Posts Tagged: jeans

Gap Perfect Bootcut jeans really are [Level 1]

By IN Personal Style

Working Mom Weekend Casual outfit with Gap 1969 Perfect Bootcut jeans

My friend Jenn was the first to discover Gap’s Perfect Bootcut jeans. So when I went looking for another pair of this always flattering cut of denim, I thought I’d give Perfect Bootcut a try.

She was right!

The secret, I think, is in two things.

First–just as in premium brands costing twice as much–there’s just enough stretch in the soft denim fabric to act like shapewear where you need it most.

Second, the waistband is wide. It wraps around your middle section like a built-in belt, adding to the shapewear effect. And it also means that even though the top edge comes up to just below the belly button (a plus to those of us with non-flat bellies, which is 99% of us, amirite?)  the bottom edge starts where you’d expect the waistband on low-rise jeans to be, so they don’t look like overly high waisted mom jeans.

All of which makes them perfect for Fab Mom weekend wear, like this. Put on heels and a dramatic choker necklace and I’d be off to Date Night.

(And nope, this isn’t a sponsored post. I don’t write those. But if the Gap happened to see it and felt like sending another pair of Perfect Bootcuts my way, I wouldn’t turn them down, cough cough … :)

T-shirt: Gap (similar, $16.50, LOFT).
Denim: Gap 1969 Perfect Bootcut ($69.95).
Shoes: Kate Spade (similar, $137, 6pm.com)
Working Mom Outfit Level: 1/Weekend Casual

[Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links.]

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Outfit post: Fab Mom Style Upgraded T-shirt, jeans and casual shoes [Level 2]

By IN Personal Style

Level 2 Working Mom Outfit photo: T-shirt, jeans and casual shoes with a Fab Mom Style Upgrade

This week is my second of two outfits demonstrating the Fab Mom Style Upgrade for jeans, T-shirt and casual shoes. (The first one is here.)

Once again, I chose a fitted, solid color T-shirt. I have several of these crewneck style tees; they’re so basic and versatile.

Last week I wore wide-legged trouser style jeans; this week I’m going in the opposite direction with black skinny leg jeans. I love these cobra patterned Habituals, which explains why you’ve seen them before. They have the versatility of jeggings without being so body-unforgiving.

(By the way, if you compare the two photos, you can see how the two pant leg silhouettes affect the perception of my body shape differently. I look a lot curvier in the hips with the skinnier jeans. Just another example of why it helps to understand your body shape and how different garment types will fit and flatter it differently, whether you want to minimize your curves or accentuate them.)

I kept the overall outfit simple, and feeling a little bit French, with a green scarf at the neck to match the shirt, and little black flats to match the pants. Ooh la la!

T-shirt: LOFT (Similar, $66, Michael Stars).
Skinny jeans: Habitual Cinch Hi-Rise Skinny (similar, $159, Bloomingdales).
Shoes: DKNY Pure (similar, $66, Zappos)
Scarf: Gap (similar, $33, The Limited)
Working Mom Outfit Level: 2/Weekend Chic

[Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links.]

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How to give your jeans a Fab Mom Style Upgrade

By IN Advice

Fab Mom Style Upgrade: Jeans

Are there any pants we wear more often than jeans? (I know I have a bit of a denim habit.)

There’s good reason, of course. As I said last week, jeans + T-shirt = weekend uniform.

And depending on the Outfit Levels acceptable at your workplace, a good pair of denim can make a great office outfit, too.

The key word, though, is “good.”

That faded pair in the back of your closet that’s seen better days? The jeans that hit right at the ankle, or have wear spots at the knees? They don’t qualify as “good” denim.

Here’s what does.

  • A great cut. This is the hardest part about denim–or any pants, really. What fits on one woman’s body won’t fit on another’s. You’re really going to have to try a lot on, and once you find a brand that works for you, stick to it. How high a rise you choose depends on your comfort level, and the poochiness degree of your belly. (Mamas, you know what I’m talking about, right?) But the goal is not to look like your hips are swaddled in denim. And stick to a boot cut to start. The straighter the leg, the narrower your hips will look. It’s just flattering on everyone.
  • A dark wash. Especially if you’re going to pull off wearing these to the office, look for a dark rinse. It makes the denim look more expensive, and all the parts of you wrapped in it look smaller. Once you get the hang of it, you can branch out into different washes, or even colors.
  • The right length. Oh, this is a subject of much debate. There is a camp that declares all pants must be so long as to come within millimeters of grazing the floor. And there is a further subset that even goes so far as to hem some pants for flats and others for heels! I am not that strict, but you do want your jeans to be as long as possible. For the same reason you want a boot cut, the longer your leg line, the more flattering it is to you. If your jeans stop at the top of your shoe or just below your ankle, you’re visually cutting your legs shorter. This is once again a case where you will want to employ the services of your tailor, unless you are so lucky as to find a pair that fit you well *and* are just the right length.

None of the above requires you to go out and drop a lot of money on a premium denim brand, by the way. You can get a perfectly decent pair of dark bootcut jeans at the Old Navies of the world. You might even find them at the thrift or consignment store. And curvy girls might discover that Levi’s Curve ID jeans are their best bet.

If you do want to go premium, haunt the sample sale sites and Bluefly. You can regularly find pricier brands for about half off. I’ve scored Paige, Hudson and Habitual jeans this way. (Did I mention my denim habit?)

So here’s your (non-required) homework for this week: Go through your current denim collection. Do any of the pairs violate the above guidelines? Then toss ‘em or use ‘em for housework, but don’t make them your go-to jeans.

