In my last post on Mom Jeans, I promised to show you that it can be done – you can be an older, or more “mature” Mom and not have to wear Mom Jeans. In fact, my aim was to show that someone who already admittedly wears dreadful Mom Jeans can be miraculously transformed simply by wearing the right cut of denim.
My Mom had agreed to be my subject for this before the first post was published, but I was afraid she would back out after seeing the graphic detail that I included in my project. However, when I saw her at a family lunch the day after it posted, she told me she was ready to go the next day.
My Dad, however, was not as impressed with my post. He didn’t find it funny at all, and just said that it proved the point that “women dress for other women, not for men.”
To which my Mom quickly shot back, “Of course they do!! If we dressed for men, we couldn’t go out in public!!”. To which Mammaw (my Grandmother) chimed in, “Too true!”
You really need to experience a meal with my family. The conversations we have. . . they are too joyous for words.
I explained to my Dad in my most analytical voice that actually that is NOT true. Women dress for themselves primarily. All women really just want to “feel good” about how they look. They do, however, secondarily dress for other women, tertiarily dress for their husband, and quaternarily dress for other men.
I didn’t use tertiarily and quaternarily in my original speech, but I do love those words, even if they are improper versions of tertiary and quaternary.
So we promised to meet at the research facility the next morning.
Then I got nervous.
What if I couldn’t pull this off?
What if she hopelessly had The Dreaded Long Butt and my theories were wrong?
What if it truly was not avoidable in some cases?
Oh, the anxiety was gripping.
But I was relieved, delighted, and a wee bit shocked at the outcome of our research. So, without further ado, here is my report:
Hypothesis: That the condition known as “Long Butt” and proven as simply a wardrobe mistake in previous works can also be replaced with much more flattering looks even for more mature Moms, and that proper dressage in appropriate jeans can be potentially life changing.
Research Laboratory: Riverchase Galleria.
Test Subject:
Aliases include: Mom, Grammama, Miss Sara.
Age: 57.
Height: 5’5″.
Size: 12-14.
Mom Status: 3 Kids – ages 29, 27, and 22; 2 Grandkids – ages 2, and 9 mos.
Subject C is a self-admitted Mom Jeans wearer. After reading The Researcher’s prior research, she admitted to committing all of the cited Mom-Jean crimes. This fact changes the research methods from trying to prove a point to prevent Mom Jeaneage to actually trying to reverse the current Mom Jean situation. Which can be woefully seen in the subject’s Natural Habitat: Testing Standards: As opposed to the prior research, we did not stay only in her current size of jeans, as we are trying to fix an issue here, not just prove a point. However,regardless of how bad The Researcher would have liked to have modified the rest of her clothing to match the new jeans, they were kept the same in the name of proper research standards. Fixing everything else will have to be another test for another day.
Testing Oversight: Provided by Ali,LLP. Yes, she lost her partner, Radford. However, she DID have some help from Elaine, our fitting room associate, who can be seen in some of the pictures as well.
Here is the research team (photographed by the above mentioned Elaine), which included Ali, LLP; The Researcher; and Subject C:
Our first and most productive stop in our research was Ann Taylor. This store ended up being a perfect fit for Subject C’s body phase.
An important factor of finding the right jean is to first recognize that us as women go through many body “phases” from the time we’re 10 years old until we die. I mean, NOTHING stays the same for long, does it?
So you must be willing to try jeans at different stores until you find the one that fits your current body phase the best. Most stores cater to a specific age group, which can help steer you in the right direction, but still may not be entirely right for you. For example:
Delia’s – Typical body phase market = 12-20 years old.
Express - Typical body phase market = 15-30 years old.
Gap - Typical body phase market = 20-35 years old.
New York & Company – Typical body phase market = 25-40 years old.
Ann Taylor – Typical body phase market = 30-50 years old.
Chico’s – Typical body phase market = 45-70 years old.
Sear’s (where all Mom Jeans in previous post were tried on) – Typical body phase market = 70-150 years old, or for anyone who just happened to time warp straight from the 1980′s.
Disclaimer: all above data is in The Researcher’s approximations, and is not information from the mentioned stores.
Back to the data. For comparison, here is the view of Subject C’s natural habitat again:And here is the first pair of jeans (size 10) that Subject C tried on at Ann Taylor (and please forgive the flash, but The Researcher couldn’t pull Subject C away from the mirror after changing her life):
YES. It’s true. Subject C DID, in fact, just lose 30 pounds and have a 50% butt shrinkage factor before your very eyes. The Researcher AND Subject C were completely floored.
Let’s point out the factors that contribute to this amazing transformation.
