Recently in Denim Category

I was at the Gap over the weekend... I hardly ever go there, I'm not sure why.  I guess I think it's too cheap.  Well slap my hand, I found a great pair of jeans!

It seems like every brand is doing white denim this season so when I saw Gap's skinny cropped jeans ($69.50) in white I tried them on right away!  Well, not exactly "right away", they had to take the last pair of size 0s off the mannequin.


The fit was perfect, and they were 25% off... and then I got an extra 20% off because there was a bit of dirt on the leg probably from when they were putting them on/off the mannequin....so they ended up $40-something, crazy!!!

They look quite good with these Gucci sandals from my shoe archive (Summer 08).
  The only problem with white jeans is that you generally feel terrified to sit down anywhere in case it's not clean!

Good news for New York fashionistas... Rock & Republic is having their first ever NYC warehouse sale starting on Friday!

BR has introduced a new denim collection with better fits and more washes.

I have never found BR denim to fit that well, so it will be interesting to see if these do indeed fit better.  It's kind of funny about the fit of the women's jeans because I know a lot of guys who love BR jeans.  Now they have a 00 which is good because I always found their sizes to run large.  Maybe the 00 is like a normal 0?

They are also having a big sale now... up to 40% off, browse here. They were pretty aggressive with coupons through the holiday season so the 40% off does't seem like that big a deal, but still a sale is a sale! Always good if you find something you like!

This morning as I was putting on my J. Crew toothpick jeans, I was thinking about one of my very first Flairvoyant posts, "Skinny Jeans: Approach with Caution", written on July 11, 2006... I actually said, "Personally, I think they look pretty dumb even on skinny people".... wow, how things change... how seeing something over, and over, and over changes your perception...

J. Crew Ankle Stretch Toothpick Jean in twilight wash, $125 

I definitely still think large people should not wear this look. That may seem mean, but we all should wear things that are flattering... To me, that is common sense and a lot of what fashion is about... I mean, really, fashion is about looking good, right?

Anyway, these toothpick jeans are the most narrow ones I have now, and putting them on reminded me of 8th grade when tapered jeans (that's what they called them back then) were in style - - I actually sewed a pair of jeans super, super narrow because you couldn't buy them like that.  (I had my own sewing machine, pretty cool, right?)

PS - I did retract my dislike of skinny jean on Sept. 26, 2006 (see entry)... so I havn't been that slow.

"THE $300 pair of designer jeans is now, courtesy of the recession, the $200 pair of designer jeans."

- exceprt from Preshrunk Prices by Eric Wilson, NY Times Style Section about premium denim prices coming back down from stratospheric.

 

This looks fun, too bad I don't really need another pair of jeans...

Madewell has some great denim, and much more reasonably priced than the top brands...

This past weekend I was walking around my wonderful UES neighborhood (70s, Third Ave.) and I passed these super cool shorts in the window of Anik (1355 Third Ave.) so I went in to check them out. 

They were the AG Ex-Boyfriend Jean Shorts with 17 year distressed finish. ($185)

They had run out of most sizes, they only had 27 and these run really big...  But the shorts are amazing.

They had smaller sizes of the same but in the cropped length (AG Ex-Boyfriend Cropped, $225).  Unfortunately I didn't like the way they looked on me.  There was too much bunching of fabric in the front... kind of that frumpy Katie Holmes look she sported around New York last late Summer. 

Below, I think they look best on Vanessa (although she should lose the cap).

What's the deal with Madewell 1937, it seems like they just came out of nowhere and became this cool brand... how could they have been around since 1937 if no one's ever heard of them until, like, this year year? 

Okay so I did some google-ing and found out that J. Crew launched Madewell actually back in 2006 to attract a younger demographic than J. Crew, and sell at slightly lower price points.  The first store was opened in Dallas in Aug. 2006. As per the 2006 press release, "[Madewell is] inspired by the New Bedford, MA workwear company founded in 1937, Madewell is a collection of real, honest women's clothes that speak for themselves: not too trendy, not too girly, just cool clothes infused with a modern upbeat attitude. It's an edgy take on casual with a few vintage details and a modern twist." Mickey Drexler had acquired the rights to the name before he joined J. Crew in 2003. They now have 13 Madewell stores and intend to add online shopping in 2010.  Right now their website just has info and lookbooks, and you can order from an 800 number. They don't even have a catalog.  I've been getting emails from them starting this year... I wonder why J. Crew was so slow to leverage their J. Crew database?  Anyway, mystery solved.  It's interesting to see how brands develop...

I really need to go down to their Soho store (486 Broadway at Broome St.) and check everything out.

I like the shredded up Ex-Boyfriend Jeans in Smoked Wash, $95.

Wow, this makes me feel old.  Remember little Hermione... going back to the first Harry Potter movie (2001)... well now Emma is 19 and is getting great gigs like being the face of Burberry!  Not too shabby!

She looks fabulous in the new ads shot by Mario Testino.

 And while on the Burberry topic, they have a whole selection of denim now.  Maybe I'm a little behind, but I hadn't realized that. The prices are pretty reasonable too, most are $225 which is about what you'd pay for the average designer jean.

We're seeing white jeans all over the place for Spring '09.  What do you think? Hideous or Fabulous?  You remember how your Mom always said white clothes make you look bigger? Mabye I just can't get that out of my head.  Anyway how "big" can a size 0 look?

