My Morning Jeans
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, & Fri.
This week? I had few appointments and much to do in my studio, which meant getting dressed quickly to take the kids to school, then wearing whatever I threw on in that moment for the rest of the day (versus hopping back home to get properly showered and dressed after drop-off, as I sometimes do). Funny enough, the half-baked grab-and-go approach was…fine. More than fine. Effective. My new Bob jean, which I have been wear-testing secretly for weeks, won MVP. I am so excited to share it with you here.
Before I go any further, however, I want to acknowledge the families in Los Angeles whose morning routines have been flipped upside down by the fires. The Pasadena Educational Foundation’s Eaton Fire Response Fund was created to support the needs of the Pasadena Unified School District’s students, faculty, and families. Click here to make a donation. A parent at Aveson Charter Schools, which suffered severe damage during the Eaton fire, has organized this GoFundMe to help with salaries, supplies, and community support; you can donate directly to Aveson families here. Odyssey Charter Schools is another that needs help, here’s the link.
I am often asked if things in L.A. have “returned to normal.” I don’t know how to answer that question because huge chunks of normal L.A. are gone. So, no. But I’m grateful to be working and waking up at home.
My mornings generally begin at 6:45am. Eggs get eaten, snacks get packed (my kids have hot lunch at school, hallelujah), shoes get put on. By 8:10am we’re in the car and because I am not happy in yoga clothes if I’m not doing yoga, and I’m not someone who goes out in pajamas (or wet hair, hate that), and L.A. is not like New York where you can just put a gorgeous coat on it, I am always dressed for drop-off. Casually, sometimes, yes. But dressed nonetheless.
MONDAY
I started the week wearing my new Bob jean after announcing its launch in last Saturday’s post. Bob is a barrel-like high rise with a twisted side seam and soft blue wash. I have two pairs: One that I hemmed to achieve the original fit intent1 , and one that I’ve left alone. I’m wearing the latter here so you can see what Bob looks like worn longer. Honestly, I like them both ways and with all the things I wear all the time (white tees, Bode shirts, you know me).
Using a sweatshirt for warmth without putting it on on – so, over the shoulders or around the waist – is my new L.A. winter hack. I like the weight of this unisex one from Frame, and I love that I can hide the Ritz logo on it when I wear it wrapped around my neck. (No offense to the Ritz, it’s just a lot of branding for an elementary school appearance at 8:30am.)
TUESDAY
DL1961 calls this jean a barrel, but they remind me more of an old school men’s 501. You know, the ones formerly known as waist overalls with the really, really long rises, made circa 1930. This was the day I got the most “dressed” because I had to go straight from school to a meeting about a trunk show in Hollywood (more on that coming soon). I credit the belt, the shiny shoe, and the tucked-in sweater for any level of polish expressed here.
The Taylor is a non-stretch wide leg with a zipper fly and cropped leg (though it’s not that cropped on me). I’m 5’4” and wearing a size 24, which is still roomy enough in the waist to tuck-in a thicker sweater. (Use code JANEH15 to get 15% off the Taylor and all jeans at DL1961.com.) For me, black accessories are the key to wearing white jeans in the winter. No white sneakers with these right now, please.
WEDNESDAY
Mornings in Los Angeles – for most – require driving. My kids like listening to R.L. Stine’s Story Club. These Dr. Collectors pants are the chillest things, and rolling the hems helps keep them from swallowing me whole. Look! Ankles! In cute Le Bon Shoppe socks!
THURSDAY
This is the Trip Jacket in Jet. It’s the same as the best-selling original Trip, but black. Confession: I had doubts about doing this jacket in a dark wash because so many of you bought the white version, and who needs the same jacket in a different color? Turns out, I do. I need the Trip Jacket in this color. It’s exactly the right spring weight (for those of you still deep in winter’s frigid grip), and it fits really nicely under coats. I’m 5’4” and wearing a small.
I’m telling you, knotting a sweatshirt around the waist has a warming effect. It’s a great way to make lightweight pants work during seasonal transitions. (And L.A., when not experiencing extreme weather, is very often trans-season-feeling.)
FRIDAY
Here’s the Bob again, this time without a belt. Can you tell it’s the end of the week? Same bandana, just wrapped around my head. The Birkenstocks were by the door on my way out; they are less of a style choice than a living condition. About Me: I don’t like the look of a sweatshirt without a t-shirt underneath it. Feels unfinished. Even for Friday.
I made a little takeaway tote to carry all of our essentials. Buy a pair of jeans or the new Trip Jacket and you’ll get one. It’s fun and fits the immediate morning things, no matter where you live or what your routine.
That’s all for today. To everyone who bought a pair of my new jeans last week, thank you. Your willingness to give them a go is the greatest thrill. I love what I do and I’m here to answer questions about fit and grading – in the comments, please, as others might find them helpful. Thank you for reading. Denim forever.
Jane
Here’s my other Bob all cropped and cute. I’m wearing a size 24 and I hemmed the legs to graze my ankles. Some customers like sizing down to get this cinched look without having to wear a belt.
I have never heard of wrist warmers but now of course I want them. 50 degrees in LA is COLD.
THE BOB! OMG. So perfect. Those twisted seams! Next on my list. Congratulations!