November 2008 archive

Jeans- Our Second Skin

With the economy at an all time low, we are all trying to figure out how to save a penny here or there. Right now, women are foregoing their weekly salon treatments and opting for do-it-yourself manicures and bending over sinks to touch up their own roots- but must we really bow out on premium denim? I say ‘never'! Denim is quickly working its way up to replacing the importance of  ‘little black dress', and with new styles and washes being invented each season, it is one of those wardrobe staples that can transform your look from day to night in an instant. "According to a survey created by Lifestyle Monitor, 78% of female respondents say that they enjoy or love wearing denim. Such affection for denim is clearly reflected in ownership; the typical female respondent owns a pair of jeans for every day of the week. And in spite of such a strong ownership, three out of four female respondents say that they may or probably will buy more denim in the near future." says an article in Women's Wear Daily. So despite the falling economy, premium denim is holding on by more than a few threads! Why would we stop investing in such a versatile piece of clothing? With jeans slowly replacing traditional business attire in some work places, you can show your creativity with a limitless mix and match style without breaking the bank. Premium denim can be worn up to three times a week without losing its shape, so with a few shoe changes and an addition of blazer or two, your weekly wardrobe rotation just extended itself into next month!

 Or maybe you're wondering why premium denim comes with a high price tag and why it should even be considered an investment. Well, if you consider premium denim to be ‘just jeans', then I can see how parting with your hard earned money could be a bit much to swallow. But before you scoff at the next price tag, keep in mind that the process of making premium denim is pretty much an art form, and often a dangerous job. Workers use glass, sandpaper, pumice stones, enzymes, chemicals or plastic balls to create different washes and distressed effects. This job is potentially so dangerous that workers are required to wear respirators, overalls, gloves, and protective goggles. After cutting and sewing at a garment factory, jeans are typically sent to a laundry for washing; a process where the jeans get ripped, beaten, sandblasted, over-dyed and often chemically treated to create those signature looks and current trends.

I found an amazing photo essay, by photographer David Freidman, that gives you a behind-the-scenes look at a denim factory in Kentucky that specializes in distressing jeans for some top premium brands. For more photos, visit his blog.

So what makes up the difference in cost? Mass-market labels have machines to do the work, where as premium brands do it all by hand.  The difference in fabric alone sets apart the premium brands, not to mention the detailing and high quality hardware. Think of it this way, your next pair of high quality premium denim jeans will probably out last this recession with the amount of care put into their construction. For years now, jeans have been like our second skin so don't even think about shedding it just yet.  Jeans will always be a staple item in our wardrobes from year to year, no matter what tries to contend with them!

By Tilly Southwick

Men In Boots

The topic of men tucking their jeans into boots is one of those conversations that people tend to tip toe around. I've had a few brief discussions lately myself, and I am always left wondering why there is a timidness in the air about whether the look is preferred or not. I did a little searching around the blogosphere on this subject and came to these conclusions: a) men are a bit weary of trying it out, even though they really want to. b) women aren't quite sure how they feel about their men sharing their same fashion trends. c) some people (unfortunately) feel the need to attach stereotypes. For the people who fall under d) none of the above....I commend you!

With all this talk of change in the air, I thought I'd share a few ways to wear this controversial style in the hopes of inspiring at least one person to experiment, one person to stop over-thinking and just do it, and possibly one other to encourage someone else instead of giving that dreaded once-over look.

One way to show off your ankle boots is to follow the current women's trend of cuffing your jeans. Instead of giving your jeans a messy roll, try a crisper and taller fold like Chris Brown, who gives a nod to the rockabilly look of the 50's with his white tank, open shirt and chain. If you're looking for an overall style that is a little more tailored, then look to Justin Timberlake at his William Rast runway show for some inspiration. Casual friday's just got less casual!

Another option is to non-chalantly shove your jeans into your boots-giving the idea that you were just too busy to take the time to get fully dressed. Jude Law has successfully mastered this rugged look- wether or not he tried! Justin Timberlake also showed off his boots with this purposeful haphazard style. On the other spectrum, Ed Westwick rocks a pair of skinny jeans and harness boots on the set of Gossip Girl.

Being photographed out and about on the streets is not just for the celebrities anymore. One of my favorite blogs is The Satorialist- a daily style diary on average joe's photographed on the street looking far from average! I would imagine that seeing your image on this site would make anyone proud! These guys below are some of the d) listers that marched to the beat of their own drum and became part of the chosen ones.

So, now that you've seen a few different ways to show off your boots- are you going to go out and buy that pair you've been dying for? For those of you already wearing this trend- Do you have any helpful tips?

Congratulations Nightmare #1

Congratulations to the winner of our Dressing Room Nightmare's contest. Nightmare # 1 recieved the most comments and sympathies from all of you, and also a $200 Gift Card to shop at truejeans.com! She's on her way to eliminating those dressing room nightmares :)

Dressing Room Nightmares- Cast Your Votes!