1. Length: This was discussed at length (no pun intended) in prior research, but this is a perfect example. Having jeans that are short give the effect of the worst, most unflattering pair of “skinny jeans” ever, because they bring all of the attention to the smallest part, ankles, giving the effect of a triangle:Subject C was insistent that the new jeans were too long, but even though they seem long by traditional standards, the results are undeniable. Jeans that almost come to the floor dramatically lengthen the leg.
2. Leg line: This goes hand in hand with length. Besides the length being too short, the cut of Subject C’s old jeans was “tapered”. This just heightens the triangle effect. Notice that her 2 year old Granddaughter understands the importance of length AND leg line better than Subject C:Subject C’s new length and leg line, which is “boot cut” (MAYBE the length is a quarter of an inch too long, but it would be perfect if Subject C would wear ANY KIND OF HEEL AT ALL):
2. Pocketage: I will not dwell on this point because it was belabored quite thoroughly in prior research. If you don’t know what I am referring to, PLEASE go back and get a refresher, as this is the most pivotal point of all research done.
Previous butt:New Butt:
The Researcher sincerely had NO IDEA that Subject C had such a non-Mom, curvy-and-not-flat-or-long butt under there. If this isn’t proof enough that it’s all in the pockets, then nothing is.
3. Modern cut and Detail: Notice the modern pocket stitching and the fading detail in the front. The Researcher seriously COULD NOT believe how skinny Subject C looks at this angle.The Researcher’s husband, upon seeing this picture of his Mother-In-Law, said, “That looks like YOU, not your Mother!!”
Of which The Researcher is choosing to take the compliment that she transformed Subject C, rather than taking the insult that her husband told her that she looked like her Mother.
Final pictures of this pair, just to reiterate the point that there absolutely MUST be a bucket of 30 pounds of prior body weight sitting in the corner of that Ann Taylor dressing room:Can you believe that butt gets free coffee at McDonalds?! She may start getting carded!
And a front view of a thoroughly shocked and excited Subject C, upon discovering the body she didn’t think she had:
First, done right:
Notice the flapped pocket, the still-tapered fit, and the modern wash.
The Researcher still felt that the above pair were too baggy (size 10), so she went and got Subject C a Size 8 (at which point Subject C fainted onto the floor). And although The Researcher felt that the fit was better, Subject C was quick to point out that it did, indeed, create a Muffin Top (lingo that Subject C obviously learned from The Researcher’s prior research):
So the Researcher agreed that concessions could be made for a looser fit, but only to avoid Muffin Tops.
Now, let’s look at the Trouser pant done wrong. This was at a different store (which will remain unnamed since we found nothing positive there, but we can just say it was an “Older Age Ranged Store”):This trouser pant presents multiple problems:
1. No Shape/Too Baggy: The leg cut is more like a very poorly tailored pair of dress pants, and so they end up looking very unflattering.
2. Pocket: The flap pocket is preferred in most cases, because it draws attention away from any potentially saggy-looking lower-butt curvature. Also, if one’s shirt covers those tiny pocket entries, then it has major potential to just look like the Grandma Jean, as defined in prior research:Here is another Trouser Pant done wrong, except in the opposite direction. These were tried on at a “Younger Age Range” store:
The wash and length were good, but the rear was too tight, which was just accentuated by, again, having no pocket flaps to detract attention from the fit.
After all of this research, the consensus was definitely that Ann Taylor was the ideal store for Subject C’s body type.
So now research has proven the Mom Jeans/Long Butt Theory both ways. Subject A and B, who didn’t wear Mom Jeans, showed that they can have a Long Butt by wearing Mom Jeans. Subject C, who has been wearing Mom Jeans for decades, has shown the immediate and dramatic improvements that come about by NOT wearing Mom Jeans.
And with that, I leave you with hot Subject C’s profile:Who knew she was such a hot Gramamma??



















{ 56 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow! What an amazing transformation! I will be forwarding this to my mom for sure!
Of course I need to go jeans shopping with a friend and a camera. How cool!
You are a great researcher. I need to take you shopping with me. You only live what, an hour away?
That was as amazing as all the hype! Incredible! I definitely want you to help me shop for my next pair of jeans!
would you be willing to hire out your services? After the last post, I got all nervous about my jeans in my closet. . .WOW! Your mom looks awesome, so I expect you can do that for everyone, right?!
Thanks everyone! But the idea is that with all of the technical information given in this post and especially the first one, that anyone can shop for jeans and successfully buy a non-mom jean pair!
However, I'm willing to help anyone that agrees to have their butt plastered on my blog. >:)
I’m floored. You are a genius! I’m dragging my mom to Ann Taylor. I just honestly thought there was no hope.
