What a horrible word, raw. It almost hurts to read it.
But, my lovelies, I have to share a micro-trend I’ve been flirting with for the past many months: the raw hem jean. This is where I must warn my sweet mother to stop reading, because I already know how much she despises the distressed denim trend. I’m sure I’ll look back in a few years and scoff at my holey-jean-wearing-self. And I apologize to those of you who share her sensibilities. But GUYS, I like raw hems and I cannot lie:
My top picks for getting the look:
+These Blank Denims ($88). Have you ever tried their jeans? I’ve heard a lot of folks love ’em, and I’m into the price point, which is easily $100 less than most of my go-to denim labels.
+Rag + Bones in stark white ($185). This reminds me that last spring, I wore one of my favorite outfits every — it was just one of those looks that I felt DAMN good in. I wore these cropped, distressed white skinnies with my favorite pointed toe heel (I own these in like 5 colors, but I was wearing the black suede on this particular day — $245) and a denim OTS top ($31!!!). I felt like a million buckeroodles.
+High-waisters ($249). Cool with a black bodysuit underneath ($70) — also check out this turtleneck bodysuit from Madewell ($50)! Yes, they’re a pain in terms of taking restroom breaks, but you never need to fuss with your shirt hem! (Also, this ribbed style is sexy in a Cindy Crawford kind of way.)
+The wash on these Paiges ($249) is perfect to me.
All of these would look excellent with a pointed toe pump, a la the Elsies linked above. I’ve also heard good things about Kate Spade’s licorice pump ($298). But can I also tell you that I snagged these Sam Edelman Hazel pumps in the “sangria velvet” (now on sale for $95) and that they earned me 1000 compliments and looked SO much higher end than they are? (See them on Insta here.) Word to the wise: always opt for a plush fabric like velvet or suede with these less expensive styles. I think that the patent leather fabrication can look a little cheap for whatever reason.
I have warmed to the raw edge (especially when paired with really feminine heels — one of those odd couple things that just works), but what I can’t handle is the mullet hem (like in photo 2). I just… Why? How? Why?
I try to be open-minded but a mullet is just always going to be a hard no for me 😉
LOL Alison. Mullet hem. I hear you. You gotta draw the line somewhere, and the mullet hem seems like a good spot. What else are you into these days? xx