Posts tagged denim

Upgrade Your Denim For 2012

I spent the last week of 2011 cleaning out my closet for the new year. I sold a couple of pieces to Crossroads, then donated the rest.  I’m a sucker for denim, so I usually hold on to many pairs of jeans, even if I only wear them 4 times a year. But this year, I decided to grow up, and move on from these older jeans to make room for newer styles, and better quality basics.

For 2012, I’ve decided to keep only the basic denim silhouettes and styles already in my closet. This includes a couple solid pairs of skinnies and many flare legged pants (I love this look). I’m also going to stop buying cheap, trendy jeans that I’m not totally in love with and start saving up for more practical, well-fitting designer jeans. With all the January sales going on now, it’s actually a sensible time to buy new replacement jeans; ones I will look forward to wearing non-stop.

Below is a short “Upgrade Your Denim For 2012 Guide.”

Upgrade your denim in 2012From left to right:

  • Upgrade your everyday skinny denim to the perfect shade of dark denim for 2012.
  • Switch from colored jeans, and khaki color jeans to the hot 2012 color “smokey quartz.”
  • Find the prefect high-waisted flare leg pants. These will dress up any otherwise casual looking outfit and make it perfect for evening.
  • Swap out your black jeans for blacked waxed denim for a bit of pizzazz.
  • Many sources, including MTV Fora indicate that printed pants are here to stay. Upgrade your printed denim to a print that is timeless, like animal print.

 

Making Body Music by DJ Daito Manabe for dENiZEN

Denizen, an off-shoot of Levi’s, worked with Japanese electronic engineer DJ Daito Manabe to produce this video showcasing his magical music machine which produces sounds based on body movement. Levi’s Strauss & Co. explain more:

On his latest project with dENiZEN™, he is making music with the movements of the human body. Working with celebrity choreographer Mikiko Mizuno and some of Japan’s top hip-hop dancers, Daito designed unique sounds for each dancer’s unique personality and dance style. Together, the dancers created music that truly moved to their own beat.

Blue Jean Baby

Lately I’ve been drawn to gorgeous lightweight fabrics and whimsical prints, but when it comes to actually buying clothes, I tend to stick to the basics.  Maybe it’s the Midwest in me, but I’m definitely a jeans and t-shirt type of gal.  There’s nothing better than finding the perfect jeans and wearing them to pieces!

It’s no secret that this Spring the 70’s are re-introducing themselves.  We’re seeing fragments of the bohemian era almost everywhere in fashion, from full skirts and this seasons most sought-after trend: bell bottom jeans.

Hopefully with the new styles and silhouettes, denim shopping will get a little more exciting.

photo: Mr. Newton

Nasty Gal

One Teaspoon

Nasty Gal

Nasty Gal

Like I said, I love my jeans, so I thought I’d give the bell bottom trend a try.  I’ve found a couple brands that I absolutely love.  GAP Vintage Flare denim (kinda a classic and very affordable), GAP also carries flare leg denim in darker washes.  And my absolute favorite pair of bell bottom-y jeans are the Earnest Sewn Lau denim.  These are a little more expensive, a little dressier and make your legs look long and lean (especially if you wear these jeans with heels).

Divine Rights of Denim exclusively at Forever 21

image of Divine Right of Denim for forever21

Divine Right of Denim may not be considered a premium denim brand to everyone, their jeans range between $75-$100 (expensive? Meh). I think we all can agree that brand seems a bit expensive and out of place for Forever 21, right?

Wrong, as of October 1, 2010 Divine Rights of Denim is selling a maiden collection exclusively at the thousands of Forever 21’s around the globe. The kicker is that this ‘maiden’ collection at Forever 21 retails for only $30 a pair. The collection is rather limited, only featuring three silhouette; skinny, straight, and (of course) jeggings. Each silhouette is sold in a variety of washes.

The brand claims that the quality of the $30 denim at Forever 21 has not been compromised. If this is so, then I think all of us Divine Right of Denim wearing girls have been ripped off (paying $100 a pop) for years. It’s frustrating isn’t it. It seems that as soon as brands hit their climax, they get into this crazy vertical segmentation crap and instantly lose their cool factor with the early adopters. Ladies, we can never stay ahead of the masses these days.

So, I guess if you’re looking for great denim at a bargain you should run off to your local Forever 21 for Divine Rights of Denim. If you buy anything from the collection, please let me know if the quality is that of ‘premium denim’.

