Fashion on a Budget: My Top Denim Picks Under $100 — IMANI AT HOME

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Scrolling through my feed, you'll notice a few things about me…

I love peel-and-stick wallpaper.
I'm a bigger gal. Where are all my 200 lbs.+ Homies!🙋🏾‍♀️
I love wearing jeans.

It doesn't matter if they're a light wash or dark. Ripped or tailored. Fitted or baggy… I love jeans. I've spent a lot of time curating the perfect collection of denim, to the point where I just rebuy the same pair in different washes to fit my needs. My closet is in a beautiful place at the moment.

Photo by: Farrah Skeiky | Shop Studio Kitchen

Finding a great-fitting pair of jeans is hard when you've got a slim waist and thick thighs (aye 😜), so I still need to get mine tailored in the waist - s/o to Ms. Lee in Georgetown, but I have found a few pairs that consistently work for my body, and they're all under $100!

For reference, I'm 5'2", 200 pounds, with a short torso… I fluctuate between a size 14/16 when jeans have stretch and a solid 18/20 when I'm looking for it.

The Best Jeans Under $100

Old Navy High-Waisted OG Loose Ripped Jeans - $54

These are, by far, my favorite pair of jeans in my closet, and they're always on sale at Old Navy. Sitting comfortably at the waist, loose through the hips, and slightly pooling at the ground, these jeans look amazing dressed up or down. They come in several colors, but Dahlia is my fav.

Levi’s Wedgie Straight Fit Jeans - $98

More than 50k people, watched me love on these jeans and they're still bae. I found these while shopping at the Levis outlet in Virginia and was thoroughly impressed! The fit through the hips and perfect crop at the ankle make these my favorite jeans to tuck into boots or wear with cute sandals. The button closure really sucked me in and gave me the perfect hourglass figure - aided by a little nip tuck from Ms. Lee!

These come in multiple colors - including Steeped Lichen Green - and multiple inseams for the petite and tall girlies, and in plus sizes up to a size 26.

Old Navy High-Waisted OG Loose Jeans - $44.99

Trench Coat | Dog Leash | White Shirt

Everyone needs a classic pair of jeans with no rips that fit snugly through the hips in a dark wash, and the high-waisted ones from Old Navy are my favorite. Also, from Old Navy, these are the same as the first pair of jeans I mentioned, but the sophisticated older cousin version. I love wearing these with loafers, uggs, sneakers, and sandals in the summer.

Levi’s Baggy Bootcut Jeans - $90.98

Though they don’t own their apartments, some renters are investing in the décor and design of their units to display on social media and are getting paid to do it. — 11qwaPhoto by: Kenny Holston

I consider these my lucky pair of jeans since I wore them in my first New York Times article and I will do anything to keep them around. I love pairing these with a simple tee or a low cut top - since I’m fully covered on the bottom half I don’t mind being a bit more exposed up top.

These are my top 3 most worn jeans, so much so, I’ve warn down crotch a little, but I have a way to avoid that from happening to you - scroll down to find out how. Unfortunately, it looks like Levi’s might be moving on from this style as they’re on super sale, but that just means I can grab a few pairs while supplies lasts.

How To Hang Your Jeans

As I told Architectural Digest, my landlord made some silly mistakes in this closet and I did a lot of work to maximize storage, including adding an additional rod and using petite-sized hangers. Velvet hangers are great to keep silky items in place and they help create a uniform appearance. At 14”, these are about three inches shorter than a regular hanger, which allowed me to place two rods side by side and still be able to close the door.

Having 20+ pairs of jeans can be stressful when you have a tiny reach-in closet, but I don’t think that should stop me from wanting my space to feel beautiful. I use the hang and fold method to create that “boutique” experience and it makes getting dressed easier since I can easily identify each pair based on the label.

How To Care For Your Jeans

Thick thighs and jeans don't often go together, and I have rubbed a few pairs raw, but over the years, I've learned a few tips to keep them longer. First, wash your jeans sparingly - every 2-4 wear is fine. When you do wash, turn them inside out and use cold water. Never put them in the dryer. Just hang it to dry and use a steamer to eliminate any wrinkles.

If your thighs like to dance up on each other - as mine do - have a seamstress place reinforcement stitches in the crotch area and tailor the waist to fit your body.