Denim for Days | March Stylish Monday Link Up
“You can make jeans and a t-shirt super stylish. It’s what you make of it, you know?”
– Phillip Lim
It seems like the world of denim has gone completely crazy with an endless amount of styles to suit everyone’s aesthetic and needs. I have gone through many phases of denim love and sometimes hate over the years. There was a time during my grade school years and a time in my 20s when I didn’t own a single pair of jeans.
Over the last five years, however, I have become a bit of denim collector. I do believe that I own every style of denim (skinnies, flares, cropped, boyfriend, girlfriend, distressed, destructed, high waisted, low waisted, and midrise) in a wide variety of washes (light, medium, dark, black, white, and gray with a few other colors thrown in for good measure) in sizes ranging from 10-18. I am definitely overdue for a closet clean out. Since that is generally too overwhelming for me perhaps I should focus on just a denim clean out….a spring cleaning goal of sorts.
I realized recently that most of my jeans are much too big for me these days and so I was in need of some smaller denim options in my closet. I got completely roped into a Charlotte Russe $15 denim sale a few months ago and ordered a whole bunch on line. But once again, I ordered too big! I cannot seem to get a grasp on the current size of my body for some reason. And Juniors denim sizing is really confusing.
I am currently wearing a US size 10/12 in pants so I ordered sizes 13 and 15 thinking that one of those sizes would fit like a 12. Based on the measurements provided on line, I fell right between these two sizes so I ordered both. But both were much too large. So I tried to shrink them in the dryer. That didn’t work. So I wrapped a belt tight around my waist and cinched these baggy suckers tight in exactly the same way that I wore my father’s old jeans back in the 1990s. I also used his old belt that I had to punch extra holes in to cinch it tight enough on my skinny teenaged self.
I am definitely digging the throwback to the 90s grunge styles with oversized distressed denim. I remember styling my father’s denim over fitted bodysuits with a flannel shirt on top. The jeans would fall down to my hips exposing a bit of skin where the line of the bodysuit ended. Of course, Doc Martens (or Converse) were the footwear of choice for anyone embracing the era of grunge. Converse would be equally perfect with this look except for the snow…so Doc Martens was my obvious choice.
“I was fascinated with jeans, because you can impress your life upon the jeans you wear. The way you sit imprints on the jeans.”
Jack Dorsey
Styling these new obnoxiously oversized jeans made me want to tap into the 1990s Shelbee…although “Shelbee” wasn’t really truly born until the early 2000’s. The 90s version of me is better known as Micki. And Micki dressed in a very odd combination of grunge and punk and school girl and French artist and who knows what else I threw in there. Keeping with my eclectic combination of style genres, I paired grunge with rock but those two genres go together like peanut butter and jelly so it is a natural combination that works well.
Freddie Mercury is one of my all time favorite icons and it recently came to my attention that I didn’t own a Queen shirt. I know I did at one time but it was nowhere to be found, so I definitely needed to replace it. I found this fun tie dye one at Torrid back in September and quickly added it to my online shopping cart. Using rewards that I had accrued, I paid $0 for it. Those are the very best kind of purchases, in my opinion!
I love the cotton candy colors paired with all black as it adds a little feminine softness to the masculine outfit. This is basically a contemporary version of what I looked like 30 years ago…except my hair was shorter with much less gray, my body weighed about 50 pounds less, and I had no wrinkles indicating that I have lived and laughed…a lot.
But less hair, less gray, less pounds, and less wrinkles somehow also meant less confidence. The 2020s version of Shelbee, the one with long gray hair, curves, and laugh lines, also comes with a side of self-acceptance, self-confidence, and self-love that previous versions of myself did not possess. So while I love the Micki from the 1990s, I am really enjoying this 2020s version of me. Even if I am a denim hoarder and my jeans are too big!
“Youth is a lifestyle; it’s not a blessing from God. If we treat our bodies as if they are not the most precious things we possess, then obviously we will show wear and tear. We’re like a good pair of jeans. If we take care of them, they’ll remain classic forever, but if we batter and abuse them they’ll look like tattered old rags.”
Akshay Kumar
Now let’s check out my stylish friends and their funky denim styles.