This is hilarious Rachel! I can’t believe you posted pictures of your mom’s butt!! She’s definitely a trooper!!
Rachel!
We posted a short bit on the “Identifying Features of Mom Jeans”
(see http://www.sevenof.com/?p=899), but your study — and subsequent solutions! — kicks some Mom Jean Butt!!!
Amy
Love this. Nice work!
Amazing. Your Mom looks awesome in her new jeans. I’ll have to send this to my mom!
I’m glad you found your mother some non long butt jeans.
Love it! You look hot, Mil! (another alias, by the way
).
I have officially gone in to shorts until October. Maybe by then I can find “Over 50″ cool jeans. I cannot believe the difference. LLLYB
I am amazed!! I kept scrolling up and down, “no, that can’t be! but it is!!” Thanks for taking the time to complete the research:) I’m kinda excited that I actually need to go jean shopping soon:)
thank you so much for sharing this. I’m almost 42 and hate buying jeans- but BOTH of your posts were so helpful. Can’t wait to get some new ones now!! You guys are awesome. Thanks, thanks, thanks!
Rachel!
You need to make this into an eBook
and sell it on Ebay! WE all want to look skinnier than we really are; and there’s no crime in that right?! Hey, we need not look bigger in our jeans than we really are, thanks to you!
I so enjoyed your article, you are a great writer! I love the picture of your little girl, Ali standing next to grandmother and you point out Ali is the one with the best length for the most flattering fit! Boy, she sure learns fast, huh?!
I enjoyed y’all’s visit to our store and am glad to have made some new friends.
And guess what? The Ann Taylor full price jeans are STILL ON SALE for 39.00!!! That’s as of tonight, Wed. March 11,2009!!
Thanks for the free publicity!
God bless,
Elaine from Ann Taylor
This is awesome!!! I am always trying to talk my mom into letting me take her shopping. Your mom looks great in her new jeans!
I just found your blog today, and what a great post! First of all, I can’t believe your mom agreed to this (my mom would never!). But what a difference! You should offer your services to other “Mom Jean Wearers”! You could change the fashion world!
This is awesome. Mom doesn’t wear jeans, because she can never find a pair to fit her. I’m sending this post to her.
Stopping by from BigMama’s. What a cute Fashion Friday post! It looks like you had a lot of fun with your mom!
Your mom is a great sport and I loved seeing all the different jeans styles! Great research!
I found you through BigMama’s FF post and must say– this is research that would change the world if all the MomJean offenders would read it and heed the advice. Awesome post!! I would LOVE for you to shop for jeans with me. Your mom looks amazing in her new jeans.
I loved this post, and I am headed to AnnTaylor ASAP to get me some non mom jeans. Your mom was an absolute sport and came away with a great pair of jeans. I loved it!
I’m impressed! I have really enjoyed reading both of these posts. You made me take another look at the jeans in my closet. Although I did not have any long butt jeans in there, I did have some that were just not right.
Thanks!
LOL! This is hilarious! What a great idea. I can’t believe you got your mother to go along with it, but it worked! You made your point! Mommy jeans have got to be outlawed!
God bless the sweet woman who allowed all the befores and afters of her butt. You look AMAZING!!! Great post!
What can I say? Great study with beautiful results. You’re mom looked great. Did she buy them I hope?!
I loved your post about the mom jeans. I am guilty of wearing mom jeans for too many years to count. I’m 45 and a size 16P. I ordered the Ann Taylor jeans online. Loved them. My daughter was startled by how good they looked. So she took me shopping at the mall for more jeans. I found a pair at Old Navy. I am having to get them altered a bit since the back stuck out. But otherwise they fit good. I don’t understand why the waist band of so many jeans is so big? I’m not skinny, must be my hour glass figure! LOL!
So I want to ask you what other stores should I be looking at? I’m losing weight and will be in a size 14 in probably another month. So places like Lane Bryant are too big. I’m on the cusp of sizes. I had never shopped at Ann Taylor. It was a pleasant surprise..
Thanks again, you have transformed my life!
dude. i know this was awhile ago, but. what did your DAD say?
sincerely,
anonymous coward
I love these posts. So true. I am so glad that my 62 year old mother does not wear Mom or grandma pants. She actually shops with me at the buckle and looks great in them. I have a pant obsession and have committed to never wearing Mom pants.
That was awesome. Not only very thoroughly researched and informative, but laugh out loud funny!
JUST NOW READ THIS!! Loved it! Your mom's tooshie rocks!!! You've got some good genes!
Wow- I'm 26 and pregnant with my second baby and that gives me hope I can still be hot at 50 or 60 with those jeans. Great work!
