True Life in NYLON

Sadly the days of mix tapes have passed...a nod to the days of hand written love letters can sometimes be found in a birthday card...but I hope I will never have to remember the feeling of walking into a bookstore and seeing a fresh stack of the latest issue of my favourite magazines- long live the days of ignoring time to dog ear all the things you aspire to have and to rip out the pages of all that inspires!! One mag that has been my BFF on the publication scene has been NYLON- for years I have been smitten with their typography, hypnotized by their collages and awkward models... and wishing hard to shoot a fashion story for them (ahem. What shameless plug?!) My relationship with NYLON goes as far back as their first few issues in ‘99- I still have my ripped out page of a fashion story photographed by co-founder/creative director Helena Christensen- it was a beautiful mix of b&w photography and illustration. Love at first sight does exist people! Should I also mention I am currently sporting the free-with-subscription-tshirt, or would that be too much?! Anyway... with that information being divulged...you'll have to believe me that the word ‘ecstatic' is an understatement for the emotion I felt when True Life was chosen as one of the blogs that NYLON featured in their denim issue as a ‘ site that makes us hit refresh."!! Is it silly to be jealous of my words that got to view the NYLON office via the monitor of an equally enviable NYLON staff member?? again- too much?? Unfortunately (sort of) , being in Australia is a bit of an inconvenience for this particular moment of joy as I will not be able to physically clutch my name in black and white( did I mention True Life was in NYLON??)....nor will I be able to secretly hope that the salesclerk asks me why I am buying 10 copies just so I can show her pg.72 ;)  

For those of you completely missing the monthly neon sign to NYLONation ...this is why they said they click..."The site sorts through global street-style blogs and posts the best in jeans. It's equal parts fashion voyeurism, sartorial inspiration, and travel tour guide- you might finally book that trip to Copenhagen knowing that you'll be able to find a pair of paper-bag-waist pants there."

Dear NYLON...thank you for your support- I adore you!!

Lyrical Locations

The ultimate pairing; Converse sneakers and jeans. The ultimate road trip companion; the owner of the above pair of Converse sneakers and jeans- my cousin and fellow wandering soul, Kit, With maps in hand, gas tank full, and a soundtrack to rival any Cameron Crowe movie...we left the Melbourne sky line in our rear view mirror and headed west. The goal: to find some more locations for me to shoot in...and to have another possible contender for a Top 5 Day ;) The end result: definitely a Top 5 Day...with the bonus of finding a location!

Our route took us passed forgotten houses, through sheep covered pastures and between the thickest forests that guided us toward one of the most important tourist requirements and one of the most picturesque highways (think car commercial); Great Ocean Road. It was built between World War I and World War II by returned servicemen in honor of their fallen comrades. The road took 16 years to build by using hand picks, shovels and dynamite. This road is definitely not intended for driver's with indecisive tendencies! After passing generous amounts of scenic lookouts, we pulled off of the dizzying path onto an off-the-beaten path. " Where are you going?...Where do you go?...Tell me where are you going?...Where...Let's go." - Where Are You Going? Dave Matthews Band

So there we sat...on a log in the middle of a stream- gnats flying around our heads, the smell of previous canine visitors, and Kit's shoe soaked through from the delicate (and sparse) path to our hangout. All the while- up stream on the other side of the bridge was the brightest blue ocean water kissing the Australian coast line with it's calm waves- and I had no desire to change my tiny hard seat for the soft empty beach. " Turns out not where- but who you are with-that really matters." - Best of What's Around DMB

"Oh, but tonight we're dancing in the faint light. Don't you rob yourself of what you're feeling. Don't rob yourself of all that you could be".- 'So Right' DMB

"The future is no place to place your better days"- Cry Freedom DMB

Jeander Bending

well, I finally found my place behind my camera again! As you can see...my Aussie model for the day, Tim, is speaking the Universal Language of Denim in his ripped jeans. Finding a stylist for my shoot was really tough, so I ended up taking it into my own hands...and I found myself pulling clothes from the women's section because the choice of men's clothes was lacking in that certain je ne sais quoi! I was aiming for the layered style that Australians have mastered - which I'm finding out has to do more with the temperamental weather patterns than what I had originally thought! I know some of you gents out there are partial to the cut and fit of women's jeans...but do you also look to the ladies' choices when it comes to shirts and jackets- or is it just jeans? 

Recipe for a Top 5 day

For me, the beauty of being in a foreign place is that getting lost is not scary. Every neighborhood is innocent, every alley way seems magical and the phrase 'wrong side of the tracks'  is nothing more than a song title. Yes- I have a tendency to be a little naive sometimes...but if I wasn't, I wouldn't have stumbled into a contender for my Top 5 Best Tuesday's!  I like to think of myself as a simple girl with simple happiness...so any day that involves an uncontrollable laugh, holding hands or a really good breakfast is definitely up for a vote :)

 After too many minutes of dodging my way through packs of off-duty school girls in the latest off-duty uniform - denim leggings (yuck!!) - I ducked away from the main street...followed the sound of a band rehearsal...chose the left side of the street so the sun wouldn't be in my eyes...turned left to avoid someone with a clipboard...and ended up at the beginning of my brilliant Tuesday; an afternoon in Mag Nation. From matte to glossy, boating to fashion, weekly to annual...every possible magazine you could be looking for (including the one that you have always wanted to start up yourself!) is lining the walls of this little slice of heaven. The free wireless internet, decedent coffees and plush seating pale in comparison to the thousands of local and international magazine titles inviting you into their pages. Not planning on coming to Melbourne anytime soon?! No worries! ;) Mag Nation recently launched an online shop- where you can order subscriptions or single issues of most of the 4000+ magazines that they stock. 