Thank you to all the brave shoppers who participated in our Dressing Room Nightmares contest! While some of your experiences were certainly more comical than others, we narrowed it down to the following three entries as they are close to our hearts and are the reason why True Jeans exists.

With the help of your comments, one of these people will turn their shopping luck around and win a $200 Gift Card to truejeans.com! The blog entry with the most comments received by Friday, November 7^th at 12pm EST (noon) will be the winner of our Dressing Room Nightmares contest. Turn all your shopping nightmares into shopping dreams with the help of our Fit Specialists at truejeans.com.

Without further ado, please read and enjoy the dressing room nightmare blog entries below. You may comment on as many of the entries as you wish!

Nightmare #1

About a year ago, I was in a store I had never been to before, and with any luck, will never step into again.

It was winter and I had on my long heavy coat. Since this was my first time there and the store had an unusual sizing system, I asked one of the sales girls to help me determine what my size was. She gave me her input and I picked up a heap of clothes to try on.

As the girl started up a fitting room for me, I removed my long heavy coat. As she turned around and saw me without my coat on, she pointed to my upper leg and exclaimed, "Wait, is that a hip?! You didn't tell me you had hips!" She said it in such a way that suggested I had kept it a secret or lied about it. After telling me that my hips were telling me it's time to have babies, she took all the clothes I had chosen back and returned with a new set of clothes in a bigger size. I thought that would be the end of it, but I was mistaken.

As I was trying everything on, she would come to my room every few minutes and knock on the door to see what I was up to. I hadn't asked for her opinion, but she seemed keen on giving it. She told me that a pencil skirt I could barely walk in, and a pair of pleated pants looked good on me. Let's consider that: the same woman who marveled at my child-bearing hips thought I looked good in pleated pants and a too-tight skirt.

I also tried on some jackets, and a few of them wouldn't close over my chest. When this happened the first time, she pointed at my boobs (she really liked to point) and giggled and said, "it won't close over your boo-boos!"

I'm not a confrontational person so I didn't really know what to say or do, but at this point I couldn't take it anymore. I asked her to get a different size for me, and as soon as she was gone, I made a mad dash for the door. I managed to find a few good pieces, but I chose to order them online and pay the shipping fees rather than put up with that treatment for even a minute longer.

Nightmare #2

"I went to the department store after having watched my son's soccer team play two games in the drizzling rain. OK, so maybe I didn't look all that great, but I was pretty sure the store would still like to get some of my money. As I looked through the rack, a sales clerk came up to me and told me that I was looking at the designer jeans, and that they were very expensive, and that I'd probably find something that would be better for me in the "cheaper" jeans department down the aisle. A second sales clerk overheard her and rushed over to me and apologized for how rude the first clerk was. She then very solicitously told me that she thought it might be better for me to go to the Plus Size department because I was probably too big for all the jeans in the designer department and she didn't want me to waste my time trying on jeans that wouldn't fit. So, within five minutes I had been told I was too poor and too fat to shop there. What a morale boost!"

Nightmare #3

"It never fails, I rummage through my favorite stores at the mall, and low and behold, there they are on the rack, nicely folded, all in a row according to size and style, Jeans! Should I shop juniors or misses, I don't know let me just try to find my size. 1 short , 3 Regular, 5 long no, no, no... Ah there we go 9 Long or Tall (whatever) Yes, I'll take these, and these, oh and i'll try these skinny jeans. Hmmm where the dressing room. ah here.

O.K. here we go, the hard part, one leg, two leg, ok that wasn't so bad. Shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, jump and wiggle, jump and wiggle. Whew, a little tight. hmmm they look good on my legs nice, ok now alittle more, Stop... wait...did my thighs grow 10 inches what is going on, Well these won't work lets try the other ones( see I always bring more than one pair in). These seem a little looser (even though they are the same size). up up and away, alrighty lets try to button breath in, hold it, hold it, almost there,and...snap I got it, breath out. Now lets look at the full 360. Panic! is that crackage I see, ooh horrible. Im done, im out of here, you have just lost my service, and I don't even want to think about a cute top. Im just going to wipe the sweat off my brow and walk out with what little dignity I have left. PAUSE....

You see this is my life, i'm 5'9", and im African American,a double negative when it comes to jeans. Im 25 years old , a mother of two, and I only weigh about 145lbs.(quite an accomplishment if I do say so myself) Yet there are no jeans out there for me. I just want to cry. The problem is my booty, and my height. Now this may not sound like a problem to the untrained eye, or ear, but walk a mile im my jeans, and discover a world of dissapointment and dismay. I don't have alot of money for the boutiques and high end stores so im forced to shop retail, and department stores. I belive I own 3 pair of jeans and only two of them fit. Its a crime. HELP!!!!!"

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