Fashion Trends archive

True Jeans featured on Big Idea with Donny Deutsch (CNBC)

True Jeans was recently featured on CNBC's "Big Idea with Donny Deutsch".  Jessica and I (Romney) sat down with Donny and his two other guests to get feedback on whether True Jeans has what it takes to be the next BIG IDEA for internet shopping.  The two other guests that day happened to be Duff Makagan (former bassist for Guns n' Roses) and his supermodel wife Susan Holmes (swimwear and jeans model).  We had a great time visiting with them on set.  Duff expressed some hesitation about shopping for jeans online but by the end of the segment we were happy that he came around.  Suffice it to say... they all believed True Jeans was a "Big Idea".  Enjoy the segment.

 

2008 Fashion Predictions

The blogosphere is a flurry of New Year's news - from resolutions to predictions for politics, fashion and celebrity gossip, you name it! Everyone's looking toward 2008 with their own personal resolutions as well as some ideas for what the future will bring. At TrueJeans, we thought it'd be fun to bring you some of the buzz for the next year in fashion. Will wide leg jeans sweep our closets or will skinny jeans reign supreme? Will boots over jeans suddenly be a mistake? And will we ever see the end of Crocs? Only time will tell, but it's fun to play fortune teller and see what happens!

Men's Denim

The menswear gurus over at styleforum are tossing in their predictions for Spring denim trends. Senior member 'DGP' predicts more emphasis on waxed or coated denims. Other posters respond with praise for the classic boot-cut and straight leg, claiming these staples will never go out of style.

Should You Ditch your Skinny Jeans and Leggings?

Not yet, according to Stevie Wilson of la-story.com. She's found a great article from Fushion Magazine that has taken both the New York and Los Angeles fashion weeks into consideration to come up with some predictions to suit both sides of the country. Leggings and skinny jeans paired with high heels were spotted on the runway, so don't toss 'em out just yet! Of course, if you shy away from the skinny jean/legging silhouette, never fear. With more wide leg jeans hitting the market now, there is a fashion forward option for every body type.

Aim High and Go for the Gold

Stevie Wilson and Fushion Magazine also tells us that the runways are showcasing more and more high-waisted skirts, high heels, and high shine. Shimmery leggings, rich and luxurious goldtone fabrics and shoes, gold accessories, anything with shimmer and shine (without looking tacky, of course...it's a delicate balance) is in for 2008 on the runways. The Budget Fashionista affirms the high-waist trend as well, noting that knee-length pencil skirts, sequins, silks and metallics will all be more popular this year. 

Lose a Half an Inch

On your tie, that is! TheLedger.com's Samantha Critchell gives us a heads-up for the fashion-conscious men out there: "Buy a skinnier tie". In a section of the fashion industry that moves at a slower, less drastic pace, menswear trends move in cycles approximately every 5 years, according to Critchell. It seems only natural, then, that such a seemingly small alteration would weigh just as heavily in menswear as, say, changing from stilettos to flats for women's trends. As trends lean more and more toward the dressy and put the grunge look behind us, men are taking the hint from stars like Justin Timberlake and Kanye West who wear suits as casual wear. Subtle changes like a fitted jacket, casual shoe or a more slender lapel turn the would-be corporate suit into fashionable street wear.

The Bottom Line: It's Time to Grow Up

Style Dash helps put all of these trends into perspective by summing it up for us with an article they found in Fortune Magazine (an unlikely spot for fashion advice, we know!). The trends we're seeing unravel for 2008 all seem to have one thing in common - sophistication. Of course there are playful accents and more casual accessories or garments if you choose, but a streamlined, classy look is something that will never go out of style. It just happens to be particularly in right now! Fortune suggests making use of a scarf as your next major accessory, high fashion sneakers (I'm a little biased to this one. I love a cute pair of colorful sneakers), sheer fabrics, and even industrial fabrics. These fabrics are making their appearance with some more high end designers (Established 1887 is offering a tee shirt with silver anti-microbial chips embedded in it to repel stains and odors...a shirt that cleans itself?)

Whatever you choose to wear this season, what's most important is that you feel good about yourself and love what you're wearing. If you're just not feeling the high-waisted pencil skirt, don't wear it! Thankfully, with more traditional and classy styles on the forefront, this means that all different body types can enjoy feeling stylish and on the cutting edge of tomorrow's trends. As for the Crocs, though I can't say that I'd ever want to wear a pair, I think they'll be sticking around for at least a little while longer. Some even have a fleece lining! I suppose that's an entry for another day, though.

Happy New Year, everyone! Here's to great fashion and great jeans for 2008! 

Pine IV is Creating a Buzz

 

Pine IV has created quite a buzz around the green community lately.  It is hard to escape the eco-awareness craze and this is one trend that I hope is long lasting. 

The Green Girl Guide, a blog dedicated to eco-friendly beauty, fashion and lifestyle trends, recently featured Pine IV in one of its posts.  This post is great because it mentions how Pine IV is planning on launching a line made from organic cotton and bamboo in 2008.  In the mean time, Pine IV continues to do its part to help the environment by planting a tree for every pair of jeans they sell. 

Kim Kardashian's New Denim Line

It seems like every week there is yet another celebrity introducing a clothing line. Celebs like Justin Timberlake, Paris Hilton, Victoria Beckham and Sara Jessica Parker are all cashing in on their lucrative clothing lines and celebrities everywhere are looking to follow in their footsteps. 

The latest celebrity turned designer making news is celebutante Kim Kardashian.   The socialite and star of new E! reality show Keeping Up With the Kardashians became famous for being friends with Paris Hilton (among other things).