 With a copy of Australia's Russh Magazine in hand and a beautiful collage in my head of everything I just soaked up...my cloud 9 floated down the street to my next unexpected sweet destination. Picnic Cafe- home to what has been haunting my cravings ever since i walked out the door; a scrumptious Kiwi fruit and white chocolate muffin!! Words cannot describe this culinary experience....so here is a similar recipe for you to try out while you wait for your magazines to be delivered ;)

 By the way- I have learned (thankfully not the hard way) that "G'day" in Australia is like "Yo" in America- an expired stereotype! So along with ignoring travel books on how to speak the lingo on your next vacation- how about re-discovering your own back yard and giving the other side of the tracks a new perspective: your own. Create a soundtrack for your walking tour, and add a little something from Australian band Empire of the Sun to hopefully influence your day into becoming a Top 5 contender ;) I look forward to hearing about any magazine recommendations...how your muffins came out...if you discovered a new corner to your hometown...and if you share the same sentiment about denim leggings as me. Painted on pockets! Really?! 

LBE | Little Black Everything

Turns out, word on the street was true! The water does go down the opposite way here in Australia! I know I know...now you can go on with your day right?! ;)

 For the past few weeks I have been location scouting for photo shoots, mastering the Melbourne tram system, discussing the taste of Vegemite with makeup artists...and all the while, keeping a keen eye on the Australian style surrounding me. With winter in the air, there is a heavy dose of leather motorcycle jackets, floppy knitted berets, fingerless gloves and flat boots. Not impressed? well- it's what's underneath that will have your mind wandering to your own wardrobe trying to conjure up new combination of layers! The main vein of the Melbourne style is saturated in black...with a heavy emphasis on cut and shape. From oversized arm holes and skewed hemlines to off the shoulder sweaters and strategically draped tunics....wading in this black pool is not for the cautious! Layering is not really about warmth, but more about creating a sculpture. The unassuming simplicity is where the beauty lies within Melbournians-you'll be hard pressed to find a perfect up 'do or cascading bohemian waves; the messier the hair, the better! The bobby pin has never been so over exposed...and having bed head has never been less judged. There is a delicacy and a strength to the people of Melbourne- from their style to the way they carry themselves....the confidence that permeates through the streets is incredible!

 Last week I ducked into a bookstore to get out of a random Melbourne rain storm. I was immediately drawn to a girl wearing a long multi layered tulle dress, leather jacket and perfectly scuffed boots. Fortunately for her, she was on the cover of the Harper's Bazaar Australia Style book- so there was no need for her to fend off the inspired photographer and boot enthusiast! For the next hour, I was invited to experience Australian style through the passion of local photographers, designers and authors. It was the perfect way to spend time protecting my "messy" hair from getting ruined by the rain- hehe. 

Over the next couple of weeks, I hope to share some images from my fashion shoots with you! In the meantime, I'm going to leave you with some Australian fashion labels to look over (images show below)  www.sassandbide.com  www.willowltd.com  www.trimapee.com   

A Change of Style

Sometimes people try out new trends (whether it's shorts with boots or double denim)...and sometimes it's just not for them -and I commend them for at least giving it a try!...but I'd like to think that most of the time they find a part of themselves within this new trend that adds a whole new level to their self expression!  It's so easy to be comfortable in your boot cut jeans, that you just forget how many different styles there are out there to experiment with :) well my friends...I'm trying out a new "trend" of my own- Australia!! I am trading in my boot cut jeans (aka Boston) for a pair of boyfriend jeans (aka Melbourne)! For the next three months I will be experiencing life, fashion, and photography from down under...and I plan to share as much of it with you guys as possible! One thing I plan to do is to get lost in the Laneways that Melbourne is renowned for. Visiting these narrow alley ways is like exploring a secret garden- every day can offer a new discovery! Nestled between the fire escapes and unmarked doors are one-off boutiques, unique galleries, tiny cafes and hidden bars that are waiting to take you on a detour away from mainstream culture. I can only imagine what fashionable treats for my eyes are waiting around each bend courtesy of Melbourne street style!  

