How to Style Mom Jeans

Co-authored by Candace Hanna

Last Updated: January 23, 2022 References

Mom jeans are comfortable, practical, and form-flattering, making them a great fashion choice. Since mom jeans have a different look than most others, knowing how to pick out the right pair and create outfits that will look great is important. If you stick with strategies such as tucking your shirts into your mom jeans and cuffing the hems, you'll be rocking the mom jeans in no time.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Choosing the Right Pair

1
Pick a pair of jeans that fit your waist well. Mom jeans are meant to sit high on your waist. When picking out a new pair, try them on and see how the waist fits — you don't want the jeans too tight or too loose.^{[1]
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- The high waist will show off your waist and elongate your legs.
2
Choose a leg style that's appropriate for your figure. When picking out a pair of jeans, make sure that the front of the jeans aren’t too tight. It's most common to choose jeans that have a straight leg, but that's not the only option. If you're curvier, jeans that have a flare will accentuate your curves while balancing out your body.^{[2]
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- Mom jeans tend to be baggier than most other jeans in the front and leg areas, so don't expect them to be super form-fitting.
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3
Choose an appropriate wash that accentuates your legs. Mom jeans with darker washes tend to look the most sophisticated and slimming. If you have very skinny legs, you can try a lighter wash that will help bring out your curves. Choose a shade of denim that you feel comfortable and confident wearing.^{[3]
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- Wearing black mom jeans is always a great option — the dark color will make you look sophisticated or even grungy, depending on your desired look.
- Wearing white jeans with a blouse, tank, or crop top works well in the spring and summer seasons.
4
Try a cropped pant to make your legs look longer. If you’re on the shorter side and want to make yourself look taller, pick mom jeans that are cropped. They’ll show off your ankles and won’t pool at the bottom, making your legs look elongated and slim.^{[4]
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- If your jeans are just a little bit longer than you would like, try cuffing them for a polished look.
5
Choose embellishments that show off your personal style. If you like distressed denim, then choose a pair of mom jeans with some rips and tears in them. If you’d like to add some character to your jeans, you can always add embroidery or patches. Many times you can buy mom jeans that are already personalized, but don’t be afraid to create your own embellishments.^{[5]
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- If you’d like to distress your jeans yourself, you can learn how to do so here.
- You can also learn how to add embroidery and patches, as well as paint your jeans.
6
Turn your casual outfit into a dressier one by wearing a blouse and dressy shoes. If you want to wear your mom jeans but still look dressed up, wear a nice blouse. Choose shoes such as heels or flats, and add jewelry and other accessories to complete the look.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Choosing a Complementary Top

1
Tuck in your blouse to define your waist. Pick out a flowy blouse to wear that will offset the straight leg of the jeans. To show off your waistline, tuck the blouse in, or simply tuck in the front. The blouse can be a solid color or patterned. You can also pair the blouse with a jacket or thin belt.^{[6]
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2
Wear a sweater for a cozy look. It’s best to tuck the sweater in so that your look isn’t too bulky. Mom jeans are baggier than most other jeans, and combined with an untucked sweater, your form won’t be very distinct.^{[7]
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- Put on your favorite over-sized sweater and try tucking in the front part. You want the waistline of your jeans to be noticeable.
- If your sweater isn't super bulky, try tucking in all of it for a sophisticated look. Pair it with a belt if desired.
3
Choose an off-the-shoulder top for a bohemian look. Off-the-shoulder tops are a great choice when you want to wear a more loose-fitting shirt with your jeans. They’ll balance out the shape of your mom jeans by showing off your shoulders while also giving you a bohemian look.^{[8]
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4
Wear a crop top with your jeans to show off your waist. Since most mom jeans are high-waisted, pairing them with a crop top is a popular choice. Crop tops allow you to show off your waistline, and they come in all forms — from loose-fitting t-shirts to tight spandex tops. Try out some different styles and see which one you like the best.^{[9]
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- If you don’t own a crop top but have an old shirt that you think would look good as one, you can make your own.
5
Choose a white shirt for a casual look. The classic white t-shirt and jeans look has always been in style. Choose any white shirt — it could be a t-shirt, button down, or v-neck — and wear it with your mom jeans. This outfit will allow you to accessorize with any color of jewelry and shoes. The white shirt goes great with almost any jacket as well.^{[10]
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- If you're wearing a white t-shirt, pair it with a bomber jacket or kimono.
- A button down white shirt goes great with a blazer.
6
Wear a bodysuit to balance out the bagginess of your jeans. Since mom jeans are pretty loose-fitting in the leg area, you can balance this out by sporting a tighter top. Put on a bodysuit under your jeans to show off your curves while still being comfortable.^{[11]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Choosing the Right Jacket

