For as long as I can recall, skirts and dresses have been my go-to wardrobe staples. This preference was so strong that during my The Who What Wear Podcast appearance in September 2025, I revealed something that surprised my colleagues: I had never owned a pair of jeans. While many editors maintain curated denim collections, none could fathom how I managed without them. Fast forward to June 2026—I’ve made a significant change: I’ve purchased my first pair of adult jeans.
This distinction matters, as I did wear jeans as a child. One of my earliest fashion memories involves visiting Abercrombie to buy back-to-school pairs in elementary school. However, after developing curves, finding a perfect fit became challenging, and jeans no longer aligned with my personal style. My preference for online shopping added another layer of difficulty, as ordering jeans often led to inconsistent sizing and the dreaded waist gap. Multiple trips to crowded stores and failed fittings left me overwhelmed and empty-handed, leading to years of avoidance.
Skirts and dresses felt like a simpler choice. Their consistent sizing across brands, breathability, and effortless styling made them a reliable option. Yet, as a fashion editor, I recognized the need to overcome this gap in my wardrobe. Inspired by colleagues and celebrities like Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner, I turned to Levi’s for a solution.
Levi’s 501 ’90s
After weighing the 501, 501 Curve, and 501 ’90s, I chose the latter. Levi’s description—“Imagine if you took everything you love about the legendary 501 Original and gave it a nineties refresh. Boom: you have the 501 ’90s. Think of these as a slightly wider version of our original fit. The easy silhouette sits a little looser, the rise a little lower. Then there’s the leg. We went full-on ’90s and gave them a relaxed, laid-back fit from hip to hem, inspired by those slouchy (and flawless) 501 jeans our favorite celebrities wore in that era”—sealed my decision.
A TikTok tip from Reilly Krug influenced my approach: “My life hack for Levi’s in particular is sizing up three sizes from your usual. I find that by sizing up, you also get that lower, vintage-esque feel, and they just feel more lived-in, in my opinion.” To ensure accuracy, I ordered two sizes online.
For washes, I suggest Shout Out Stone or In Love With You for medium tones, Deep Rinse for darker shades, and Fun Flare or Ever Afternoon for lighter options. While I may someday explore vintage denim, the Levi’s 501 ’90s have been a game-changer. Next on my list to try are Agolde’s ’90s Straight Jeans, Khaite’s Danielle High-Rise Slim-Leg Jeans, Still Here’s Childhood Jeans, and Gap’s Low Rise ’90s Loose Jeans.
(Image credit: @audryhiaoui)