So as I start mentally packing and trying to mix and match outfits as much as possible...I am brought to a grinding halt! What do I wear on the plane?! Not rocket science- this I know...but with airports being so stuffy, planes being so cold, blankets being rationed and shoe removal only necessary sometimes...planning the travel outfit can be as much of an art form as managing to coordinate all your connecting flights! Luckily for me, I will only have my bag in tow and not the "companionship" of the paparazzi- so I'm going to be packing my heels and saving my sunglasses for sunnier locations ;)

I do, however, plan to take a few cues from the celebrity jet-setter guide to a stylish-yet comfortable flight by sporting a scarf. It almost seems like a required part of the travel uniform- and for good reason! The scarf can double as additional warmth to your blanket or it can cover your face to shield your nap from your neighbors reading light- not to mention the oh-I-just-threw-this-old-thing-on cool factor that goes along with it ;)

The other smart outfit choices made by these women was the art of layering- which I think Kate Hudson made a masterpiece of! Not only does it allow you to control your own temperature through all the different climate zones of the airport, but it also leaves just a little extra room in your baggage for that dress that you may only wear for one night- but who cares!? ...you have the room in your bag! This brings me to my next decision- shoes. I already know I'm wearing my Red Engine Bonfire straight leg jeans, so I have the option of flats or boots. Yes, the flats do seem like the obvious choice for security reasons, but if I opt for the boots...I just gained a little more room in my suitcase for the 4" heels to go with the one-night-only dress...and I have also saved on my weight allowance :)

Do you guys have any travel suggestions or lessons you want to share? Like maybe you missed your flight due to spending too much time at security undoing your over-the-knee lace up boots?!

Denim Shorts...and Boots!

Longer days and warm nights call for shorter hem lines- but that doesn't mean we have to trade in our boots for flip flops!  Denim shorts are no longer assigned to weekend chores, beach cover-ups and music festivals- they have found their way to the concrete catwalks of Hollywood. With a little inspiration from Daisy Duke, these girls demonstrate how to breathe new life into a summer wardobe staple.

Add a black _____ (insert any clothing item involving fringe, leather or suede) to your outfit, and you are automatically labeled "edgy"- but to me,  there is something about these girls that is approachable and sweet. Maybe it's because instead of opting for a heeled boot, they went with a loose fitting flat boot...or maybe it's to do with the softer shapes of their tops- either way, I'm coveting this look...but I may have to reconsider it on a really hot day!

For a more understated version of wearing boots with your shorts, keep the height of your boot to ankle length.  The leg-lengthening quality alone should have you rushing out to experiment with this look! At 5'1, Nicole Richie looks as leggy as Gisele Bundchen in all her 5'10 of glory! I love how unpredictable the ankle boots look with the casual tops that these girls paired with their shorts. You almost expect a tattered flip flop- but instead you get a sexy treat! On that note... I bid you a bootiful summer ;)

Skinny Jeans, Strategize for Feeling Skinny

Here are some thoughts about trying skinny jeans:

Skinny jeans, when they fit properly, can give you a long, lean line, and are fitted all the way through the calf.  Two places that they are not tight are at the knee, and the ankle. 

The thickest part of the calf is in the upper back of your shin, so the legs are going to be a little looser at the knee to accommodate, especially when you have to bend your knee.

As shown in a Red Book Magazine spread, you should wear your skinny jeans with a loose top. Not only is this proportion more balanced, but you can also get away with wearing a waistband a little tighter than usual.  A flowing loose top allows you to hide any waist-pudge above your waistline. I feel that it is better to have skinny jeans fit very tight on top so you don't have to constantly hike them up when the waistband loosens up, so feel free to choose a smaller fit in the waist for skinny jeans.

The last part of your jean that must fit on a skinny jean is at the leg opening and length.

There are several length options to choose for your new skinny jeans:

-You can cut them off at the ankle.

-You can also leave the hem slightly longer than you think. 

Since skinny jeans are so narrow, it's ok to have scrunches around the ankle if they're too long, which is how some of the more vertically challenged celebrities are doing it. If you wear heels with them, eventually that scrunch will work its way around the heels of your shoes if they're too long. Enjoy feeling skinny!

Connie Chen
Technical Designer (clothing)
True Jeans Guest Blogger

Universal Language of Denim: Los Angeles

Well guys, our street style tour has come to it's final destination: Los Angeles, CA! Considering we started this stylish trip on the East Coast in NYC, it seemed like the appropriate place. I hope you guys have enjoyed this little project as much as I have! If there is only one thing you got out of it, I hope it was to celebrate your individuality-because someone out there is admiring you :) And no matter how many different trends there are- whether it's ripped jeans, tye dye jeans, high waisted jeans- in the end, they are all made from denim. Look into that as deep as you'd like ;) ...but do know that, yes, I am comparing jeans to the human race :)

Universal Language of Denim: Amsterdam

With Spring in the air here in Boston, brighter colors are fighting their way through the muted remnants of winter! I chose our street style tour destination today based on this same aesthetic. Nature can be so inspiring! So I bid you 'Hallo' from Amsterdam! Neon is one of the many hot trends happening right now, and I love how some of these guys have injected just a small dose of this bright color family into an otherwise pretty tame outfit!

Do you guys prefer the neon incorporated as an accessorie (like the sneakers and boots on the 1st and 2nd row) or would you prefer to make it the stand out clothing item (like the two guys in the middle)?