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

---

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!

It’s finally Spring here in Toronto but if you’ve ever lived in Canada, you know how the weather can take you for a rollercoaster ride during the Springtime. As I’ve slowly transitioned my winter wardrobe into my spring wardrobe, I’ve made sure to include a few lightweight knits for chilly Spring days and cool Summer evenings. If you’re curious how to style knitwear for Spring, keep reading on!

I’m also extremely excited to be partnering with a Canadian slow fashion brand, that I’ve admired for a long time, to bring you today’s styling post. I’ll be sharing three styles from their collection that are absolutely perfect for this transitional weather but also make great layering pieces throughout all seasons. If you’ve been looking to invest in high-quality knitwear staples for your closet, Bare Knitwear is definitely a brand to consider. I’ve also got a limited time exclusive discount code for my readers - see more below!

---

Partnership Disclosure: This post is produced in collaboration with Bare Knitwear and the Bare Knitwear pieces shown in this post were gifted or loaned as part of this partnership. I earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you) on all sales made with the exclusive code CANDICE10, valid from April 30th - May 14th.

---

About The Brand

Before we get to styling, I wanted to share more about Bare Knitwear because they are doing amazing things. (Scroll on down if you want to hop to the styling first!) I recently met founder Kelsey Adair via email and really admire her passion for creating change in the fashion industry through her brand. Bare Knitwear is created in slow batch collections, which is the epitome of slow fashion! — It’s rare to see a lot of fashion brands working with this slow batch model these days. They only produce one refined collection a year, which reduces waste and eliminates excess inventory. They are also a brand committed to sustainable sourcing, working with fibres native to Peru, from suppliers who are committed to supporting local farmers. They only use dyes that have a OEKO-TEX 100 certification which ensures they comply with international standards on consumer and environmental safety — this is a huge deal! Bare Knitwear strives to empower local artisans while preserving the heritage of traditional Andean artisanal techniques. There is SO much skill required to make these pieces and each Bare Knitwear garment is handmade! Bare Knitwear’s fair trade certified garments are crafted in the Huamanga Region and employ about 150 - 300 artisans at the height of production season.

Reading more about Bare Knitwear and the process that these garments go through has made me recognize how much of an impact these pieces have. At the end of the day, it’s not just a long-lasting closet staple, it’s a hand-crafted piece of art that has helped preserve artisanal tradition and empower and promote the well-being of local Peruvian women. If you’re interested in learning more about their artisans, you can read more about Olga, a featured Bare Knitwear artisan.

Featured Pieces

These are the three garments that I’ll be walking you through today to help offer some insight into the pieces and help you make a more informed decision if you’re looking to invest in Bare Knitwear.

• Mock Neck in Natural

• Seed Stitch Henley in Olive

• Marine Cardigan in Cloud Grey

*Shop Bare Knitwear with 10% off using the exclusive code CANDICE10, valid through May 14th. (code does not apply to the sleep shirt pop up)

1 | Mock Neck

The Styling

Spring is usually a time that I like to bring in light neutrals. For this first outfit I’ve styled the mock neck in a light and bright, Spring-appropriate monochrome look. I love how the beige sweater pairs so nicely with bright white pants and a pair of tan flats. Inspired by staying at home, in the second outfit I’ve styled the mock neck with a pair of slouchy trousers for the perfect cozy, at-home outfit. This outfit is great for lounging around or running out to do errands. I love that this knit can be styled tucked in or untucked.

The Material & Fit

The Mock Neck is made of 85% Pima Cotton and 15% Baby Alpaca. The blend of cotton and alpaca wool make it so soft (not itchy at all!), yet breathable and is a great light-weight piece to wear during transitional weather. This piece has a bit of weight to it allowing the garment to slouch nicely on the body. This pullover knit features a beautiful seamless mock neck collar and small slits on each side of the garment allowing for easy movement while wearing the piece. The sweater styled untucked hits me just slightly below the hip (I’m 5’5” and I have a longer torso). The sleeves hit at the perfect length and isn’t overly long or too short.

• I’m wearing the Mock Neck in the colour natural in the size XS/S. This garment fits TTS.

• Other colours: Olive and Black

• Sizes available: XS/S, M/L, L/XL

The Design Details

This sweater is a great no-fuss, every day piece. With the neutral colour “Natural”, classic and elegant silhouette, along with its relaxed fit, this sweater is so simple to pull together an outfit and can easily be dressed up or down. This mock neck features a delicate ribbed detail all throughout the piece that adds a bit of texture to this garment. I personally love how understated this piece is with the contemporary style as well as its seamless, minimal detailing. The garment drapes beautifully on the body and I love the straight sleeves that are intentionally left un-cuffed, completing the seamless, relaxed silhouette of the garment.

Shop the mock neck in natural and use the code CANDICE10 for 10% off + free shipping over $200 (Code does not apply to the sleep shirt pop up)

2 | Seed Stitch Henley

The Styling

Next up is this classic henley! First I went for a casual, comfy style, pairing the henley with a pair of straight fit, boyfriend jeans and sneakers for the ultimate casual-chic outfit. This is another piece that can be styled tucked in for a more relaxed look. The second outfit I pulled together is another monochromatic outfit, pyjama-inspired outfit. I like to call this style “pyjama-chic”, again most likely inspired by all this staying in. Who says you can’t wear your pyjamas out?