These do look pretty cool: J Brand Low Rise Slouchy Cigarette Jeans, $209.

These particular jeans (above) are on Bloomingdale's "Lust List", the Spring must-haves as per their fashion office staff.

J. Crew is showing at least 4 different kinds of white jeans: matchstick, cropped, bootcut, high heel flare, etc.

You just can't get away from the "boyfriend" trend this Spring. Maybe it's Katie Holmes' fault since she was photographed in New York many times last Fall wearing the look ... But since then this "boyfriend" jeans/jacket/cardigan etc. etc. look has been popping up everywhere... Reece Witherspoon, SJP, Jennifer Anison, even Victoria Beckham.

Here's a shot from Bloomingdale's "Springs Best Trends" mailer.

I think the jeans: Yes and jacket: No. The jacket they're showing above isn't as stupid and 80s looking at most examples.  The jeans need to be worn correctly, however.  Like above with really cool shoes, I don't recommend the Katie look (flat sandals or ballet flats, and rolled up just to the ankle). I really don't care if they are Lanvin flats, it just doesn't look good.

I like the way J Crew shows them.

(This is their Distressed Vintage Slim Jean in Antique Destroyed Wash, $148.)

Poor Katie, she never seems to be able to get her fashion quite right.  You can see more pictures of this outfit here.  This outfit has potential, but in typical Holmes fashion it looks off.  She's a not a fat girl (at all), and is so lucky to be tall - - but she seems to have unfortuantely shaped legs that often look chunky and sausage-ish.

 

 

Apparently, they were on their way to dinner at Nobu.

Anyway, regarding the outfit.

Instead of the shiny leggings, I would do some cool black skinny jeans, like these Unknown Factory Skinny Jeans in a black wax finish, $198.

I like the slouchy cardigan sweater in a gray, but not that one.  It's too bulky and not quite the right length. This one (Joie Cashmere Blend Cardigan, sale $135.90) is not quite what I have a vision of (too long), but almost at least.  Banana had a good one in merino wool, but they're all out.

For the shirt, I'd wear a tank top instead of a collared shirt.

For the shoes, I'd prefer a more classic cut.  When wearing pants, I think the heel should go straight down (not in and down) for a better line and overall aesthetic.  (see 2nd small picture above of Katie's shoe)  I would do something like this gorgeous Valentino pump, $595, sale $295. 

The black scarf is fine.  I have one by Chaiken and Capone that I got from bluefly years ago, that would work quite well.

I think Katie should hire a stylist this year.  She can be so pretty... it's a shame to see her looking so frumpy, which she has been, pretty much the whole time they've been here in New York...

So, I FINALLY found a pair of True Religion jeans that I like (on me)!  I don't know why it was so hard, I've seen plenty of people much larger than I am wearing them, out and about... but over the years I'd tried on many pairs and just always felt like they somehow made my legs look like sausages.  (yes, allbeit size 0 sausages, still not good!)

So I tried on the Becky cut, $196 and I like them!  I think they will look even better after they break in a little.  They have a lot of stretch so I'm not really sure if they will "break in" as much as many jeans do. Does anyone know about this? Leave me a comment!  Anyway, I'm so glad I finally found them.  I didn't feel like my jeans collection was complete without a pair of True Religion!

Oh, and today is the first day of Fall. Happy Fall everyone. I love it, it's the best season of the year for fashion, I think...

I find myself having to retract my skepticism of the skinny jean trend... because (good grief) I have bought some!  I am shocked myself.  I've been curious for weeks to try some on because now nearly everyone is wearing this trend.  I guess it's been growing on me.  So I was at the Gap this past weekend and I tried on their 1969 Skinny Fit in dark rinsed denim.  (see picture)  And surprisingly enough, I found the proportions to be interesting.  I will not wear these with flats as the Gap model is.  I think the line looks great with a chunky high heel pump, much like the style Gucci has been doing for at least 3 years now.  Or you can tuck them into a pair of tall boots.  Also this look works with the layering looks that they are showing for Fall.  I mean that for people who have nothing to "hide" too.  Lots of skinny mini types are wearing the layering look and it's certainly not to hide a flaw.  I think a nice textured big sweater and chunky heels will create a nice look.  Anyway, my skinny jeans are at the tailor right now being hemmed.  I'll report back after I wear them.  :-)

We all know that Hollywood hipster types have been wearing skinny jeans for quite a while now... Cameron Diaz, Sienna Miller, Nicole Ritchie, Hilary Duff etc...  and now skinny jeans are at retail virtually everywhere.  My advice is PLEASE, approach with caution! 

Skinny jeans should be worn only by super skinny people with small butts... sorry rest of the world.  Skinny jeans put a focus on your lower legs and ankles - if the top of your legs and butt are large this contrast is just not going to look good.  Personally, I think they look pretty dumb even on skinny people. 

I am sure that 99% percent of fashionistas will disagree with me about skinny jeans.  People are always looking for a look that is new - and skinny jeans are - we haven't seen tapered jeans since the 80s.  Perhaps it is easier for younger people to adopt the style because their fashion history reference points don't really go back that far.  I guess I'm just an old fogey.

If you must wear skinny jeans, they can look cool tucked into a killer boot.  For the non-super skinny who must wear them, it's probably good to pair them with a tunic style top which are pretty popular now anyway.