Slim Kim skinny jean by Nudie Jeans Co.
$225 at ronherman.com
Showing posts with label denim. Show all posts
Showing posts with label denim. Show all posts
03 February 2008
11 November 2007
23 October 2007
Please don't denim the pencil
There are a select few wardrobe components that, in my opinion, are so utterly perfect in their current iteration that they have reached their style zenith.
In other words, they will not, shall not and cannot be improved upon.
The simple, unembellished black peep-toe, the fits-your-frame-just-right black sheath, the classic trench -- these items hold spots four, three and two, respectively, on my short list.
The one article of clothing that if it were up to me would be remembered and worn only in its simplest, blackest, formal-fabric-ed state, however, is the pencil skirt.
Don't bedazzle it, don't put pockets on it, don't give it an animal-print or weigh it down with chunky buttons.
And please, please don't denim it.
High-waisted or otherwise.
I've made my feelings known for non-jeans denim, and I understand my it's-a-fabric-of-last-resort view isn't universally - or even popularly - accepted. And I'm comfortable with that. Preferences and the strong expression thereof, after all, are healthy, not to mention a necessity for one writing a fashion blog.
Whether you agree with me or not that denim skirts are best left to those who attend rodeos and elementary school, can we at least come together in recognizing that a denim pencil skirt is not the same as its traditional, more professional black wool-crepe counterpart? And if we can align on that view, can we take it a step further and nod our heads in agreement that similar to jeans and a pair of black dress trousers, or a jean jacket and a suit coat, the wardrobe components that best complement each of these skirts are going to be different?
Yes? Good.
Then please help me relay that message to the woman I saw this afternoon on M Street between 19th and 20th who wore her no doubt J. Jill-purchased beauty with black pointy-toed pumps, a navy pinstripe blazer and an off-white silk shell.
07 August 2007
How to rock a pair of colored skinnies
tell me what you think about the colored skinny jeans for fall. i think you mentioned you bought a red pair? what will you wear with them? what kind of shirts does one wear with brightly colored skinny jeans? and will you wear them with heels? as a very short, in shape but not stick thin, girl i just had the courage to buy my first pair of skinnies, but they're in gunmetal grey. i wonder if the bright colors would not work on my short curvy size. oh, and i live in NY so it's a little easier to get away with things here.
Before I make any recommendations, I think it's important for everyone interested in investing in a pair of brightly colored skinny jeans to understand two immutable facts, the first of which is that no matter what you do up-top, this look will never be anything more formal than what I like to call, "edgy casual." Sure, there are gradations within this category, with a retro t-shirt and flats on one end of the spectrum, a classy-sexy blouse and stilettos on the other and Rachel Bilson's fringed-boot and transition-tee look (above, right) falling somewhere in the middle, but unless you work in a trendy hair salon, a bar, a contemporary clothing boutique or a very liberally-run Manhattan PR firm, you must come to terms with the fact that your skinny jeans, if red, blue, green, purple, teal, yellow, or even typically pedestrian white, will never grace your place of work during business hours.
The second point is the more contentious of the two and involves my oft-encouraged notion of honest body self-evaluation.
Dark trousers, whether they be wool, linen, corduroy or denim are everybody's best friend for the simple reason that they encumber both you and outsiders from being able to view below-the-belt imperfections. Cellulite? Paunch? Lumpy bum? No problem, just slip on the black pants or dark wash jeans and problem (relatively) solved.
Brightly colored skinny jeans are an entirely different story. By definition, the skinny style is meant to be tight -- not fitted, not sorta-snug, but tight. When you add in the dimension of shocking color, the tightness requirement leaps up a notch to painted-on tight. If left even a bit baggy, the hip look for which you were aiming falls squarely into "Is she wearing tapered jeans?" territory, which is every stylish young woman's Mom-jeans nightmare.
So, to the reader who in yesterday's "your-legs-aren't-that-good"-free-for-all left the above comment/question, if you're curvy in a Penelope Cruz kind of way, then yes, I'd say go for it all the way. If, however, you find yourself choosing skirts, shorts and pants based on how well they minimize the size of your thighs or bottom, I would step away from the colored skinny denim altogether. A person who wears bright purple or (ahem) bright red jeans is a person who invites reactions, and if you aren't completely confident in how you look in what are essentially a pair of super-tight leggings, then there's no need to indulge in this trend.
