It’s all about good jeans, baby. 

Fun fact: when I started working at Bloomingdale’s Lenox in Atlanta allllll those years ago in 2004, I started on the sales floor as a “Denim Specialist.” Sounds fancy, doesn’t it? While I sold everything, denim was my focus, and I took it very seriously. I tried on every pair (and bought a whole lot of them, too).

So I guess you could say that’s where my love affair with denim began. Take a step into my closet and you will see an embarrassing number of jeans that I’ve collected over the years. I have my favorites (like these babies that I wear constantly). 

And while I do believe that there aren’t rules in fashion, I can’t quite agree that goes for the jeans on your booty. Gone are the days of light stitching on a dark wash and pockets so blinged out they look like they belong on a Vegas stage. 

In fact, keep ALL stitching and details to the bare minimum and your denim will be classic and easily take you into the next decade. 

As you’ll see, a lot of my denim is distressed, which happens to be the trend at the moment. And while I do think that you should own one pair of distressed jeans, don’t break the bank on them.

As for your denim collection overall, invest in a good pair and I promise you won’t regret it. I’ve included my favorites in each category below, but also some pairs that will be nicer on the wallet. 

So, keep it simple. And slowly, over time, build your denim collection with these must have pairs….

XO

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I always love a good pair of jeans, and as a former "denim specialist" at Bloomingdale's some may say I'm an expert! Here are my top pairs.

boyfriend

The most relaxed pair of the bunch. These are your everyday, running around, carrying kids, getting groceries jeans. They should be a bit baggy and SUPER comfortable and are generally cropped at the ankle. Perfect in the spring + summer for rolling up and pairing with your favorite kicks, or in the fall + winter with boots like these. I’m wearing this AG pair and I LOVE them. Be sure to size down.

classic skinny

Keep these babies totally classic, with just a little distressing (if any) and very little details. You’ll live in them for the next 15 years. I promise. (And please – retire the bootcut. Thanks.)

I always love a good pair of jeans, and as a former "denim specialist" at Bloomingdale's some may say I'm an expert! Here are my top pairs.

mom jeans

I know what you’re thinking. Mom jeans aren’t cool, right? They are, I promise. These might be the trendiest of the bunch, so you don’t want to spend an arm and a leg. I’m wearing this pair – be sure to size up.

distressed

THE trend of the moment and I just can’t quite get enough. (Even when my mom jokes that it’s sad that I can’t afford jeans without holes in them.)

I always love a good pair of jeans, and as a former "denim specialist" at Bloomingdale's some may say I'm an expert! Here are my top pairs.

white

I know. I used to be afraid of white denim, too. BUT, thanks to finding the right pair, I’m free to wear white denim whenever my little heart desires. YAY.  

I always love a good pair of jeans, and as a former "denim specialist" at Bloomingdale's some may say I'm an expert! Here are my top pairs.

black

I admit, I probably own 3 pairs of black denim, and they’re all different. Hands down my favorite pair is this one. Super soft, comfy + easy. Perfect. 

I always love a good pair of jeans, and as a former "denim specialist" at Bloomingdale's some may say I'm an expert! Here are my top pairs.

gray

Perhaps the trendiest of the bunch, but also the prettiest. A pair of soft gray denim looks good with just about anything. Dressed up or down, you really can’t go wrong.

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I always love a good pair of jeans, and as a former "denim specialist" at Bloomingdale's some may say I'm an expert! Here are my top pairs.