The Great Jeans Search

I’ve been looking for a pair of jeans.  The perfect pair of jeans to wear with flats.  Not bootcut.  Not flared.  Not super skinny.  Not too short and not too long.

I spent almost an entire Saturday trying on jeans at the mall.  I found a few pairs that might work but they didn’t have my size.  So, I ordered some online and then searched a few more stores for options.

I wound up with three so far.  Here are the current contenders.

1.  Levi’s Misses Skinny Jeans – Kohl’s

Pros:

• Rear end looks good
• Not too wide on the ankle
• Leg is streamlined

Cons

• Looks a little too short.  No way these puppies could go in the dryer!

2.  Levi’s Bold Curve ID Straight Leg – Macy’s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pros:

• None that I can think of

Cons:

• Rise is a bit too high
• Not streamlined enough in the leg
• A little too wide at the ankle

3.  Denim Supply by Ralph Lauren – Macy’s

Pros:

• Looks pretty good from the rear!
• Slim through the upper leg
• Good length in the back

Cons:

• A little too long?
• Maybe not as streamlined in the lower leg as I’d like

In an ideal world, I’d like a cross between #1 (the Levi’s from Kohl’s) and #3 (Denim Supply by Ralph Lauren).

Thoughts? 

Do you hate jeans shopping as much as I do? 

Seeing Stars

Blouse – Express

Tank top & Skirt – The Limited

Tights – Walgreens

Shoes – Nine West/DSW

See that strip of sunlight on my file cabinet?  Leap Day has gifted downtown Chicago with sun!  In fact, it’s so nice here today that I was able to leave my winter coat at home and, instead, just throw on my blue blazer.

Blazer – Forever 21

The black and gray starred top is a little too blousy for my tastes but since I bought it on super clearance with a gift card I couldn’t pass it up.  I love stars!  Maybe I’ll take some of that money I saved and it get it tailored.

Finally, it’s probably warm enough outside to go bare-legged.  But, after months of it being too chilly to go out sans legwear it’s hard to get out of that habit!

Wild Animal

White shirt – The Limited

Sweater – Kohl’s

Skirt – Banana Republic Outlet

Tights – Walgreens

Boots – Liz Claiborne/DSW

Necklace – NY&Co

I have grand plans for this sweater.   It looks great with black, it looks good with jeans….and it’s going to look amazing with red!  I’m just waiting a little bit longer to bust out my red pants.  Come on Spring, get here faster!

I think this outfit would look better with a more streamlined shoe, but I’m actually living out of a suitcase this week so my shoe choices are limited.   I tried not to bring my entire shoe collection.  Funny story:  when my husband and I went on a week-long cruise for our five year wedding anniversary I had an entire carry-on suitcase full of shoes.   The TSA agent at the airport even commented on it!

Black and Blue

Blazer – Forever 21

Shirt – LOFT

Pants – The Limited

Shoes – Nine West/DSW

Necklace – Jewelry trade show

I’ve been wanting a cobalt blue blazer for awhile but I didn’t want to pay an arm and a leg for one.  I found this one at Forever 21 and I think it fits the bill perfectly.  I have lots of ideas of what to wear it with.

How do you feel about the bright color trend right now?

Weekend Bonus Post!

Jacket – Express via MJRSales.com (still available!  Search for “famous mall brand sequin moto jacket”)

Shirt – Georgiou

Belt & Jeans – The Limited

Necklace – Jeans & A Cute Top Shop

Boots – Liz Claiborne/DSW

I was going to a wine tasting at someone’s house and wanted to look casual yet fun.  I saw this jacket originally on J’s Everyday Fashion and fell in love with it.  It was so impractical yet I couldn’t stop thinking about it.  But then when she wore it this way I thought, hey, maybe I could do that!  So this was my attempt.  I think it turned out really well!

From Snow to Spring

Blazer – The Limited

Blouse – LOFT

Camisole – The Limited

Jeans – The Limited

Shoes – Gabriella Rocha/6pm.com

Necklace – Gift from Jason (jewelry store in Cabo San Lucas)

Close –ups:

So, as you know, I work in downtown Chicago.  When you work in downtown Chicago there is some outdoor commuting that must take place.  And on days like today, when it’s snowing, you certainly don’t leave the house looking at cute as you do when you get to the office and strip off the layers and change out of your snow boots.

Instead, this is what I looked like so I could make it to work as dry as possible:

I’m really looking forward to spring, by the way.

Zebra Mania

Scarf – Accessories trade show

Dangly earrings, Sweater, & Pants – The Limited

Stud earrings – Gift from Jason (years ago.  I wear them almost every day.)

Shoes – Bandolino

I swear, I laid in bed last night and this morning trying to figure out what the heck to wear today that wouldn’t be a repeat of something I’ve already worn recently.  What I ended up with isn’t all that different from things I’ve worn in the past, but I never would have thought to put this scarf with this sweater before.

I’m telling you, trying to wear something different as often as possible does help you get a little creative!

Oh, and here are some close-ups of the accessories:

Ready for My Close Up

Jacket – Gibson/Nordstrom Rack

Shirt – LOFT

Necklace – NY&Co

Pants – The Limited

Shoes – Nine West/DSW

This is my second attempt at recreating this outfit.  I like the jacket better with this top but I’m still not sure how I feel about the whole thing.

Also, Kim suggested I do some more close-ups of the textured items, so here’s a close-up of the jacket.

As you can see, it’s not a solid gray and the sleeves are ruched.  For a three-quarter length sleeve loving girl like me, that’s perfect.

Hunting

Scarf – Gift

Necklace, Belt & Skirt – The Limited

Sweater – Old Navy

Tights – Target

Boots – Ciao Bella/DSW

 

Needed something I could traipse around outside in while it’s raining or sleeting or whatever it’s doing.  Going apartment hunting this afternoon!

Also, would you believe my hair looked freaking adorable…until I left the house.  The combo of hat+wind+moisture took its toll within ten steps.  Oh well. 

In or Out?

 

Blazer – Gibson/Nordstrom Rack

Top – Kohl’s

Pants – The Limited

Shoes – Nine West/DSW

Necklace – Jewelry trade show

 

So, I can’t quite decide how I feel about the red top.  I’m so short waisted that tucking it in makes me look disproportionate.  But leaving it untucked looks too sloppy and billowy. 

What do you think?  Tucked in or untucked?