The Denim Shirt

Let’s be honest: when does denim ever lose its charm?  From jean shorts to jean jackets to jean skirts to the classic pair of jeans, one cannot go wrong with denim.  Denim has become a staple in every closet, and no matter what, it will forever hold its place in the fashion industry.  In particular, it’s the denim shirt that has most recently hit the fashion scene, and it’s versatility is undeniable.  It has the perfect touch of both masculinity and femininity, and while this staple is by no means progressive, there’s something fresh about the way it’s being worn.  One can wear it in so many ways!  Firstly, try it in its looser form as a jacket with either a thin cardigan underneath or a simple tank.  Or sport it a tad tighter, wearing it as a shirt either tucked into some tailored pants or tied at the waist with a form-fitting black skirt.  Or even, follow Fall’s fashion trend of denim on denim, wearing it with a pair of straight leg, boyfriend, or flared jeans.  Whichever you prefer, the denim shirt is a must-have!

Diane Kruger

Ashley Olsen

Street Style

Kate Bosworth via Denim Blog

Whether you’re looking for a more economical denim shirt or you’re up for spending some money on a designer label, see the list below of where to find the perfect denim shirt.

1. Elizabeth and James Cohen Cotton Buttoned-Back Shirt: $225

2. J Crew Selvege Chambray Shirt: $98

3. Current/Elliot The Perfect Shirt: $295

4. Banana Republic Chambray Work Shirt: $69.50

5. Forever 21 Studded Chambray Shirt: $10.99

6. byCORPUS Chambray Button-Down: $58

Will Skinnies Become Obsolete?

Skinny jeans have become a denim phenomenon to hit the fashion industry.  Skinny or tapered jeans were popularized by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, and more.  Five decades later, the style has become the standard of denim, with people of all shapes, sizes, and preferences sporting these jeans.  They’ve been a favorite hit among hipsters, indie rockers, women and men of all ages, children, etc.  In addition to the range of fans, the particular style has proven to be incredibly versatile.  Whether one is tucking them into boots, wearing them under dresses or with long blouses, or indulging in jeggings, one cannot possibly refute the power of these jeans.  In fact, nearly every well-known denim designer has designed an array of skinnies: black, white, leopard, zippered, lace, you name it!  And nearly every retail establishment that carries denim has at least one style of the skinny jean.

image of Sienna Miller in Jean Leggings

Sienna Miller in Current Elliot Jeggings

image of closed denim

Close Denim Spring/Summer 2010

Kate Moss in Topshop denim

Kate Moss Topshop jeans

While this particular style remains hot, there’s some undeniable competition with other denim styles: wide leg, boyfriend, straight leg, etc.  In speaking with several fashionistas, including a hip designer for a renowned denim line, they’ve all agreed–“We’re bored with skinnies!”  Just as trends come and go, one definitely wonders, “Will skinnies last?  If so, for how long?” While I have been a fairly strong advocate for the dissemination of the skinny jean–I did work for a denim designer after all–I have always questioned this particular style, like many trends.  I, too, have wondered if the novelty will wear off.

In all honesty, there’s something refreshing about seeing someone sport a pair of comfortable, worn-in, unglamorous jeans.

Baby Gap Makes Skinny Jeans

I was watching the Colbert Report the other night, and Steven had a little segment about skinny jeans…mainly that Baby Gap has introduced a line of skinny jeans for toddler girls. At first I was thinking this is crazy stupid, and what next, a line of thong undies at Baby Gap Body? Back to the skinny jeans, I mean toddlers don’t have nice enough legs to be wearing tight jeans (no offense toddlers). Secondly, skinny jeans would really restrict toddlers movement, right? Then I thought about the alternatives in kids fashion, and though I’ve covered a few attractive children’s collections on Style Bust, but good kids fashion is like finding a needle in a haystack – and it really shouldn’t be this way.

So I fully support baby Gaps decision to produce skinny jeans for girl toddlers. I would just recommend that the mommy’s out there buy the jeans one size too large, that way the girls first get to rock the hip-hop look (also get them some Dunks to pair with the jeans to complete this hip-hop look), then, once the pants get a little tighter you can pair the pants with wedges (not! I’m totally against girl toddlers wearing any type of heels, ew! and baby high heels…don’t even go there).

image of Baby Gap Skinny Jeans Fall 2010

Denim Days

I’m a huge fan of wearing denim on top…especially in the form of a chambray/denim button down shirt.  There are a lot of ways to style this denim-on-top trend without making it look like you’re wearing a Canadian Tuxedo!

Below is 1 top, styled 4 different ways (with a high-end look and a low-end look from Forever21)…so you can see how easy it is to wear your denim shirt for practically any occasion (whether you’re going out for the evening or just running errands)!

Get a similar (cheaper) look here from Forever21.

Check out the Forever21 version of this outfit here.

Here is a similar look from Forever21.

Click here to see a version of this look from Forever21.

As you can see, wearing a denim button down is simple and it’s an All-American classic (I don’t care what they say about the Canadian Tuxedo…I think it originated here)!

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