Between one serve and the next, the stands of the US Open delivered a style lesson worthy of center court, and it came from Ines de Ramon in a pair of split-hem jeans. Her look carried the glow of a legendary photograph, the one Patrick Lichfield took on a Marrakech rooftop in 1969, where Talitha Getty lounges in a kaftan while the city blazes behind her, an image that has fueled bohemian daydreams for more than half a century. That spirit has a lovely habit of drifting back into our wardrobes with the patience of a tide, and this season the tide has brought in the little slit at the ankle. Split hems enjoyed their first moment in the mid-2010s and seemed destined to live on in old Instagram grids, until one afternoon in Flushing Meadows gave them a brand-new match point.
The Look That Changed Our Minds
The jewelry executive, who has become one of the most quietly stylish names on the red carpet since stepping out alongside Brad Pitt, was photographed in the stands earlier this month in a high-waisted pair of split-hem jeans. She paired them with a floral-embroidered blouse and wooden platform heels, a boho-chic mix that felt effortlessly fresh for the new season. The magic lies in that small opening at the hem, which lengthens the leg and lets your shoes steal a little of the spotlight with every step. Paired with the romantic blouse, the denim looked polished and relaxed at once, with just enough Seventies charm to keep things playful.
How to Wear Split-Hem Jeans All Fall Long
Split-hem jeans may drift in and out of the fashion cycle, yet they prove as versatile as a classic straight leg. For evenings, follow Ines’s lead and let a platform or a sleek heel peek through the slit, adding a silky blouse or a slim knit for dinner-date polish. During the week, slim sneakers keep things easygoing, while ruched loafers bring a touch of vintage charm to the office. Ballet flats make a sweet match too, especially when the hem grazes the ankle and reveals just a flash of skin. Top it all with a cropped leather jacket once the temperatures drop, and the denim will carry you gracefully into the heart of autumn. Talitha, one suspects, would have approved, since the best bohemian pieces always know how to find their way home.
