Don't you think those denim designers have gone beserk as of late? Beserk in the best of ways, I mean. Take a look around-- styles upon styles of printed denims are popping up in shops, and we're not just talking leopard and polka: there are floral prints, loud prints, painterly prints, tropical prints, tie-dye prints, fruity prints, you name it! Not to bash on my true blues, but this is just so refreshing! The universal sartorial staple has been redefined once again! And this is coming from me...
...I've managed to make it through my life without ever having worn a pair of printed jeans. At 5'4", no one has ever told me I have "legs for days", not even the occasional "nice stems!" Nope, they're just a short, unassuming, standard-issue pair of legs. So I never thought I'd be able to pull off the whole calling-attention-to-the-lower-half-of-my-body thing, but I have asked the Internet for some some tried and true pointers, and the Internet has provided! Now I'm starting to rethink my anti-printed-denim stance. I've boiled it down to three easy-to-follow guidelines:
1. Know thyself. There are no hard and fast rules here-- when the jeans are clashing with your body, you'll recognize it. Just listen closely to your intuition, and if it protests, put those duds back on the hanger and move on.
2. Make sure they fit. Duh, right? But be sure to bring along the one friend who really does tell you when your butt looks big in those jeans. Since patterned pants draw the eye toward your bottom half, the way they fit is extra important. You want the pair that hugs your curves without bunching up. If you're a shorty like me, factor hemming and alterations into the price tag.
3. Be playful with your choice of top and accessories. While a simple, solid-color top will definitely work, the real magic of the printed jean comes alive when you have fun with some unexpected combinations. Good ol' Pinterest offers some great inspiration here.
Ok, enough with the rules already! Armed with your new 3-step plan, you'll be a pro at sifting through the heaps of printed jeans until you discover the pair you were always destined to look fabulous in.
If you're looking to channel your inner new-wave hippie, the Nebula Jean by Hudson or Asos' Electric Rave Skinny Jean offer up some psychedelic vibes. Both of these would look great with a tough, worn-in concert tee and some statement metal jewelry.
For those who don't yet want to fully commit, try the subtle tone-on-tone chevron pattern by 7 For All Mankind, or this delicately antiqued floral pair by J Brand. Dress these pairs like you would a basic blue jean-- they'd look equally cool with a striped hoodie, a flowery tank, or a silky blouse.
For the real deal on printed denim, it doesn't get any bolder than the cherry pickin' print or the island paradise photo print by Mother Denim. And for those who like rainbows (and really, who doesn't?) this fluorescent pair might be your dream come true - the Jordan Skinnies by NastyGal. When dressing, give these pants the limelight by coordinating with solid colors that provide an interesting contrast-- a soft pastel peach blouse would look spot-on with the cherry print.
Though not for the faint of heart, BlankNYC's Hooky Jeans possess the art student mentality of "whoops, I spilled paint on my pants but I like the way it looks so i'm gonna keep wearing them anyway to make a statement", which is kind of cool, if you dig that. But if you'd prefer a toned-down version, a subtle tye-dye wash like the Jade Verdugo Ultra Skinny by Paige or a dreamy pastel watercolor like Nasty Gal's Beanpole Skinny Jeans may be right down your alley.
And finally! A super-flattering jean for those who, like me, may be more or less entrenched in a solid-denim rut. The wavy pattern on Current/Elliott's Stiletto print jeans deceives the eye as a slightly cropped hem grazes the ankle at just the right spot-- voila!
May you go out into the world and find the pair of your dreams!
What do you think about the printed denim craze? Which pairs are the most wearable? Could you see yourself sporting printed jeans this summer?
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