About a month ago, I was preparing for my family reunion in Selma, AL. I hardly ever go to the mall to shop shop anymore, but because I was doing some serious last-minute shopping (too last minute to even think about getting anything shipped), I packed up the stroller, and Ash and I headed to Briarwood mall here in Ann Arbor. My main mission was to find Brian some shorts, which is a complicated mission given his slim waist and adamant request that all of his shorts be a certain length.
Anyway, I walked into American Eagle for the first time in years, thinking maybe I would luck up with a pair or two for him. When I walked in, I immediately got sidetracked by the sales lady who was folding and fixing clothes at the front of the store. “Excuse me,” I interrupted her, “where can I find those pants that you have on?” She directed me to the back of the store while pleasantly informing me of the special, buy one pair, get the second pair half off. “Mom jeans” is what the sign said. And on the table were about four different versions. I found my size in the pair that the sales lady was wearing, and to the dressing room I headed, Ash beside me pushing his own stroller (why do kids get a kick out of that?).
As soon as I slipped those jeans on, I knew they were coming home with me. They were surprisingly comfortable (almost like the feel of a jegging, with the perfect amount of stretch) and very flattering. All of my other jeans at home were now distant memories. I was all kinds of happy at my find. The icing on the cake? I also found Brian a couple of pairs of shorts to take down south! I left AE winning that night. (Here’s the link to those American Eagle stretch mom jeans)
I took those mom jeans with me to Alabama but didn’t get a chance to wear them. It was so hot down there I couldn’t bring myself to wear any more fabric than necessary. Anyway, fast forward to the week before last, and I’m back at Briarwood. This time my main mission was to stop at Brow Art to get my brows back together. But because I had a few extra minutes to spare, I decided to stroll around to the main corridor for some quick window shopping (again, something I never really do anymore). I was looking for nothing in particular.
But alas fate ensures it’s magic and all of the stars align because I literally have probably only been into Abercrombie and Fitch one other time in my life and for some reason, I was walking in there to browse. And there it was. A 40% off sale on jeans. As I browsed a few pairs stacked on a table, I saw the tag “mom jeans.” This is clearly a thing, I thought to myself. No one had told me (head tilted, eyes bewildered, and left hand sprawled against my chest like Miss J).
Of course, I had to try on a couple of different styles to see if they could top the feelings my AE ones had given me. I won’t say they did, but a belted pair did come home with me. (And a camisole to wear with them). Not nearly as much stretch in these as with the AE pair but still rockable.
So “mom jeans” are currently my thing, and for some reason, I only want the ones that specifically say, “mom jeans” (not solely high-waisted) because sometimes I can be quirky like that. Maybe because I’m a mom and so now the concept just thoroughly resonates well with me. Anyway, I’ll be posting my other pair from AE on Instagram soon, so make sure you are following me. In the meantime, go out and get you a pair because they are no longer an unflattering 80’s or 90’s joke. They are now serving hot mom summer vibes (IMO)!
Do you have a pair of mom jeans? What brand are you wearing? Sharing is caring!
XO
Photo credit: Timothy Blanks
P.S. On shopping in your closet and changing the mood of your outfit with accessories…
