This week I bought the above pair of distressed, faded, “boyfriend” jeans (whew that description alone made me tired), and (no surprise here) I have some angst over the purchase...First off, I’m 35 and wonder if I should be wearing anything that’s purposefully ripped or distressed in any way.
Then there's the fact that I had almost the exact pair of jeans in high school, and I have this general rule that if you wore something the first time around, you probably shouldn’t wear it when it comes around again.
That said, I can’t help it…I kinda like these jeans.
So I need your honest opinion. Should I keep them, or should I adhere to rules 1 & 2 and send them back from where they came? + In this particular case your opinion is especially important as:
- I trust you Internet friends.
- We’re spending the 4th of July weekend with my family, and I’m feeling pretty confident that my mother and sister are going to give the jeans a thumbs-down, so if I get a resounding nay in advance from you guys, I can avoid the therapy-inducing fashion critique of my family altogether.
- And if you do (like me) happen to find the jeans oddly appealing, then I’ll have back-up to counter the inevitable familial heckling.
How’s that for the world’s longest set up?? I think I just exhausted myself.
So, what do you think of the jeans ;-)
76 comments:
I have a pair and not only love them but love-love them. They are comfortable (a good break from the skinnies) and yours look like they are naturally distressed.... Maybe the ones from high school? No one will know.
My rule of thumb is this: Do you feel great in them? Not just good, not OK... but great? If so, who cares what everyone else thinks?
They look great on you and 35 is certainly NOT too old for distressed jeans. If everyone abided by all these age rules, 65 year-old women would have nothing to wear but shift dresses and pearls. You obviously have great style; show it off.
p.s. Fabulous shoes... can you share where they are from?
Love them. Especially when you pair them with a kick-A outfit and accessories as you did. You in no way look too young. I too had reservations about the distressed jeans. Then one of my girlfriends had a pair and I've been searching for my own ever since.
ps...where did you get yours?
agree with all previous ladies...i love what jcrew is doing right now with distressed jeans and dressy blouses and shoes, similar feel to what you have going on...i like them.
I think they look fabulous. I don't think there's anything wrong with wearing something SIMILAR to what you wore in high school, as long as you're not trying to bring back belly shirts. That, I would definitely say no to. Your whole outfit rocks, however, and I think you should brave the family critique with your head held high.
Joslyn,
35 too old? No, you are a babe. Distressed jean not appropriate? Channel your style icon, Judy Aldridge. Wear them in proudly.
oooh thanks ladies!
kate so -- the jeans are from martin & osa and they were super cheap!!
i'm with the others... love them, want my own, dying to know where you got yours...
I work part-time in the Dallas boutique, Cabana (if you haven't been, you should!). Right now they CANNOT keep the distressed jeans on the shelves. The age of the average customer is around 35... so there! You are not alone! The jeans look great. Wear them with pride!
lucy -- i've been dying to check out Cabana! i'll stop by and say hi!
good to know ;-) thanks
I love them... dressed up or dressed down they are so chic right now. With either a V-neck tee & statement necklace or a cute blouse & heels. Very cute... if you feel great in them, keep them. thumbs up.
Darling! Must keep, must wear! The shoes totally dress them up making them feel more than just your 'boyfriends' jeans! Great purchase!
I hesitate to even classify them as "boyfriend" jeans, since you've styled them so chicly! Love the wide cuffs, the long top, the shoes, the toenails! Definitely a keeper!
I agree with Hillary.... 35 is NOT too old... and if you like them... feel good in them... then, girl, you will GLOW! :) I had the same uneasiness, though (and I'm older than 35!) But I can't deny how cute I feel... and how comfortable they are! So GO for it! You're adorable... embrace your style!
you are totally rockin' the jeans. two thumbs up!
I try to abide by the rule, if I don't LOVE the item I purchased or purchasing, I should returning it or not get it...but, those jeans are really cute and look good on you!
Love the jeans. And I love them cuffed with those fantastic shoes. Keep 'em!
Yes - love them (even though I can't see the all important bum area). I am an American living in London and I can tell you this trend has been popular for the last couple months. I applaud you for trying it and looking good too! I am 37 and quite often covet styles and items that I know I am just too old for. I don't think you are too old for boyfriend jeans and you have inspired me to try them myself. Cheers!
Keep them! First, they look great on you, and you always wear jeans. Second, they're not the ridiculous baggy, super shredded, awful "boyfriend" jeans that a lot of people are trying to rock. They have the perfect amount of distress ;-)
xoxo,
C
P.S. Love the shoes!!
