Weekend Edition #37: Jeans and a Going Out Top

A black top + blue jeans = an outfit with long legs.

Hi!

Even though I’m a New Yorker, I don’t wear a lot of black. Maybe it’s because I started my career at Abercrombie & Fitch, where black was forbidden from the shop floor (so was purple). Black isn’t a big color at my current brand either.

But I am a jeans person, and right now, black tops and blue jeans are having a major moment. The combo is all over social media, and even Page Six has weighed in (admittedly, not a frequent news source for me, but again, I am a New Yorker) after a photo went viral on social media:

A viral photo featuring a group of Gen Z women wearing identical outfits has sparked debate about generational style -- or lack thereof.X/@LordPFJoyde

Page Six’s headline? Generation Z-ero style: Why young women all dress the same in jeans and a black top.

Way harsh, Tai. (Where are my fellow elder millennials?)

But apparently it’s true. One source in the Page Six piece says, “This is every city. Every bar. Jeans, black top, forces.” (Forces = Air Force 1 Nike sneakers, again for my fellow elder millennials.)

It’s a look that actually started with us elder millennials. Who among us can forget the trend of “jeans and a going out top.” And now, according to Page Six, this time “it’s an array of light-wash denim and, you guessed it, dark-colored tops.”

But I completely disagree with Page Six’s assessment that this look is a big fat zero.

Yes, I am here for joyful, exuberant fashion (loved

Xue

‘s post on wardrobe dares and

Jenny Walton

’s on flow state dressing). But, as we enter full-on festive dressing for the rest of the year, the simple, casual, confident appeal of jeans and a black top resonates with me.

“Nice but not too flashy!” How good does that sound?

Look at these Queens of cool, classic style: Carolyn and Kate in black and blue.

The OGs: Carolyn and Kate in black tops and blue jeans

I looked through the inspiration images I’ve saved over the last few weeks and months. Wouldn’t you know it, there were a lot of blue jeans and black tops.

For such a straightforward pairing, there are so many varietals.

Black Tops, Blue Jeans

Despite what Page Six says, it doesn’t have to be light denim. A bright blue looks so good. A rich inky indigo looks great with a black top, almost monochrome but not quite.

I love the two bottom middle looks, with the dark denim, black top, black blazer, and a jaunty little black boot.

The wide-leg sailor jean looks pitch perfect, but the almost skinny style looks so fresh, too. (I teeter on skinny jeans, but this here, with the tiny little ankle-length kick-out, is a fresh way to do them. Better than the skinny jeans to the left.)

The trick is texture.

The denim should be high quality (the fabric content should have as much cotton as you can handle - I prefer 100%), with rich indigo dyes on dark washes, high-low fading on light washes, and a modern fit. In the tops, avoid flat jersey (although it can work if layered), and focus on great twill or flannel shirting textures, soft and hairy yarns, tonal embroideries or other details. I think this works especially well in winter because of the texture you can get with a great black sweater.

Still not convinced? Neither is

Kate Eskuri, DNP

…

But her comments are! Especially

Pauline

and her slideshow of Marilyn, Jackie, and Audrey. Take that, Steve!

The answer is chic minimalist Parisian energy,

Kate Eskuri, DNP

, you look great! (P.S. her Substack, The Reset, is great, too!)

Yes, this is a simple formula, but it’s a formula that works for everyone.

An outfit for all ages, and an outfit for the ages.

I promise.

LOOK BOOK

L to R: 1) I love the idea of the The Agnes B. Sweatshirt Snap Cardi (which I still have my eye on c/o Becky Malinsky) paired with the inky Everlane Way High Sailor Jean I bought the other week (a very good a-line leg shape in 100% cotton, which is harder to find than you think, especially at this pricepoint!), 2) J.Crew’s Cashmere Shrunken Tee would nicely balance out these Citizens of Humanity Horseshoe Jeans (which I finally snagged very on sale on Net…I feel like I’ve finally reached my barrel limit with these and now I’m all set…maybe?!), 3) I’d probably wear this Velvet Blouse with Bows over a little white cami for some contrast, and I also love contrasting the femininity of the top with a pair of Low Rise Loose Baggy Jeans (suggesting an A&F pair so you can take the risk at a decent price)!

L to R: 1) I’m into this cropped drapey Alex Mill ‘Gemma’ Shirt with their own ‘Carla High Rise Straight Jean.’ (Sometimes I really like taking styling cues from a brand’s site, as they’ve often closely considered what pieces look best together, especially if the brand aligns well with my personal style like Alex Mill does.), 2) This Doen top is on sale on Net (someone get the last one!) and wear it with a pair of 70s inspired light wash relaxed wide-legs (bonus points if you don’t live in NYC and can let them just kiss the floor in a pair of boots. Legs for days!), 3) I remain a big fan of the thick high neck and cropped length of this Gap CashSoft sweater (and it’s a really good price right now). I think it will look cute with a pair of kick flares like these!

Black Tops, Blue Jeans (and Tired Eyes - ‘tis the season!) for Night, Weekend, and Work (w/ and w/o the blazer). The sweater is the Gap one above, and the jeans on the right are these Everlane ones!

EXTRA THOUGHTS

• LOL’d at

  Anna Eleri Hart
  ’s post “how to dress for a Christmas party you don’t want to go to,” which was actually chock-full of excellent outfits for holiday parties that you do or don’t want to go to, and beyond!

• Enjoyed

  Leandra Medine Cohen
  ’s interpretation of a “light lift as opposed to a heavy lift when it comes to getting dressed.” Her light lifts are my heavy lifts, but that’s why she’s the Expert!

• I’m bookmarking

  Jennifer Cook
  ’s gift guide for moms because as she says, “Note: this is not just for holidays! Mom’s a) like gifts year round, b) also have birthdays, and c) work very hard and deserve nice things and/or things to make their life easier all the time (if my partner is reading this, hint hint).”

• In the spirit of this post about jeans and a going out top, I loved

  Kelly Williams
  ’s effort to tackle three unexpectedly complicated “style conundrums,” namely snow boots (mom, this one’s for you), sweatpants, and jean jackets.

• Per usual,

  tariro makoni
  nailed it with her post, “ Elusive Hot Girl POV: Raised By a Goop-Adjacent Mom.” Man, is she an incisive writer! (And very very funny.)

WHAT I BOUGHT

• A dress! I bought a dress, and I wore it last weekend, and I’m wearing it for my friends’ 15th annual (!!!) cookie exchange this weekend! It’s on sale!

• I also bought tights. I know, who even am I?

• I help out at my boys’s school store, and I did some damage at our holiday sale this week. School-branded L.L. Bean bags (sadly not this one, which sold out in a flash!), soft vintage-y tees, ties (who said the neckwear industry was dead?), fidget spinners and calculators, and pom-pom winter hats were among the hot items. We also had quite a few requests for squishmallows so if you’re shopping for a kid between the ages of 6 and 12, that might be a pretty safe bet!

Thank you for reading + have a delightful weekend!

x Lindsay

P.S. If you’re so inclined, comments, restacks, and likes (tapping the heart at the top of the post) go a long way in getting these posts in front of more readers. Thank you - I’m grateful for your support!