24 Things I Loved Wearing with Jeans
... and may not have told you about in 2024.
I admit, I love an end-of-year recap. Because I’m sentimental about clothing and tend to wear the same things over and over again, thinking back on what I lived in this year is actually a decent way for me to reflect on what mattered. Or, at least, what fun I had. Everything on my list is here for a reason connected to – yet, bigger than – jeans. (Heads up: This one is way too long for email so go ahead and “View entire message” to see all 24 for 2024.)
Before I get to that, though, let me just finish the year with one last new jean. AGoldE’s V-Waist Kelly, defined by its pitched waistband, gives anyone - even hip-less me – a level of definition typically reserved for hourglass girls. Or super-cinched belts. For kicks, I tried wearing a belt with these jeans and actually, if notched loosely, it works; the buckle simply hinges at the prong. Personally, I like the V-Waist unbelted with a fitted cardigan tucked in. Which now brings me to the B-Corp-certified Linnea Lund sweater I’m wearing with these V-Waists, and the 23 other things I loved wearing with jeans this year…
Linnea Lund sweaters. From Swedish designer Charlotte Linnea Björklund, these 100% cashmere sweaters are made-to-order in Italy and come in the most tempting selection of shapes and colors. I bought two, in black (above) and tobacco brown, and they took about a month to make. Fine. The supreme quality and basic-not-basic-ness of them cares not for time or trend. I’ll wear them whenever, and probably forever. @linnealund_official.
Bode Garden-Embroidered Suede Overshirt. This was my holiday gift to myself. If I wear it every single day of 2025, the cost per wear will be $4.50. If I wear it 100 times / year for three years the cost per wear will be $5.50. I did the math and some emotional wear-testing, and believe me, I have no regrets.
Anderson’s Narrow Western Mock Croc belt. Featured first in my annual roundup of belts, this one from Anderson’s looks great with every jean in my closet. In the world of this newsletter, the year can be divided into two parts: Life before this belt, and life after this belt. (It’s now sold out on Shopbop, but I found one on Amazon, of all places.)
The Anderson’s belt I wear with every single jean in my closet (except for the drawstrings, of course). Emme Parson’s loafers. Another mock croc accessory? I am definitely my mother’s daughter.
Maria de la Rosa Party socks. The ones I have (below) were a gift from my friend Jenna, who sells all the best socks at her L.A. shop +COOP. Here are some with Constellation embellishments on the ankle. Wear them with a cropped jean or capri. Or, with sneakers and a skirt like this one from Rùadh, per designer Jac Cameron’s recommendation.
Jamie Haller Kenickie jeans, Emme Parson’s loafers, and Maria de la Rosa socks (similar here). Peepers readers. 2024 was the year I became completely dependent on reading glasses to see anything up close. Listen to me, the best readers in L.A. are sold at the Santa Palm Car Wash on Santa Monica Blvd. and the Bristol Farms market on Beverly. Seriously. The later is where I bought my first pair of life-changing Peepers ($29). In Chai / Tortoise Green, the ‘Take a Bow’ style is especially tacky / chic. People think they’re real fashion. We are what we think, are we not?
WFH. Allude sweater, vintage Levi’s, Peepers readers – I wear this style in multiple colors. The slippers are Bode, bought on The RealReal (where I buy most of my Bode wardrobe). J.Crew 1988 Rollneck. This iconic men’s sweater is made of 100% cotton and costs less than $100. It’s my go-to for long-haul flights because it’s cozy and machine washable. I’m a size S. Goes well with the Madewell x Kihara straight leg.
Sherman Field jewelry. I know, it’s expensive. But if there was ever a jewelry designer to save for / invest in, I’d argue it be Sherman Field. The handmade chains are exceptional; the stones and pendants are elegant beyond. I wear the pieces I’ve collected in this newsletter so often, they hardly need tagging. To know me is to know I love Sherman Field forever.
Jewelry + Jeans. My vintage Levi’s 509s with borrowed Sherman Field rings and bracelets. Photo by The Selby. Jesse Kamm Alberta Shirt. Jesse Kamm gave me this shirt when I went to visit her at home in Mount Washington. She said it’s great with jeans (not all button down shirts are!), and do you want to know something? The woman was right.
Sizing is chill on this Jesse Kamm shirt, I’m an XS/S. Anderson’s belt, TOJ Georgia jeans. Cesta Collective Lunchpail. I like the size and cinch-able lining. I like that it was ethically made by artisans in Rwanda. I like that it now reminds me of the Thanksgiving trip I took to Mexico with family and friends. I’ve been using the Cesta Lunchpail like a caddy for essential car stuff this winter, when a handbag is too cumbersome and a clutch is too tight. Car caddies? Moms who shuttle, is this a thing?
