How to Wear Boyfriend Jeans
Colin Dempsey
Table of Contents
There was a time in the distant past when, if women were going to wear jeans, they had to hem to their figure.
We’re lucky that nowadays we no longer live in fashion’s dark ages and can express ourselves however we please, for the most part.
Boyfriend jeans are one of the best pairs of pants to help you show off your most relaxed self. There are few pairs of pants that scream, “I’m ready for my morning coffee and please add a splash of brandy to that.”
Today, we’ll teach you how to wear boyfriend jeans.
We’re going to cover the issue from a multitude of angles, including their history, when you should wear them, what you should avoid doing with them, how to take care of them, and where you can find some of the best boyfriend jeans on the market.
What Are Boyfriend Jeans?
Asking ‘what are boyfriend jeans?‘ presents a pretty clear answer: they’re jeans that look like they’d fit your boyfriend (on the basis that your boyfriend is larger than you, that we adhere to heteronormative relationship standards, or that you even have a boyfriend).
What about the shape? Are boyfriend jeans high-waisted? Let’s find out.
The product is distinctive for a couple of nearly unanimous qualities:
- A slouchy shape
- Fitted to a woman’s body
- A slightly higher waist
Not every pair of boyfriend jeans has these properties but almost all of them have at least two out of three.
We also want to answer another common question: what’s the difference between mom jeans and boyfriend jeans?
This comes down to the shape and fit of the legs. Boyfriend jeans are usually straight cut, meaning that the legs don’t cater as much to the legs’ proportions as much as they do to the waist and hips. As such, they have a comfier overall fit that’s more suitable for lounging or low-key events.
Conversely, mom jeans run a bit tighter through the legs. They’re tapered throughout so they’re a bit better at showing off your curves. They’re also high-waisted for the most part, another fact that makes them better at displaying your natural shape.
Neither one is better than the other inherently. It’s just a matter of preference; do you prefer tighter jeans or looser ones? That’s the crucial distinction between the boyfriend jeans vs mom jeans question.
History of Boyfriend Jeans
It’s difficult to say when the first pair of boyfriend jeans were invented. You could make the argument that tailors have been experimenting with fitments and dimensions since the advent of jeans as a whole, making it hard to pinpoint an exact year when boyfriend jeans became a style all of their own.
There are a few key moments in popular culture that we can point to as milestones in boyfriend jeans (and by extension, human) history.
Marilyn Monroe busted out a pair of baggy and relaxed jeans during the 1960s on the set of the film The Misfits. Seeing as she was such a magnet for media attention at the time, the boyfriend jeans trend can arguably be traced back to her.
You can probably guess where their namesake came from. Girls would wear their boyfriend’s jeans, which were usually too large for them.
Obviously, Monroe wasn’t the first girl to wear a baggy pair of denim or to rummage through her boyfriend’s dresser, but she was the most prevalent.
Aside from that, there were a few other stylistic fads that proliferated the spread of the item. You can tie the baggy styles of the 80s and 90s to a higher demand for jeans in similar shapes.
Over time, that demand crested into the modern-day fascination and obsession with boyfriend jeans.
When to Wear Boyfriend Jeans
Knowing how to wear boyfriend jeans is just as much about situational awareness as it is about possessing a strong sense of style.
See, the best thing about boyfriend jeans is also what makes them less versatile than other styles of jeans. They’re comfy, ridiculously so, almost too comfy, but that comfort means that they’re inappropriate in certain venues.
For example, you couldn’t wear boyfriend jeans to a business casual event like you could a tapered pair of jeans. Well, you could, but you’d stick out like a piece of hay in a needle stack.
On the flip side, this opens up plenty of occasions for when you can- and should- wear 90s boyfriend jeans. Any casual affair, party, night out to a relaxed bar, or gathering with a glass of wine and the new Harry Styles album on blast are perfect for boyfriend jeans.
The key thing to keep in mind about when to wear boyfriend jeans is that they’re effortless. They’re laid back. They’re fun. So, wear them when you’re going somewhere that’s effortless, laid back, and fun.
