What’s the difference between Boyfriend Jeans and Mom Jeans? Age. O, The Oprah Magazine delivers five fashion trends that work for everyone. Really? How many people would be horrified to find themselves the butt of all jokes in the middle of Paris? Well, former fashionistas need to listen up: Boyfriend jeans are cute on girls who are young enough to have “boyfriends”. However, any woman who has walked this earth for over half a century has “lovers” not "boyfriends".
When 7 For All Mankind comes out with a new jeans style, made with 5-10% Lycra, no buttons, no loops, pull-on or side zip waist, a tight fitting (mom) butt, and calls it “My Married Lover’s Jeans”, then 57-year-old women will be happy to wear them on the Paris Metro with no fear of snickers.
No Boyfriend jeans, no rips, dirt, or paint splatters (except actual artists) should be worn after 50! Until some entrepreneurial soul comes up with a pair of decent jeans for Boomer Chicks, here are some of the best bets:
Stretch Jeans - Not Your Daughter’s Jeans
These jeans are getting close to great. They have 4% Lycra-Spandex and very little bulkiness in the waistband because there are no belt loops. However, these jeans still have zippers, zip pulls, and a button, which attracts people’s attention to one of the worst areas of a post-menopausal woman’s bod, her stomach.
Not Your Daughter's Jeans Premium No Waist Slim Leg:
These jeans, however, will look much better under tight fitting tops than almost anything else. The 4% Lycra will get a Boomer Chick to NYC from SFO without crotch cramps, but won't take her from LAX to Auckland. So NYDJs are acceptable, but are not the pajama-like comfort that cranky Boomers deserve.
These jeans are such a big step in the right direction, that they are worth a try for shorter flights and longer nights out.
- Sizes 0 -18
- Misses, Petites, Plus
- Front Zip Welt Pockets (No bulk and a bit sexy)
- 4% Spandex (about double the average)
- Tummy Tuck Crisscross Front Panel
- Butt-Lifting Technology
Apple Shape - NYDJ Tummy Tuck Jeans
There are several versions of Not Your Daughter’s Jeans Tummy Tuck Jeans. Look online for the style that would look great while line dancing in Austin (maybe with rhinestones) or slumming around Sydney (definitely no rhinestones).
To look taller, women of average height should usually avoid cropped or roll-up jeans. Some chicks are the the exception to the rule, but are usually about the size of a China doll, and most women should follow the "no crop" rule, which is a subset of the "Dress Your Age" rule. Another way to look long and lean is to wear bootcut jeans.
Bootcut Jeans - Mainstreet Blues Relaxed Pull-on Jeans
These are real Mom Jeans. So what? Is being a mom (or grandmother) such a bad thing? Do all grand-moms need to move to Asia to be treated with respect?
Pull-on jeans are fine as long as they are tailored to fit, if necessary, and have no weird gaps or bulges. Also, the elastic should be covered by a top, belt, or anything.
- Bootcut (not too slim, not too wide, just right for Boomers)
- Plus Sizes
The best alternative to mom jeans is a good pull-on skirt. And, a skirt will go just about anywhere a jean goes, except for some super casual spots. Also, jeans have a younger "feel" than skirts, unless a Boomer Chick is very good at pulling off the Boho-Beach Look.
Another style is Mainstreet Blues Tall Stretch Jeans:
- Relaxed wide-leg pull-on styling.
- Smooth Front Waistband (yeah baby!)
- Side Elastic
Petite Jeans - Jag Lucy Boot Jeans
Curvy petites of all ages love these jeans and most of the Jag petite styles. Actually, many women, even tall and plus sizes love Jags. They are worth ordering online, but jeans are such a pain to fit, don’t wait until the week before vacation to try them on. Gypsy girls need to give their online jean shopping plenty of time. Also, women need to sit in an airline-seat position for a few minutes before taking off the tags.
Boomer Women - Karen Kane Jeans
Karen Kane usually has Boomers down cold. There is always something to wear if there’s a Karen Kane outfit in the closet. These cuts are worth checking out.
Colleen Lopez stretch jeans are said, by some, to be good for gals with tummies and smaller backsides. Apple shapes may want to give the HSN people a shout.
All in all, the creative jeans designers should learn from J Brand Jeans that less is more, especially when designing for Baby Boomers who would rather spend their big bucks on jeans than liposuction. It may be boring to design the perfect jean for mommy, but mom will reward the young lad or lass who reinvents jeans for Boomers.
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Christina Gregoire - Christina Gregoire writes about divorce, fashion, and baby boomers. Her forte is explaining complex ideas in simple language.
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