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I have a confession. I almost didn’t buy these jeans.
Straight leg black jeans are not something I would typically reach for. As a woman in my early 40s I’ve spent years figuring out what works for my body and what doesn’t — and a slightly relaxed, rigid straight leg jean was not on my radar. But something told me to try them and I am so glad I did.
The Levi’s Women’s 501 ’90s in Rinsed Blacktop have completely changed how I think about getting dressed. They feel expensive. They look intentional. And as I discovered when I challenged myself to style them four different ways — they can do absolutely everything.
My daughter watched me film these looks and told me I was “mogging” — apparently that means I always look better than everyone else. I genuinely don’t know whether to be more flattered by the compliment or more entertained by the fact that my teenager is out here rating my outfits. Either way it made my entire week. The fact that she looks up to me that way means everything — and honestly? It made me want to keep showing up and proving that your early 40s can be some of your most stylish years yet.
Because here’s what I actually believe: being in your early 40s doesn’t mean toning it down. It means you finally know yourself well enough to dress exactly how you want. And right now? I want to wear great jeans and look good in them.
So here’s how I styled one pair of black jeans four completely different ways.
A few things to know before you buy:
These run slightly large — the waist fits true to size but the legs have a relaxed, slightly baggy fit which I actually ended up loving. Wide leg and barrel jeans are very much having a moment so it works. They have a rigid feel with very little stretch which might surprise you if you’re used to a stretchy denim — but they feel incredibly high quality and they loosen up beautifully the more you wear them. I’d recommend staying at your true size.
Look 1 — Clean, Classic and Surprisingly Easy
A white fitted tee, a reversible gold buckle belt and layered gold jewelry. That’s genuinely all this look is — and it might be my favorite of the four because of how simple it is. The belt is doing all the heavy lifting here, cinching the waist and adding that polished detail that takes a basic white tee from afterthought to intentional. I layered a couple of gold necklaces from Artizan Joyeria — a brand I am completely obsessed with right now — and kept everything else clean.
For women in their early 40s who want to look put together without looking like they tried too hard? This is your look.
What I’m wearing:
Levi’s 501 ’90s Rinsed Blacktop Jeans — https://geni.us/73uuEA
White Fitted Tee from Amazon — https://geni.us/HvFRvH
Reversible Gold Buckle Belt from Amazon — https://geni.us/QdDUNY1
Artizan Joyeria Necklaces — https://geni.us/qyPj
Veja Campo Sneakers — https://geni.us/RN5Bt
Look 2 — The Everyday Errand Run
This is the look I could wear literally every single day and never get tired of. An oversized Nike Phoenix Hoodie in Light Orewood Brown paired with the black Levi’s and my Veja V-11 sneakers — throw on a Nike cap and you’re done. It’s effortless without looking like you didn’t try. The neutral hoodie against the black jeans is such a clean combination and the Veja sneakers elevate it just enough to feel intentional rather than thrown together.
What I’m wearing:
Levi’s 501 ’90s Rinsed Blacktop Jeans — https://geni.us/73uuEA
Nike Women’s Phoenix Hoodie in Light Orewood Brown — https://rstyle.me/+R3uSskBkWErJBsvG3Hq_gQ
Veja V-12 Sneakers — https://geni.us/8KXSt
Nike Cap — https://geni.us/9uxRCG
Look 3 — The One I Almost Didn’t Try
Full transparency — this look was completely last minute. I threw the black satin blouse over the jeans at the very end of filming almost as an afterthought and it stopped me in my tracks. All black everything with a gold belt and black ankle boots is not something I would have put together intentionally before this — and now I can’t stop thinking about it.
The Quince black silk blouse has that effortless elevated quality that Quince does so well. Paired with my Stuart Weitzman ankle boots and the same reversible gold belt from look 1 — this outfit could genuinely go from a nice dinner to a work event to a night out. The all black palette lets the fit and the accessories do the talking.
Sometimes the best outfits are the ones you don’t plan.
What I’m wearing:
Levi’s 501 ’90s Rinsed Blacktop Jeans — https://geni.us/73uuEA
Quince Black Satin Blouse — https://rstyle.me/+2pGY-TU6SieBYPAZMJyaKw
Stuart Weitzman Ankle Boots — similar https://geni.us/zB3v
Reversible Gold Buckle Belt from Amazon — https://geni.us/QdDUNY1
Look 4 — The Feminine Surprise
I’ll be honest — I wasn’t sure a fitted blush ribbed mock neck was going to work with the slightly relaxed fit of these jeans. I was wrong. The contrast between the soft feminine top and the structured black denim is exactly what makes this look work. Add a pair of clear heels and suddenly you have something that feels very current, very intentional and very wearable for a woman in her early 40s who doesn’t want to blend into the background.
The blush top is from Amazon — easy, affordable and incredibly versatile. The clear Cushionaire heels are also on Amazon which makes linking easy for anyone who wants to recreate this look.
What I’m wearing:
Levi’s 501 ’90s Rinsed Blacktop Jeans — https://geni.us/73uuEA
Blush Ribbed Mock Neck from Amazon — https://amzn.to/3QROidV
Cushionaire Clear Heels — https://geni.us/0mL1B7J
The verdict on the Levi’s 501 ’90s
Buy them. Seriously. They are not what I expected and they are so much better for it. The rigid quality denim feels expensive, the silhouette is incredibly flattering once you lean into the relaxed fit, and the styling possibilities are genuinely endless. Four very different looks from one pair of jeans — and I’m not done yet.
If you’re in your early 40s and you’ve been playing it safe with your wardrobe — this is your sign to try something a little different. You might just end up mogging too. 😄
Drop your questions or your own styling ideas in the comments — I read every single one. 🖤
If you want to understand why rigid, structured denim is having such a major moment right now, I actually wrote a whole post about it. The Raw Denim Renaissance breaks down exactly why this style is so flattering for women in their 40s and how to wear it in a way that feels polished and current — not stiff or outdated. It’s worth a read before you add these to your cart! Read it here.
