Jeans That Let You Think Less

If I could pick a single category of clothing to illustrate my life—all the eras and ages and stages—it would be denim. Now, with three kids and a busy schedule and in my 40s, I've settled into a classic cut that defies easy decade-categorization. (The ultimate goal, style-wise, is answering the following question in the negative: If I was photographed in this today, would it scream out the year?).

Levi's 501s are somewhat of a gold standard amongst fashion people and anyone who pays any attention to clothing. It's the cut people search for in vintage stores, but new pairs are still being produced that capture the same lean-lined magic we're all after. That said, it can feel like an oddly deep category, with different silhouettes under the main umbrella.

The one that works for everything, flatters every shape, and can be worn an amazing amount of time before needing to be tossed in the laundry? The 501 '90s.

Why do people love Levi's 501 '90s so much?

How do Levi's 501 '90s fit?