Stylish Monday is a monthly series published in collaboration with a group of 15 international fashion and lifestyle bloggers. It is another opportunity to be creative with our personal style as we join together each month with a style prompt or theme. We also host a link party where anyone is welcome to add their personal style posts. Scroll to the bottom of the post for the party.
Ada of Elegance and Mommyhood
Amy of Amy’s Creative Pursuits
Emma of Style Splash
Julie of Fashion Trends and Friends
Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style
Nicole of High Latitude Style
Nina of Sharing a Journey
Suzanne of Ask Suzanne Bell
And me!
Featured Favorites from January’s How We Style Cozy Knits
Laura of I Do deClaire
Marsha of Marsha in the Middle
How do you wear denim?
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Joining these Fabulous Link Parties.
Outfit Details: Jeans and Turtleneck-Charlotte Russe / Queen Tee and Belt-Torrid / Boots-Doc Martens from Amazon / Coat-DKNY from TJMaxx / Earrings-c/o Anjolee / Hat-Burlington Coat Factory / Gloves-Amazon
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
36 Comments
Kellyann Rohr
Denim for days is so right – there are so many cuts and styles I could build an entire wardrobe of denim alone! This is a fun look and you wear it so well Shelbee!
xo,
Kellyann
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Kellyann! There really are so many different styles of denim available right now and I kind of love them all!
xoxo
Shelbee
Amy Johnson
Well first of all, I’m happy someone else besides me still has snow on the ground, although the rest of mine should melt this week. I love your outfit. It’s just so fun and funky. You have so much style. I wish I had your creativity with clothes. As for sizing, I don’t understand those size guides, I can never go by them. If I were to take my measurements and go by their guide, I’d be a XXL and not a medium. What is up with that?
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh my gosh, Amy, thank you so much for this wonderful comment! I got blushed a little! And then I laughed out loud at the parts about snow and sizing! I will never understand online clothing measurements either. I try my best then figure out to make things work when they don’t fit. As for the snow, I give up! We are supposed to have snow flurries all day today and then it will be 64 degrees on Thursday. That should melt most if not all of the snow we have left. But there is certainly more snow coming before we get actual spring weather. Mother’s Day is our general guideline for planting outdoors to avoid the frost, but I do recall it snowing in June a few years back. This is the beginning of mud season now!
xoxo
Shelbee
Donna B Reidland
Jeans really do come in every shape and style these days. I got into jeans in the late 70s and early 80s with the designer jean craze. Today I still like a nice pair dressed up to go out and my comfy ones for home.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
It is overwhelming just how many different styles of everything are available these days, Donna! I overwhelm myself sometimes with too much stuff. Haha. I do remember my mom taking us outlet shopping for jeans in the 80s. It was the only way we could get the designer jeans…at a discount from the outlet stores. So we made an annual trip to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to do some school shopping. Thanks for triggering that sentimental memory by sharing your memories!
xoxo
Shelbee
Julie Augustyn
Shelbee,
I adore your “Dad” jeans on you especially with the Queen graphic tee! Jeans and a graphic tee is one of my favorite styling options! Jeans are so hard to find that fit well and are flattering. I also order multiples of things so that I can find the “perfect” fit…is that even possible?! Another fun collaboration and monthly theme!
Julie xo
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Julie! I wasn’t sure what to call these oversized baggy jeans and they reminded me of the way my dad’s jeans fit me as a teenager so I went with that! Haha. I think Charlotte Russe called them high waisted super wide leg denim or something boringly descriptive like that. I prefer Dad jeans. Jeans and a graphic tee is often my go-to combination as well. Throw on sassy shoes and crazy jewelry and interesting toppers like kimonos or statement blazers and you have a fabulous look every time! This was super fun! I love all the different denim garments everyone shared from jeans to jackets to dresses and shirts!
xoxo
Shelbee
Nancy
That’s the thing with dryers. When you want something to shrink it doesn’t and when…. well you get the drift! I’m starting to like denim more and more.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Isn’t that the most frustrating thing, Nancy?! I feel like nothing really shrinks in dryers these days anyway. Bah. I can’t wait to be able to hang my clothes outside to dry again!