And now, onto the recommendations.
If your super-skinnies are bright, clearly, the best way to achieve a polished look is to temper the tightness and attention-grabbing color with waistline-blousey silhouettes in neutrals like these in nude, navy, black, white, black and white, muted metallic, ivory and grey. Or, as I have done in recent weeks, pair your denim with a neutral cowl-neck tunic and cinch it loosely with an understated wide belt. With a more casual, urban ensemble like Fergie's (above, middle), you can add other dashes of complementary color (I wouldn't recommend too much of this, but to each their own), but if you're goal is upmarket chic, I suggest the former.
As for shoes, anything goes. Well, not flip-flops, wedges or espadrilles, but only because I personally think they're unpleasant to look at. When I wear my red Rich & Skinnys, I gravitate toward sky-high and simple, both in style and color, but boots, pumps, sandals, flats, slim trainers -- they all have the potential to work well.
I'm usually loath to use the "confidence is your best accessory!" chestnut, but in this case, with jeans this bright and this tight, I will endorse that sentiment but with a slight amendment:
When wearing colored skinny jeans, confidence in how tight your ass is and how killer your legs look is not just your best but most necessary accessory.
24 July 2007
17 July 2007
14 July 2007
Last chance premium denim
The final throes of the Summer sales are upon us.
The best selection of sizes, colors and styles are nearing depletion.
The only category that hasn't been drained dry, it seems, is denim. Premium denim, to be specific.
If up to this point you've been hesitant to unload the better part of $200 on jeans, now's your chance. Here below are 12 drastically-reduced pairs in versatile washes, hip cuts and deliciously comfy fabrics.
Indulge!
Envy jean by Goldsign ($97.50 at shopbutante.com)
Scribble junky jean by Frankie B. ($121.80 at fashionchateau.com)
Pamela straight leg jean by Chip & Pepper ($132 at fashionchateau.com)
Coco jean by True Religion ($151 at revolveclothing.com)
Juno jean by Denim for Immortality ($99 at pinkmascara.com) 
Honey jean by Joe’s Jeans ($111.30 at pinkmascara.com)
Hellebora 02 by Notify Denim ($162 at activeendeavors.com)*
Ava 085 by Citizens of Humanity ($102 at activeendeavors.com)
Midrise pencil jean by J Brand ($112 at activeendeavors.com)
Sam jean by James Jeans ($98 at activeendeavors.com)*
RBW-7 by Rag and Bone:Women ($132 at activeendeavors.com)
Recessive gene tailored-fit sexy jean by Genetik Denim ($66 at shopbop.com)
*your editrix's top picks
13 June 2007
12 April 2007
Denim rejuvenation
"I've run into a serious dilemma: I need need need a trusty tailor in the DC or northern VA area. I'm petite, so I always get all of my jeans hemmed, but it is really crucial that they reattach the original hem (as opposed to just hacking them off ). I've had good luck at Nordstrom - they do a great job on this service and only charge $18, but they have a new policy and won't work on things not bought there.
I can't go to a super pricey place, unfortunately, because I'm a style-loving gal on a budget! Any recommendations?"
I can't go to a super pricey place, unfortunately, because I'm a style-loving gal on a budget! Any recommendations?"
Were this any other kind of tailoring query, I'd send you straight away without hesitation to my tried-and-true personal saviour Alicia (Lagos) at Imperial Valet, located at 1331 ConnAve (202.785.1444). Not only are her hands the only hands I trust to sew up the bustline of all my DVFs - something I highly recommend if your ladies fill a C-cup or above - but she's also been extraordinarily gracious and accommodating to me on the occasions I've popped in unannounced on a lunch break and politely pleaded as if my social life depended on it for her to perform that-day hemline raises on minidresses I didn't consider mini enough for a night of full-sensory indulgence on the Upper West Side.
"You like to show legs. I understand. You young, you should. I help," she would say to me.
And sure enough, four hours later, 5:30 on the dot, there my now-four-inches-shorter dress would be, hanging pristinely in sheet plastic with "you have fun for me" scrawled across a Post-it note stuck to the pink receipt.
