Kendall Jenner Has Mastered the Art of the “Non-Fashion” Fashion Jean

Yesterday in New York City, Kendall Jenner stepped out in a simple, no-fuss look: a black turtleneck, a cropped white zip-up jacket by Magda Butrym, and a pair of black square-toe boots. Under her arm was a pint-size Gucci monogrammed shoulder bag. But the standout item here was Jenner’s high-waisted, light-wash jeans. So what makes this pant, the most unassuming component of a classic supermodel’s wardrobe, so special? The secret sauce denim is typically a confident light wash that hugs the body, meaning everything is on display. The jean is high-cut but not quite a mom jean silhouette: It is hiked up just enough to skim the waist and reveal a sliver of navel. The cut includes a perfectly proportioned space between cuff and heel that shows a healthy slice of ankle.

Jenner is far from the first to wear the supermodel-friendly pants. Back in the day, Elle Macpherson loved the jean, wearing it casually with teeny T-shirts and dressing it up with preppy blazers. Naomi Campbell also wore a button-fly version back in 1996 at the opening of the now-defunct “Fashion Cafe.” Cindy Crawford also sported a pair while traveling, typically with a thick belt — a look Crawford’s daughter Kaia Gerber has more recently made her own.

Jenner wears the easy denim at a time when most models are stepping out in flashy, paparazzi-aware looks. (Of course, Jenner flexes her outré fashion chops, too.) But the tried-and-true jean is the mark of veteran supermodel. It says, “No bells and whistles needed here!” (Look to Gisele Bündchen’s repeated, low-key denim looks that still make an impact So, slip into something more comfortable, like a no-frills jean—it’s supermodel-approved.

Originally Appeared on Vogue