xoxo
Shelbee
mireille
It’s a fun look and you made the jeans work for you! I definitely try to only buy jeans that I can return as the size are so different in each brand.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Mireille! I figured I could return them if they didn’t fit, then I went and tried to shrink them in the wash instead, thereby making them unreturnable! It was my own dumb fault on that one. Thankfully they were only $15. Although they may not have been returnable now that I think about it. Charlotte Russe has all sorts of weird new policies since they were bought out of bankruptcy a few years ago and their Covid rules were way stricter than any other store in our mall. In fact, the last time I was there you still couldn’t use the fitting rooms and I think you can only return for store credit now as well. So I could have exchanged the jeans for the right size, I suppose! Oh well. Lesson learned for me! I hope you have a wonderful week, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Lizzie
Oh I defintirly hear you on needing to do some spring cleaning! I’ve been procrastinating on my closet clean out haha!! I actually on’t have much denim – I really should add more. You have a really great collection though! Love how you styled this pair – very 90s and super stylish!
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Lizzie, thanks so much! Oh the spring cleaning is tormenting me! I don’t wanna do it but I know I have to. Ugh. You know, if you don’t wear much denim, then I don’t think you need to clutter your closet with it! Although I can picture you rocking out a white or pastel denim jacket in the most magnificent way!
xoxo
Shelbee
Maureen
What a fun outfit Shelbee! And yes please to denim. Not only do I live in denim or jeans (next to leggings) but also graphic tees! I just adore how easy dressing can be with these two items involved. I hope you had a great weekend and happy Monday!
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Maureen! I have been spending way more time in leggings these days, but jeans are a timeless favorite for me as well. I am very much a jeans and tee shirt girl but I just like to jazz it all up a bit! I hope you have a marvelous week ahead, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Joanne
You really brought me back with talk of the bodysuit (and the bit of skin showing between!) as I used to do that too with baggy sinched denim. My choice of footwear was a pair of men’s clunky sketchers or ultra flat ballet flats.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
OMG, Joanne, I love that imagery you just created for me! I bet you looked so freaking cute in that! Those bodysuits were so awfully uncomfortable, too, weren’t they? They were so high cut in the leg, Baywatch style, that they gave me terrible wedgies. Also, the ones I had used these hard plastic snaps in the crotch that were kind of jabby! What in the world were we thinking?! But I loved it anyway!
xoxo
Shelbee
suzanne
Hi Shelbee! I love Dad jeans, but I really struggle on how to style them. I may try them how you have here, with a tee – tucked in and let the jeans be the statement. Or, as you mentioned, with a body suit (if I can find one that doesn’t feel like a wedgie – funny how much more less tolerant I am in my 50’s vs 20’s, lol!)
You are really rocking this look, I love it on you!
I’m with you, I am a jean collector – but I find my favorite to be the flare style as it speeks to the 70’s child in me.
Great link up of fun style and ideas!
xx
Suzanne
http://www.AskSuzanneBell.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Suzanne! I find these jeans a bit ridiculous but the look is so nostalgic of my favorite fashion decade that I couldn’t resist! I was wearing the light wash blue denim ones recently with just a fitted turtleneck and my Doc Martens and that looked super cute, too. Much like the 90s bodysuit idea but without the wedgie! I don’t tolerate wedgies for anything these days. Haha.
I am a big fan of flares as well. They speak to my hippie heart. But the snow and ice that lasts for months around here make it difficult to wear flares because I need heels to keep the hem from dragging on the ground. Heels are not great here until all the snow melts and then all the mud dries up. And allowing your pant hem to touch the ground during that time will result in very messy pants! So I have a very limited season for wearing flares, sadly. But I am going to rock the hell out my new flares this summer during festival season!
xoxo
Shelbee
Daenel T.
Shelbee, your look made me smile. I used to wear The Hubs jeans with a tee and my combat boots back in the day. It was such a comfy, cozy look.
