Denim

While I'm dying to post about spring and spring fashion, I'm going to wait until February 1st. Fashion week in NYC is February 9-16, so I'm holding off on posting about what we can look forward to for spring. Even though I know we are starved for it in the winter places, especially those of us who have been dealing with below zero temps!

But today, we're going to talk denim. Jeans have become a part of our daily lives. They aren't even considered "casual" as much as they used to be, with society in general relaxing the rules of appropriate attire (athough I still think you are shooting yourself in the foot if you go to a job interview in jeans-I don't care how much they cost), denim is an ingrained part of our clothing choices all over the world.

So you want some new jeans, but you aren't quite sure what style suits you, what brand, what color, etc. There are tons of options out there, and thats a great thing! Because we aren't cookie-cutter girls, we come in all shapes and sizes. Its awesome that we can look good no matter if we are short or tall, thin or booty-licious, rolling in the dough or on a budget.

The thing about jeans is sometimes you do get what you pay for. Now, I'm not saying you need to spend $200 on a pair of jeans. I admit, I'm guilty of that and while I am going to mention a couple favorite brands that are expensive, its not necessarily about SUPER expensive jeans. But sometimes, it is worth it to spend a bit more.

Paige Premium denim is a perfect example of spending a bit more for the perfect pair of jeans. The owner and designer, Paige Adams-Geller, is a local winter girl who made it big, coming from Wasilla, Alaska (we went to school together but we never ran in the same circles) to big time fashion in L.A. Her jeans are worn by celebrities and sold at major retailers such as Nordstrom and Bloomingdales. Jeans can run upwards of $200, but are excellent quality and fit many different body types.

If you want decent jeans and don't want to break the bank, check out Gap's 1969 jeans. They come in a wide variety of styles and colors, and cost under $100 (sometimes much less if Gap is having a sale!).

When choosing jeans, I think the most imporant thing is buy the CORRECT size. We all want to be a size 2. Reality is, few of us are. So buy jeans that fit you and your body. No one is going to be looking inside the label of your pants, and if they fit well and look good, who cares what size they are, right? Don't try to stuff yourself into a pair of jeans that are a size too small, thinking they will make you look thinner. All it does is make you look like you are stuffing yourself into too-small jeans!

After finding the perfect fit, ie; jeans that don't cut into your waist, bind at the thigh or knee, or make your calves feel like they are trapped in sausage casings, its really up to you in regards to style and color. I like a darker wash for a dressier look and a more distressed look for casual wear. But this is where YOU can get creative. Just remember, if you want to wear heels, make sure you choose the correct length. Jeans should NOT sit way above the heel of your shoe, but should be almost flush with the ground (about an inch above at most). They should not drag on the ground either-that looks messy and undone. You can pair heels with skinny jeans (I love a short boot myself) but again, make sure they aren't bunched up so much around the ankle that it looks weird.

Another brand I like is Big Star jeans. They always seem to fit well and have a nice stretch.

They usually retail for around $100, but I've found them for much less on sale at  Nordstrom and other stores. They offer everything from low-rise to mid-rise, skinny, flared, you name it. I think they are a really nice, fairly affordable jean that looks good on almost anyone.

So ladies, lets ditch those Lee jeans or the ones from the late 80's with the 9 inch zipper. Indulge in something new. Cut corners in other areas of your closet, but I highly recommend at least one pair of nice designer jeans. Its so worth it!