These LOFT jeans are the last pair of jeans I bought before I got pregnant. I wore them on the day El Hub and I told our parents, and shortly afterwards, I put them away in a drawer, confident that after I had the baby, I’d get back into them eventually.
I thought it would take a few months. Then one day I would slip them on, button them up, and pick up exactly where I left off.
HAHA!
For months I’ve been basically using sheer willpower to shoe-horn my @ss into these pants, because I’ve refused to acknowledge the fact that they no longer fit. I’ve worn them several times — all the while being barely able to breathe — and it finally hit me a couple weeks ago that I NEED TO LET THIS GO and buy some new freakin’ jeans.
My body has physically changed so much since last year. My hips are wider. There’s more junk in le trunk, and my thighs are much more luscious… I’m accepting that I may never fit into those jeans again, but the weird thing is that I don’t feel like I’m giving up. I just feel like this is where my body needs to be right now. It’s holding on to those curves because, right now, this is what it needs to survive.
Whatev.
Maybe someday in the future, if I have it in me to train for another event like a half-marathon (or American Ninja Warrior… Yeah, right! I wish, though.), I might get into those pants again, but if I don’t, that’s fine, too.
All of this rambly jeans talk is partially because this has been on my mind, and it’s also because I finally did buy a new pair of pants recently, and I love them.
They’re Levi’s Mid-Rise Skinny Jeans, and they’re normally $54, but I got them on sale for $34 at Kohl’s.
They’re mid-rise, so they sit a little higher on my waist than those other pants (but not so high up that they’re like ’80s-style), and the leg opening is slim, but not skin-tight.
They’re also stretchy, so they loosen up a little as I go throughout my day (but they aren’t like jeans that immediately lose all of their shape and fall off your butt after an hour).
They hold everything in and look polished. Best of all, they come in short, regular and long lengths.
Try ’em sometime! I think you’ll like them.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Gurrrrrl, preach it! There is nothing wrong with being a little softer, those curves were earned! I’m going to go look at those Levi’s!
Even when I was thinner, I could never wear the modern cut jeans. Curvy all the way for me! ? you look great Karen.
Dude, I had a recent jeans epiphany too! I was like, “these don’t fit and I’m uncomfortable.” I’d been hanging on to them because they hadn’t worn out… but I finally bought a new pair that FITS, and oh my god, it’s so freeing. I have a friend who had a similar experience recently, too. It is SUCH A THING.
Omg. I was just going through my jeans drawer this past weekend too! I’ve kept so many jeans pre-baby (‘baby’ is now 18 LOL! Wth was I thinking??) Going to check out those Levi’s. Thanks for the link! 🙂
You look great, Karen 🙂
I’m a huge fan of Loft, especially their blouses. The cut is so good.
Ohh if you like Levi’s jeans, try the 311 Shaping skinny. It’s very flattering.
The “denizen” jeans at target fit nice too, they are like a cheaper Levi’s, and they have a wide range of sizes/cuts/short and long lengths. They stretch but don’t sag.
I still have many pairs of jeans that I’d no longer wear in public and really do need to get some new ones. I’d lost all my baby weight and then some (when I was much younger) so I had lots of flattering jeans. When the old joints didn’t care for running 5 miles per day anymore, they slowly became MUCH less flattering. HAHA! I’ll check out the Levis, though I still prefer the feel of low rise. Maybe I’ll reconsider. I probably shouldn’t live in running pants. Thanks for the rec! 🙂
I can so relate. The changes your body goes through permanently are nothing like I ever imagined, but now, two kids later, despite being in great shape, I simply don´t fit many of my old clothes. And that is okay. My body is beautiful, but different, and so is yours.
Hmm, these are close to what I’m looking for in jeans. The only thing that worries me is the low cotton content. Denim used to mean 100% cotton or close to it. I bought some jeans during the Anniversary Sale and they’re too big on me now and the style is sold out in the smaller size.
I held onto my pre-pregnancy jeans for far too long. Never did get back down to that size. Never will. But I exercise daily for it’s heart health benefits.
What brand did you get from the Anniversary sale? I wanna try them on next time I’m at Nordies.
I got the Caslon Distressed Stretch Boyfriend Jeans. https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/caslon-distressed-stretch-boyfriend-jeans-regular-petite/4256986?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&fashioncolor=DARK%20INDIGO%20DENIM
They’re very stretchy and sorta of bag out by the end of a very active day. On the other hand, they light weight and were perfect for traveling in. They come in and out of stock. But when they’re in stock in your size you gotta jump on them. Even though I usually wear petite sizes, I got these in a regular size and just unroll the hems.
Those are super cute and look really comfy. I have several Caslon tees and a jacket and have liked the quality so I’ll have to grab a pair when they have my size! Thanks for the recommendation. 🙂
Did you guys get a lot of trick-or-treaters last night?
Thank you so much for this Karen! I had a baby right around the same time as you and have been bummed out that I no longer fit into my old skinny jeans. After reading this article this morning, I finally got the courage to start going through my closet and putting aside the pants that I no longer, and will probably never, fit into again. Now there is so much room in my closet and I can justify buying some new pants!
You’re welcome, Shora. It’s nice to let things go, isn’t it? If you find any cool new pants that you like please let me know.
Was this your first baby? Connor was mine. Well… That is if you’re not counting Tabs, LOL!
I’m so with you, sister! Thanks for the recommendation! Loft’s high-waist jeans are great too, when they have them.
I had someone at work the other day recommend I put clothes away that I don’t want to “stretch out” to save them for post-baby, and to myself I was thinking “Who cares? My body won’t be like it was, and if it’s similar, it won’t be for at least 6 months! More reason to go shopping at that point!”
Plus, I’m actually really hoping my hips get a little wider. I’d love more of a hips-to-waist ratio! 😉
I could not agree with you more. I have a two year old and those pre baby jeans are not fitting the same…well, they would if I never ever wanted to sit down or you know- breathe. But I do, so time to let them go. Accepting it is so liberating. And just yesterday I discovered this cool blog straight from Bay Area- mypostbabybody.org. Universe sent it to me for a reason, I know:). Could not stop reading and stayed up way past my bedtime. For once it was worth it, usually it is some silly celebrity gossip site that I am cursing in the morning when my baby is up bright and early, but I’m struggling to even exist?