I love them. And I love them on you. Usually, I like to do my distressing myself rather than buy something distressed. But these look natural and not "designery distressed".
As for age-appropriateness, I don't think there are rules (other than finidng what's flattering and your style). But I do think you've made these more grown up with the amazing shoes and gorgeous shirt?) dress.
Keep 'em!
They're REALLY cute on you and look seriously comfy. And they aren't TOO distressed.
I say keep them and rock them!
thirty-five, schmirty-five. You look great in them. And the shoes are AWESOME!
I agree. Love the jeans. In fact, looking for a pair myself.
BTW, I MUST have your shoes! Where did you get them?!
absolutely!!! wear them with pride. they look wonderful.
Adore them, your definately not too old to wear them, looks great with the top too. Your shoes are to Die For too! Jamie
You totally rock those jeans! Keepers for sure - and the shoes just put them over-the-top on the 'you look awesome' chart!
Jeans? What jeans? Can't stop looking at those AWESOME shoes....
totally agree with the others - they look great. i've had the same issue with whether i was "too old" for the distressed look, and i decided as long as the distressing was more subtle (as yours is), it's fine! not a fan of knees and butt cheeks hanging out, but i think you've found a very grown-up version of this trend. nicely done!
I love the jeans! Although, I love all jeans right now since the only ones I can wear for a while are maternity! Boo!
Love 'em. So stylish the way you put the outfit together. I say keep them.
Rocks or not rocks? You rock. I'm thinking that your 35 year old lovely self has some serious back-up against the fam.
keep them!
they look great on you
Here's the big question: Do you feel good in them? Do you feel comfortable in them? Or would you be walking around completely self-conscious the entire time you were wearing them? Because if you were self-conscious about them, they wouldn't suit you. If you feel wonderful enough in them that you're not even aware you're wearing them, then they suit you. It's as simple as that!
I still wear my distressed jeans from high school, and I am 33 in a few weeks. (I rarely wash them and they were Levi's to start so they have just lived for-ever, thank god because I will melt when they die.) Rock em!
You look great in them and have the right bod for that whole ensemble. Keep 'em!
Honestly, I was too focused on the great sandals you were wearing. I think the whole ensemble looks great. As for the "tears" in the jeans, it just adds to the element of a kick back personality. Love them.
HOT! go for it!! just don't go for those zipper jeans when they come back in style - or are they back now?? those should not be worn again by anyone!!
your blog is adorable! xx - kate
http://lapetitechoue.blogspot.com/
They look great on you! If you love them, keep them.
They look great on you. You should def keep them.
liliesandgrapes.blogspot.com
I love them - I think the key is to pair them with pretty things like you have here...the justaposition is great! But perhaps I am biased, since I am wearing mine right now.
I might be the only one who doesn't love them w/your "uniform" of dress over jeans. The jeans themselves are fabulous and look great w/the shoes, etc. - they would be a lot cuter w/something more fitted on top though (a la jcrew styling). You should definitely keep them!
I very well may be the only person on the planet who doesn't care for boyfriend jeans. But you do look great and those shoes are fierce, so I say wear them!
ok um...do you like them? are they comfortable? do you look good in them? if you answer yes to all of these questions then they are keepers. who gives a flying fiznuck what anyone else thinks? i am 39 and i would wear those jeans and not even think twice about it.
love, love, love, love. do dish on where they are from!?!?!
I think they look great on you and the outfit as a whole works really well. As a general rule, I don't think anyone is ever too old for any type of clothing, haircut, etc. as long as it is tasteful. That being said, you seem very hesitant about them and I would say if you aren't 100% convinced they are great, then they should go back.
ok, like it's really necessary at this point (yeah - comment number 47 really drives home the point!) but i looove those jeans.
and shoes. i was actually busy ogling your shoes and then had to redirect my attention to the jeans.
that being said, wear them. it seems as though you have a great sense of style and taste and so if you like the jeans, go with your gut instinct and rock them. :)
They look amazing! Go for it, and wear them proudly, knowing you look great!
Well, I think I'm the only dissenting voice - I like the style, but not the rip - but they do look great with what you're wearing it with. And my word, those shoes are fabulous - I think they are distracting from the jeans - I need to see more photos without those shoes to give a more informed opinion.
