If you have access to internet, be it dial-up or 5G (is that the thing people use now?), then you’ve likely heard about the feud between Gen Z and Millenials (mostly millennial moms, lets be real) regarding side parts and skinny jeans. And while this ridiculous battle took a heavy turn this week, leading to deep-rooted mom problems and conversations, I’m here to keep it light and dissect the happenings on this topic and my approach to both sides–Lyric style.

Whether you have any idea what I’m talking about or not need not matter, because I’m really just here to talk about denim, and if you know anything about me you know this is a topic I could go on about for hours. Truly. Discussing side parts and middle parts isn’t exactly my dream convo, but hair completes the outfit so let’s stay focused on the picture as a whole.

Truth be told, I don’t really care which side you stand on, or whether you vibe with your kids style, your grandmas style, or sit happily in the middle with a button-up cardigan and skin tight leather pants…I’m here to break down how to wear, where to wear, and why to wear these particular items and on what body types, ages, etc. Let’s just get to the juice, shall we.

THE WIDE VIBE: There is always a time and place for switching up your denim look; be it a country concert, a mannequin at Urban Outfitters, or just a trip to the early 2000’s (J/K Gen Zer’s, that’s just my mom side showing). Creative denim cuts have a strong place in my heart, when managed properly. READ THAT AGAIN. If you search current retailers content you’ll find droves of wide leg, extra wide leg, mom jeans, dad jeans, straight leg jeans, paperbag jeans…the list goes on (many of which bring me back to the days of JNCO jeans *shiver*), but nonetheless–skinny jeans pretty much cease to exist for retailers with target markets under 30 years of age. And while I’m 100% here for anyone marching to the beat of their own styling drum, I can’t help but notice how…unkempt? it all looks. It’s like a giant Burning Man orgy all smooshed into an outfit; colors, patches, zippers, no symmetry, no couth. My point is this: wide, slouch, boot, mom, dad, high waist, low waist, no waist, and the like, do best when paired with feminine details that showcase your favorite attributes of your body. If you don’t want denim suffocating your bottom half, I appreciate it, but you’ve got to add subtle details to balance out the look and prevent from creating a boxy, unfinished, Kanye West runway nightmare. Hint: don’t be afraid of a little color, a low cut top, a sky-high heel…make it fun and creative, but with a touch of sex. What does that actually look like, you ask? Here we go…

SKINNY’S FOREVER: And if you are a ride or die, skinny jeans to the end kinda person then fear not. There’s a few ways to freshen up your old-faithful look without completely stepping outside of comfort zones. The key to success when rocking true skinny jeans (a leg shaping, ankle gripping, drop a size or two denim cut) is finding balance in the look. With such a loud design the upper half should be minimal–no not less fun, but rather neutral, quieter options to maintain uniformity. Throw on a leather jacket to add interest without volume, a neutral but tall heel/boot, even an oversized tee and some layered necklaces can break up the bore of this long-standing denim look. The goal is to be updated but classic, think Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

As mentioned, this debate didn’t end with skinny jeans vs wide leg, no no, it continued with side parts and middles part and something to do with JTT…but we’ll save that blog post for another day. And while I’m really not here to pretend I’m a beautician, I AMMMM here to provide resources, information, and LOTS of opinions about how I can help amazing, creative, beautiful people dial in their great sense of style with tools they already have.

MIDDLE OF THE ROAD: FIIIIIINE Generation Z, I’ll give you this one. There really is something about a middle part that just feels classic and effortless. Like the days before we accosted our heads with heat and dyes and sprays, or that one time you got out of the ocean and your hair created the most perfect beach waves you’d ever seen and it’s never happened again since that day. Nobody else, just me? Regardless, it’s the classic of all classics and can be the perfectly uncomplicated topper to an outfit. Ideal for round faces, allowing the hair to flow across both sides of the face helping elongate it’s shape.

SIDEWAYS, ALWAYS: I don’t care what anyone says, a side part makes you feel instantly glam. Try it. Go on. Swoosh your hair over to one side and peak in a mirror–SEE. It’s a whole vibe. It elevates your entire upper half and can take a look from day to night as quickly as a brush of a comb and spritz of a product. What item in your closet can do that? Keep in mind the side part is ideal for diamond and square shaped faces, as it helps highlight the angles of the face.

Look, while I’m not sitting here saying one is better than the other on this topic, because truth be told I switch my part up probably once a week, no joke, and my denim collection is either completely impressive or completely gluttonous, I’m really not sure, I am here to say that you have every right to prefer one over the other and feel that one genuinely represents your personal style better than the other. Not to mention, it helps to note that refreshing your part is actually really good for your hair.

So I guess what I’m saying is this: lets agree to disagree on this whole Gen Z vs Millenial battle that really does nothing for anyone besides create animosity. Personal style has always and will always be about what makes you feel like your best self. So get the new cut of jeans or take the risk and flip that hair honey, because tomorrow is a new day and you have to live it however the hell makes you happiest.

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