Sveta's Blog

Playing with cropped (flared?) jeans trend

January 29, 2016

Ever since Angie started to post about the cropped jeans trend I was intrigued. I have already mastered the cropped skinnies in summer but honestly fall / winter version of cropped jeans left me baffled.
I was not sure if I want to buy any as I was not sure I will really wear them so idea of chopping the existing pair sounded good. There was only one problem – to find the existing pair which can be chopped. I do not have that many jeans to start with in the first place. There are 2 pairs of BFs which are the wrong silhouette for this trend. There are 2 pairs of bootcuts and 2 pairs of full length skinnies which I cannot bring myself to chop at all because it was such an ordeal to find them long enough in the first place (tall gals will understand).
The only possible candidate was Gap faded bootcuts which I turned into straight legs last year. Somehow I found that I was not wearing them as much as others in this shape and at full length so I went scissors- happy on them!
Here is where the bafflement began. I am restricted by the footwear I can wear in winter: I have only one pair of  flat Chelsea booties which are winter-worthy. Fortunately they are tall enough in the shaft to possibly work with the cropped trend. Unfortunately they are BLACK which is hard to pair with cropped LIGHT BLUE jeans - and FLAT which makes them more leg shortening for this trend!
However I tried. Here are my attempts from this month. In both cases the tops are ink blue - I wanted to bookend the black booties here so they are not too disconnected with the light jeans. Pics 1-3 are with high-low relaxed fit t-neck and knee-high socks to get some skin showing. I have included back and side shots so you can see how the hems look from all angles.
Pics 4-6 are with black socks (too cold for nylons), shorter sweater and a moto jacket. I have also added a shot with a long coat I wore over the whole thing.
I am just not sure if it looks ridiculous on me or not. When I look down on my feet in these jeans I find the look very funny – like I am wearing too short jeans here – but nobody looks at me at this angle but myself. Is the contrast between the light jeans and black boots too jarring? I am half-tempted to try Angie’s picks from Gap and BR but another part of me holds me back…
What do you think? Any suggestions for improvements? Also – is the length right or should I let the hems down a bit so they cover the tops of the booties completely? Or is this particular pair is a disaster and I should get a real cropped version to try before I decide if this trend is for me or not?

 Please help this cropped jeans challenged lady! 

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Posted in the Dressing category
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

21 Comments

  • Jaime replied 8 years ago

    You look fab says this cropped jeans fan! I personally prefer the black socks to close the gap and keep you warm. Love all the top with the necklace - would just add the black socks. #6 is gorgeous too! 

  • jenanded replied 8 years ago

    It works on you Sveta. You inspire me to try the same...

  • Summer replied 8 years ago

    It definitely works to my eye, Sveta.  I doubt that you could look ridiculous if you tried!  All great looks.

  • Runcarla replied 8 years ago

    This really works on you Sveta, and with your long legs and neat ankles, you will be able to carry off the trickier flared version as well.

  • Aquamarine replied 8 years ago

    Oh I like it! The boots look fine with the dark top to balance them out. I think it's a matter of getting used to the silhouette, too. I like the dark socks too...a good trick.

  • Sara L. replied 8 years ago

    I think it works.  I have to admit I haven't tried this trend yet, but your version looks good to me.  I think the dark tops balance out the black boots nicely.

  • texstyle replied 8 years ago

    I think you did an excellent job Sveta and it  looks great - I agree with the black socks addition.

  • Bonnie replied 8 years ago

    I like all of these looks and the black boots bookend the outfit perfectly. I've also been thinking about shortening and what you did looks great. Did you hem the pants or let the unfinished edge show?

  • Angie replied 8 years ago

    Looks fab! Yes to the black socks.

    (Have to say that a real pair of straight of flared crops DO fit better than the ones we hack at home - that's my personal experience, anyway). 

    Have you tried low contrast booties with the jeans? I think you might like that better because the jeans are light. I'll like that better too. 

  • replied 8 years ago

    Another two thumbs up from me. This is the way it should look - and I totally understand your confusion over this look...especially in winter when we throw a coat over the whole thing.  I think this look is best without a coat - in other words, an inside-look only. There is something about a coat length - any coat length -  adding proportion distortion to the look. Anyways - you've nailed it here.

  • Inge replied 8 years ago

    Seconding everything Angie said:-) You are totally rocking this look, Sveta, and I can also see a pair of cropped kick flares in your future (just saying ;-)

  • Aida replied 8 years ago

    Great advice already, here are my two cents. I see two possible issues. The first is the high contrast; using lower contrast footwear as others have mentioned or keeping these lighter pairs for spring/summer and looking for a darker pair for fall/winter to wear with black might feel better to you. The second is that perhaps you'd like these jeans a little more fitted through the hip/thigh. They are rather straight all the way down so the "flare" isn't particularly pronounced, and have neither-here-nor-there feel of a cross between cropped straights and culottes; perhaps you want something more definitive in style.

  • Sveta replied 8 years ago

    Thank you so much for chiming in, ladies!
    I wore these jeans with dark brown socks once and felt very un-fab in them. I think for me it should be either bare leg or matching color of the socks to give the illusion of a bootie being taller.
    Bonnie, I got the jean hemmed.
    Angie, unfortunately I do not have another pair of booties I can wear now, just these black pair. I did pair them with my taupe animal print booties in the fall and it was easier to style. I hear you on the "real" crops - maybe I should get a dark denim pair for winter?
    Lisa, definitely I also prefer a look sans coat but unfortunately it is not an option in winter in our climate :-(
    Aida, this is an interesting note on a fit on the thighs and hips - maybe you are on to something here...
    I am thinking of trying these BR crops but I am concerned they will be too short for me at 26" and Tall option is not available :-(

  • Suz replied 8 years ago

    I think you can absolutely wear this look and you nailed the styling here, but I agree that lighter footwear would make you happier with these jeans. 

    I have not really been wearing my cropped jeans in full winter with heavy winter coat. I did and will wear them with a lighter trench coat, however -- somehow it feels different to me. I am currently on the west coast and here I feel I can wear the crops. The temperature is cold right now but not at the same level as in Ontario and somehow the look feels more balanced with a lighter weight coat. 

  • Beth Ann replied 8 years ago

    Hi Sveta!  Firstly, you have the height to make cropped flares work beautifully.  I'd encourage you to experiment with the look -- as much as your climate will allow!

    I think Aida has some good suggestions here -- a bit less contrast, a bit more flare, and a bit more fitted.  Even so, the look as is looks fresh to me --- I like the look of pale blue with black!

  • Jjsloane replied 8 years ago

    I think you did beautifully. This is what I was going for (and missed) - but the real flare crop flare is not pleasant to my eye (yet?). Taking notes. 

  • TraceyLiz65 replied 8 years ago

    I think this is fantastic for you! You style it perfectly!

  • Elizabeth P replied 8 years ago

    I definitely think you can carry this off, it's just finished the RIGHT pair.  I'm not convinced this is it... I think Angie is right that a hacked pair doesn't fall as well as a designed pair.   Agreeing with Aida as well.

  • Claudia replied 8 years ago

    Sveta, BR in the US offers those cropped flared jeans in Tall. They have a 29 inch inseam, if you want to have them shipped to you.

    http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....tid=brsm...

  • approprio replied 8 years ago

    You're totally pulling this off. Nice to see you posting again. 

  • Karie replied 8 years ago

    I'm not a fan of this trend for myself but I do think it looks good on you. The way you styled them is fantastic. I would prefer it with lighter footwear, though. 

    And I TOTALLY get not wanting to chop a pair of perfect length jeans. They are so hard for us tall gals to find!

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