First date to a bougie cocktail bar with some stud from Tinder who reeled you in with his fishing photos? Maybe skip the mom jeans then, but definitely wear them with pride if you’re heading to a local bar for a less pressure-sensitive time with a cute coworker.
How to Wear Boyfriend Jeans
Many women prefer when their boyfriend jeans fit their waist perfectly. By that, we mean that your jeans should ideally sit on your hips without needing a belt to keep them in place.
Seeing as how most boyfriend jeans for women fit a tad large anyways, this shouldn’t be much of an issue.
Another tip concerning how to wear boyfriend jeans is to choose a pair with a bit of shape. You should want a pair that fits your upper butt and waist.
This is usually the only part of the pants that have the ability to complement or conform to your body, so if you want to show off a bit of your figure then look for boyfriend jeans that come in at the butt.
Finally, the length of the pants doesn’t really matter, all things considered. Don’t drown in them, of course, but boyfriend jeans can be long, short, cuffed, rolled, or any other size.
You can hem them if the pair you have is too long for your liking. Actually, you can get away with a DIY hemming job by taking a pair of scissors to the bottom of the pants.
The best mom jeans are usually hanging in vintage stores, so they already come with a bit of wear and tear. In that case, a little more around the ankles won’t ruin them, and can actually give them a bit more personality.
3 Outfit Ideas With Boyfriend Jeans
Our first idea for how to style 90s boyfriend jeans is the easiest to implement. All you need is a white top (it doesn’t have to be a tube top like the one in the photo, a white t-shirt will work just as well), a set of white sneakers, and a denim jacket.
Ideally, you’d want the denim jacket to match your boyfriend jeans so that your top half and bottom half have an equal balance between denim and white. This look is casual to a tee and can be used in numerous settings.
If you’re wondering how to wear boyfriend jeans in a slightly classier style then allow this look to inspire you. The black blazer and black scarf carry this outfit, honestly. You could even swap out the black shirt for a white one.
However, we’d recommend keeping the black boots – especially if they have a pointed toe – to really sell this look as dignified.
Another important part of learning how to wear boyfriend jeans is figuring out how to use them in conjunction with statement pieces.
This look drives forward with a graphic tee and a loud pair of Nike Air Force 1s. What makes them stand out is how much of the model’s body the boyfriend jeans cover.
What we’re saying is that because the boyfriend jeans are so long they limit the amount of real estate the shirt and shoes take up. That may sound counterintuitive, but it actually makes those pieces pop more because they’re not as in-your-face.
What Type of Boyfriend Jeans Can You Get?
How to wear boyfriend jeans depends on which type you buy. These types aren’t hard categories as much as they are combinations of three different factors:
- Color
- Waist height
- Distress level
You can buy black, high-waisted, heavily ripped boyfriend jeans and they will give off a totally different vibe than a light wash, low-rise, non-distressed pair. You can play around with these factors in various proportions to find the type that you like the most.
How to Choose the Best Boyfriend Jeans
So you feel like you know how to wear boyfriend jeans, but that doesn’t answer the question of knowing which pair is perfect for you. You should look at which style of jeans attracts you the most, then take that information and apply it to your budget.
You can find great boyfriend jeans for reasonable prices at thrift stores and vintage clothing retailers, but if your budget is large enough then you can afford (pun intended) to expand your horizons and see what pricier brands have to offer.
That leads us to our next consideration: brands. Some brands are made by their jeans while others have a few hidden gems in their collections. Investigate which brands exemplify the style you connect with the most and see what you can find in their wardrobe.
Lastly, look into the sustainability of the boyfriend jeans. Fast fashion outlets are horrible for the environment and in terms of longevity.
Even though you might think you’re saving money by shopping with them, the quality of their jeans degrades quickly, meaning that you’ll have to buy a new pair in no time.
How to Style Boyfriend Jeans Outfits
Although we’ve given you a few example outfits to show you how to wear boyfriend jeans, it may be easier for you to absorb the information if you break it down into a couple of easy-to-follow concepts.