1
Put on a bomber jacket for a casual look. Bomber jackets are comfortable and stylish, and many of them are cropped which will look great with high-waisted mom jeans. Choose your favorite fabric, color, and style of bomber jacket and wear it over a t-shirt with your jeans.^{[12]
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2
Wear a trench coat to create a classic outfit. A trench coat is a classic look that never goes out of style. Pair a trench coat with your mom jeans and either show off your shirt underneath by leaving the trench coat open, or let the trench coat be the main focus.^{[13]
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- Flats, loafers, and especially heels are popular shoes to wear with a trench coat and jeans.
3
Pair your jeans with a blazer to look professional. Putting a blazer over a t-shirt or crop top will automatically give you a more sophisticated look. The blazer could be a bold color, wild texture, or a neutral tone -- whatever you're the most comfortable wearing. To turn your casual mom jeans into a polished outfit, throw a blazer over your top of choice and show off your style.^{[14]
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4
Wear a denim jacket with your jeans for a 90s look. If you love denim and want to make a statement, wear a jean jacket with your mom jeans and a different colored shirt underneath. The denim jacket doesn’t need to be the same shade as your jeans.^{[15]
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5
Wear them with a kimono to create a boho look. Contrast your bulky mom jeans with a flowing kimono. The fabric of the kimono, whether it's silk, chiffon, or some other soft material, will give your outfit a bohemian look. You can wear the kimono over a t-shirt or blouse.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Choosing Complimentary Shoes

1
Wear heels to show off your legs. A great way to take any outfit to the next level is by adding a pair of heels. Heels will make your legs look longer while also taking your outfit from casual to chic.^{[16]
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- If you're dressing up for date night or going to a restaurant, wear your mom jeans with a pair of heels and a blouse. Make sure you cuff the hems so that your heels will be noticed.
- Offset a casual top, such as a crop top or sweater, with heels to create a bolder look.
2
Opt for flats when wearing cuffed or cropped jeans. For a classic and simple look, pair your mom jeans with flats. To make sure your flats are noticed, cuff the bottom of your jeans or choose cropped jeans. Pair your jeans and flats with a blouse for a great look.^{[17]
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- Flats are a great choice if you're tall and don't want to add more height while wearing shoes.
- Ballet flats also go with sweaters as well as blouses, or even a t-shirt.
3
Put on sneakers to wear with your mom jeans. For a casual look, pair your mom jeans with your favorite pair of sneakers. You'll look stylish and comfortable at the same time, and you can wear a t-shirt to complete the look.^{[18]
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4
Wear lace-up boots for a statement outfit. Putting on some lace-up boots and a loose-fitting t-shirt with your mom jeans will give you an edgy look. You can also pair your lace-up boots with a tucked-in buttoned down men's shirt for a tomboy look. Black lace-up boots are fairly easy to find in shoe stores due to their popularity, and they go great with many different outfits.^{[19]
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Expert Q&A

Question

How can I look skinny in mom jeans?

Candace Hanna
Professional Stylist
Candace Hanna is a stylist and style expert based in Southern California. With 16 years of experience in the corporate fashion and personal styling realms, she runs Style by Candace, a personal styling agency that focuses on helping individuals find their personal expression through clothing. Her work has been featured in magazines such as Shoutout LA and VoyageLA.

Candace Hanna

Professional Stylist

Expert Answer

Think about how to create a proportionate silhouette. Since mom jeans tend to be a little bit looser, I like the idea of wearing them with a smaller, fitted top, or even a crop top if you like to wear them. I try to stay away from baggy pants with baggy tops, though.