Maxigumee

Just when I thought skinny jeans were starting to ease on into mass popularity, designers are already releasing alternatives to the trend: high-wasted, diaper crotched, wide-legged jeans. I saw these bizarre things for the first time on Jessica Simpson while scanning through a celebrity gossip blog. I sort of dismissed it as a moment of insanity on Jessica Simpson’s part, she seems to be having a rough year. But just again, this week, another photo turned up, this time featuring Mischa Barton in the grandma-waisted jeans. While the jeans looked slightly better on Barton, I was still not a fan. Then, just today, NYLON magazine dropped THIS little article in my inbox and now I’m officially scared. Are we going to start seeing these puffy, wide-leg pants everywhere?

The idea of high-waisted clothing isn’t exactly a new thing. When the Spring/Summer 2007 lines were released last fall, high waists were everywhere. But I particularly remember them being mostly on dresses, skirts, and shorts, like in the Prada and Chanel collections. That, I can deal with. I actually sort of like how the high waisted look works with those clothes. It kind of pulls upward both physically and visually and gives a nice feeling of fragility and spontaneity, especially when coupled with a long belt.

This look when it comes to trousers and denim, however, is just kind of gross. In a time where sexy is supposed to be coming back, these pants are entirely UN-sexy and totally not edgy at all. Paired with a t-shirt or a baggy blouse, they seem almost pajama-esque. I think the only people pulling the look off at the moment are, as usual, the Olsen twins.

But then again, knowing me, I’ll probably be totally in love this look in a few months. It took me a little while to warm up to the whole skinny jean look.