Jailhouse Jeans

I really didn’t think it could happen, but it has. I just discovered a pair of jeans I honestly and truly don’t like.

Stripes are part of the fall fashion line-up for 2012, and jeans are also on the list, so I guess the duo makes sense, but I think most this trend would be much better for early summer. I am all for transitional clothing and working a garment for all it’s worth, but this trend isn’t working for me.

I have given most of what I am seeing for jeans this season so far the thumbs up, even the styles I pass on because of personal tastes. If I don’t like something for myself or just wish I could wear it, I can still appreciate a hot trend on another person. I definitely try to keep an open mind, but I feel almost compelled to voice my opinion on one specific pair of striped jean trends featured in the September 2012 issue of Teen Vogue.

Yes, I read Teen Vogue. I didn’t even bother to see if anyone still uses those brown paper covers. I am making up for lost time, as they didn’t have this cool magazine when I was a teenage fashionista.

I am so not feeling the wide striped jeans. Maybe it’s the color combo; anything striped, especially with white, just tends to look themed and seasonal to me. The first thing I think of is a patriotic holiday, the beach, and all things nautical. The black and white is the worst, though. All I can think about is jail, the big house, the pokey, or whatever you choose to call it.

There are a few cool pairs featured that are the lesser of the evils, like the smaller stripes in less patriotic color combos. The metallic styles in pink and black and gray and black are a bit more fall-ish, but for the most part I am passing on this trend. Aside from my personal quirks about stripes, they are not the most flattering pattern, especially wider stripes. I will give this fashion trend points for at least going in the right direction (up and down vertical instead of horizontal).

The more narrow stripes in darker combos do have an ’80s vibe to them, so if you opt for this choice, you will be right on trend. All things retro are trending, but I am pretty sure the fashion police will ignore your get of jail free card and think you’re perfectly dressed for the pokey if you’re wearing a pair of these.