I just recently packed up about 12 pairs of jeans to donate. I haven’t liked the way jeans fit me lately. I go through these phases. And I’ll probably have regrets at some point, but for now I’m happy with the release.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Daenel! I get very smiley when I dress like my 90s self! It really was my favorite fashion decade. It was around that time that I really started exploring my own unique sense of self expression. I can totally picture you wearing something similar and rocking it! I am definitely going to clear out some of my jeans soon. I have over 100 pairs and I always reach for the same 5, so I think it’s time to clear out! I bet that did feel great to donate 12 pairs!
xoxo
Shelbee
Marsha Banks
I equate buying anything pants-like to buying a bathing suit! When you’re built like a zucchini, pants are not your friend! I do not like my jeans sticking to me like gum on a hot day! I think my bigger problem is I’m still trying to find jeans Marsha from the 70s wore! Those were some awesome jeans…they were groovy, if you dig what I mean! I keep trying, though! I bought two new pairs at Loft last week. The first pair seemed to be the unicorn I’ve been stalking…but they are the growing kind…you know the ones that fit fabulously in the morning, give you dancing bear butt by afternoon, and are all MC Hammer by dinner time! I’m hoping the others are a little different! And, who is this Micki? I’d love to see more about here!!
Thanks for the feature…it still gives me a thrill to see myself somewhere else! Thanks also for the link up! Come by Thursday for the Ageless Style link up!
https://marshainthemiddle.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Marsha, thank you so much, my friend! Your comments always make me smile! I sit here in the dark of the early morning hours, sipping my coffee while I read through comments, and I suddenly feel my face get cemented into this big goofy grin as I read your comments! And then I laugh at myself because now I feel like I am just having a conversation with you in my living room. (Sometimes morning pot makes strange conversations happen in my head! Haha.)
Your description of the unicorn jeans has me cracking up. I am familiar with those kinds of pants! I have had a lot of leggings like that. Drooping crotch is so incredibly uncomfortable, I never understood how that was a trend with MC Hammer!
I want to see Marsha from the 70s in those fabulous jeans! I don’t have very much photographic evidence of Micki from the 90s. I think every photo I do have is in Facebook albums. Are we friends on Facebook? That way you can just view the old photos all in one spot! LOL
xoxo
Shelbee
Sabina@OceanblueStyle
Your take on aging really resonated with me, Shelbee. Despite of being a total sucker for jeans I can really relate to the way we treat our bodies matters. Thank you for that!
Btw I noticed your pinback on my blog but had no idea what it meant. What a lovely surprise. Thrilled to bits.
Pleasure to be in such lovely company.
Wishing you a lovely day. Sabina
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh my, thanks so much, Sabina! I really appreciate that! Ever since I gained that perspective about my body, I have never been healthier! I feel better in my 40s than I ever felt in my 20s or 30s and it seems to be getting better with each year! I hope you have a magnificent week ahead!
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
I love this super cute look – and Freddie Mercury and Queen too. Isn’t it weird that we couldn’t feel confident about our more perfect bodies, our enthusiasm for life still spreading out in front of us, our idealism? And yet, I feel in some ways I have come full circle and instead appreciate my less perfect body, finding new adventures in the later part of my life, and returning to some of my former idealism – idealism tempered with shades of gray, more compassion.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
YES, YES, YES to all of this, Michelle! You have articulated this in the best possible way so I have nothing much to add! This growing up business is really a very fascinating ride, isn’t it?!
xoxo
Shelbee
Emma Peach
Such a cool outfit! I love the T-shirt and cute hat!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Emma! I definitely was tapping into my teenage cool vibes! Haha.
xoxo
Shelbee
Carol
Kudos to you for successfully slimming down to wear smaller sizes. The oversized jeans are cute on you, anyway. And the 90s styling is a fun way to show them off. Thank you for participating in Talent-Sharing Tuesdays Link-Up 11.
Carol
http://www.scribblingboomer.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Carol! The 90s styles coming back around right now are making me really happy with all sorts of nostalgia. And then I think, if I only had the self awareness and confidence in my 20 year old body that I have in my nearly 50 year old body, what a different experience life would have been. But I wouldn’t change it for anything because the journey brought me right here to a life more beautiful than I ever imagined! Have a fantastic day, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Rosemary Davis
Denim rules in my wardrobe! I love both styling and wear it!
Rosemary
http://www.distinctlysouthernstyle.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Me, too, Rosemary!
xoxo
Shelbee
Rosemary Davis
Hurrah for Denim Days!
Love denim in all styles.
Rosemary
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Rosemary! I do love all the denim as well!
xoxo
Shelbee