The Material & Fit

The Seed Stitch Henley is made of 85% Pima Cotton and 15% Baby Alpaca. This garment is another lightweight piece from the collection that is incredibly soft and breathable. This is another great option for transitional weather when it’s not full on t-shirt weather but also not sweater weather. This piece, though made of the same fibres as the mock neck, a little more lightweight. It features a high neckline and a boxy silhouette with a relaxed fit. On me, this sweater hits me just at the hip and is the perfect length for styling with all types of bottoms. Because of the slouchy fit and the lightweight material, it makes this piece really easy to tuck in and is not bulky at all. The sleeves again hit at the perfect length and isn’t overly long or too short.

• I’m wearing the Seed Stitch Henley in the colour Olive in the size XS/S. This garment fits TTS.

• Other colours: Natural and Black

• Sizes available: XS/S, M/L, L/XL

The Design Details

I really appreciate all the intentional design decisions in Bare Knitwear pieces like this seed stitching all throughout the henley. It adds just the right amount of intrigue and texture to a classic shirt. Not to mention the sturdy, wooden buttons down the top centre of the shirt and the minimal ribbing on the cuffs, collar, and the hem of the shirt. It’s a great piece to be worn on its own or layered because of the loose-fitting silhouette. The muted olive-toned colour of this garment adds a subtle pop of colour to any wardrobe and although it’s not black or white, because of its earthy hue, it pairs nicely with a variety of bottoms.

Shop the seed stitch henley in olive and use the code CANDICE10 for 10% off + free shipping over $200 (Code does not apply to the sleep shirt pop up)

3 | Marine Cardigan

The Styling

The final piece I’m styling is this incredible oversized cardigan - the Marine Cardigan. It has just the right amount of “oversized-ness” without making me feel like I’m drowning in a ton of fabric. In the first outfit, I’ve styled a simple, classic outfit with a t-shirt and a pair of straight leg jeans allowing the cardigan to shine. In outfit two I’ve paired the cardigan over top of a classic black maxi, going for an overall casual, laid-back look. This cardigan honestly doesn’t need much “styling” because the beauty of this piece really speaks for itself.

The Material & Fit

The Marine Cardigan is hand loomed and is made of 43% baby alpaca, 43% merino wool and 14% polyamide. Considering the size of this cardigan, it’s incredibly lightweight and probably the lightest piece out of the three. Although it’s lightweight, it’s also the warmest of the three pieces and I can see myself wearing this piece from the dead of Winter into mid-Spring as an extra layer on cool nights. This cardigan has an oversized fit and hits me slightly below the hip. It features a drop shoulder and airy balloon sleeves. I’m wearing the cardigan in the colour Cloud Grey, which I think is a perfectly fitting name for this soft, fluffy cardigan.

• I’m wearing the Marine Cardigan in the colour Cloud Grey in the size XS/S. This garment has an oversized fit and fits TTS.

• Other colours: Taupe

• Sizes available: XS/S, M/L, L/XL

The Design Details

The Marine Cardigan is the ultimate, staple cardigan to have in any wardrobe. It’s not only a pretty investment piece, but it’s also a practical garment complete with deep patch pockets on the front of the cardigan. It can be styled up or down and has the most beautiful billowy silhouette that leaves you feeling like you’re wrapped up in the biggest hug. I also like the attention to detail shown in the vintage, fishermen knit inspired ribbing that adds a lovely textural element to the garment.

Shop the marine cardigan in cloud grey and use the code CANDICE10 for 10% off + free shipping over $200 (Code does not apply to the sleep shirt pop up)

Concluding Thoughts

Thank you so much for reading my thoughts and joining me in learning more about Bare Knitwear. I love discovering and sharing ethical, slow fashion brands with you. Overall, if you’re looking to invest in knitwear for your closet, I would highly recommend Bare Knitwear. From the intentionality of their classic, simplistic designs combined with traditional artisanal craftsmanship, to the sustainable sourcing, to the ethical manufacturing that helps empower women, Bare Knitwear is a brand that I am so proud to be partnering with and is one who’s mission I can really get behind. Although it is a larger up front investment, these pieces are high-quality, long-lasting, and crafted with care. On a side note, now more than ever, I think it’s important to voice our opinions about slow fashion by supporting small businesses with our purchases or by simply sharing about them where you can. Bare Knitwear is produced in small batches, so if you’ve got your eye on something, I’d love to partner with you in supporting Bare Knitwear by offering the code CANDICE10 valid through May 14.

If you’re not looking to purchase something right now, I hope you’ve been inspired and encouraged by all the wonderful things that Bare Knitwear is doing and the beautiful pieces they are creating. I’m happy to have simply introduced you to a new slow fashion brand that is making a positive impact in the fashion industry.

Other Outfit Details

• Jeans, Boyish Denim (old)

• White Pants, Everlane

• Olive Trousers, Aritzia (old)

• Maxi Dress, Aritzia (old)

• White Tee, Muji (old)

• Flats, Everlane

• Sneakers, Veja

• Jewelry, Mejuri

---

Thanks for stopping by! This post contains affiliate links and if you decide to make a purchase through the links above, I may make a small commission that helps support this blog and other social accounts. As always, I only share products and brands I love and support. Thank you for supporting Candice Tay!