Today I’m putting my 90s Cheeky Straight Jeans to the test. I’ve had my original pair for over two years now so let’s see how they’re holding up. These are my most frequently asked about jeans and my most worn pair as well. I will be comparing my original pair to a new pair, which I received postpartum, that’s in a different size and wash.

Quick Thoughts

As a quick overview, you might have guessed it, but yes, I still love these jeans. They have held up so well and I love the overall vintage feel of them. I think the straight-leg fit is a very classic cut and will definitely be a staple in my closet for years to come. There are a variety of washes to fit your style as well as two different length options which contribute to an overall better fit.

Fit & Sizing

I get questions regarding fit and sizing the most, and understandably so. Buying anything online is hard and we want to make sure that we have the right size, especially when it comes to denim. I think these jeans fit quite true to size but with wear, like most jeans, they do stretch out a bit and mould to your body, giving off that “lived-in” look. If you’re looking for a more figure-hugging fit, I would size down. For my original pair, I went for my usual size, which is a size 24 and went with the ankle crop length. For height reference, I am about 5’5”. I have a longer torso compared to my legs so I do love the high-waisted fit of these jeans which make me look visually taller when worn with tops that are tucked in. Postpartum I was gifted a new pair of these jeans and this time around I sized up to a size 25 and kept the same ankle crop length. My new pair definitely runs a touch larger than I prefer, as I think I am currently in between sizes. It gives off a baggier fit than the 24 but is definitely more comfortable for me around the hips. Length-wise I think the cropped length is perfect for me because they hit me right at the ankle and pair nicely with boots, sneakers, and sandals. See the two images below for a side-by-side comparison.

*90s cheeky straight jean, size 24, ankle, medium blue

*90s cheeky straight jean, size 25, ankle, vintage mid blue

Fabric

Let’s talk fabric! I love that these jeans are 100% cotton which really gives off that vintage-inspired denim look. The feel of the fabric is a nice rigid denim that gets softer with time and wear. I did notice that my newer pair are 100% organic cotton, but the original pair I have only say 100% cotton. So if that is something that is important to you, I would look out for that when purchasing. I’m not sure why it’s different, but it may be different depending on the wash you select. I also find that the pair that is 100% organic cotton has a softer feel to it.

Wash

I think it’s great that there are so many different washes — five blues, one black and one white. They’ve pretty much covered all your staple denim washes. My original pair are the Medium Blue wash, which I think is a great classic jean wash. It has really filled my closet gap as my go-to classic denim. I do find that the wash is more blue in person than displayed on the website. For my second pair, I went with the Vintage Mid Blue which is captured pretty true to colour on their site. Take a look at the side-by-side comparison to see the difference in the washes.

Design Details

Some other fun design details I love are the button-fly and the overall minimalistic look of the denim — no stitching on the butt pockets and the leather patch at the back is very simple and clean.

Have they held up?

After wearing my original pair consistently for over two years, I can confidently say that they have held up and I’m really excited to have a second pair of these jeans. The only kind of wear and tear I can see are in high touchpoint areas like the belt loops and button holes where there is a bit of fraying in the material. Styling-wise, I personally find that this style of denim pairs seamlessly with many of the pieces in my closet and I have found them to be a really versatile piece.

Style Ideas

Here are a few ways I’ve styled these jeans in the past and I hope it inspires you and gives you a good idea of how these jeans might work in your wardrobe.

Outfit Details

Top Left

*Old Mock Neck Sweater (similar style)
*Everlane 90s Cheeky Straight Jean, Medium Blue
*Dear Frances Town Boots

Bottom Left

*Tradlands Monty Turtleneck
L’envers Cardigan
*Everlane 90s Cheeky Straight Jean, Vintage Mid Blue

Top Middle

*Asket Cashmere Sweater
*Everlane Oversized Shirt Jacket
*Everlane 90s Cheeky Straight Jean, Vintage Mid Blue
*Dear Frances Park Boots

Bottom Middle

Wear Franc Grey Tank
*Tradlands Shelter Cardigan
*Everlane 90s Cheeky Straight Jean, Medium Blue
*Everlane Day Crossover Sandals

Top Right

*Frank & Oak Tee
*Everlane 90s Cheeky Straight Jean, Medium Blue
*Veja Sneakers

Bottom Right

*Vetta Chunky Sweater
*Everlane 90s Cheeky Straight Jean, Vintage Mid Blue
*Veja Sneakers

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This post is not sponsored but contains some gifted items and affiliate links (marked with *). If you decide to shop through the links above, I may make a small commission that helps support this blog and other social platforms. I only share products and brands I love and support. All opinions are my own.

