On My Mind: Jeans With the ‘Zsa Zsa Zsu’

These are the most complimented jeans I’ve ever worn in my life. I knew I had to have them after spotting them in senior writer Ambar Pardilla’swide-leg jeans roundupback in April. They remind me of the best parts of a pair ofAcne Studios jeansI found in a “free” pile my freshman year of college that I perplexingly gave to a consignment store a few years ago. The color blocking and paneling create afauxcuff effect, and the fraying has the perfect amount of texture without being juvenile or over the top. Their fit is even better, verging on too long, just how I like my jeans. They’re comfortable enough to wear through ten-hour days without feeling constricted and versatile enough to dress up or down. They do the heavy lifting of making it look like I tried more than I did, even when paired with a plaintee.

I was tipped off to this Australian brand some months ago while readingLaura Reilly’sMagasin. I’m partial to a cuff, and these are appealingly large and exaggerated. But it’s the silver hardware that really delivers thezsa zsa zsu.The buttons are unlike anything I’ve seen on a cuff and deliver the right amount of extra to separate these pants from the others in my closet without taking away from the ease I love about jeans. They’re baggy and semi-high-rise, and no occasion is too casual or formal for them.

I realized a few months ago that we were in ababy-pinkdenimboom. I’ve done well to largely avoidbarreland horseshoe shapes for this long, and I almost never wear pink to begin with. But this pair’s gentle shade and darting along the legs — plus a double belt loop and more darting right below that — lured me in. I’ve long coveted a pair of theB Sides Lasso, which has always felt like the original horseshoe jean to me. These scratched that itch. Although not nearly as tapered and wide as B Sides’ version, there’s enough volume to these to take them beyond, say, a barrel. And the pink’s a pleasant switch from thewhitesand creams I usually default to when I’m sick of blue.

And for those who can’t stand the feeling of denim on your legs in suffocating city heat and humidity, this pair’s for you. I’ll be the first to admit this is a largely ordinary-looking pair of jeans — minimalzsa zsa zsubeyond a cargo belt-loop feature, large patch pockets, and a creamy wash. But their 13 percentlinenmakeup helps them stand out — they’re the perfect blend of a jean and linen pants without the overt sloppiness or beachiness of the latter. Despite being incredibly lightweight and breezy, they still look formal enough (when ironed) to feel cool.

Alongside denim, I’ve been fixated on all thingssandals, especially wedges,flip-flops, and the best combinations of both. It’s never a no-toe summer for me. So long as the forecast is over 50 degrees, I’ll find a way to work sandals into my looks. These Gewls are some of my new favorites. Yes, they’re incredibly flat, and the clicky-clacky leather sole announces my presence before I’ve entered a room, but neither bothers me. I got them in April, and they’ve quickly beat out my trustedKinto, thanks to their elegant knotted toe post and delicate shape that leaves just the right amount of toe peeking out from under my jeans hem. I’ve worn them nearly daily without any blisters; they’re at the cobbler right now getting rubber soles added so I can walk even farther in them. They’ve garnered plenty of compliments, too, both from my colleagues and my Russian manicurist, and at this point, they’ve molded to my feet so well they feel like a second skin.

I had long been eyeing the flat Deia senior editor Hilary Reidloves so muchbut was delighted to see the release of a block-heel version. I’ve yet to encounter a pair of Margaux shoes that aren’t exceptionally comfortable straight out of the box, and these sandals are no exception. I’ve worn them for days on end without issue. The two-inch heel makes for easy walking, whether through Chinatown for dinner, across Soho for previews, or on commutes to the office. The flared heel, thicker straps along the top of the foot, and square toe create an elongated and roomy silhouette. And I love how understated the smooth napa leather is when paired with any of the jeans on this list.

The flops don’t stop there. After being taunted byJude’s Yaga WedgeandAlaïa’s Cube Thong Mules, I had to give in to this satin pair by Shop-Pêche, which had been on my wish list since last fall. They’re a pretty convincing version of the Alaïas, aside from the different toe shapes (the Alaïas lay flatter and squarer, whereas these are a bit more rounded and the sole is less flush to the ground).

Although I’ve been letting my jeans do most of the talking lately, pairing them with this top is the perfect formula for a look that is polished yet easy. Plain as it is, thehigh-cut V-necktakes the place of a necklace, and the crisp white pops against denim. It’s the right weight for the string of odd summer-but-not-really sort of days we’ve been dealing with in New York.

My 27th birthday’s coming up soon, in July. And while I’ll likely still don jeans and flip-flops for some portion of the day, I’m also trying to put together a breezy party or dinner look.My love for sheeris no secret, and I wonder if this whimsically asymmetrical skirt could beat mylong-standing favorite from the Frankie Shop.