Cute Ways To Wear Boyfriend Jeans (Because Skinny Jeans Are Out)

Gen Z  has recently declared via TikTok that skinny jeans are no longer fashionable, prompting many Millennials to either give more laid-back styles a try or to double down on their love of form-fitting styles. Personally, I think skinny jeans are always in even if teenagers on the Internet disagree. That said, if everyone is going to be switching over to boyfriend jeans, then it’s only fitting to come up with a round-up of some of the best ways to wear the looser style. 

Marilyn Monroe was one of the first women to rock the boyfriend jean to help contrast her feminine figure and style. And then, decades later, Katie Holmes famously wore Tom Cruise’s jeans. And of course, ‘90s supermodels mastered the art of wearing boyfriend jeans in a feminine way. So Gen Z is by no means the first generation to discover this loose, laidback style. 

If you want to see modern ways to wear boyfriend jeans in a feminine way, you’ve come to the right place.

Knit Cardigan

The short cardigan has become a trend as of late, and for good reason. It’s overall really laidback and comfortable but is an undeniably more feminine silhouette. So when paired against something like boyfriend jeans, the contrast can help bring out your femininity. 

Relaxed in a Tee

And there’s, of course, the most obvious way to wear a pair of boyfriend jeans — with a t-shirt. I recommend choosing a style that isn’t oversized. A good rule of thumb is to keep the top more fitted when the bottoms are loose so you don’t lose the shape of your figure in baggy clothes (unless you’re Billie Eilish). 

Peplum Top

The peplum top is ultra-feminine and will stand out against the boyfriend jean. It’s one way to be dressing with the current trend without feeling like you’re an angsty teenager. And depending on the formality required, your shoes could be anything from sneakers, to ankle boots, to flats, to heels. 

Sweater with Puff Sleeves

If peplum tops just aren’t your thing, another great option is to try out a puff sleeve. Anything to balance out the more masculine cut of the boyfriend jeans! 

Make Sure They’re High-Rise

I can’t stress enough how much more flattering high-rise jeans are compared to low-rise. Not only does it avoid that dreaded muffin top that a lot of us tend to carry, but you want the silhouette to be cut as close to the natural waist as possible. High-rise cuts will help to lengthen the legs rather than shorten your vertical line. 

Add Details To Make It More Feminine

There are always little things you can do to make your outfit more feminine even when you’re wearing boyfriend jeans. A quick French tuck, feminine shoes, and a hair accessory (I’m partial to the headband) are some easy ways to do it. 

Choose Outerwear That Will Slim the Silhouette

Having your outwear be more slimming will help to make the silhouette more streamlined when the bottoms are baggier. Coats have this effect because they're longer than jackets, but in general, it’s just best to choose more fitted outerwear to balance out the boyfriend fit. 

On the flip side, something like a puffer jacket that has a lot of structure can be really cute.

When you do choose less slimming outwear, it can be helpful to tuck your top in to emphasize your waistline. 

White Button-Down

The fashion MVP strikes again! There’s almost nothing that a white button-down shirt can’t work with, boyfriend jeans included. So whether you tuck it all the way in, do a half tuck, or a French tuck, the white button-down is the perfect thing to wear with your boyfriend jeans. 

Pair with Loafers

One great way to wear boyfriend jeans is with a pair of loafers. They’re just chunky enough to not get overwhelmed by your jeans, but they’re more mature-looking than the combat boots you might see Gen Z wearing on TikTok. As much as it’s nice to be on trend, dressing for your age is much more important. You don’t want your clothes to look separate from you! A good outfit will always look like you belong in it.

Wear a Beautiful Purse

Don’t neglect the power of accessories! A beautiful purse will improve any outfit, so take care of the bags you have. When purchasing, try to choose something that will be versatile, but will add your own unique flair to an outfit. When you’re wearing one trend, finding ways to make it unique to you is what personal style is all about. Purses in lighter shades or colors are preferable to add femininity to your outfit. 

Do Your Hair and Makeup

I can’t stress how much more put together a woman looks when she’s done her hair and makeup. Unkempt hair can ruin an outfit so quickly, whereas great hair and makeup can help elevate it. It’s truly the foundation for your outfit, so don’t neglect it. 

What To Look For

It really helps to be able to buy jeans in person. When you look at the waistline, try to see if you can find a pair that scoops down toward the center in the front because this will make the jeans a bit tighter at the top so that you still have shape. Pro tip: a bit of fading in the middle with darker dye at the edges of the jeans can actually make your legs look longer! 

And as for the bottom of the jeans, you’ll want it to taper slightly as you go down the leg. This is going to be the most flattering line with this style of jeans. 

Closing Thoughts

Whether you’re jumping on board the boyfriend jeans bandwagon or hanging back to stick with your trusty skinny jeans, the big idea is that when one part of your outfit is looser or more masculine, you’ll want to balance it out. Keep in mind the silhouette and color scheme, and you’ll be golden.