If none of them are quite right, then you’ve got a little shopping to do, no?

Coming next week: Fab Mom Style Upgrade for flats.

What to buy

 

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Outfit post: Skinny cobra

By IN Personal Style

Outfit photo: Worthington shirt, Habitual skinny high-rise jeans in cobra

One of the advantages of having a few favorite brands is that you can more easily stalk the outlets, sample sites and seasonal sales. When you see the name you know and love, you can buy with more confidence.

So when Swirl* had a sale on Habitual, I pounced. I like the brand’s fit, and I know they have higher rise pants than some labels; in other words, not 6 inches below my navel.

Cobra fabric detail

These black pants are their Cinch Hi Rise Skinny in Cobra. Yes, cobra. Not so much denim as a lightweight cotton with stretch, the fabric is overprinted with a snakeskin pattern in black on black. Brings a little disco to the office job!

Sassy pants called for a sassy shirt; you’ve seen this one before. I wanted a necklace that was big and chunky on top to balance everything out; this Stella & Dot oversized pearl with ribbons necklace is the closest thing I have. Which tells me I need to add to my jewelry wardrobe.

Beautifeel Aurore open-toe pumpsFor a bit of heel, I wore my Beautifeel criss-cross strap sandals. I’ll confess I’m of two minds about these shoes. On the one hand, the insole and heel are super cushiony and comfortable. On the other, the straps are a bit tight and squeeze my foot. So they’re simultaneously comfortable and not. Sigh. Let’s hope the straps stretch out!

* I’ve told you all how much I love Swirl, right? Unlike some of the big-name sample sites, you’re not overwhelmed by volume; all you get is carefully edited collections of up-and-coming names in fashion forward styles.

Shirt: JCPenney Worthington bias tiered ruffle top, $30 (on sale for $15).
Denim: Habitual Cinch Hi Rise Skinny. (Similar Habitual skinny jeans, $66 at 6pm.com.)
Shoes: Beautifeel Aurore open-toe pumps, $249, on sale for $102 at Amazon.
Necklace: Stella & Dot. (No longer available; similar, Sparkling Sage “antique glass” and pearl silk tie necklace, $81 at Amazon.)
Outfit level: 3.

[Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links.]

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4 ways to wear winter boots

By IN Advice, Fashion

Winter's big trend: boots

A recent visit to New York City confirmed the winter trend report: boots, boots and more boots! They’ve been going strong for a few years now, and show no signs of stopping.

And there are as many ways to wear them as there are styles. Here are a few of my favorites.

4 ways to wear winter boots

  • Black boots over skinny jeans. I have a pair of flat black leather boots that are perfect for tucking into this season’s dark washed skinny jeans. The low heel works with more casual ensembles; to dress it up, I’d switch to a boot with a higher heel and a sharper toe profile.
  • Riding boots. Always classic, so always in style, riding boots go with skirts and pants. But if you wear them over leggings or skinny pants, especially with a jacket, beware of being overly equestrian and costume-y. Observers may wonder where you’ve left your riding crop.
  • Suede boots under cropped tweed pants. My suede boots are brown with a medium heel and pointed toes. They look great with a pair of brown tweed cropped paints. It gives extended life to shorter pants and shows off the beautiful suede.
  • Mid-calf shearling boots with denim or wool skirts. For a more rugged, weekend look, I pull out my North Face Janey boots; they’re flat and lined with shearling, so they work best with equally substantial fabrics, like denim or wool.

Now it’s your turn:

  • What boot styles do you own?
  • How do you wear them?
  • How many pairs do you have? (Confess!)

What you should own for a complete denim wardrobe

By IN Advice, Fashion

My husband has two pairs of jeans. When he gets a new pair, he disposes of one he already has. He finds it baffling that I own so many different kinds of denim (at last count: 10).

Premium denim jeans from Habitual

Premium denim jeans from Habitual

Though your closet doesn’t need to be filled with jeans, the complete denim wardrobe should consist of the following, each with its own fit and purpose:

What you should own for a complete denim wardrobe

  • 1 pair of dark wash, straight-legged, premium denim. This pair should fit you smoothly, but not tightly. The rise is up to you, but if your middle hangs over your waistband, strongly consider a higher rise. (The “muffin top” flatters no-one.) These jeans are for evenings out and workplaces that allow dressy casual. Invest in a good brand that will last, like Joe’s, Paper Denim & Cloth or Habitual. Look for a fabric blend that includes Lycra/Spandex for stretch and forgiveness.
  • 1 pair of dark to medium wash trouser style denim pants. This pair can fit closely, or they can be slightly looser. They are of denim but styled like pants. Like the premium jeans, they can be worn out, but should also be appropriate for all but the most conservative workplaces, especially when worn with a jacket and heels. They provide the versatility of denim without the informality of jeans, and can be found in everything from mid-market to premium brands.
  • 1 pair of looser-fitting bootleg “boyfriend” jeans. These are for weekend wear: around the house, antiquing, the backyard barbeque. Gap or Old Navy brands are a perfect place to find these; you also can’t go wrong with the old standard, Levi’s 501s.
  • 1 pair of worn-out jeans. For gardening, painting and generally getting dirty. This is the last resting stop of denim that is out of style, torn or otherwise unwearable anyplace other than Home Depot.

These four primary types should serve you well in any denim-wearing situation. Adding to this wardrobe then becomes the art of variation on the theme.