Huge thanks to Nordstrom and ShopStyle for sponsoring this post
I don’t know about you, but when spring rolls in, I feel like so many clothing options open up, and that includes denim options! Since I know a lot of you want to expand the denim styles you wear, I want to talk about how to style different cuts of jeans for spring—that aren’t skinny jeans—and I’m partnering with Nordstrom and ShopStyle to do it.
Obviously, I love skinny jeans and will continue to wear them in the spring, but I tend to wear different cuts of jeans more often in the spring than in other seasons. And, some of my FAVORITE pairs of jeans for spring are BACK IN STOCK, and they’re SUPER comfortable, so I’m excited to show you a few ways you can wear them!
You all know that I love shopping at Nordstrom because they have tons of clothes that feel GOOD. My wardrobe has grown to be extremely comfortable because of all the great pieces I’ve found at Nordstrom. And while you can, of course, use any pairs of jeans you want, all the pairs I’m showing today are SUPER COMFY, with lots of stretch, including stretchy waistbands—GAME CHANGER!
Also, remember that Nordstrom offers free shipping and free return shipping on all orders, so you can easily order items to try them out or order multiple sizes to find your best fit with peace of mind. They offer in-store and curbside pickup, which makes shopping convenient. Plus, you can earn points towards future purchases when you are part of the Nordy Club. Check it out and sign up for free, HERE.
Alright, now I want to highlight some different cuts you can try and show you some ways to style them!
SIZING: I’m 5’6″ and usually S/M or 6 in clothes and 8.5 to 9 in shoes.
1. Straight Leg Jeans
Straight leg jeans provide a straighter silhouette. You can either allow the outfit to have straighter lines, or you can counter that by pairing straight leg jeans with tops that provide a little more movement or add curves. Features like puff shoulders, balloon sleeves, or waist-defining silhouettes do that.
One example of the latter is with the top I’m wearing above with flouncy flutter sleeves, which create both movement and curves. This top gives outfits such a fun punch of color, BTW. You can dress it down with jeans like I did here, or pair it with slacks for work. It comes in both yellow and a bright reddish-orange color, HERE. I’m wearing size S.
On top of that, I find this particular pair of jeans to be especially helpful for transitioning skinny cut to a straighter cut. This pair READS as straight leg since the bottom portion isn’t skinny around the bottom of the calves and ankles, but it’s technically a skinny cut and hugs hips and thighs a little more. So, they kind of read like straight leg jeans but aren’t quite as straight. This was one of my go-to pairs of jeans last spring, and I already have them on the deck for this spring! They are SUPER DUPER COMFORTABLE! They are really SOFT and very STRETCHY. And of course they have the stretchy elastic waistband! One reviewer said, “I could sleep in these,” and I 100% agree! Check them out HERE! I wear size 6.
Other examples of tops that add curves or movement are THIS flutter sleeve tee, THIS stretchy ruched shoulder top, or THIS flutter sleeve button up. If you prefer something simpler and without sleeve details but still want to add curves somehow, try a scoop neck t-shirt like THIS (which I’m also wearing below). The curve of a scoop neck, while being very simple, can sometimes be enough to do the trick!
Shop the Outfit:
Top: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size S)
Jeans: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size 6)
Flats: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size 9; similar)
Bag: (similar, similar—pricey but genuine leather)
Necklace: Nordstrom (exact)
Here is an example of a top that doesn’t add much movement or curves on its own. Like I said, you can definitely keep the silhouette straighter if you prefer. Just make sure to keep your waist defined by at least doing a loose front-tuck with the top. That will keep you from looking completely shapeless. Also, it helps that these jeans hug the hips and thighs more than true straight leg jeans.
This crewneck striped tee is one of my most-worn tees, and it’s back in stock again! I LOVE the vintage vibe and how lightweight and soft the tee is. Find it in straight sizes HERE and plus sizes HERE. I wear size S.
Shop the Outfit:
Top: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size S)
Jacket: (similar, similar, similar)
Jeans: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size 6)
Shoes: (similar, similar)
Bag: (similar, similar—pricey but genuine leather)
2. Boyfriend or Girlfriend Jeans
I love wearing boyfriend/girlfriend jeans in the spring! This pair of girlfriend jeans was my other pair of go-to jeans last spring. I am SO GLAD they are back because they are SO GOOD! They’re so, so, so comfortable! They’re very stretchy, pretty soft (and get even softer with time!), and they have the stretchy elastic waistband. And, they just look cute! You can find them HERE, and you should definitely scoop them up before they go out of stock again. I’m wearing size 4 but could size down to 2—these run big!
If distressed jeans aren’t your cup of tea, try THIS pair or THIS pair, which have great reviews and are also known to be pretty comfortable!
