WIW: New grey jeans

One of the things I got when I was thrifting with Amy (Amiable) on Tuesday was this pair of grey jeans. I knew when I bought them they might be problematic, but after I put them on today I realized it might be worse than I'd anticipated. 

The problem? Footwear. I don't have any black shoes or boots, just sandals (see #1). But most of the year isn't sandal weather, so what then? I was skeptical about them going with my taupe boots. I do plan to get some stompy black boots, but I don't have them yet. But the boot issue became moot once I tried them on today: They're too short for boots.

Do they work with these flat brown shoes (#2), or did I make a mistake? Should I keep them? 

(Worn here with my burgundy handknit Maderia tank.)

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12 Comments

  • replied 8 years ago

    First, let me say the shoes you have on in the picture are adorable on you.  I also love the clogs you show.  

    I question whether these jeans will work for you.  My first thought was that they were a little tight (first picture).  My second thought was the color didn't look grey at all (on my screen).  But your top doesn't look burgundy so I am guessing my screen colors are the problem.  

    I hope this helps a little bit.     

  • Word Lily replied 8 years ago

    I think I see what you're talking about, Sterling, but I think they actually do fit pretty well (other than the length). Maybe just a temporary glitch somehow? 

  • Maneera replied 8 years ago

    The jeans fit very well; so don't even think about parting with them! Well fitting jeans are SO HARD TO FIND!!! Honestly, I wouldn't worry about the length at all. Actually, I can't even see a problem here.....they cover your ankles and look perfect to me.

    PS: I wear my jeans this length only when the flare isn't dramatic.

    I love the jeans with the sandals. The 2nd shoe works. But if you want to elongate the leg line for a pretty, polished look, try any kind of ballet shoes or pointed toe flats.

  • replied 8 years ago

    I looked for this post today.  I wanted to add another comment after having read Word Lily's response.  I agree with you.  Sometimes a single photograph can be very misleading.  I rarely judge my own outfits on a single photograph.  I hope you are happy with them and get a lot of wear out of them.  

  • Word Lily replied 8 years ago

    Maneera, thanks! I don't really care about elongating my leg line (And I'm generally not aiming for pretty or polished either, ha!), which is probably a good thing, since I can't wear ballet flats and don't like pointed toe shoes. I was shocked at how many jeans I found that worked for me on this shopping trip, shocked, I tell you! Instead I had trouble finding good, interesting tops that fit.

    Sterling, thanks for checking back! Over the course of wearing them the rest of the day, I realized that if there's weirdness there it's actually because of excess fabric, not too-tightness. Which is a novel situation for me, not exactly sure what to do about that (or if I should do anything about it). I do really like the color of these, it's something totally new for me.

  • catgirl replied 8 years ago

    I wouldn't say these are the most cutting edge pants in the world, but they are obviously comfy and fit well, and that's an accomplishment in my world.  I think for casual looks with flat footwear they will be fine. I'd prefer some pointy or colored flats.

  • Laura (rhubarbgirl) replied 8 years ago

    I think they look perfectly lovely fit-wise. I admit that I find this medium gray harder to work with in outfits than either a light dove gray or a charcoal. AG's idea of colored shoes is a good one - burgundy, green, cobalt, depending on what else you're wearing - or a lighter brown or taupe, even a tan?

  • Jenn replied 8 years ago

    I have no problem with gray and brown together. I would have a hard time finding the right shoes for jeans this style, too, though. I'd probably wear with sneakers.

  • Angie replied 8 years ago

    I vote pass the grey jeans on again, Word Lilly. I know you just thrifted them, but they are a step back in your style journey. Not a great fit or length. 

  • celia replied 8 years ago

    I was going to say that the jeans just looked a bit short but after seeing Angie 's comment I wonder what is the direction you want to take your style.
    The joy of finding things that fit sometimes take us away from pursuing our main goal ( as anything else that is a quick fix in life ).

  • Joy replied 8 years ago

    Celia has thoughtful comments. Where would you like to take your style? The jeans look comfortable and easy for casual play with your cute son. You could always chop then shorter for shorts or something next summer. I find that wovens are usually in much better shape when thrifting than knits, thinking of tops. Do you have Gap or Old Navy in Grand Island? They have excellent sales that can rival thrift stores in price. Forum members have found some good looking jeans and tops there. Try Target too.

  • Word Lily replied 8 years ago

    Y'all gave me a ton to think about, hence the delay in responding.

    I think I knew they weren’t right for me when I posted. They feel too short even with the flat shoes, which is bad. The other problem is that the style is kind of no man’s land for me; I don’t know what to do with straight legged jeans, which is what these are, I believe. I do really like the color, and it was new for me; that plus the fitting had me putting my blinders on, I think.

    To Maneera’s and Una’s suggestion of pointy or colored flats to up the style quotient: I simply don’t have them, and they’re not high on my priority list of footwear to acquire.

    Laura: I do have taupe, in my new boots, but these are too short to wear with them, alas! I’m not convinced the color combination is a good one, though, either. Why is neutrals mixing so hard for me, when I’ve got color mixing down?

    Jenn: My only sneakers right now I basically only wear for exercise. (Well, I have a pair of Converse, but they’re worn out and I won’t replace them because I’ve decided they’re much too narrow for my feet.) I don’t need to add jeans that I can only wear with dumpy running shoes; that’d be a step backward for sure.

    Angie: You’re right, of course. Thanks for putting it out there. :)

    Celia: I know where I want to go with my style (it doesn’t feel like a change or a shift, but rather a much-delayed reveal of what I’ve wanted/felt for a long time), but it’s kind of hard for me to put into words still. I probably need to start another thread about that. :) Probing questions are always good, though.

    Joy: No, I don’t have a Gap or Old Navy, nor a Target, in town. We do have a Kohl’s, though, which is where I usually get my jersey tees for cheap. I tried on several woven tops too, but they didn’t fit. Eventually I’ll try out the consignment store in town that my sisters in law are always raving about, though. I like the idea of cutting them off for shorts (of which I have none); I might hang on to them with that idea in mind, assuming they still fit. I can still donate them in the spring when I know about that.

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