The perfect white t-shirt, the ideal grey hoodie, the flawless cognac riding boot, and the comfiest faded blue jean — otherwise known as the four horseman of the never-ending garment search.
It seems like no matter what version of those things you find, how much you love them, and how effortlessly they drape on your frame, there exists — somewhere out there in the ether — an even more perfect edition to one day be found.
Why is that? A white t is a white t for crying out loud! Hanes probably made it right the first time, so why does it feel like we can’t ever just be happy with one? The same could be said a grey hoodie, which Champion probably nailed nearly 100 years ago, or the cognac riding boot, which legitimately has existed for nearly a millennia! How many components could possibly change, and how many updates could be made to such simple items of clothing? And more importantly. why can’t I found the right one for me?
Perhaps the most recent and most difficult-to-find addition to this shopaholic’s Mount Rushmore is the light wash blue jean. It’s become a staple in everyone’s wardrobe over the past decade, transcending the streetwear niche in which it once existed, and becoming ever present in the all corners of the fashion calendar. They’re the perfect look for Summer and a welcome change for Winter, while finding a natural home everywhere in between, too.
The problem? It feels nearly impossible to find the perfect denim! The reason why is fairly obvious: Blue jeans — originally created as workwear pants nearly 150 years ago — were meant to be rigid for durability and fit close to your body for safety. Given that everyone’s bodies are different little wonderful snowflakes in this world, how could a single pair of jeans fit one and thus all of us? Your hip height, thigh width, calf size, and, well, butt all have a lot to do with how any pants fit you, but especially a non-stretch pair of blue jeans.
The rise, inseam, and leg opening on jeans fluctuate based on not only the fit, but also the year certain fits were made. Whether you’re shopping Levi’s or something more niche, a “sku” that fit you like a glove 5 years ago may swallow you whole or hug your hips in all the wrong ways today. What’s more? Our weight is always fluctuating for reasons both in and out of our control!
The conclusion then? Well, there’s no such thing as the perfect blue jean, only the perfect blue jean for right now. And we’re not talking about trends, fast fashion, or forsaking sustainability. We’re just talking about real life! Your body changes, brands change how they make their clothes, and it makes finding something you’ll love for a long time difficult to find.
With that said, I’ve been absolutely living in this cut of jean from Abercrombie. I’m 5’10”, and finding wide leg jeans that don’t look cropped on me is insanely difficult. Thankfully, A&F has a “long” fit of most of their jean styles, and that’s been a massive help for me!
I’m sharing one of my favorite recent early-Fall outfits, featuring my favorite pair of jeans right now. They fit so well, and feel like they belong perfectly in my pants rotation and will always have a space in my closet given how trend cycles seem to come and go so regularly these days. I hope they help you on your eternal search as well!
