25. I Finally Found THE Vintage Levi's

And I can't seem to ever take them off!

This post is an ode to my newfound love by way of a pair of vintage Levi’s from my friend Jen’s amazing online vintage shop, LONY Vintage. Since I first started experimenting with personal style and documenting it for my blog in 2009, second-hand and vintage finds were what made up the bulk of my wardrobe. For some reason that taste extended mostly to blazers and dresses, and looking back I’m surprised that I never got a hold of more vintage denim. I have only owned one pair of vintage jeans from the year I moved to Brooklyn, which was a pair of medium blue Wrangler’s that fit like a glove but that I regretfully hacked off a few inches from at the bottom. And then I ended up losing the pair years later. A big oops on my part. Ever since this long lost pair that I still think about this day (obviously), I never got around to getting myself into another vintage pair. Until now.

Not sure what took me so long, as my friend Jen is a well-versed denim connoisseur who sources vintage Levi’s for LONY Vintage, and basically lives in them herself. And for years, she’s been hearing me say that I NEED A PAIR OF VINTAGE LEVI’S even though I’ve show to everyone how how lazy I am when comes on to trying on a bunch of denim. Finally, I got around to going through her collection of denim stock in my size and preferred inseam, and she let me run free with trying them on in the hopes that I would find THE PAIR. The thing I’ve found with vintage Levi’s is that you know when you know. And that is exactly how I happened to fall in love with this pair in the most perfect light-medium wash of blue, and the perfect length for a sock and pump loving girl, and just the most form fitting fit through the thighs and hips, and with just the right amount of wiggle room at the top of the mid-rise waist. This was the first time I looked in the mirror, and was like DANG MY BOOTY LOOKS GOOD. I call it the Levi’s lift. Lol.

I new the pair was out there for me. It just took me some years to get into them. And the hunt requires patience, as finding the right pair can truly can be a tricky task as there are so many requirements to consider! Feels like a glove, but with an enough space to feel easy and like you can move in them. The way they huge the hips and go around the waist is essential. Every body is so different. We all prefer different rises, different inseams, different ways the fabric drapes and sticks to our bodies. The softness or the stiffness of the fabric. But that feeling of putting on a pair whose fabric feels like it holds so much history and wear and love in it, is just a feeling that cannot be explained until it comes to you. I tried on about 5 pairs that were in my size, and this pair right here … this was my pair. And well, I can’t seem to take them off! And I know my next vintage pair is out there patiently waiting for me, too. I have the energy out there seeded and ready to bloom when it’s time.

This wash in particular feels effortless for spring and it feels so right with my trusty trench coats. And well, it’s hard to find something that doesn’t look good with this pair. So I put together few day looks featuring them that I’ve already worn and that I want to wear to show their versatility and timelessness.

A La Jane Birkin

So I actually wore this outfit to meet Jen for a wine happy hour one evening, before I watched an Agnès Varda movie about Jane Birkin, and I realized that this outfit is sooooo Jane. I’m going to talk about this movie in my next cinema post, but I want to call attention to the fact that Jane’s go to outfit when she is dressed as herself in the film is basically a sweater in this exact tone like this Jamie Haller one, a boyish blazer, vintage Levi’s and a raggedy pair of flat sneakers … I’m pretty sure Converse or Sperry. When I met my friend, I wore my Ecco pumps. But if it didn’t happen to be raining that evening, I would have wore these wedges here from AGL. Next time, it’ll be with a sneaker, because I am always so inspired by Jane and anything she wears because it feels so effortless and cool and raw. She wears her clothes in a way that breathes life and richness into them.

Jamie Haller Sweater

Rue Sophie blazer

B Low the Belt belt

AGL wedges

Little Liffner bag

Elegantly and Demurely

A chic way to wear your worn in vintage Levi’s for dinner is to throw a sheer black lace dress over them and make that the look. This dress is such a keeper and it feels so French chic with a black silk scarf nonchalantly thrown around your neck to add some extra texture and coverage on top. The wash of the jeans is such a nice contrast to the more sophisticated feel of the black lace. A pair of simple thong sandals with a low heel, and I’m so ready for an evening out.

Rue Sophie lace dress

Vintage silk scarf

Reike Nen sandals

With a Bold Statement Blazer

This vintage YSL blazer that I picked up from The Real Real comes with a matching pencil skirt that is such a fun look together. I really love how the blazer, when paired with a simple white tee, these jeans, and a touch of reptile-embossed leather, really elevates the laidback feel of the denim. And the pumps and socks are the added touch if playfulness. I definitely think that I would show up to dinner in this look!

Vintage YSL blazer from The Real Real

Michael Stars t-shirt

Vintage belt

Strathberry bag

Ecco pumps

Easygoing with Hints of Red

I always need to have a go-to denim look that requires my most classic essentials, the white tee and beige trench coat. This is such a weekend look for me, and the red bag and red glove shoes from St. Agni add a spicy element that doesn’t feel too much, but just enough to lift the look from being too basic.

old Nynne trench coat

Michael Stars t-shirt

St. Agni gloves heels

St. Agni bag

Edgy with Black Leather and a Headscarf

This to me is more of a chic going out look. This vintage leather jacket is one of my favorite pieces, and when paired with this sheer silk tank, it feels very current YSL which is such a nod to the 90s. Also, I cannot stress enough how much I love, love, love the combo of these patent wedge sandals and these jeans. So flattering, chic, and instantly elevating.

Vintage leather jacket and silk tank and scarf

AGL wedges

Second-hand Chanel bag

Classic and Boyish

I actually ended up wearing this look home from a shoot, mixing and matching the vintage pieces that I brought with me for it. I was on the subway home during rush hour, tired and a little frazzled, when it hit me how good I felt in this outfit even though I put it on randomly and it was the end of a long day. I love the sporty and boyish elements thrown together offset with the edge of the pumps. You can’t go wrong with this combination.

Vintage men’s Dior trench coat

Vintage Ralph Lauren rugby shirt

B Low the Belt belt

Ecco pumps

Mulberry bag

Giving Professor

Luckily, we are still in this phase of being able to wear light outerwear. So right now is the time to get that wear in for the leathers and suedes that would normally be hidden under winter coats. This look feels pretty collegiate and professor-ish, with maybe a bit of grandpa elements thrown in for good measure. The dusty rose pink feels soft and spring-like against the denim, and the elements of brown in different textures brings this outfit to life. It’s serious but not serious at the same time. Just like my outlook on life. Hehe.

Source Unknown suede jacket

Nia the Label shirt

Vintage tie

Strathberry bag

loafers

Make sure to hit up LONY Vintage to source your own dream pair of perfect fitting Levi’s jeans.