Yes, yes skinny jeans are no longer de rigueur, but that doesn’t mean they deserve to be tossed from your closet (in fact, please don’t ever toss any clothing from your closet – there are plenty of ways to rehome items sustainably! But I digress…).
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In fact, today I’m here to argue that not only should skinny jeans stay in your closet, but you should consider packing them in your luggage for a versatile travel wardrobe.
WHY BLACK SKINNY JEANS DESERVE A SPOT IN YOUR SUITCASE
They’re the LBD of jeans.
Super, super corny statement aside – they really are the MVP of the denim world. They’re just as sleek and timeless as an LBD, but warmer and much easier to wear. And along those same lines…
They can dress up or down.
Black skinny jeans are a perfect companion to a silk blouse, a going-out top, or an old raggedy t-shirt (throw an oversized blazer on top of all three of these for extra cool points). They might not pass the dress code at the fanciest of restaurants, but they’re good enough to get you in the door at most of the places you’ll want to go.
They pair well with all kinds of shoes.
From sneakers to stilettos, nearly every type of shoe pairs well with slim-cut denim (but perhaps save the stilettos for home – your feet will thank you!). Skinny jeans are particularly great in the winter when the ground gets slushy and the wind gets… windy. Tuck them into a pair of boots with a sturdy sole, and you’re ready to safely and warmly go about your day (throw on a pair of tights beforehand for extra warmth).
They fade into the background.
Sometimes when we travel, it’s useful to not stand out. Black denim isn’t prevalent in every destination, of course, but where it is it’s a great way to blend into the crowd. Also – I suspect you can wear them several days in a row with no one noticing. Try it and see!
They hide dirt and dust.
Seriously, what are we sitting in when we ride public transit? And what makes the pull of gravity so much more intense when I’m eating an ice cream cone? Black fabric hides all kinds of sins, and denim is sturdy enough to be a barrier to whatever grossness is out there. That basically means that black denim is magic.
Looking for more honest style reviews? Check out my index of reviews, sorted by brand
They take up less room than straight-cut or wide-leg denim/pants.
Really, this post could have started and ended with this point. Skinny jeans are easy to roll up and tuck in the chaos that is your perfectly packed suitcase, and they’re much lighter too. That leaves more room for souvenirs to bring home – or just cute shoes.
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ABOUT THOSE JEANS… AND A DISCOUNT!
Mott & Bow generously gifted a pair of their High Rise Skinny Jeans in the Bond rinse, and they truly feel right at home in my wardrobe, which was seriously lacking a pair of black skinnies since my previous pair finally bit the dust. I’ve mentioned a few times recently how my weight and measurements have fluctuated over the past couple of years (hmm, wonder why?) and thankfully Melissa over at Mott & Bow talked me through their sizing and helped me settle on a size 28 in this pair. They are certainly snug as intended, and they definitely hug every curve.
But the best part? There’s no dreaded gap at the waist. With greater than a 10″ difference, my waist-to-hip ratio skews in the curvy range, yet this pair fits comfortably at both my waist and hips (it’s kind of a miracle). And the high rise is wonderfully high, with a front rise of 10.5″. The 28″ inseam is full-length on my 5’4″ frame, and I love having the option to wear these jeans both cuffed or uncuffed.
And while they have an undeniably painted-on effect thanks to the fabric’s high stretch content, they are not at all like the jeggings of yore. They are lighter than rigid denim and allow for more ease of movement while still feeling fairly substantial. My favorite part, though, is the deep black color – thanks to the fade-resistant technology Mott & Bow employs. I still plan on doing my part to keep the dye a true black by washing infrequently, and choosing to wash in cold water and hanging the denim to dry. Mott & Bow indicates that this pair can be placed in the dryer on a tumble-dry setting, but personally, I’ve been burned too many times in the past to risk it!
Readers of wayward can take 10% off your first purchase at Mott & Bow by using code WAYWARD.
Not only have they been perfecting their denim science for more than thirty years, but the brand has also begun carrying cashmere sweaters (reviewed here), and a range of tees. Stuck between sizes in their denim? They’ll let you order two pairs to try, and you can keep the pair that fits best. After all, there’s nothing quite like trying on clothes in the comfort of your own home.
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How are you feeling about your skinny jeans these days? Are you still rocking them, or do you find yourself reaching for other silhouettes instead?