Denim operations are in an entirely different league than simple hemline/neckline touch-ups, however, and since I've never seen Alicia's craftsmanship with this challenging fabric, I instead asked those DC girlfriends of mine whose first stop after The Denim Bar is the tailor and asked them to whom they entrusted their brand-new Earnest Sewns, Paiges and Genetics not only for the service you seek - proper hemming and hem-reattachment - but for what I like to call "denim rejuvenation" as well. One of the most emotionally challenging posts I've written to date was one that centered around the tragedy of a premature premium denim death. Whether due to your irresponsible overuse of the dryer or their poor-quality elasticity, it's a cold hard fact that even if you unload $200 on a pair of ultra-skinnies at Saks, that investment has the potential to give you a very temporary return. As one of my friend's explained to me, this can be avoided and your jeans' lifespan extended if you know the right someone who knows the right something when it comes to denim nips and tucks.
And surprisingly, in the DC/VA area, that someone was the same someone recommended to me by all three women. Even more surprising was who - and where - this someone was: Mrs. Kim at Kim's Custom Tailoring (703.415.2221) in the Pentagon City Mall. Yeah, the same Kim's Custom Tailoring located on the Food Court level next to Johnny Rockets and kitty-corner from Ruby Tuesday. Don't let its greasy surroundings, the throngs of disrespectful 8th graders sure to be loitering in its vicinity or Mrs. Kim's curt disposition deter you -- just focus on the flawless and "not too expensive" hem-reattachment you'll soon have in your possession.
Have more tailor recommendations? Please share with us!
02 April 2007
26 March 2007
Popping your premium denim cherry right
"You've inspired me! I am *thinking* of taking the premium denim plunge while taking advantage of the strong dollar/weak peso. There are a few brands down here that are marketed as premium denim, but I am not sure what actually classifies as 'premium' other than expensive. What should I be looking for? Should I take the skinny jean route?
You know my build, I'm a size 2-4 with a 26 inch waist, not much in the hips department, skinny runner legs and a small ass. While I don't have much to hide, I would prefer to look like I have a little more junk in my (almost curveless) trunk."
There comes a point in a woman's life when she recognizes the value - yes value - of investing in premium denim. For my Libertarian-'til-the-end friend, the inimitable Miss C, that day has finally arrived. The delay in losing your $180-jeans virginity, just as in the real thing, can be attributed to any number of different factors or combination thereof; primary among these are cost (15% rent equivalent), fear (premature deterioration) and a deep-seeded reluctance to admit you are, in fact, that girl.
Having only recently undergone the premium jeans transition myself, I understand and sympathize with all of these concerns. But like those panicky thoughts that ran through your head in the hours following your sophomore Homecoming dance, once you take the plunge and plunk down the hard-saved cash for that first pair of Sevens, Earnest Sewns or J Brand jeans, it's nothing but pleasure-filled Saturdays - or every day, if you're fortunate enough - for the rest of your life.
When it comes to specific brands for specific body types, there are reliable guidelines but very few hard and fast rules. With C's sample-size body type, she can pretty much have her choice of any cut and any brand. As slender and long
as her legs are, I'm going to recommend (surprise, surprise) she opt for a fairly low-waisted skinny pair. The low-waist will help balance her slightly shorter torso with her slightly longer pin length, and the skinny cut, in addition to still being very fashion-forward right now, is the best match for flats -- a footwear choice of which I know my friend has a loving penchant. As for brand, I'm going with Paige, because Paige's hallmark on the denim scene is their revolutionary booty-enhancing cut. The pair shown (front and back) is called 'Blue Heights skinny' and is available at Bop, Revolve, Neiman Marcus and countless other boutiques and department stores for approximately $170. My friend M, who is 5'11" in bare feet, hipless and also lacking in the Biel-tastic department, swears by her Paiges, and forcefully reminds me to recommend them to any other woman afflicted with the negative-bah'um syndrome.
as her legs are, I'm going to recommend (surprise, surprise) she opt for a fairly low-waisted skinny pair. The low-waist will help balance her slightly shorter torso with her slightly longer pin length, and the skinny cut, in addition to still being very fashion-forward right now, is the best match for flats -- a footwear choice of which I know my friend has a loving penchant. As for brand, I'm going with Paige, because Paige's hallmark on the denim scene is their revolutionary booty-enhancing cut. The pair shown (front and back) is called 'Blue Heights skinny' and is available at Bop, Revolve, Neiman Marcus and countless other boutiques and department stores for approximately $170. My friend M, who is 5'11" in bare feet, hipless and also lacking in the Biel-tastic department, swears by her Paiges, and forcefully reminds me to recommend them to any other woman afflicted with the negative-bah'um syndrome. I'm not sure which styles and brands to which C has access down there in sunny Buenos Aires, but I truly believe before any premium denim transaction is made - especially that first one - at least one or two all-day sessions in the dressing room doing nothing but trying on pair after pair after pair of jeans is required.
