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!!
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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
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?
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?!
]]>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
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?!
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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 ;)
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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
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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)?
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Rumor has it that you can tell a lot about a man by his shoes. I personally don't buy into this theory, but there are a few authors out there that would scoff at my preference to the scuff! According to Donna Sozio, author of "Never Trust a Man in Alligator Loafers: What His Shoes Say About His True Love Potential", the most important thing a woman should look for in a man's shoes is "Condition, condition, condition. If a man can't take care of his shoes, he can't take care of you, bottom line." Hmmm- I have to disagree. Besides, the man in the above photo is my husband in his incredibly full-of-life shoes...and I can't imagine being taken care of any more than he takes care of me :) Those shoes have followed me into the deepest woods for photo shoots, they've walked next to me on my darkest days, and most importantly they've played with our dog in the middle of numerous rainstorms! In some cases, shoes can just get better and build more character with time, but I'm not opposed to a little polish on a dressier shoe from time to time :)
Even though I hope my husbands shoes have a few more years in them, I asked him to put together a spring shoe wishlist to share with all of you. With lighter weight shoes having a slimmer sole compared to heavier winter boots, your jeans may tend to get caught underneath your heel and completely ruin the hem line. One way to avoid ruining your new spring jeans would be to get them hemmed through the True Jeans Original Hem Service.
(clockwise from top left: Converse Tweed Low Ox, Kenneth Cole Chukka, UO Tonal Oxford, Diesel Runaway , Bronx Atlanta , Calvin Klein Earle )
So how do the men out there feel about being judged on your shoes? Do you rate your potential dates on the looks of their shoes? For the ladies- do you put a lot of importance on a man's shoe?
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The March issue of Lucky magazine had a feature on how to master the look of denim on denim for the girls. Here are their three fail-safe ways to wear the trend:
Don't fret guys!...this trend can be for you too! For those of you looking for inspiration not involving skinny jeans...read on to see how Kayne West put his spin on wearing denim with denim!
So, how do you feel about this denim-on-denim trend? Have you found the perfect combination that you'd like to share?
]]> A few celebrities have also been photographed double dipping with denim. Christina Ricci is no stranger to this trend; pairing two medium washes together, while Keith Urban appears to be adding a shinier finish to his uniform denim look! Kayne West has found a new best friend with his vintage Levi's denim jacket; it's currently on heavy rotation in his wardobe!
Now...we all love Justin Timberlake...BUT...I don't think we can ever forget (or forgive!) the all-denim "suit" he wore during his Britney days. Obviously Justin's style has evolved over the years- with his William Rast clothing line that just keeps gaining a celebrity following at a rapid pace, and then there's his latest honor of being GQ's Most Stylish Man! I'm wondering if Justin went back through his style archives for a little inspiration for his William Rast Spring '09 collection?
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Oprah's Friday Live brought Justin Timberlake to the round table! The actor, producer, song writer and fashion designer visited Oprah to show some pieces from the William Rast spring collection. (Oprah.com)"Justin says he loves to see women wear a mix of sexy and tomboy looks...a style his girlfriend, actress Jessica Biel, is known for. "She's obviously a huge muse for me and with the designers too," he says. He also added that every woman should have a good pair of jeans and a leather jacket in her wardrobe.
In keeping with this style, the first model came out wearing William Rast's black leather jacket with studs and Jerri skinny jeans. Both models were also wearing a pair of cropped boots; a style that Jessica Biel has been seen wearing a lot lately and also becoming a fast Hollywood trend!
"Over the years, Justin has become known for his unique sense of style. "I like mixing sort of a cleanup top with the rugged jeans and like a flannel with a blazer," he says. "Try it, guys. See what happens." To illustrate his point, a male model pairs the William Rast "Ben" jeans with a flannel shirt and optical wave wool blazer."
What's the inspiration behind these looks? "I'm inspired by our president, and I'm inspired by new leadership," he says. "I'm inspired by the world, and we're expressing it."
"William Rast takes its denim very seriously. To get the creases for the line's "Ben" jeans just right, Justin says Johann, the head designer for men, wore the same pair of jeans for 18 months...without washing them."
Check out this video on oprah.com to see Justin Timberlake giving a tour of the downtown Los Angeles William rast headquarters.
Willliam Rast doesn't just look amazing on models and celebrities! Trace took to the streets of Chicago to recruit young men and women to model more looks. See the video here on oprah.com."
(excerpts and images courtesy of oprah.com)
The latest trend to appear on the Who What Wear radar is cropped boots. I don't know about you girls- but every year I am overcome with a sadness about having to part with my boots once the warmer weather comes! With the help of a few pairs of cropped boots- I can easily extend my boot relationship!
(WhoWhatWear)"...While over-the-knee boots and ankle booties still rule for fancy, non-working nights out, fashionable celebs pick a more moderate style for their daytime activities. The favored selection-henceforth to be referred to as cropped boots-is invariably paired with a loosely tucked-in pair of deep blue or black skinny jeans, resulting in a perfectly undone, totally easy-going look.
While the way these ladies wear their cropped boots might not seem revolutionary, the subtle style tweak makes all the difference. Don't forget that up until recently, a casual boots-and-jeans look always required a pair of knee-high equestrian or vintage boots and some methodical denim tucking (one never wants to add bulk to ones calves). However, as witnessed on some of the savviest trendsetters, the cropped boot is fast replacing its taller counterpart.
As for why this look is dominating, well, we're not exactly sure. Maybe everyone loves cropped boots because they offer a weather-appropriate way to transition into a spring wardrobe? Or perhaps it's a time issue: who has the patience to zip, button or lace a boot all the way up, when you can just pull on a boot that is roomy enough to easily slip your skinnies into? Whatever the reason, we are quite taken with the look, and can't wait to showcase our favorite cropped boots, as seen on some of the most stylish tastemakers from coast to coast."
I have put together a few cropped boots that have made my wish list! Even though WhoWhatWear does do all the shopping for you- I decided I needed to do some "research" myself ;)
Do you guys put a time limit on your boots? Are there certain styles you think could stand the test of all-year-round?
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