From seeing them on you--I think they look great! If you had asked without showing a picture I may have felt differently. And 35 is definitley not too ld for anything ripped and worn:)
I went back and forth on the same jeans for a while, then said Screw It and got them. And no regrets! They are the perfect summer jeans, and they look like they fit you like a dream, so I say, Screw It! Keep 'em. If I followed my mother's and sister's fashion advice I'd be a frightful combination of hippie and frump.
yes keep them. no way are you too old for bf jeans. too old for bf jeans with a tummy baring crop top, yes, but the way you styled them works. also, you probably already know this, but there is nothing more comfy than bf jeans. i wear mine. all. the. time.
suggestion though, try making the rolled up hem a little less thick, it gives them a whole new look. they also look really good with flats too.
Love them! I bought a top the other day which Ryan said I must keep because I look like you in it. I think you have a secret admirer.
Okay, so I love them - love the color, love the cut, love the cuff. Also, love the easiness of the black tunic, the vintage feel to the heels (please say they're not vintage - I want them!), and the vampy black polish and layered gold chains to top it all off.
Now, where does it all come from? Denim? Shoes? I need names, lady!
Honestly, I love the look. Wear those boyfriends with confidence!
Cheers.
P.S. Let me know about Stranded! Sunday.
I'm 41 and I'd wear them! And they're the farthest thing from elastic waist pants you can get, but probably even more comfortable. Tell your mother and sister to put that in their pipes and smoke it. ;)
Yes to the jeans but a big no to the outfit - it looks unbalanced to me, like there are too many horizontal lines. I'd love the jeans with flat sandals and a classic, casual white top (tank? t-shirt? sheer button-down?), as though you rolled up your jeans to walk in the grass on a picnic.
I bought a pair of boyfriend jeans this year too. From Nordstrom but worse, in the B.P. section. I'm also in my 30's and wore them the first time around but to me they are a classic. I love them and it doesn't look like you are trying to be young.
Wear them with confidence! You have a great sense of style.
Let me be the 58th (!!!) person to comment... You can pull it off. I love the jeans and those SHOES!!!
Yes, those rule apply *generally* but they're really directed at the people who don't understand how to set their own style parameters and need someone to make it black-and-white for them.
looks like you have lots of back-up already but here's one more:
LOVE LOVE LOVE! especially with those fab shoes!
happy 4th! thanks so much for guest blogging. loved your post!!! I have something for you friend.
Obviously you love them, so there should be no rules to adhere to so long as you feel good! But I love them, and I think they look great on you (not to mention those shoes!!)
i think the jeans are cute! even though it's a trend, it's pulled off best by the women in j.crew who are in their 30's too. i say keep 'em. on a sidenote: fabulous shoes.
keep them! By the way love your blog. Visit my inspirationblog for ideas
http://pikadolly.blogspot.com/
35 or not, you are pulling off that look! Super cute jeans.
I think the jeans are cute and you're wearing them cute. Give the rules a rest on this one, even if your folks don't like the pants.
I think the jeans are cute and you're wearing them cute. Give the rules a rest on this one, even if your folks don't like the pants.
I turn 35 tomorrow and a pair of ripped boyfriend jeans is on my list! :) Rock 'em sister! xo
I turn 35 on Friday and am currently wearing distressed boyfriend denim shorts. Thanks for making it okay for me to wear them after Friday. LOVE the shoes! And your blog!
I know I am late in posting this but I just wanted to tell you that I love the jeans especially with the shoes! I think you made the boyfriend jeans look very sophisticated! I hope you keep them...I want a pair now:)
I am 35 and am wearing a pair right now...if we all do it it's appropriate right? xo t
Mrs. French...yes i'm thinking we just start a little ripped jeans revolution.
the boyfriend jeans are adorable -- should definitely keep them -- have a similar pair that i wear with killer heels, and can not stop the compliments . . .
i'm 34. i think they are fantastic. wear them, love them for as long as you want. pull them out of the back of the closet in 10 more years and wear them again if you want. it's your style.
as a side note, jcrew has the same look right now and i went directly from my mailbox to goodwill to try and find it. i wasn't successful.
I haven't seen 35 for while and I am getting a pair...check out New York and Co. boyfriends...Oprah endorsed!
Obviously I'm a little late to the commenting here but I am a jeans freak so I thought I would add my two cents.
While the jeans look great on you, they are not boyfriend jeans but rather straight leg and more fitted. Boyfriend jeans are tons, tons more saggy. I am 25 and I prefer to not wear them not because of the trend itself but because they are so baggy in the behind. Makes me feel like I have diaper butt.
The jeans you are rocking look awesome though and the distressing is just fine. Not overly done, as some commenters have pointed out. Also, kudos on the top/tunic/dress. I am always afraid of this style because it can seem like too much material but you look awesome.
Also, LOVE the shoes.
They look great!! I'm a new follower from wendymacdesigns.com
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