I love a great pair of jeans. I fancy myself a denim aficionado, but more than that, I'm a fan. Regardless of what some "fashion experts" preach, I don't think skinnies will ever die, but I prefer them high waisted. I love that a designer can swoop in and make $1,000 jeans a thing—Demna Gvasalia could make fashion girls pony up for almost anything it seems (get ready to see your favorite bloggers in Carhartt jackets come spring.) I think that Re/Done changed the denim game by reworking vintage Levi's and making classic cuts cool again, and I'll always be on board for a Jane Birkin-worthy high-waisted flare for spring and summer. I don't think you have to pick one pair and live by it—denim preference can change by mood, the weather or body confidence level.
There is one silhouette that I can't seem to get enough of right now, though. High-waisted yet slightly slouchy, wide-leg and long, they're known in some circles as "raver jeans" and they're everything I never knew I always wanted in denim. I've taken to three variations in particular: a light wash by Eckhaus Latta ($440), a mid-wash with external zipper by Off-White ($445) and an ultra-high-waisted dark wash by Natasha Zinko ($890). All three work perfectly with either a simple tee or a cozy sweater. I find that like any wide-leg trouser, when worn with a high shoe they give the illusion of long legs. The nipped in waists are flattering to my hip-less figure, lending curves where none actually exist. I never got on board with the original JNCO movement—I was more of a low-waist flare girl a la Britney Spears during their original heyday—but right now, the more skater-girl worthy the better, in my book.
Luckily, the trend lives on—designers as disparate as Ellery, Stella McCartney and Hood by Air are offering up "rave"-inspired pants and jeans for Spring 2017. They're each intrinsically cool and wearable in their own unique way—and there's a reason they're synonymous with dancing all night, they're perfectly suited for it.
As a quick disclaimer, if I'm caught at an actual rave in Bushwick or anywhere near a wallet chain, feel free to repossess my rave pant collection—none of this is meant to be taken too literally.
