The Annual Come To Jesus About Jeans

Plus my new favorite type of dress and forever Halloween costume. It's the October Outfit Report!

October is usually the month when I have a come to Jesus moment about jeans. I try everything on, realize nothing fits, and, at least one year, buy 60 pairs in a quest to find two that fit. But this fall is different because… last season’s jeans all still fit? Truly, I can count on one hand the number of times this has happened in my life. It’s normal for bodies to change, for all the reasons. What fits now might not even fit next month!

For now, however, it means I’m trying to make my current jeans inventory work. Also Corinne made me count last week and I own six pairs of jeans, among my 25 total pants tally… so those of you who think I shop too much are obviously, once again, correct.

Except it turns out that “not fitting” is not the only reason you stop liking jeans. This is, of course, because no jeans are made to fit bodies well, especially fat bodies. So even if they literally fit (as in, zip up), they don’t fit (as in, stay comfortable to wear all day without stretching out). This fall, I’m suddenly craving a higher waist and a straighter leg cut (yes I know neither of those things is in style right now!!). But I’m working hard to remind myself that this unicorn does not exist. No brand is that invested in designing clothes to fit fat bodies and able to source denim that actually works for this goal.

So this month I’ve been making it work (ish) with my old jeans, but also getting more into dresses? They aren’t a universally perfect garment either—and for sure, bring a boatload of gender norms and expectations. But damn, they are just way more flexible, fit-wise.

Where are you landing on jeans right now? And what are you wearing that’s making you happy?

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What I Wore in October