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A wise woman once told me that the key to dressing well lies in approaching the act of getting dressed the way you would make a sandwich. Every outfit needs two slices of bread – in this instance, your outerwear and bottoms of choice – and a sartorial filling, which is where you can employ a bit of creativity; a seasoning here or there, some greenery if you’re that way inclined. But, make your sandwich with bad bread and it fails to scratch the itch the way you want it to. The same is true of outfit-making. Opt for the wrong basics – your white T-shirt or black blazer, for example – and it will be difficult to pull even the simplest of looks together, which is precisely where the hearty Mom jean enters the chat.
Ah, the good ole’ Mom jean. Much has been made of this family (pun intended) of denim, largely because these are the sorts of jeans that require little by way of introduction since they do all an outfit’s heavy lifting. They are the fashion equivalent of the family member archetype they derive their name from: reliable, sturdy. They’re the jean that carries even the most casual – or elevated – of ensembles.
Google Trends has recorded a 150% spike in searches of the style over the past twelve months, confirming its continued ascent. Browns Fashion’s Womenswear Buyer, Mia Notley, is clear that slouchy-fitting Mom jeans are destined for big things. She recommends The Row's Eglitta ‘for their perfect wash, rise and shape.’ ‘These are certainly the most versatile pair of jeans you’ll find,’ she tells ELLE UK.
The beauty of the Mom jean is that it does all of the talking for you: all that’s required of you is to wear your favourite T-shirt, jumper, blazer, and slip your legs into your new favourite pair of jeans. This is sandwich dressing at its simplest. It really is as simple and fuss-free as that – after all, denim is designed to solve sartorial headaches, which is precisely what a good pair of Mom jeans promises to do. Fashion editors swear by them, and for good reason too. These are a few of team ELLE UK’s favourites.
Softly shaped, Cos' barrel-leg jeans sit high on the waist and cut off just before the ankle, making them the perfect accoutrement to pairing with mesh ballet flats: this season's go-to shoe.
Frame is a beloved fashion-editor favourite, and for good reason. Its loose-fit tapered jeans are elevated without being too smart and offer just the right level of shape for their size.
Good jeans on the high street can be hard to get right, but not where & Other Stories is concerned. If you're not sure where to start, consider its buttery denim tapered jeans, which fit like a glove without being too structured.
The 80s were synonymous with statement dresses, bold hair and sensational denim. It's precisely that bygone era that inspired Levi's very own 80s-inspired jeans, which are a nod to the everyday Mom style that were a staple of the decade.
If you're after a buttery soft pair of jeans with ample stretch, consider 7 For All Mankind's Bonnie style. It comes with a relaxed, slouchy fit that's ideal for styling with a fitted tank top or a simple white t-shirt.
Ganni has become synonymous with effortlessly cool Scandi style, and the tapered Stary jeans carry that same insouciance. The structured denim cuts a voluminous silhouette that complements the edge of spiky leather boots or studded flats.
If there's one thing Ralph Lauren can be relied upon to deliver, it's quality denim – and its tapered jeans are a prime example. Pair with a fitted knit and your cosiest coat for a winter ensemble of dreams.
When it comes to denim, Citizens of Humanity will never put a foot wrong. These slim fit Mom jeans are just the right combination of slouch and style. A perfect spring-ready staple that will see you through to summer with minimal effort.
Mango has really stepped it up this past year, from its collaboration with Victoria Beckham to the luxe Capsule collection (from which our favourite pair of high-street mesh flats has materialised). Creative director Justicia Ruano has skilfully translated the essence of the Noughties into a wearable, contemporary wardrobe. Just take these Mom2000 jean, with their high waist and acid-wash finish.
The key to keeping Mom jeans from looking mumsy is to opt for shapes that are intentionally structured. Elevated basics expert Everlane is not to be overlooked. Wear this navy pair of jeans with your favourite cardigan for a perfectly modern take on Mom jeans.
Naomi May is a seasoned culture journalist and editor with over ten years’ worth of experience in shaping stories and building digital communities. After graduating with a First Class Honours from City University's prestigious Journalism course, Naomi joined the Evening Standard, where she worked across both the newspaper and website. She is now the Digital Editor at ELLE Magazine and has written features for the likes of The Guardian, Vogue, Vice and Refinery29, among many others. Naomi is also the host of the ELLE Collective book club.
Kara is the Ecommerce Editor, Women’s Lifestyle at Hearst UK. Leading Cosmopolitan’s digital shopping strategy, she shares style advice for life’s big moments, reports on the latest fashion collaborations, and creates beauty reviews across skincare, makeup, and haircare.
Kara’s most popular guides include ‘Affordable Jewellery Brands to Shop’, ‘Ski Wear to Shop, According to an Editor’, and ‘The Best High Street Wedding Dress Brands’, while covering deals events such as Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day. When she’s not behind a laptop screen, she’s hosting shopping videos and livestreams for Cosmo’s TikTok Shop. Kara also creates shopping content for Red and Prima, and was previously contributing Fashion and Beauty Ecommerce Editor at ELLE and Harper’s Bazaar.
Since starting her career as a journalist in 2018, she has held the role of Fashion Content Editor at NET-A-PORTER’s Porter Magazine, Associate Editor at PopSugar, and written for Refinery29 and LOVE Magazine, where she covered fashion and beauty news, trends, and features. An experienced interviewer, Kara has spoken to Zendaya, Alicia Keys, Simone Biles, and Tyla about life, work, and style. Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, Kara lived in Toronto, Canada before moving to London.
Follow Kara on Instagram @kara.kia
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