Styled by Kristen Taekman: 5 Fall Outfits Built on Jeans That Fit

Styled by Kristen Taekman is NYDJ's fall 2026 collaboration with TV personality and model Kristen Taekman. She styled five outfits around NYDJ jeans and pants, pairing authentic blue denim and faux leather with cashmere, crisp poplin and soft knits. The formula: start with a great pair of jeans, then keep everything else simple. Here's each look, why it works, and where to shop it.

Quick facts

• What it is: a fall 2026 NYDJ lookbook and shoppable edit styled by Kristen Taekman (@kristentaekman)

• The five looks: Sophistication Made Simple, It's All in the Mix, Cashmere Is a Green Flag, Stripes Are Timeless, and Easy Does It

• Featured fits: Ami Skinny, Sheri Slim Straight, Mia Palazzo and the new Kasey Stovepipe jeans, plus the Faux Leather Marilyn Straight pant

• Where to shop: the Styled by Kristen Taekman collection and the full lookbook

Who is Kristen Taekman?

Kristen Taekman is a TV personality and model with more than 30 years in fashion, best known for starring in The Real Housewives of New York City. She's also a busy mom, and her style shows it: polished, comfortable and never fussy.

She puts it simply: "Life is busy, and I wanted this collection to reflect that. As a mom who's always on the go, I need clothes that feel polished without trying too hard."

That's why the partnership fits. NYDJ has spent more than two decades designing denim around real women's bodies, and Kristen knows the power of a great pair of jeans, from TV screens to street style.

Styled by Kristen Taekman: The 5 Looks

Kristen's outfit philosophy runs through every look: "To me, great style is about feeling confident, comfortable and effortlessly put together—no matter what the day has in store."

1. Sophistication Made Simple

A crisp poplin shirt and authentic blue jeans. It's Kristen's favorite classic pairing, and proof that two pieces can make a whole outfit.

The Ami Skinny Jeans give a second-skin fit with stretch, and the Lift Tuck® panel keeps the front smooth under a tucked shirt. The Daphne Shirt is 100% cotton poplin with tailored details, so it stays crisp all day. Tuck it fully for the office, or half-tuck and roll the sleeves for the weekend.

2. It's All in the Mix

Kristen topped our bestselling faux leather pant with a ribbed henley. All black reads sleek and streamlined, while the mixed textures add dimension.

The Faux Leather Marilyn Straight Pants are cut on NYDJ's bestselling Marilyn shape in stretch faux leather with Sculpt-Her compression. The Emery Ribbed Henley is a soft viscose-cotton rib that catches light differently than the pant. For evening, swap in the Chelsea Blouse, a relaxed black crewneck with slim cuffs.

Tonal black only looks flat when every fabric matches. Matte rib against faux leather gives the eye somewhere to land.

3. Cashmere Is a Green Flag

Bold color commands attention in Kristen's high-contrast styling of luxe cashmere and palazzo jeans.

The Cashmere Essential Turtleneck in Fern brings the color. The Mia Palazzo Jeans bring the volume, with super-flared legs and a high rise in a dark rinse. Want a softer contrast? The same turtleneck comes in Ivory.

Let the sweater end near the waistband. That way the palazzo leg starts at your waist and the proportions stay long.

4. Stripes Are Timeless

A Breton striped sweater and high-rise slim denim always look current. "These are the pieces you'll reach for again and again," says Kristen.

The Striped Cashmere Crewneck has a relaxed fit that drapes over the waistband instead of clinging. Underneath, the Sheri Slim Straight Jeans in Blue Rinse sit between skinny and straight, with a high rise and Lift Tuck®. Prefer a solid? Try the Cashmere Essential Crewneck in Diamond Blue.

5. Easy Does It

Relaxed and refined: a soft turtleneck paired by Kristen with our new stovepipe denim fit.

The Kasey Stovepipe Jeans are new this season. They have a super-high rise and a slim, straight leg, so if you love the Marilyn Straight, this is its longer-lined sibling. Kristen wears two washes: Aster and Joaquin. Pair either with the Cashmere Essential Turtleneck in Ivory.

More from the edit: the velveteen Bethany Blazer, the burnout velvet Bonnie Blouse, the Teresa Wide Leg Jeans in Dark Stone, the red corduroy Brooklyn Bootcut Pants and the Denim Jacket in Sea Holly.

Why These Outfits Work: The Fit Underneath

Every look starts from the bottom up, because the jean or pant sets the proportions for everything else.

The rise does the heavy lifting. The Sheri and Mia sit high on the waist, and the Kasey goes higher still. A higher rise means a tucked shirt stays smooth and a sweater can end right at the waistband.

Lift Tuck® keeps the front smooth. All four jeans in Kristen's looks (Ami, Sheri, Mia and Kasey) are built with NYDJ's criss-cross Lift Tuck® panel. It smooths the front and lifts from behind, so a fitted or tucked top doesn't need a long layer over it.

The fabrics recover. The Sheri in Elm uses Sure Stretch® denim, which bounces back after you sit, so there's no saggy knee by 4pm. The faux leather pant uses Sculpt-Her compression for the same reason.

If you're between cuts, start with our Marilyn Straight Jeans or Women's Wide Leg Jeans, the two shapes Kristen's looks build on most.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Styled by Kristen Taekman?

Styled by Kristen Taekman is NYDJ's fall 2026 collaboration with TV personality and model Kristen Taekman, best known from The Real Housewives of New York City. She styled five outfits built on NYDJ jeans and pants, paired with cashmere, poplin and knits. Every piece is shoppable in one collection on nydj.com.

What NYDJ jeans does Kristen Taekman wear?

Kristen's looks feature the Ami Skinny, Sheri Slim Straight, Mia Palazzo and new Kasey Stovepipe jeans, plus the Faux Leather Marilyn Straight Pants. All four jeans include NYDJ's Lift Tuck® panel, and the Sheri, Mia and Kasey sit high or super-high on the waist.

How do you style palazzo jeans?

Keep the top close to the waist, either tucked or ending at the waistband, so the wide leg starts at your natural waist. Kristen pairs the high-rise Mia Palazzo Jeans with a fern-green cashmere turtleneck for bold contrast. A heeled boot or platform keeps the hem off the ground.

What top goes with faux leather pants?

A textured knit is the easiest match. Kristen pairs black Faux Leather Marilyn Straight Pants with a black ribbed henley, so the rib and the leather add dimension to an all-black look. For evening, a relaxed black blouse like the Chelsea works the same way.

Is the Styled by Kristen Taekman collection available in petite and plus sizes?

Many pieces are. The Ami Skinny and Kasey Stovepipe jeans also come in petite, the Mia Palazzo in plus, and the Faux Leather Marilyn Straight Pants in both. Check each product page for the size range in your preferred wash.

Shop the Edit

Kristen's take on style is about feeling confident and comfortable, whatever the day brings. Start with jeans that fit, then keep the rest simple. The right rise and the right fabric do more for an outfit than any trend.

Explore the full Styled by Kristen Taekman collection and find the look that feels most like you.