New Year = NEW YOU. And after a wild holiday season (Thanksgiving turned to Christmas to New Years to VDAY and now Lunar New Year!) we’re in major recoup mode.
For some reason, during the holidays doesn’t everything feel extra delicious, scrumptious and abundant. And well, yeah, after 12+ holiday soirees, it’s time to buckle into reality.
Of course we’re still getting our steps in after work and pumping our 12lb ‘bells with Apple Fitness, but wanna know our secret instant glow up trick? It’s the perfect time to share it and I can’t believe it took me my entire life to see the light!
For some history: I’ve always been a total dress lover. Dresses in the summer, maxis in the fall and dresses with leggings and boots in the winter. Pants always felt so stuffy and stifling. I want to be free when I travel or walk to Ala Moana! If you know Eden’s history, you know we mainly carried dresses, rompers, jumpers and some tops in store. Barely any bottoms and for good reason! Bottoms fit everyone so differently and the amount of pant options from wide leg, boot cut, culottes to jeggings can make your head spin. So again, my loyalties lied with dresses since the beginning.
Then one day a few years ago, I went to Madewell and this amazing, non-pushy but super convincing sales associate asked if I’d like to try on their new wide legged high waisted jeans.
Me: “Oh no, I don’t wear pants.”
Her: “Really, why not? You’d look great in this style. We all love them and wear them all the time.”
I side eyed all of the staff and sure enough, they were all rocking these wide legged, high waisted pants – one with a cropped tank and oversized cardigan, another with a tucked in striped tee and sneakers. They looked so cute!
Me: “OK, I’ll give it a try, you all make it look so good!”
Fifteen minutes later, I was still in the fitting room oohing and ahhing at the mirror. Were these MAGIC PANTS? How did they elongate my legs and flatten my tummy simultaneously??! I kept spinning around, checking out different angles and then of course, squatting up and down. You know a good pair of pants will stay up even after you do a full on squat. My goodness, she stayed up! No rolling, tugging or awkward wedge!
If you haven’t already hopped on the high-waisted pants train, now is the time!
These flattering cuts are having a serious moment. They hug you in all the right places! Whether you’re running from meeting to meeting or soccer game to swim meet, high-waisted pants smooth and support your midsection with built-in control.
Needless to say, I purchased that pair and since then, have ONLY bought high waisted everythings.
Here’s some of my favorites:
The coveted Madewell pair.
See above for all the reasons I love them. They’ve since phased out the pair I’m wearing here but “The Short Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg Crop Jean” is their upgraded pair that I can’t get enough of.
AMAZON PANTS
H&M pants
The fabric of these H&M pants feels more upscale so it’s nice to pair with vests and blazers. The cream color is my go to when I do an all neutral look and the black is a closet staple. I dress it up or down pending the occasion. The fabric is that versatile!
Express Editor Super High Waisted Pants
A new found item that I got at an Express in Las Vegas. Heads up, Express sizes run a little big so try on a size down and if you like a cropped look, go for the “Short”. I did a Short and didn’t have to crop at all even though I’m 5’7″. I got these in black and denim and trust me, they are “super” high waisted for a nice cinched in look.
High-waisted pants are the Queen of Style, in my opinion. Tuck in a blouse and rock it with heels, or throw on a cropped top and oversized blazer. Either way, all hail the Queen. Such an easy way to ditch the weekend frump and get an instant new years glow up!
PS: If you like the ankle look like me, read this blog here. This is how I snip and hem my pants in under 60 seconds.
See what I mean? High-waisted pants, FTW.