There’s no escaping it: the most celebrated fashion staple is still jeans. Its style provenance is seen on the streets, on fashion runways and fashion magazines, with different interpretation––’70s-inspired flares, skinnies, cropped cuts, worn-ins.
Let’s take a look at these ladies’ jeans style, and get quick and easy styling tips. Find out where they get their stash.
Pauline Prieto, 18
Professional model/ student
On the perfect jeans
I shop for jeans, mostly online or at Viktor Jeans (Greenbelt 5). They’re beyond comfy! No matter how many times I wear them, they age gracefully. I’m obsessed with wide-legged bottoms. I still love my pair of black skinny jeans, it’s just that I want to try something new.
On mixing and matching
I wear a V-neck for the morning and a button-down for the evening. Simple, classy and very chic! I accessorize my fave pair with the perfect pair of heels. For wide-legged bottoms, I wear them with a simple tee and sandals.
Jeans are…
Heavenly! They’re like the fairy godmother of style, since they go with just about everything!
Kelly Misa
Professional model / beauty columnist / host / actress
On her go-to brands
I purchase my jeans at Topshop, Forever 21, Levi’s American Eagle, H&M and Cotton On. I’ve been lucky to find jeans that fit well without that exorbitant price tag. Biggest splurge would have to be right under P5,000: it was a pair of Roberto Cavalli for H&M jeans—it was skin tight with a little flare, dark wash (no whiskers), and had a gold snake embroidered on the back pocket.
On her fave pair
My American Eagle boyfriend jeans are my fave pair. They have a medium-to-light wash and made to look frayed with paint stains. It’s super comfortable. I’m loving the ‘70’s look—high-waist with big flare—these days. I like jeans because it can make you look taller and slimmer.
On mixing and matching
I like dressing up for day going into night. Most of the time, I don’t change into something else, as a day of meetings ends with dinner and drinks with friends. I usually pair a polo shirt or a loose, drapey, dressy top with jeans. The only difference between day and night would be the shoes. During the day, I have the option to wear flats, but I keep a pair of heels in my car. Jeans usually look unfinished without a belt, so I accessorize with a belt. Heels are a must to make legs appear longer.
Rosanna Ocampo-Rodriguez, 30
Fashion designer
On finding the perfect pair
I buy my jeans at Seven, Rock and Republic, Ted Baker, and I recently discovered Uniqlo. It has amazing skinny jeans for a song! I bought a pair of Corso Como 10 jeans a few years back. Although I’m not a big fan of ripped jeans, the particular treatment used on this made it hard to resist. My fave pair I’ve had for years still fits like a glove! When buying jeans, make sure to invest in good material with the right amount of elasticity that doesn’t lose its shape over time.
On accessorizing
I usually pair my jeans with a loose top and heavy accessories. For the evening, I throw on a sharp blazer over a casual top and pair it with killer heels. I love this look!
On jean trends
I’ve been wearing my flared jeans, since ‘70s is such a big trend this year. I pair them with bell-sleeved tops.
Jeans are….
I’m quoting Yves Saint Laurent: “I wish I invented blue jeans. They have expression, modesty and sex appeal—all I hope for in my clothes.” I can’t live without my dresses, but prefer to wear jeans when I know a long day awaits, especially when I have to spend many hours in transit. I just find it much easier to move around in them.
Pam Gonzales, 32
PR and fashion marketing practitioner
On finding the perfect jeans
I usually buy my jeans abroad, since they usually have a wide array. Denim Country Los Angeles has the best choices of denim jeans. A new denim brand crops up every three months, so you can just imagine how many jeans of all sorts you can feast on. I have about 30 pairs, collected through the years.
If it’s something you love on you, it must look good on you! You can have the right selvage, wash, but if it doesn’t fit right, then you’re still on the losing end. My favorite jeans sucks everything in place. It’s high-waisted (my preference these days). It doesn’t restrict me from any movement. I also like the boyfriend jeans. They’re made for women, but have the silhouette of a man’s pants. It’s comfy beyond compare.
Always make sure you try on your jeans, no matter what. The old wives tale of measuring the waist around your neck is bogus. What looks nice on a mannequin or hanging in a rack may not look nice on you. Try them on, feel the fabric, read the care label. If it’s raw denim, there is a percentage of shrinkage when you wash them. If it’s stretch fabric, it’s going to give up after a few washes. These details are important for you to grab and own your next best pair.
On jeans’ versatility
I find myself using my flats with my dark stretch denim during the daily grind. I can use the same denim for night by pairing it with statement shoes and dressy top. It’s the only staple in your closet next to Spanx, so whatever the mood may be, you can sass it up the way you want. These days, you see a lot of girls and men alike in all types of denim jeans with their character stamped on them. That’s the best accessory.
Rachelle Sayed, 23
Public relations officer for Folded & Hung
On finding the perfect pair
For the longest time I had a hard time looking for the perfect pair of jeans because of my body type; I have long skinny legs but big hips. After searching, I found the perfect pair of jeans at Zara (TRF), Topshop and Uniqlo. My fave pair are my skinny jeans. They are tight (on the butt), hugging all the way down to my ankles. They’re the perfect length, not too long that you’d have to fold them, but just right on your ankle. They’re made of lighter denim so it’s not too hard to put on and take off. In terms of color, they’re dark denim, just the simple type that goes with everything.
On accessorizing
On a normal day I wear it with a belt, or with flats. For night, I just throw on heels, which makes all the difference.
Styling tip
It’s not really a styling tip, but I think what defines the “perfect denim” is really the fit. It has to fit you perfectly in all areas of your body, the style has to suit your body type. Do some research before you go to hunt for the perfect pair. You’ll probably have to try on tons before finding the one that best suits you, but it’s all worth it in the end.
Mikaela Lagdameo-Martinez, 26
Money broker/entrepreneur/ model
On her brand staples
I buy my jeans at Levis, Mango, Topshop and Seven. I have around 30 pairs. My biggest splurge would be Seven; I liked the fit and design. It doesn’t bunch up on the waist and it hugs the butt properly.
On her jeans style
I go for either tight skinny jeans or straight cut to make me look taller. I pair my jeans with plain tank top and wedges for day. At night, a polo or backless top with heels and accessories—bangles and big earrings or no earrings and chunky necklaces.
On her styling tips
Make sure it doesn’t give you a muffin top; that for me is the most important thing. Or it will ruin your entire look. Jeans are comfortable and can instantly give you a classy look.
Rizza S. Rustia, 24
Entrepreneur
On her go-to brand
I buy my jeans at Topshop. I have seven pairs in regular use. Topshop’s Moto jeans fit really great and have a nice color to it. My fave pair are these ankle grazers, also from Topshop. I love the jeans because they are snug and breathable at the same time. They make my legs look long and lean.
On dressing for day and night
I’m pretty basic, I wear flats or sneakers with my jeans for day. My top will be something comfortable or easy to wear, as long as it fits the style of the jeans. Also, I can never be without belts when I’m in pants. For the evening, I wear heels and a dressier or sexier shirt with my jeans.
Styling tip
Go for quality. Jeans are investments because they pull your whole look together. The perfect pair may cost more, but it’ll be worth it when they show off your figure better. Make sure they fit well and they focus on your assets.