Thank you for supporting Candice Tay!

Styling Boots for Winter

how-to

It’s time — time to pull out the boots! Depending where you live, it probably changes what boots you’ll be styling this winter. I’ve pulled out three pairs of boots to style for this segment. These boots help me transition from fall to deep winter. Alright, let’s get into it!

The Boots

1. A classic pair of rain boots - I’m styling the Classic Black + White Ankle Rain Boot from Alice + Whittles. These are the perfect rainy day boot that seriously go with any outfit because they are so simple and have such a classic look. I’ve worn these around town and also on light hikes and they’ve held up very well keeping my feet dry and warm.

2. The elevated ankle boot - I’m styling the Town Boot from Dear Frances. These are literally a dream to wear! They are so slim and beautifully crafted with the most flattering soft square-toe silhouette. They feature a comfortable heel and delicate panelled sides. These have been my go-to pair of every day boots.

3. The weather-defying combat boot - I’m styling the Phoenix Lace Boot from Sorel. I bought these last year to replace an old pair of winter boots that came to the end of its life. These held up pretty well in the Toronto snow and keep my feet feeling snuggly and warm throughout the winter.

Outfit #1

Striped Top: old Muji
Denim: Nina Wide-Leg Jean, Frank & Oak

Jacket: Renew Teddy Liner, Everlane
Rain Boots: Classic Black + White Ankle Rain Boot, Alice & Whittles

Look number one is made for those light, rainy fall days — complete with wardrobe staples like a striped long sleeve shirt and a pair of wide leg denim. Pop on a fleece jacket and some classic rain boots for the perfect casual rainy day outfit.

Outfit #2

Sweater: Modern Fisher Cotton Sepia, Tradlands
Denim: Abigail Crop, Outland Denim

Jacket: RAINS
Rain Boots: Classic Black + White Ankle Rain Boot, Alice & Whittles

This outfit is for those cold rainy days when you just want to stay snuggled in bed. I’ve tucked a classic fisher knit into a pair of black skinnies, along with cozy socks. To complete the look, I went full on with the rain gear — rain jacket and rain boots to make for the perfect waterproof outfit!

Outfit #3

Sweater: Oversized Sweater, Vetta Capsule
Denim: 90s Cheeky Straight Jean, Everlane

Jacket: Aritzia
Boots: Town Boot, Dear Frances

If you know me, you know I love timeless, classic outfits. This outfit is something I can see myself wearing season after season. I’ve styled these ankle boots with a pair of straight leg jeans and a chunky, oversized black knit. This is my kind of go-to outfit during the colder seasons. I mean, who doesn’t want to snuggle up in the coziest sweater while sipping on a cup of hot coffee? For the outerwear, I’ve gone with my oversized wool coat that gives it a pop of colour while keeping the sophisticated feel of the outfit.

Outfit #4

Turtleneck: old UNIQLO
Denim: High Rise Pant, Tribe Alive | Use Candice15 for 15% off!

Jacket: Aritzia
Boots: Town Boot, Dear Frances

Continuing on with the classic outfits, lately I’ve been experimenting with lighter denim for fall/winter and have been loving it! It adds another dimension to an outfit and a sort of airy, lightness to outfits that would typically be weighed down by heavier knits. In this outfit, I’m playing with contrast. Contrast in colour as well as with silhouettes. I really enjoy the dramatic feel of the black turtleneck against the beige pants and the form fitting top with the wide-leg bottoms.

Outfit #5

Turtleneck: old UNIQLO
Denim: old Cheap Monday
Belt: Frank & Oak

Puffer: ReNew Long Puffer, Everlane
Boots: Phoenix Lace Boot, Sorel

The final pair of boots I’m styling are my winter snow boots. This is an outfit I often sport during the winter because it’s simple and easy to throw on in the hustle and bustle of a busy morning. This outfit has a slimming silhouette with the black turtleneck and high waisted mom jeans, cinched at the waist with a minimalistic circle belt. The combat-style boots add a bit of edge to an otherwise “plain” look. For this wintery look, a puffer jacket is the way to go!

