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Mom Jeans: They’re Not Just For Your Mom Anymore!

Ah, the infamous “Mom Jeans.”
 
Worn proudly by soccer moms in minivans everywhere, mom jeans have been embarassing us for years. You’ve seen them on moms at your brother’s soccer game, in line at the grocery, and in minivans across the country… maybe even on your own mom.

For some reason (and I don’t know why), women typically over the age of 40, have been sporting these jeans. They’re instantly recognizable by their ugly wash, high elasticized waist and tapered legs, seven-inch zipper, and back pockets that makes the wearer’s butt look wide, flat, and huge. Jessica Simpson, Lacey Schwimmer, and Mischa Barton, all learned this the hard way. And even Oprah says that mom jeans are a fashion don’t.

If the waistband of your jeans could double as a push-up bra or your backside looks flatter than a flapjack, you’re guilty of wearing ‘mom jeans,’” Oprah said. “While moms may not want to wear their daughters’ trendy, low-rise jeans, there are plenty of brands out there that cater to mature women with good fashion sense.”

Ouch. Should’ve stuck to your daisy dukes, Jessica.

Mom jeans are not just unflattering, they showcase every slight imperfection on your lower torso and legs. Mom jeans can lead to fashion faux pas like blazers with oversized shoulderpads, holiday-themed cardigans, or (shudder at the thought) Keds. Wearing mom jeans is like being stuck in the ’80s…. but everything that was horrible about the ’80s. If you’ve been to Sears or Kohl’s, or if you have a mom, you’ve probably seen these jeans. And you’ve probably laughed them off.

But you might say that these denim crimes against fashion are so out that they’re in. High-waisted and tapered pants made a comeback on the runway for the upcoming spring/summer 2012 collections with sailor-style pants and ’70s inspired-bottoms. So I wouldn’t be surprised if these styles may start popping up on your campus.

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So I have to ask, are Mom Jean wearers onto something? Some celebs have been seen sporting styles inspired by the mom jeans from Miley Cyrus to Rihanna and even President Obama (does this mean we also now have, dad jeans?).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Kim Kardashian, always dressed in high fashion, wears her mom jeans proudly. And it’s no surprise that with her curvaceous figure, she can get away with these high-waisted dark wash jeans.

Any woman who is proud of her curves should be able to flaunt them in high-waisted jeans!!!” she blogged last year. “So you know what… I’m proud to rock the mom jeans!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ashley Madewke, British actress from the cancelled CW drama series The Beautiful Life, was spotted in NYC wearing a pair of high-waisted light wash shorts, which paired with a floral crop top and lace-up booties, made for a really cute outfit.

I’m not sure I’m going to run out this weekend to buy myself a pair of mom jeans. But wouldn’t it be funny if these dreaded jeans that we’ve avoided for so long, were actually the next big thing in fashion? That would be so like mom.

What do you collegiettes™ think of the mom jeans revival? Are you pro- or anti-mom jeans? Comment in the box below!

Alexandra is a graduate from the University of New Hampshire and the current Assistant Digital Editor at Martha Stewart Living. As a journalism student, she worked as the Director of UNH’s Student Press Organization (SPO) and on staff for four student publications on her campus. In the summer of 2010, she studied abroad at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge University, in England, where she drank afternoon tea and rode the Tube (but sadly no, she did not meet Prince Harry). Since beginning her career, her written work has appeared in USA Today College, Huffington Post, Northshore, and MarthaStewart.com, among others. When not in the office, she can be found perusing travel magazines to plan her next trip, walking her two dogs (both named Rocky), or practicing ballet. Chat with her on Twitter @allie_churchill.