Earlier this year in Zihuatanejo, Mexico wearing an old chambray shirt with all Matteau (swimsuit, pareo) and my Cesta Lunchpail. Re/Done x Hanes 1950s Boxy Tee. In May of this year I did a roundup of my favorite white t-shirts for jeans. Though I stand by them all, the one I’ve found myself washing to wear again and again is this one from Re/Done’s collaboration with Hanes. It’s a really, really good casual t-shirt – a little see-through; sexy; not structured. I have no notes.
The winning white t-shirt with my trusty Georgia jeans. Autry sneakers. The Autry’s I bought last year were so good to me that I decided to buy another pair. They’re currently 40% off here.
The Only Jane Trip Jacket. I made this jacket and so, yes, I am partial, but it really did exceed all expectations. The Trip sold out twice, traveled with me to 4 states and 3 countries, and layered so nicely under coats and trenches. By far, the most memorable time I had in the Trip was trekking to our family homestead in Winifred, Montana. Read the story of that adventure here.
Flore Flore May camisoles. I gave up on bras this year, in part, because of how this tank holds it all. (And by all, I mean my mighty A cup.) A perfect layer under sweaters and mens-y (read: Bode) shirts.
Gigi Clozeau necklaces. If you see me without one of these delicate resin bead necklaces on, send help.
Chloe Nellie ankle boots. I’m sorry I waited so long on these as they are now nearly sold out everywhere. Probably because the cowboy boot base and slim, sock-y shaft is compatible with every single hem style under the sun. It’s crazy. There’s not a jean these boots can’t take. Fits TTS.
Miu Miu Riviere Cord sandals. That they didn’t thrash my feet – quite possibly the first T-strap sandal to spare me the Band-Aids – made these Miu Mius worth something. Though I’m convinced the dupes – from Free People ($98), Genesis ($50), and
’s fave Flowze ($149) – are just as good looking.
Fit tests in my studio this summer. Miu Miu sandals, B Sides jeans. Yet another Bode shirt. Genvieve wears the Georgia jeans in a size 31. This post shows models in all sizes, 24 -31. Michino Rivoli reversible tote bag. My first experience with a Michino bag was so satisfactory, I bought into another. The spacious Rivoli tote comes in both east/west and north/south orientations, and more than a dozen color combinations. It doesn’t mater which one I got, and I can’t tell you which one to get (though I’d hint at the east/west in Black/Khaki, if pressed).
Comme Si Cotton Poplin shirts. Designer Jenni Lee makes these crisp 100% cotton shirts in Italy and if I could just have one in every color, I’d be done.
Organic by John Patrick cashmere bandana. Honestly, why didn’t I think of this? It’s such a brilliant mashup. Measuring a generous 24” x 27”, I wear it with everything – triangle’d, wrapped twice, and knotted in the front. If you prefer a perfect square, Nickey Kehoe sells this one in the prettiest dusty yellow.
Accidental twinning with my husband Marc at the playground. This is my bandana. These are my jeans. Allude cashmere. This sweater (now 50% off) was just the beginning of my love affair with this company.
E.L.V. Diana shirt. When E.L.V.’s Anna Foster and I threw a dinner party for denim lovers in London last summer, she gifted us all one of these upcycled striped shirts. They’re just as good over a swimsuit as they are with vintage Levi’s.
Barbour Beaufort waxed jacket. No one needs yet another Substacker recommending yet another field coat, but I bought my Barbour when I lived in London in 2021 and I really do wear it all the time. My styling tip: Size up a lot. The XL pockets – designed to fit small birds or bottles of champagne – are great catchalls for random mom stuff. My own BB is navy. Sage is also nice.
Westman Atelier Lit Up Highlight Stick. I walked away from this video I did with Gucci Westman’s team at Westman Atelier believing all the hype around her products. They are positively divine. Tired mom here is now hooked on the Highlight Stick (it’s in the car caddy), but you don’t have to be tired to love it. In fact, my hope is that you’re not.
Well, that was a real flex of the old copy-writing muscle, thanks for reading. I’m taking the rest of the year off to be with my family and prepare for the launch of new TOJ jean styles next month. I wish you health and happiness and only the best and brightest for 2025. As always, Denim Forever.
Jane
More good links…
’s year-end survey is enlightening, I loved it.The AGoldE V-Waist also comes in a baggy fit.
This was my most popular post of 2024.
Agreed this is a goldmine. Want those Chloe boots!
Jane this was a goldmine of good stuff! I’ve eyed those Madewell jeans more times than I can count…. TTS?