Outfit #6

Sweater: Oversized Alpaca Crew, Everlane
Denim: Abigail Crop, Outland Denim

Toque: me-made hat!
Puffer: ReNew Long Puffer, Everlane
Boots: Phoenix Lace Boot, Sorel

This final outfit features the most gorgeous alpaca wool knit tucked into a pair of black skinnies. The combat boots continue the line of the black skinnies, making my legs appear longer than they are. This helps to elongate the body and is a simple styling hack for anyone looking to add a little height to their outfits! I “topped” off this look with a me-made toque and a puffer for my final deep freeze outfit.

That’s it from me! I hope you enjoyed these wintery outfits and little tips along the way for styling boots this season. Maybe it’s given you a bit of inspiration. I’d love to hear your thoughts — let me know which outfit was your favourite! Is there one that you want to try out this season?

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This post is not sponsored but contains some gifted items and affiliate links. If you decide to shop through the links above, I make a small commission that helps support this blog and my Instagram. I only share products and brands I love and support. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting Candice Tay!

how to:

capsule wardrobe 101

Capsule wardrobes have been all the rage for the past few years now. Although I think they have navigated away from the original, more traditional definition of a strict number of classic, high-quality, versatile pieces, I still love the idea of capsule wardrobes and thought I’d give you my take on how to build your own capsule wardrobe. It’s definitely not the original method or the only method to build a capsule, but I hope this gives you some starting points or some ideas to tackle capsule wardrobes your own way.

But first, let’s talk about the why.

I think it’s important to consider why you want to have a capsule wardrobe before you start, or else this whole process might only be something that lasts for a few weeks, or maybe a few months. Here are a few pros and cons to consider when starting a capsule wardrobe. Maybe the following are some reasons that piqued your interest in the first place. Ultimately, we want to build a capsule wardrobe that features your favourite styles and is functional and practical for your lifestyle so that it becomes a sustainable process.

Pros:

• budget friendly

• great for small closets

• can be more environmentally friendly

• longer lasting

• easier to get ready

• bonus: may help you discover your personal style!

Cons/Challenges:

• style/trend constricting

• possibility of being less environmentally friendly (will discuss this point below)

• seasonal constrictions

Considerations…

Consider your lifestyle

Before gathering pieces for your capsule wardrobe, it’s important to know which pieces are best suited for your lifestyle. For example, I used to work in a more corporate setting, so pieces like trousers, shirts, and blazers made a lot more sense than they do now in my more casual work setting. Maybe you’re a new mum or a student. These things all affect what we choose to wear each day and what pieces we incorporate into our capsule wardrobes.

Consider your environment

Another factor that I personally found affected my capsule a lot is weather. After moving back to Canada from Sydney, I’ve found that I need a few more pieces than I did living in a warmer climate to get me through all four crazy Toronto-weather seasons. If I lived in a purely warm, sunny place, I might need fewer pieces in my capsule. So all that to say, consider your environment, and where you live when creating your capsule.

A system that works for me is having a basic, year-round core capsule that consists of pieces that are worn all seasons. Then on top of that I have a seasonal capsule for fall/winter and then one for spring/summer where I can have a bit more fun and change things up each season and include pieces that I wouldn’t necessarily wear all year round. You can read more on my core capsule here. Keep in mind, that I’m quite flexible with my wardrobe and I sometimes swap pieces from my seasonal and core capsules because I’m still figuring out which pieces I actually wear through all seasons.

Consider your personal style

What do you personally love to wear? If there are pieces you often gravitate toward, these will most likely be your capsule wardrobe staples. If you’ve been following my sustainable style journey for a while now, you’ll probably know that turtlenecks and high waisted pants are my jam. I go to these items time and time again for reasons such as comfort, practicality, and function. Take a look through your current wardrobe, I’m sure you can pick out some tried and true pieces as your capsule foundation.

Go easy on yourself!

I know traditionally, capsules are about numbers and having a certain number of pieces in your wardrobe. However, I personally think it’s fine for each individual to have a set a number or range for themselves, according to the factors that I mentioned above. In the end I’ve learned, through this process, to be intentional with my budget and what pieces I choose to invest into. It has also taught me that I need less than I think I do. I’ve also learned more about my personal style and it has invited more creativity into my wardrobe by learning to experiment with different ways to style pieces.