Boyfriend jeans are among the best companion pieces for your loudest articles of clothing. If you have a shirt that you really want to wear but can’t because it’s too out there then pair it with some boyfriend jeans.
As you saw in one of our earlier outfits, these jeans are modest enough to go with your most opulent pieces.
Oh, and remember that casual is queen when it comes to these sorts of denim. If you’re ever stuck wondering how to wear boyfriend jeans, imagine the comfiest outfit you can think of and it’ll probably look fab with them.
Hoodies, baggy t-shirts, and sneakers all glow when they have a good pair of boyfriend jeans nearby.
Fashion Tips to Avoid With Boyfriend Jeans Outfits
Now that you know how to wear boyfriend jeans, you may feel that you’re an expert. If that’s the case then you can pass over this section. We promise we won’t be insulted.
That being said, sometimes knowing what to avoid can be the best way for you to learn how to wear boyfriend jeans.
As odd as this is going to sound, our most valuable piece of advice is not to go too casual with the rest of your outfit. Boyfriend jeans are already the sweatpants of the denim world, so there’s no reason to go full lazy mode with the rest of your clothes.
Additionally, you should stay away from overly distressed boyfriend jeans. A small number of rips here and there can add some edge to the jeans, but too many will look like you picked the jeans up out of the trash.
Boyfriend jeans are casual enough as is so you don’t need more tears to make them even more relaxed.
Oh, and if you’re going to go all the way in with an extra-long and baggy pair of boyfriend jeans then skip the high heels. If your jeans drape over your shoes then it’s a safety hazard.
Forget fashion faux-pas, you might trip over your jeans because they get caught on the bottom of your heels.
So much for effortless.
How to Take Care of Boyfriend Jeans Outfits
Boyfriend jeans maintenance is a matter of color preservation. You don’t have to worry about ruining their shape since their whole purpose is to be a little rough around the edges.
Therefore, the following tips are the best ways for you to ensure that your boyfriend jeans hold their color.
First, if you can avoid machine washing them, do so. Denim is a tough fabric that rarely retains odors unless you haven’t showered in decades. As such, you can usually spot clean any stains with a brush, some soap, and some water.
In the event that you do need to throw your jeans in the washing machine then turn them inside out. This will limit how much of their color seeps out of the fabric without compromising your washer’s cleaning capabilities.
On that note, use cold water when you wash them. Heat can sometimes strip clothes of their color, and water retains heat like we retain all the compliments our editors give us.
Cold water is also cheaper than warm water, so you’ll save a bit of money that you can later put into buying another pair of boyfriend jeans.
Our last nugget of wisdom is simple; don’t put your boyfriend jeans in the dryer. Hang them to dry. Just that alone will do wonders to preserve the color and feel of your boyfriend jeans.
Best Places to Buy Boyfriend Jeans Outfits
Without a doubt, the best places to buy boyfriend jeans are at vintage or thrift stores. The jeans there are already broken in so you’ll be buying them at their most relaxed.
You won’t have to adapt them to your body, plus they’ll be more unique than what you’d find at a standard retailer.
However, if the thought of thrifting repulses you because you cannot stand wearing someone else’s clothes, then here are a few of our favorite stores to shop at for boyfriend jeans:
- Abercrombie
- Levi’s
- Madewell
These may be better options for people who sometimes find it difficult to find jeans that suit their body size. Thrift stores can be a grab bag for both plus-sized women and petite ladies, so going to an actual retailer may be more favorable.
Final Thoughts
Boyfriend jeans are a girl’s best friend when it comes to comfort. Not only are they comfortable to wear physically but they can imbue your personality with comfort. Knowing how to wear boyfriend jeans can show you being confident with yourself.
So we’ll leave you with this parting note; embrace the bagginess, welcome the straight fit, and enjoy the freedom that boyfriend jeans provide you.
On the hunt for the perfect pair of jeans? Here’s where to shop them:
