The Great Search: Mom Jeans
I have wanted a proper pair of mom jeans for a very long time! Okay, since they’ve been back in style. But finding a pair of jeans is difficult already, never mind meeting the tough criteria: 1. comfortable 2. affordable 3. accessible (extended sizes) 4. sturdy 5. flattering (although I don’t care that much, tbh), and optionally, free of extra decorations that don’t suit my tastes.
I have decided that I won’t be able to obtain these qualifications easily, at least without spending too much money or hassle on online shopping (I hate online shopping). The goal: a light wash, size 18 high-waisted jeans that would make me look like a 90’s Mom (TM).
After exhausting my options at the mall and thrift store, I stumbled across these men’s jeans at Wal-Mart that cost under twenty dollars, came in a wide-range of sizes, and were perfect for the high-waisted, mom’s jeans style. Now, I’m not a fan of Wal-Mart. It’s pretty much the anti-thesis to sustainability, fair wages and safe working conditions. However, until I can find a better place to buy jeans or afford fancy ones online, these will do.
Since these are men’s jeans, sizing them was a little difficult – I just tried on a few that looked like they would work, and went with a 44X30. I normally wear a women’s 18/20.
Before any adjustments. The lack of stretch (100% cotton, yo) means these aren’t sitting and eating jeans, these are standing and posing jeans. I think when I get more active in the summer the waist will be more forgiving.
First step: Removing unnecessary belt loops. I felt that the extra belt loops in the front made them look awkward, and I was going for more of a 501-Levi’s-feel, ya feel?
2. I removed the hem along the bottom because I like a deconstructed hem, and I will be trimming these eventually. Optional: use sanding paper to create that jagged hemline again, or even trim into a “crop step” that is so popular. I only really plan on wearing these rolled up, so I’m skipping this.
3. I tried these on inside out and marked out a gradual taper that would be comfortable, yet thin enough they didn’t sit awkwardly. You can see that I chose the side that had a simple hem because we want to leave the strongest double-stitch alone. Mark along and pin into place.
4. I did an initial test-stitch with some basic white thread and adjusted as necessary. The first attempt didn’t leave enough room for my ankles to comfortably exit the premises. I then stitched with a small zig-zag with that signature gold jean/denim thread that I copped at Michael’s.
5. After trying on the jeans with the first side done, I simply copied the line on the other leg and repeated. Ta-da! Mom jeans for ~20 dollars if you don’t count your morals, labour or machine oil for your sewing machine when it makes some concerning noises/smells.
Do your butt a favour, and re-create these jeans!
Naomi