Just like when it comes to men, you don't want to settle down with the first guy who makes you smile. No, you want to wait and see if you can find that one who makes you smile *the most*, that one who has equal parts humility and arrogance, vulnerability and strength, that one who adores watching you do the things you love even though you know he'd rather be somewhere else, and that one who insists on walking on the outside of you and standing up whenever you leave a table.
Just like you wouldn't settle for someone who doesn't make you laugh, don't settle for a pair of jeans that don't make your ass look as J.Lo-worthy as you know it can be.
Keep looking, girls, always keep looking.
22 March 2007
Denim needs to stay below the belt.
I admit, there was a time in my life when I owned a denim button-up. Two, in fact. And they weren't just denim button-ups, they were special edition The Little Mermaid-embroidered denim button-ups -- one with Sebastian the crab and one with my favorite animated character of all-time, Ursula the sea witch.
There are plenty of wardrobe components I don't care for but recognize have a time and place and type of person for whom they will always be an outfit staple. Khakis are a perfect example of this. Tankinis, Tevas, wide-strapped bras, twinsets and five-inch lucite platform shoes also fit this bill.
Denim above the waist, however, does not. Ever. And this goes just as much if not more for men than it does for women. For all you male offenders out there, you have NO IDEA how much snickering - chortling, even - we girls have engaged in after you and your denim-on-denim ensembles have left a room. Apart from strappy man-sandals, bad teeth, and high-waisted pleated pants, denim-on-denim is the worst of the absolute worst. Despite what you may think, we don't think you look rugged-hot and it doesn't conjure up flashbacks of that handsome construction worker from the Diet Coke commercial in the late-'90s, in fact, all it does is make us second-guess whether we want to sleep with you that night.
Or, more likely, it makes us wonder if you'll want to sleep with us after we initiate the very necessary, "I know this is going to sound superficial, but we need to talk about something..." conversation. I've participated in two denim-on-denim interventions in my life, one of which was actually a denim-on-denim-on-denim jeans/shirt/jacket disaster. Like missed pop culture references, a higher probability for dealing with a denim-on-denim situation is one of the drawbacks I've come to accept about dating older men who've spent the majority of their lives in corporate-wear. These men know how to rock a custom Zegna suit, Thomas Pink cutaway, Brioni tie and complementing - not matching, but complementing - Ferragamo pocket square like no 30 year old could. When it comes to dressing casually, however, beware with the 40-55 year old age-group of the all-too-common denim shorts (shudder) and full-out denim explosions. The best way to deal with this non-negotiable offense is to raise the issue as soon as you see it. I act within seconds. You have to nip this shit in the bud and do so forcefully before you find yourself in a situation where there's no backup plan and you're sitting noticeably silent in the passenger seat wondering just how you're going to explain this big blue mess to your friends.
But enough about men and denim shirts. Though I'm clearly impassioned by my experiences with men and denim-on-denim(-on-denim), the inspiration for this post was a woman I saw today at lunch who coincidentally, when I saw her, was admiring a pair of tapered, high-waisted jeans in the Talbot's display on ConnAve/L. I wanted to grab the brassy blonde who couldn't have been older than 35 (though dressed 15 years beyond that), comb out her curling-ironed ringlets, apply a spare swipe of my Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss in shade "313" ($23.50 at sephora.com) to her pale lips, and beg her not to do it, not do even think about it.
I have no idea if she planned to actually buy the Mom jeans, or if she did, whether she would actually wear the two garments in a single outfit, but judging from her I-just-don't-care-about-my-appearance appearance, it wouldn't at all have been outside the realm of possibility.
Her denim shirt, unlike most I see sitting next to me on airplanes and at movie theaters in Bethesda, was fairly well-tailored to her size-six frame. It didn't hang over her bottom or make her look like a sandwich board. In fact, had it been a crisp pale blue cotton oxford, I might be sitting here writing a post lauding her fashion sense. This proves to me even more that the culprit here is the denim, not the style. Unfortunately, I have no real justification for my denim shirt/jumper/jumpsuit/jacket aversion. I suppose part of it is that I find the fabric too rough to be in such close proximity to my lovely ladies; I also find the blanched blue hue to be unflattering to my skin tone. But, really, these reasons can't be enough to place a garment on permanent blacklist for not just myself but for everybody, can they?
