These 4 Relaxed Jeans Will Give Any Body Type the Model Off-Duty Look

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For years and years, I thought I couldn’t pull off the off-duty model look. You know, that classic white tee, casual, slightly relaxed jeans, natural hair, barely any makeup, probably smoking a cigarette or eating some fries on some urban city steps look?

All of the famous supermodels from Cindy Crawford, to Naomi Campbell and Bella Hadid have been photographed in that casual model off-duty denim look… and they always look so effortlessly beautiful.

But whenever I would try that look for myself, the loose jeans would always make me look frumpy and the white tee shirt was just a bit meh. “You must have to be super thin to pull that off”, I used to think. But not anymore.

Off-duty model is the on-trend look right now. With loose-fitting denim very much back in, as well as oversized jackets and simple, classic tops — that it-girl look is still the same — but it’s been diversified.

Thanks to the long-overdue body positivity movement and the emergence of proper diversity within mainstream fashion, we’ve now got brands that cater to people of all sizes. This means the model off-duty look isn’t just for your quintessential supermodel anymore. Not to mention that thankfully, we now live in a fashion industry that has a diverse cast of supermodels. But that’s a whole other article.

I’ve broken down some model off-duty looks that you can shop in Australia now, and that will work for your body; not against it.

Kendall Jenner is a master of the off-duty model look. These jeans she’s sporting in the photo above are barrel cut jean in slightly darker denim, which gives a slightly more polished off-duty look.

These Levi’s ($239.95) are a similar shape to Kendall’s. They cinch in at the waist like a paper bag, creating an exaggerated barrel-shaped leg, which means that they’re still structured, but with a relaxed, looser fit and a slight taper, then cropped at the ankle. The overall effect is a bold, slightly curvy shape, but still relaxed, comfy and effortless. And apparently, according to my colleague Ange, they’re great for people who are shorter.

“They’re the perrrrfect length for my 5″1 height,” she said.

“I didn’t need to get them taken up and they basically feel like I’m wearing tracksuit pants. I can dress them up in the office with boots and a waistcoat or blazer, or dress down with sandals for a more ‘off-duty look’.

“I also went up a size and had them tailored in at the waist because I find it really hard to find loose jeans that aren’t tight on my thighs still — but these are perfect.”

These Agolde 90’s Pinch Waist Jeans ($235) are another style of relaxed jeans that have slightly more shape to them. The retro-infused style is cut with a relaxed fit in a vintage-washed blue colourway. Paired with a menswear-inspired shirt or something oversized, they would create a layered and refined casual denim look.

My colleague and our POPSUGAR Australia beauty writer, Ruby, is a huge fan of these jeans.

“I really like the idea of relaxed-fit jeans, mainly because of the word ‘relaxed’. However, as a tall, narrow person, any ‘cool girl’ appeal is usually quickly outweighed by my oblong-esque reflection in the mirror.

“The Agolde 90’s Pinch Waist Jeans have a fitted, mid-rise waist structured enough to ‘flatter’ my lower body while being loose enough in the leg to trick people into thinking I’m extremely chill. I like wearing them Jennifer Aniston circa-Friends style with a white t-shirt, or with sandals and an oversized shirt. They’re the perfect summer jean and as I’m writing this I’m repurchasing them.”

Bella Hadid is another true queen of the casual jean / off-duty model look, and she’s gone full boyfriend jeans with this retro look above.

These Uniqlo Baggy Jeans ($59.95) totally fit the bill, being low rise, faded denim and a loose fit all the way down to the hem. If you’re into the super baggy look, these jeans would work on any body type with the right styling.

If you’re tall and slender, you could wear these with a slim-fit cropped shirt like Hadid, while if you’re more curvy, these would look great with a menswear-inspired shirt over a tight tank.

Zara also does really great relaxed jeans. Theirs have that comfy fit but are also tailored to suit different body types.

These Z1975 HIGH-RISE STRAIGHT JEANS ($69.95) are on the more tailored end, which means you aren’t limited to just a casual look with this style. You could pair it with heels and a crop, or an oversized double denim vibe with runners.

My colleague and POPSUGAR Australia’s lifestyle editor, Sangeeta, can vouch for Zara’s jeans.

“They tick all my boxes,” she says. “They always have the best fits and washes and look expensive, but are actually super affordable.”