WOW, you are an awesome writer and did a great job with your Mom. I am 54 and 5'1" and wear 8-10P. Have you even tried the Lee Riders at Wal-Mart as suggested by Stacey London of WHAT NOT TO WEAR??? Try it, they look like skinny jeans on me and they are only 20 some dollars. BUT that's not to say you did a great job. I LOVE IT!
My daughter sent me your links so I went to Ann Taylor today. They no longer make this style. : ( But I thought maybe I could get a pair on eBay? Would your mom mind sharing the info on her label?
Linda – I got my Mom to check, and here's what she came up with:
"On the size tag it says Modern Fit , Lindsay waist. On a small
inside tag at the side seam are these numbers on one side 227254 and on the
other side these numbers ID#8054C. "
Hope that helps! Good luck!!
The Ann Taylor Lindsay Waist Jeans! I bought these jeans 3 years ago, and was lucky enough to get another pair 2 years ago on sale! Unfortunately, they do not make these anymore and I would also love to get a few more pairs–size 2…I was googling to see where I could find some when I came across your blog–well done! If anyone knows of a warehouse somewhere that may have these—Would love to know! Thanks and good job! The ID #8054C cited above is the same as mine, but the other number is different (probably irrelevant)..
I am so impressed with your research and will definitely apply it. Loved your humorous approach to a really serious problem!
honestly fabulous! loved both posts!
could you show us how to not have mom butt when wearing shorts?? summer’s comin’!
Oh I SO wish I could figure that out – I hate shorts, because they all make me look like I have barrel thighs!! I really need to do some shorts research this summer and see if I can find a solution…
Good for her! Thank you for doing all this research. Wish you could come shopping with me. I have a closet full of jeans, but only one pair that I like the rear view in.
She looks younger, thinner, hipper and GREAT! Love her smile, too.
I am a MOM jeans wearer. sad but true. I am a 48 year old mother of three step mother of 4 and grandmother of 7 ( I know makes me feel old just reading it!!!) Both articles on Mom butt are very enlightening. In fact I may have to print them out and take them shopping with me so I get it right!!!
Thank you so much for tirelessly doing the research to save the world from the long butt!!!
I am really late reading this but thanks for both posts. Love your mom’s transformation. Very good info about pockets – I had no idea.
My problem is talls are too long and regular not long enough and I need a longer rise. Any thoughts about how/if/ it is ever acceptable to lengthen jeans. I lucked out in the 70s when I was young and it was cool to add ribbon or whatever.
Thanks again. I will now look at all slacks with new critical eyes.
Kathy
these two blogs were HILARIOUS but SO TRUE! great “research” and love that you showed both ages.
Your sense of humor makes me laugh outloud! And just as important, your information is most helpful!!!!! Thanks — you are delightful!
I wish my older relatives would read this! But alas…mom jeans it is… Your mom looked great, by the way.
Well, that was THOROUGHLY entertaining while at the same time providing me with hope for myself, which I had given up on a long time ago… Thank you!
So thankful for this and the previous research (Long Butt). Because of this my Mom Jeans are now at the local Good Will store. Found some jeans that fit me better at Old Navy. But plan to take a trip to Ann Taylor very soon.
That’s great – congratulations!!
For the record, I took my Aunt to Ann Taylor not too long ago, and their selection of non-mom jeans has waned considerably. I ended up taking her to Express, and they fit much better.
Love it. I have believed for a LONG time and refuse to wear the mom jeans. Great research. Need to post this post for all the other moms out there who need to read it and laugh. 45 year old me is ready also to get rid of my beloved cords which I have fortunately lost enough weight to have them hanging off of me. Baggy pants…..NO!!!!
I LOL, being a Grandma that wears Mom jeans on a daily basis… looking forward to my next trip to Ann Taylor! Maybe I can lose that last 15 pounds in their changing room, too!
Best of luck!! Although for the record, the last time I took someone (my Aunt-In-Law) to Ann Taylor, a lot of their jeans weren’t as flattering as the ones pictured here. I ended up helping her get jeans at Limited and Express, and they looked great on her!
Wow. Just wow. Very insightful and informative to someone who had no clue. And you did all that research with a toddler in tow!
I’m also curious what your dad thought about it. I love both articles and your 100 random things post.
He just rolled his eyes. He doesn’t like to let onto his emotions very often, though!
I stumbled upon your first experiment and the link to the sequel and loved reading them both!! You inspired me! Being a mom-jean wearing AARP card holder for years, I had settled into Levi 550 complacency. Reading your blog prompted me to get in the car, drive to the local Levi outlet store and let the store clerk determine my body shape (demi curvy) and put me into some non-mom jean styles. Love it! Tell your mom that this over-60 mom says she’s lookin’ hip and hot now.