Let’s get started! (finally)

Wardrobe Evaluation

First, evaluate what you already own! This is SO SO important to being sustainable through this whole process. The point of a capsule is to curate a wardrobe that you love and can easily style each day that fits your lifestyle. I’m sure there are at least a few things in your wardrobe that you love to wear. So pick out a few dearly loved pieces and make sure you include those in your capsule! If there are pieces you no longer wear or are ill-fitting, declutter it sustainably! Try to repurpose the item or fabric (Tip: old t-shirts make GREAT cleaning rags). Sell it through online platforms such as BUNZ, Poshmark, or ThredUp. Donate it or gift it to someone else who loves it and would want to give it a second life.

Gather Inspiration

Next, gather style inspiration! This is such a fun part for me. I’m always so inspired by others’ style and I love to create mood boards each season on Pinterest. This not only keeps me from impulse purchases, but it also shows how my style changes from season to season - it’s like a digital style diary. I also love the “save” function on Instagram which I use often as I’m scrolling, to save inspiring outfits and styling techniques.

List It Out

Now that you’ve gathered pieces from your existing wardrobe and hunted for style inspo. It’s now time to identify wardrobe “gaps” or maybe some “wants”. Maybe there’s a particular trend that you love this season and you want to include - write it down! Maybe you’ve been on the hunt for high quality high waisted denim for a long time. Write it down! For example, this spring/summer season, I was on the lookout for some white pants and more “summer” material pieces for my capsule. Whatever wardrobe gaps you identify, make a list! Having a list in mind helps to guide your shopping so that you will be less likely to make an impulse purchase. It’s like going to the grocery store with a list rather than going to the grocery store with no list and an empty stomach!

Cape Jumpsuit (Top) by Vetta Capsule
Donna Jeans by Cheap Monday

Black Tee by Muji
The Carpenter Pant by Everlane

Shop Intentionally

Finally, it’s time to shop for those missing items. Start to keep an eye out for the items you’ve identified on your list and shop with intention. You may be wondering, “what does shopping intentionally even mean?”. That is a great question because honestly, I think shopping intentionally can mean different things to different people, depending on your WHY (see above). I can only speak for my own why, so here’s my story and how I define “shopping intentionally”. I originally began exploring capsule wardrobes because of my interest in living a more low waste life. This exploration very quickly led me to the nasty discovery of how wasteful and unethical the fast fashion industry is and this has really affected how I shop. For me, shopping intentionally means being aware of my ecological footprint by shopping sustainably and also supporting ethically-made brands where I can. As tempting as it would be to start from zero, and build my wardrobe from the ground up, I would end up leaving an even larger environmental footprint by throwing out all my existing clothing. Instead, I try to “shop my closet” as much as I can but still give myself the freedom to enjoy fashion by making purchases from ethical and sustainable companies and investing in high quality pieces that I know will get a lot of wear.

If you don’t know where to look for sustainable and ethical brands, I have a whole brand directory where I’ve been keeping track of all the brands I’ve tried or have collaborated with in the past.

Now what?

Well, if you stuck around all the way to the end, thank you so much - I really appreciate it! I hope this post was insightful and helpful if you’re looking to build your own capsule wardrobe or are just curious about all this capsule talk. It may seem a little complicated at first, but trust me, you’ll get the hang of it! I’m going to leave a few more tips below that you guys shared with me through my latest #capsuleconversations post, and hopefully they will help someone out!

Tips from you!

• try smaller capsule challenges as a start to see if the capsule wardrobe system is for you (spring 10x10, may 30x30)

• have a visual overview for your capsule wardrobe

• choose pieces based on fabrics

• have a “capsule” when travelling to test out the system

• make sure your pieces can be styled at least 3 ways before purchasing

• have fewer pieces that are patterned for simpler styling

Let’s continue the conversation below! Please let me know if you have any other questions or things I should blog about. It was already so hard to cap this post…I’m thinking there may need to be a part 2!

Do you have a capsule wardrobe? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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This post is not sponsored but contains some gifted items and affiliate links. If you decide to shop through the links above, I make a small commission that helps support this blog. I only share products and brands I love and support. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting Candice Tay!