Let me start by saying, I love Taylor Swift. Did I like her Super Bowl jeans?
Ever since Swift arrived at Allegiant Stadium wearing $695 Area jeans with slits and crystals on the upper thighs, I’ve been asked by those around me to weigh in. “Are you going to do a story on them?,” my friend Abby texted. Initially, I hadn’t thought about it – football and celebrity style aren’t what I do here. But if Abby, one of my smartest writer friends, was curious, maybe you all are too…
The New York Times used Swift’s Super Bowl jeans as way into reviewing Area’s recent Spring 2024 show (denim is actually something the label does a lot). I will use her jeans to reiterate something I really, truly, totally believe: There is no wrong jean if it is on the right person. And, as always, love is love. Honest to god, what I think of Swift’s Areas doesn’t matter, nor does it change how much I like her music. If they make her happy, I’m happy. End of letter.
I asked Neverworn’s Liana Satenstein to comment on Swift’s jeans because Liana is someone who can take the quirky-and-personal (carrot-themed clothes) and banal (shopping bags) and make them completely covetable. Sexy, even. She sees things I don’t. As Liana keenly observes in this Jean of the Week, Swift’s Area era is a sharp departure from the safe-bet blues the singer-songwriter typically wears out. (And, I’ll add, from today’s unembellished denim trends.) Yes, Beyoncé wore a similar jean first (in blue). But not for an audience of 123.4M. Impossible rips in places that wouldn’t tear naturally – it’s not the knees, guys – are kinda already starting to look good to me. The razzle-dazzle, too.
Taylor’s jeans are obviously sold out, but this Area style is available in two sizes. And here, in a size 25 at 30% off. The blue wide-leg version is still on Farfetch, too.
Jean of the Week: by Liana Satenstein
A brief breakdown of Taylor Swift’s Super Bowl jeans…
A win seen around the world; a pair of jeans sold out around the world. Two Sundays ago, Taylor Swift attended her beau Kansas City Chiefs Travis Kelce’s Super Bowl game. (It’s the third Super Bowl win for the hunk.) She went casual. Corset top and jeans. Plus, some megawatt jewelry: A ruby solitaire necklace, a diamond-filled pendant that read “87” – Kelce’s jersey number – and a thin choker of even more diamonds. But the most bedazzling headliner by far was a pair of wide-leg black jeans with crystal-encrusted slits on the upper thigh by Area.
This wasn’t Swift's first foray with the New York-based label, adored by downtown girls and celebrities alike. Back in October, she wore Area shorts that boasted a bauble-lined fly and front pockets to another one of Kelce’s games. Last April, she wore a cropped jean with a bling-y butterfly cut-out, also by the label. When she showed up at the Super Bowl that Sunday, Area, designed by Piotrek Panszczyk, had just finished showing at New York Fashion Week. Taylor’s timing could have been a wink to that. Or, a total coincidence.
I don’t remember any jeans that Swift has ever worn aside from her Area Super Bowl jeans. When I look up “Taylor Swift jeans,” the only images that pop up are of her Area jeans, and one of her wearing a pair of unidentified sky-blue skinnies, circa 2018. Swift has never been someone to push the limits with her denim or clothing, in general, which is more or less tumble dry-core. Stepping out in Fashion, capital F, doesn’t seem to be on her agenda, and we like her more because of it. She’s our dependable, familiar crooner – and usually, her skinny jeans or baggy denim pants voice that. They’re ok to throw into the wash after being covered in cat hair.
For me, I can’t bear to look at an artfully, thoughtfully placed slit with meticulously applied gems. If anything, I want skin-tight, crystal-slathered jeans that need a pair of pliers to zip up. But that is me, and I’ve had my fair share of funky denim.
So what to make of Swift’s Super Bowl jean choice? One editor compared her slice, dice, and sparkle to Sandra Dee’s transformative moment at the end of Grease, in which the character goes from Goody two-shoes to leather-clad bombshell for, well, her man. I’m not sure Swift’s move from nothing-to-write-home-about baggies to glammed-up black jeans is such a drastic Sandra Dee transformation, but there is a glimmer of risk-taking in it. These jeans are a fantastic choice for Swift, who could stand to let her look breathe. Perhaps a slit will help her quite literally do that.
Liana Satenstein is the creator of the beloved Neverworns newsletter and helps people part with their clothes. She is also a regular contributor to Vogue, where she worked as a writer for over eight years. Liana lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn with her husband.
Earlier this week, the wise and intrepid
and I unpacked our feelings about “Holy Grail” jeans. Read it here. To everyone who subscribes, comments, likes, pays, shops at The Only Jane, emails me updates on purchases made, and sends me questions that make me think (about Swift’s jeans, and so many more), thank you. Your support is everything.Jane
More to read…
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Jane Birkin Jeans: Is it even a denim newsletter without a bow to the Jean Queen?
Liana, once again, nails her perspective with choice wording — tumble dry-core is brilliant!
The perfect primer, because I 100% NEEDED to know what to make of them! And thank you again for being so generous with your time and knowledge. XX