Actually, on this one, I'm just going to have to dig my heels into that high-horse of mine and say those reasons, coupled with the inextricable association I have between denim-on-denim and that painfully uncomfortable car ride to my friend's barbecue, are enough. The pictures are just here to act as reinforcements.
26 February 2007
Instead of khakis...
Even though most women of my generation consider a pair of well-fitted, dark-wash premium jeans to be just as formal as crosshatch-tweed trousers, it's still the case that most workplaces adhere to a "no denim" policy.
Even on Fridays.
With denim out, what is a casual, comfort-seeking DC woman to wear below the belt?
Corduroys, like khakis, are too high school for any self-respecting 22-and-over to wear to the office. Linen is just too Puerto Vallarta for an urban setting, not to mention that it wrinkles like a bitch. What about terry cloth, sweatpant material or nylon track pants?
You're right, now I'm just mocking.
Since I'm very much not a woman who thinks about comfort when she makes any kind of clothing purchase, and the only considerations I have when picking out a pair of pants are price (for jeans, under $160; for trousers, under $200), length (must be long enough to wear with my 4.5-inch heels) and whether the pair in question makes my ass look as fantastic as it is, the task of putting together a collection of casual, comfortable pants was a bit outside my immediate expertise.
Begrudgingly, I imagined myself in a pair of cuffed, pleated Dockers, looked down, and thought, "Why would I wear these?"
Versatility? Thriftiness? A desire to wear the bottom half of my 7th grade choir uniform? An adversity to looking female?
I tried to meet all of these standards when selecting the trousers below.
Well, not the last one.
Or the second one.
Okay, fine, I only considered versatility.
Below are my picks for the best non-denim alternatives to khaki pants:
Top to bottom:
1. Skinny fit zip pants by GAP ($29.99 at gap.com)
2. Ocean liner trousers by Poleci ($98 at anthropologie.com)
3. Bartolomeu trousers ($118 at anthropologie.com)
4. Contoured trouser-leg chino pant ($78 at bananarepublic.com)
5. Tabatha wide-leg pant by BCBG Max Azria ($218 at bloomingdales.com)
6. Cotton sateen pant by BCBG Max Azria ($118 at macys.com)
7. Cross dye Lindsay bootleg ($88 at anntaylor.com)
8. Peg leg pant by Karen Zambos Vintage ($89.10 at shopbop.com)
21 February 2007
Once you find it, STOP looking for another
I know this picture looks like a still from an early '80s Betamax porn, but rest assured it's not.
No, unfortunately for you, this is just your editrix standing in front of her full-length mirror basking in the glory of a pair of super skinny black stovepipe jeans that FINALLY fits her in the waist, thighs, bah'um, and most difficult of all, her calves.
For months and months, I've dragged L, E, and S - yes, those letters are a coincidence - not just to every store in DC that sells black skinny jeans but to every changing room in every store in DC that sells black skinny jeans.
"Does it matter I have no circulation in my feet and I burst the seams at the calves?"
"Do these make my ass look too small?"
"When you say 'a little tight' do you mean Kate Winslet circa now tight or Beyoncé in 2002 tight?"
I must have gone through fifty or sixty pairs, and considering that most stores only have one, maybe two in stock that meet all the criteria (i.e. color, style, size, under $200), you can understand why L, E, and S seemed to go missing every time I dispatched a Saturday afternoon "I'll buy you Cosi if you'll come to Saks with me" text message.
My other two pairs of premium jeans - along with one in permanent retirement - are all Joe's Jeans brand jeans. Like your favorite cereal or that one guy you never quite got over, you know every time you have it, you're gonna love it. There's no need for "let me just take a bite and see" or "maybe he'll be less hot this time" -- they're tried and true and won't let you down.
Joe's Jeans are my Special K Red Berry and my...well, he knows his letter.
It's fitting, then, that the last pair of super skinny black stovepipe jeans I tried on, the one pair among all those many to make my ass feel Biel-tastic (compare at right), came from Joe's.
On clearance, no less.
Though I know this lesson, though I preach this lesson, it was tonight I finally learned this lesson: once you find the one, STOP looking.
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