Skinny Jeans Alternative: Trouser Jeans

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Source: thesimplyluxuriouslife.com via Nicole on Pinterest

You know fall is upon us when all of the fashion magazines feature articles on finding the best fitting jeans. I have to be honest...there are days when I just can't hang with the skinny jean trend touted by so many of those articles. That's where my trusty trouser jeans come into play. The key to wearing them stylishly is proportion. With a wider, easier leg on the bottom, stay more fitted and tailored on the top.  Plus, a perfectly tailored trouser jean just plays well with a crisp shirt and blazer.  Okay, I'll admit the last picture is more of a bell bottom jean than a trouser jean...but the picture just goes to show you that you can break the rules sometimes.  A looser top can be okay too...provided it isn't too blousy and shows off your shape (i.e., your waist), otherwise you run the risk of looking dowdy.  I just love it when jeans are comfortable and stylish...which is exactly what jeans are meant to be . . . 

What's Up With J. Crew? Santa's Elves called and they want their clothes back...

Photo Source: J.Crew Catalog, page 005

I have to admit...I'm not really sure what is up with J. Crew. J.Crew absolutely used to be my go to for basics and cute but chic workwear. And then something happened last spring, and hemlines rose so high, the skirts barely covered my bum, and the clothes just got so out there, I never would have pictured myself wearing anything. Then, after losing a whole bunch of money, I was reading that beginning with the Fall of 2011, J. Crew was going back to its roots.  Well, if this is J. Crew's roots, maybe they should aim somewhere else. I am starting to see the preppiness J. Crew was so known for, but the color combos and prints are just off so far. 

As far as the picture above, I can't even tell you how much I wish they used the navy striped sweater instead of the red one...the red and green just seems too Christmas-y, and the tight green jeans scream "Santa's Elf."  Even the weird t-straps on her flats scream "overly fussy" rather than the laid-back chic J. Crew was once known for.

I guess some of us are still waiting for the old J. Crew to come back...in the meantime, I'm happy to save the money I used to spend on J. Crew clothes.

Target Find: William Rast for Target

Photo Source: Target.com



I don't know why, but I am super-excited for the William Rast for Target line to hit Target stores this Sunday, December 19th. I am mostly excited for the jeans...I haven't seen what they will retail for, but I know the line starts at $19.99.  I think this might be a good way to try some denim styles that I wouldn't normally try if I had to spend $200 for a pair of jeans.  I am also excited to see what other unique pieces they might roll out that I can use in my weekend wardrobe.

One of the more expensive items, a real leather jacket, is slated to retail for $199.  See it below:

 

Seriously? $1300 Ralph Lauren Jeans

Photo Source: Ralphlauren.com

Yes, dear friends, for exactly $1,298.00 you too can look like a 1920s hobo! The Ralph Lauren Adler Cropped Beaded Jean offers you the chance to drop more money than you would pay for an "it" bag.  From Ralph Lauren's website:

"Inspired by the Spring 2010 runway collection, our ultra-distressed jean channels the spirit of rustic workwear in a slouchy cropped fit, finished with shimmering hand-beaded accents for a touch of luxe."

A touch of luxe?  For $1300 these jeans had better have some gold thread! And since when are cropped beaded jeans "rustic workwear"???

I am literally dying to know how many pairs of these jeans they have sold, and who has actually bought them . . .

Check them out here.

Now, for $500 less, you could spend $698 and buy the Thompson Patchwork Jean -- I guess you would have to forego the beading, but with all of these patches, who needs beading?!:


Photo Source: RalphLauren.com

Okay, enough ribbing on Ralph Lauren.  For a more reasonable amount of money ($298 is still expensive for jeans, but not, I suppose if they are super-cool and unique), you can buy the Tribeca Bootcut Jean:


Photo Source: RalphLauren.com

Funny how the cheapest pair, is really (in my opinion) the coolest pair? I think the pair above exudes laid-back sophistication...these are jeans that you put on when you want your look to say, "I am cool without trying." Simply, effortlessly cool.

Death of the "It" Jean? Seven for all Mankind 10th Year Anniversary

The year is 2002 and Seven for all Mankind jeans have reached a feveristic pitch...suddenly the thought of paying $150 plus for jeans doesn't seem so crazy, and people are reaching deep into their pockets to pay for premium denim.  Seven for all Mankind revolutionized the denim market by convincing the masses that they needed and wanted premium denim...at premium prices.

Fast forward to present day, and Seven for all Mankind is celebrating its 10th year anniversary.  Are Sevens still popular?  I suppose...but they definitely aren't as popular as they once were.  Since Seven was founded, we've seen a ton of competitors emerge from the fold, the more recent being J Brand Jeans, Paige Premium Denim, Current/Elliott, Joe's Jeans...you get the picture.

But the other day I was talking with a friend, and I asked her...what are the popular "It" jeans that everyone just has to have now?  The best we could come up with was J Brand...or Current/Elliott among the fashionistas.  But beyond that we were stumped.  An "It" jean brand would scream at you walking down the street...suddenly everyone would be clamoring for their perfect pair of the brand.  But I don't see much clamoring going on these days....maybe its the recession. Or maybe I missed it...but if you know what the "It" brand of jeans is to be had, please fill me in...because I'm not sure that they exist at the moment.  Could it be? The death of the "It" jean?

Saturday Style - Skinny Jeans Tucked Into Boots Solved

A co-worker came to me this week, and let me know that she finally wanted to embrace the skinny jean tucked into knee high boots trend, and asked if we could help.  My co-worker "M" is petite (about 5'3''), a size 0 or 2 and a wee bit "hippy" (her words, not ours -- meaning she has some hips, not that she is donning bell bottoms and getting in touch with the earth).  She asked if she could still embrace the trend -- especially if she chose flat boots.  Our response?  Of course she can!!! She also indicated that because this is a "trend" she didn't want to spend more than $200 on boots, and less than $100 on skinny jeans.

First, the jeans.  We put her in Banana Republic Ultimate Skinny Dark Wash Jeans because for people with hips, these jeans are cut perfectly -- they fit perfecftly in the waist (no gaping), they hug the hips (not too tight -- I think these jeans are a bit more relaxed in the thigh, allowing for people with hips to get into them) and the length is absolutely perfect for tucking into boots (they hit literally right at the ankle, no bunching).  At $89.50, they fell below budget (and they are even cheaper if you can score a coupon).

Onto the boots.  We found Steve by Steve Madden Intyce Boots in a perfect cognac, whisky color, that is right on-trend for fall.  $129.00 they fell wayyy below budget.  And at The color is also a fabulous neutral that goes with blacks, browns, and literally everything in-between.  Plus, cognac looks especially rich against black.  Just pair these boots and the jeans with a black turtleneck and you have instant, easy, effortless chic.

Which brings us to topping the look off with the J. Crew Marled Amadé Sweater. Because M was shooting for a casual day look, we chose the marled look of the sweater for a nice, cozy-chic autumn feel.  She also wasn't ready to try skinny jeans without a bit more coverage up top, but we assured her that for evening, she could switch this sweater for a sleek, basic black turtleneck (pictured below) and the look would be that much richer looking.

Finally, for extra credit, we accessorized the look with the Mulberry Oversized Alexa Bag. A bag so great, it can't be wrong.

We love this look, because with just te jeans and the boots, you literally have infinite possibilities.  Just open your closet, and you have plenty of outfits.  Throw on a white blouse and a cardigan, or a v-neck sweater with a ruffly blouse underneath.