Catherine Ryu’s denim styling tips

Denim is practically our second skin. So it’s crucial we feel — and look — amazing in our trusty daily uniform. When we met Citizens of Humanity Creative Director Catherine Ryu recently, the petite designer looked so graceful in her slouchy, boyish jeans that we had to get her tips on buying and rocking our next pair.

Cuff or roll
“If you’re on the petite side and you’re wearing boyfriend jeans or something looser, roll them up,” says Ryu . It’s the 5-foot-2 designer’s go-to styling trick. “When jeans are shorter, they just make you look taller,” she says. Ryu suggests rolling pants up to ankle-length, so that a little skin shows.

Beyond skinnies
Switch up your jean game with ’70s flares — which are making a huge comeback, says Ryu . “Pair them with a scoop-neck top or a fitted button down, tucked in, for effortless style,” she adds. The new pair she’s loving: The Fleetwood, a high-rise flare. “High-rise flares give you the illusion of mile-long legs.”

Room for seconds
You know those slightly baggier jeans you save for lazy Sundays? Add them to your daily rotation. “Slimmer boyfriend fits have been on trend the past few seasons,” says Ryu . “We’re seeing the silhouette moving away from the body toward a slightly looser fit.” The designer loves wearing hers with a T-shirt and an army jacket. But she says: “Add a pair of heels to off-set the tomboy vibes.”

Play with size
​“If the fit is good and there is stretch in the fabric, you can go up or down two sizes,” says Ryu . This rule especially applies to boyfriend fits. “They often run on the bigger side, so size down for a trimmer look.”

Denim evening wear
Long gone are the days where you’re considered underdressed for showing up to a party in jeans. “Dark washes especially make a great alternative evening look,” says Ryu. She loves the brand’s Rocket fit in Axel, which is a high-rise skinny in super-stretch black fabric. “The Rocket is like a girdle — slimming and flattering for most body types,” she says. And if you want to be a real scene-stealer, Ryu says to throw on some heels with overalls — in which case, we’ll see you by the hor d’oeuvres.