shopping to fill a wardrobe hole & wearing a re-made old favorite; added size comparison

I mentioned on Angie's blog post today a wardrobe holeI have recently identified: a pair of dark wash, straight-leg, full-length jeans. I have a pair by G-Star Raw that have been workhorses, and lately they have become too loose, in a way that doesn't feel stylish to me now. I wear them, but I don't feel fab in them like I used to. I won't get rid of them, but I would like an alternative that goes with the same things in my wardrobe and feels better.

Shopping with a friend today, I tried on and bought Everlane barrel jeans in a dark wash to fill that hole. They aren't an exact replacement for my G-Star jeans, but I think they could fill the need. I have newer jeans that are cropped dark wide-legs (Paige Anessa) and some that are a much slimmer medium-dark straight leg (Paige Cindy); both are nice, but they don't serve the same purpose as the G-Star jeans.

Pictures below are 
(1-3 ) the G-Star Raw jeans and 
(4-6 ) the Everlane Utility Barrel jeans.

I'm interested to hear your thoughts about the new jeans versus the old ones.

Also, what I am wearing with the jeans and what I wore shopping:
A pullover that I just finished re-making from a tunic that I made years ago. I was tired of the tunic look but still loved the print and sweater fabric. So I shortened it and added a welt to the bottom, long cuffs (to fold back), and a mock turtleneck, out of olive ribbed sweater knit remnants I had. I love my new pullover! Here is the original tunic in action: how I wore it to go to a Portland YLF meetup.

(7-8) Shopping outfit. I wore the remade pullover with my new black fleece knit pants (NY77) from a recent shopping spree at a local boutique; my olive rain coat (Lauren Ralph Lauren); olive cross-body bag (AllSaints); and black moto booties (Blondo).
(9) The lower part of the tunic

Edited to add:
(10-12): size down in Everlane barrel jeans. I think these are better.

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23 Comments

  • Angie replied 2 weeks ago

    Sharan, your shopping outfit is KILLER! Great hack on that tunic that looks like it was always this fab short length :) No wonder you love it! It loves you right back. 

    My 2 cents on the jeans:

    The old G-Stars are too big as you duly noted. 

    The barrel jeans look excellent! ON TREND. Did you try a size down to compare fits too? 

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 2 weeks ago

    Thank you, Angie! I appreciate your eye and your question. I did not try a size down, because the waist felt comfortable. (And these were the smaller of two sizes I took into the dressing room. I didn't try on the larger ones.) But I think I will go back and try a size down. I'm concerned that these look a bit baggy, also. Maybe too much so.

  • Angie replied 2 weeks ago

    This particular style tends to stretch out a bit so good idea to at least try a size down :)

  • Lisa replied 2 weeks ago

    It’s nice to see the new black pants from the boutique spree in action. They look so comfy and stylish. 

    I'm blown away that you converted that tunic to the pullover (I can barely sew a hole to fix something). The top looks like it was always a pullover. And the colors are so pretty in it. The cuffs and banded bottom look so good in the green fabric.

    For the jeans I think the barrels are a strong contender to replace the old ones (which do look too big). I’ll be curious how rise size down fits. I have the same two Paige jeans you have here, we are denim sisters and I’m taking notes on this new style and brand. (I’ve never tried Everlane)

    i also appreciate that you included your watch in the finds. It’s always hard to see watches in outfit photos and that square face watch is lovely!

  • Jaime replied 2 weeks ago

    Love your shopping outfit and made over top! I totally see how the new jeans would work in place of the old ones - same dark wash and architectural interest. Agree that you might as well try the smaller size, especially if they have stretch.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 2 weeks ago

    Good to know about the stretch, Angie.
    Lisa, I'll report back what I find on the size down!
    Jaime, I'm glad to hear your confirmation these jeans could fill a siimilar role. I was starting to doubt my first impression a bit.

    Thanks all for your compliments on my "new" pullover!

  • Katerina replied 2 weeks ago

    The made over top is brilliant. I liked it as a tunic with the skinny jeans, but now as the style of pants has evolved, this shorter length works beautifully. It looks amazing on you and I love the whole shopping outfit.
    I really like the barrel jeans for you. The top will be great with these too. To my eye, the ones you’re trying look good but if they will stretch, maybe try a size down and see.

  • Star replied 2 weeks ago

    I think Angie has said everything.  I think the barrels are a good contender for replacing the GStars.  They have the same vibe imo.  I love your boots!  

  • Dee replied 2 weeks ago

    Well done on the top alteration, so clever and works beautifully with all your current pants. The new barrel jeans are a definite contender to replace your other jeans. They have the same colour wash but with a slightly different silhouette. Very on trend and suits your artistic style.

  • RobinF replied 1 week ago

    Agree that the top looks great. I loved it long but it works really well as a shorter top with the looser jeans. 

    Love the new jeans, I agree that they might be a little big but waist has to be comfortable. I have that problem, if the waist fits they often look too baggy (to my eye) and I am not used to that look any more. Regardless, they do look great and I can see them as a nice replacement for the G-star ones, very similar vibe.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 1 week ago

    Thanks for your thoughtful comments, Katerina, Dee, Star, and RobinF!
    Dee, your Everlane jeans look great on you! I think our style is simliar, too.
    Robin, you know the feeling with the waist and hip issue!

  • Suz replied 1 week ago

    What a gorgeous makeover of the top! Great idea to do that. And I love your entire shopping outfit! 

    I also really like the barrel jeans, but I am biased! I concur with Angie that it might make sense to try a size down for comparison. 

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 1 week ago

    Thanks, Suz!

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 1 week ago

    To all who supported trying a size down, I did. I exchanged them and brought the smaller ones home. I've added pics above (10-12). I think these are a better fit. Especially if they are going to stretch out.

    Lisa, they are a little shorter in the rise, but they pass the sit test, and I think they are going to be fine. They are two sizes down from my Paige size. [good grief!]

  • Katerina replied 1 week ago

    Wow! These are absolute perfection! They should have you modelling these jeans.

    And I love the top you are wearing here too.

  • Lisa replied 1 week ago

    The smaller fit looks like a winner! Two sizes down from Paige, WOW! Talk about a sizing difference! That's good to know, thanks!

  • Angie replied 1 week ago

    You are fast, Sharan :)

    Agree that the smaller size looks better - especially since they will stretch out a bit. Enjoy!

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 1 week ago

    Oh, dear! Lisa, a correction: they are two sizes down from my Paige Cindy and Alexis, but one size down from my Anessa (cropped wide-leg).

    Thanks, Katerina and Angie, too. Glad you like them!

  • Bonnie replied 1 week ago

    Great outfit and yes to sizing down in the new barrel jeans. Love the make over of your tunic. 

  • Lisa replied 1 week ago

    Firecracker (Sharan) - Thanks for the correction. It drives me batty when sizing is so inconsistent.

  • Rock replied 1 week ago

    I am amazed that you transformed a fabulous tunic into an even more fabulous cropped top. Both tops are superb! I have these ideas my mind but do not have any sewing skills, and thus admire these skills in others.

    The barrel pants in the smaller size look like they were made for you. All around big thumbs up on the whole look.

  • Joy replied 1 week ago

    The old jeans look too large. The new ones look as if they fit better on you now.

  • Star replied 1 week ago

    PERFECTION in the smaller size.  Happy wearing!

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