“But…What If I Don’t Like Mom Jeans?”

Hava writes: "I've noticed the mom jean trend really taking off lately. I like them — in theory — but I'm reluctant to buy into it because I always feel like I look like a parody of a frumpy '90s mom instead of how I want to look in them. Is there an alternative (that's not too far off) that I can try? I want to dip my toes into the mom jean territory without diving in headfirst." Mom jeans, in various forms, have been around for as long as women have been wearing jeans, but only recently have they become "cool" to wear. It's about that high rise, that stiff denim, that snug-but-not-suctioned hip, and that slight taper. It also used to be about that painfully unhip wash (stonewashed, anyone?), a too-long length, and a crotch fit that was not so kind, to say the least. Those last three points are the only things that separate bad mom jeans from good mom jeans. One: the perfect pair has to be in a great, expensive-looking wash. Think true blues and a worn-in (but not sandblasted) distressing. Two: it has to show off your ankles — roll the hems up once or twice if they're too long. And three: the top shouldn't be so tight that they fit like skinny jeans. There should be enough room (think an inch in all directions) that you can comfortably sit down (and eat lunch) without cutting off your circulation. This slimmed-down pair from ASOS is pretty much perfect. It'll flatter your waistline as much as you want and it feels like a modern update, rather than a vintage throwback. Pair them with a cropped top and a high heel as pictured, or with slides and a tank for a laid-back summer look that'll still get you bumped up to the front of the line (whether it's at that new hotel bar or Costco).

I hope this helps. See you next Saturday. *Got a style conundrum? Submit your questions here: landonhelp@refinery29.com