Thursday, January 28, 2016

BFFL: LindyBop Route 66 Top & Levi's 721 High Rise Skinny Jeans


Recently, I went on a search for the perfect vintage/retro style pair of jeans. They didn't have to actually be retro, but they had to feel retro.

Like most gals, jeans are my least favorite thing to shop for. I don't wear them often but I like to have at least 1 or 2 pairs on hand for weekends or for the rare occasions that just aren't suitable for my normal attire of a swing dress and petticoat. I know, right? What on earth would stop me from wearing a petti on a given day?

Anyway, I loved the look of vintage jeans - the high waist and skinny feel throughout. But it was challenging - often if the waist fits, I don't have enough room in the thighs. When the thighs fit, I end up with too much room in the waist. So the long and hard search began...


There are actual vintage repro companies out there specifically for jeans. I know that. I have heard great things about both Lady K Loves and Frankie's but both are pretty pricey and both were sold out of my size in the style I wanted in the end. It was disconcerting to say the least.

I just hate the process of jeans. I hate trying them on and I hate even looking at the price tags. UGH! This is why I live in dresses and skirts!!


Stores were beginning to be my enemy - they never had my size in stock and no one seemed to have the style I wanted without them looking way too much like a bad pair of mom jeans.

Let's save the mom jeans for when I'm an actual mom - k, thanks.


Then, my girl, Anna, mentioned stocking up on jeans at her local Levi store recenlty. Wait up, Levi's? The thought of wearing a pair of Levi's made me giggle. When I think of Levi's, I think of the momiest mom jeans you can imagine.

I think it's because my parents wore Levi's growing up and my generation really did not. The kids at my high school lived in American Eagle (barf) and Abercrombie and Fitch (double barf). Then there was me, never in jeans. So. Yeah.


I decided I had nothing to lose and followed Anna's lead. Levi stores aren't on every corner near me so I headed online. On the Levi's website, I was happy to see that I could filter by rise and style. I immediately hit "high rise" and "skinny." Then I prayed.


I looked through the options, groaning every time I spotted a "high rise" jean that just, well, wasn't high enough. Then I spotted the 721 High Rise Skinny. It was their highest waist I could find in my size and I received a 20% off coupon for subscribing to their email alerts.


I decided it couldn't hurt to try seeing as I was running out of options. So I went for it. I really liked that instead of the typical frustrating way the clothing industry sizes women's jeans (what the heck is 00, 0, 2, and so on?!), Levi's simply had them listed by waist measurement and length measurement.

THANK YOU! THAT'S SO MUCH EASIER!

I grabbed a pair in 29" for my 30" waist, knowing there was some stretch and they'd stretch out as I wore them, and 32" length.


Well, my friends, I am in love. I was shocked to find that they fit me PERFECTLY. The waist fits AND the thighs fit? It's a miracle. They are so very well made - in true Levi's fashion - and are pretty high waisted. In my opinion, they could STILL be a bit higher, but they'll do.


This past weekend, I paired them with my Route 66 top from LindyBop that I got months ago. I had yet to find a good time to wear the top as it was definitely more of a weekend top than a workday top. It is also quite short and boxy so pairing it with anything not high waisted wouldn't work. I got the medium in this top after seeing the size chart but I could definitely have went with a small. Because of the boxy-ness, I have a bit of room in the waist and bust.


Do you struggle with finding jeans? What are your challenges?