A non-bohemian way to wear frayed-hem cropped flare jeans

When I first saw them in the store, I wasn’t sure about these Madewell high-rise, frayed-hem cropped flare jeans.

My hesitation was the 10.5″ rise. (For comparison, SNL’s Mom Jeans boasted a 9″ zipper.) It’s not that I don’t like high-waisted jeans; in fact, I usually prefer them to low-rise pants because they hold everything in like a hardworking pair of Spanx.

However, I’m always a little self-conscious about their tendency to create a front — ahem — pooch and long flat ass, so I almost always wear my high-waisted jeans with a long shirt or sweater. Sometimes I’ll offer a nod to the high rise with a slightly cropped and boxy tee, but I’m usually not brave enough to tuck in my shirt completely.

That’s why I covered up my ivory tank with an oversized cardigan. My initial idea was to wear the silky sleeveless top untucked, but it looked sloppy topped with the oversize cardigan sweater.

But I was also unsure about the frayed hems on these cropped flare jeans because I usually like the fringe of my jeans to look more authentic. Like when you cut a pair of jeans, toss them in the dryer, and end up with tiny frayed edges that are punctuated by longer strings you can easily rip off when they start to tickle your legs. Perfectly frayed hems trimmed with stitching has always seemed a bit too manicured for my taste.

But I bought them anyway. Why? Because I had remembered reading about a pair of fringed jeans (3×1, maybe?) that were quickly achieving cult status, and I curious about the trend. Plus, Madewell jeans generally fit my curves pretty well, and my denim wardrobe hadn’t been updated in a while.

In their store window, Madewell paired these cropped flare jeans with a peasant top, but let’s be honest: I’m not bohemian enough to pull off that combination. Anyway, it’s not warm enough in DC to be dressing for summer. I think they’ll look perfect with sandals in a few months, but for now, I like how they show off my ankle when worn with boots.

Curiously, the style I bought less than a month ago has already disappeared from Madewell’s shelves. The Cali Demi-Boot Jeans in Essex Wash are similar, but they look slightly different than my High Rise Ankle Bootcut Jeans that are now available at Nordstrom. Unless I’m losing my mind and they’re actually the same style…

How do you feel about high-waisted jeans? What about frayed hems?
Would you even try on these cropped flare jeans if you saw them in the store? 

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Outfit details: jeans: Madewell; top: Loft (similar here, here, and here); sweater: Calson (similar here and here); boots: Kork-Ease; purse: Kate Spade (similar here); necklace: So old I don’t remember! (similar here); nail polish: CND Vinylux in Indigo Frock

Photography by Laura Metzler for A Girl Named PJ.