I primarily wear these jeans with t-shirts, but that’s also because I primarily wear t-shirts, period. 😆 You can dress these jeans down or dress them up—they’re more versatile than you think!
For a casual outfit, pair the jeans with a t-shirt and sneakers. The distressing on the jeans adds a lot of character, so your outfit will have visual interest even with just a plain white t-shirt. This tee is another one of my closet staples. In addition to the flattering scoop neck, the tee drapes really well, so it works nicely in a front-tuck. I also like the visual interest and texture that the heather white provides. That said, it is quite thin, so pass on it if you need a thicker tee that conceals bumps better. Given that, it is a bit see-through, and while I personally can wear it with a nude colored bra and it won’t really show through, I think that would depend on your skin tone. It comes in 8 colors and 6 prints that you can see HERE. I wear size S.
Shop the Outfit:
Top: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size S)
Cardigan: Nordstrom (similar)
Jeans: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size 4)
Shoes: (similar, similar)
Bag: Nordstrom (similar, similar—pricey but genuine leather)
Here is an example of the girlfriend jeans with a nicer top. A top like this with softer details, like eyelet and ruched sleeves, provides a fun contrast to distressed boyfriend jeans. I kept it more casual by adding slip-on sneakers, but you could easily dress this up more by wearing wedges instead!
I’ve mentioned this top before, but it is VERY comfortable! It makes you look polished, put together, and stylish, but it is really soft and really stretchy. Like I said, comfy! It’s also fully lined through the body, so you don’t have to worry about anything showing through. It’s available in this pretty green and in black, HERE. I wear size S.
Shop the Outfit:
Top: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size S)
Jeans: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size 4)
Shoes: (similar, similar)
Bag: Nordstrom (exact)
Necklace: Nordstrom (exact)
3. Bootcut Jeans
Last up are bootcut jeans! These are a longtime favorite alternative to skinny jeans. They can be really flattering for many body types.
Here, I’m wearing the PMT fan-favorite Wit & Wisdom bootcut jeans. Just like the other jeans in this post, these are also VERY stretchy, VERY comfy, and have the stretchy elastic waistband. They’re incredibly comfortable, but they look so polished! You can check them out HERE. I wear size 8, which I find a bit more relaxed around my fuller thighs.
Bootcut jeans are pretty easy to style regarding what goes on top. The bigger thing to focus on is the shoes! Bootcuts are meant to be worn with heels. That’s not to say you can never wear bootcut jeans with flat shoes, but it is to say they are cut in such a way that shoes with a heel look best. So, if you’re having a hard time making bootcut jeans look polished, break out the wedges (whether open or close toed), booties, open toe heels, or pumps so that bootcut jeans can properly work their magic of elongating your leg line!
Shop the Outfit:
Top: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size S)
Jeans: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size 8)
Shoes: (similar, similar)
Bag: (similar, similar—pricey but is genuine leather)
Necklace: (similar, similar)
Those are ways to style three cuts of jeans (that aren’t skinny) this spring! Which styles will you be wearing the most? Given that I prefer sneakers big time these days, you’ll find me in the first two options for sure!
More Denim Options for Spring
Here are a few more denim options for spring! Some of them are from the same brand as the rest of the jeans I’m wearing, Wit & Wisdom, and some are from other brands. Check them out by clicking through the widget below!
Did you hear? There are now NEW 2nd editions of the Spring Starter Kit Wardrobe Guides!
If you want to look good but feel like you don’t have the time, energy, or know-how to figure out style, this is your shortcut to having 35+ great outfits sitting in your closet waiting for you. (Wouldn’t that be lovely?!)
Each guide comes with a super short list of clothes, accessories, and shoes (super short to keep you from getting overwhelmed), style tips used by experts to pull together outfits, the steps to expand your wardrobe to make it work for a variety of activities, and an outfit catalog with 35+ outfits you can make from your new starter kit wardrobe (of just 14-16 pieces!)
And then YOU can soon say things like:
“I just perused over the business casual and OH MY GOD…you are an answered prayer my love. I know I will feel and look more put together w/o stressing over my new role AND looking nice! Thanks for sharing your talents with us!!” – Belinda
“I love everything you put together. The fact that you say to shop your current clothes first helped me to see them in a new light. The whole guide is well thought out. Your tips make it easy enough to be fun, not stressful. Just this morning I put together an athleisure outfit to wear to my son’s basketball game and it felt so good!! Thanks for all you do! I love your work!” – Dani
And don’t worry, if you want a bigger wardrobe, you can add onto your starter kit seamlessly, and the guide shows you how.
Starter Kit Wardrobe Guides are available for both casual and business casual style, so you can look good anywhere, whether it’s out to your kid’s basketball game or during your important work meeting. Head over to the shop to check them out, HERE!
