’ve saved the easiest for last. Dark-wash denim jeans in a roomy but manageable cut from DIME is perhaps the gateway baggy jeans for the wide-leg curious. These are also the most versatile pair – they’ll take you much farther than the shopping-centre food court with friends.
If you style this as directed – with a clean white Auralee button-down, a camel cardigan from Drake’s and brown loafers from visvim – you could even wear this on a date. We like pairing this silhouette with preppy-luxe basics such as grey Falke socks and a simple brown leather belt from Brunello Cucinelli.
Add a dash of extra personality with a ring, such as this simple silver and topaz from Miansai, and a minimalist leather tote from Jil Sander. But keep the colour story warm and in the brown family. That’s how you tie the whole thing together – cleanly.