Kim stated, "It's definitely going to happen but we're just meeting with manufacturers at the minute so it's still in the early stages...We want to start with jeans. Like a denim line. And then we want to do some really cute dresses and stuff that we would wear."

Kim already owns and runs the L.A. boutique Dash with sisters Kourtney and Khloe.  Dash specializes in designer labels and Kim states that "pretty much my whole wardrobe is from there.My life and my world is fashion."

 

Boot-iful

There is no denying that skinny jeans are continuing to rule the denim scene this fall. One of the biggest trends this fall and winters is jeans and boots. Skinny jeans paired with boots are the perfect stylish duo to step out in as the leaves fall and temperatures drop.

"Love, Life, and Sneakers"

Have the past few posts sparked your interested in the sneaker culture?  If so, I suggest reading “Life, Love and Sneakers” from The Boston Phoenix.  The article was written over a year ago but is filled with timeless stories about the sneaker culture.

According to The Phoenix, the sneakerhead culture “isn’t just confined to online forums and brick-and-mortar high-end stores; it’s also creeping into the mainstream.”  The infiltration of the sneaker culture can be seen by watching the ESPN2 series It’s the Shoes, “a late-night sneaker-centric summer-series featuring interviews with the likes of Carmelo Anthony, Spike Lee, and Missy Elliott.” 

The hip hop culture has and continues to greatly influence the appeal of the sneaker culture.  Legendary MC and DJ, Biz Markie, shares his passion for sneakers in this clip from ESPN2's series It’s the Shoes.  Check out his old school 1970’s Puma’s and Super Pro Ked’s.  

So just how huge has the sneaker culture become?

So just how huge has the sneaker culture become?  American’s obsession with sneaker has grown so big that ABC’s Nightly News team covered the story. The segment is great because it touches on the fact that sneakers are a form of nostalgia that many people are willing to pay a pretty penny for.   

Click here to check out this segment.  The segment features clips from HBO’s hit series “Entourage” and Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing. 

Sneakerpimps

For years now, Sneakerpimps has been on a revolutionary traveling sneaker tour that represents the sneaker culture through out the entire world.

Sneakerpimps is a lifestyle showcase with more than 1,500 shoes on display as well as sneakers crafted by artists and inspired by photography. Most sneaker events only have Air Jordan or Nike displayed and a couple more brands that have blown up the last couple years. However, Sneakerpimps has a wide variety of limited edition kicks that are hard to find anywhere else.

This show is a lot different from others traveling exhibits. The show takes an innovative look at not just the colors but also the artistic vision that goes into creating every pair. Most of the shoes that travel with Sneakerpimps were custom painted or custom created. The Aragon hallways were filled with sneakers.

If you are a sneakerhead, I definitely suggesting check out this show when it comes to a city near you!

Continue reading "Sneakerpimps" »

Jeans and Sneakers - The Ultimate Duo

America is truly becoming a denim culture.  Jeans are no longer reserved for casual weekend wear; instead they have become a staple in our daily wardrobe.  What better to pair with your jeans than a great pair of sneakers.  Not only are they totally comfortable, but a great pair of sneakers can also be the ultimate fashion statement.

I went on the hunt for the perfect pair of sneakers recently and during my search I learned a tremendous amount about the growing sneaker culture that is making sneakers one of the hottest commodities on the market.

My knowledge of this growing sneaker culture was pretty limited.  Besides the fact that I love the way a great pair of sneakers looked when paired with awesome fitting jeans, I did not know much about how the sneaker culture got its start and slowly invaded main stream America.

In order to begin learning about this social culture and find my perfect pair of kicks, I checked out Hypebeast.com, an online magazine for all things relating to the sneaker culture.  This site is a great resource for anyone interested in learning about the latest sneakers to hit the market and is also great for those looking to learn about the many vintage styles that are out there. 

Hypebeast.com also has a forum with topics relating to specific sneaker brands, custom sneakers, where to buy sneakers, and street fashion.  The conversations that are contained in these threads certainly show the passion for sneakers that is growing.    

From there, I checked out a site called Sneakerhead.com.  Sneakerhead is a term describing the newest generation of sneaker collectors, those in search of  the coolest, rarest sneaker on the market, whether it be Adidas, Nike or Reebok.  If you are at all interested in learning about anything from the history of sneakers to where to get the best selection of sneakers, Sneakerhead.com's Sneaker Academy is the place for you.

Check back all week for more about what I learned about the sneaker culture!!!

7 For All Mankind Broadens Its Brand

The Journal tends to support the idea the 7 For All Mankind’s expansion will give the brand a stronger presence in the market and will be good for the company, stating:

"Launched in 2000, without any advertising but lots of word of mouth in hip, fashionable circles, Seven For All Mankind's jeans quickly became hot sellers, racking up $70 million in sales in its second year in business in 2002, up from $13 million its first year… The brand burned hot enough to catch Wall Street's attention. In 2005, Bear Stearns's Merchant Banking unit bought a 50% stake in Seven for All Mankind LLC for nearly $300 million. Founder Mr. Koral owned the rest. He is staying on with Seven until his contract expires in February."

Seven has also recently been acquired by the major apparel label, VF Corp, who also owns brands like Lee, Wrangler and Nautica.  Seven should be able to use the resources already in place at these sportswear brands while breaking into the accessory market.  

7 For All Mankind’s premium jeans literally exploded onto the scene, quickly earning critical acclaim and an immediate following for its innovative us of fits, fabrics, and finishes in denim.  Will the same happen for the brand’s new line of accessories? 

What do you think?  Will 7 For All Mankind be able to successfully crossover into other product categories or should they keep their focus on the quality denim that so many of us how come to love?

Sheryl Crow - The Next Celebrity Turned Fashion Designer?!?

Rocker Sheryl Crow is the latest celebrity to turn fashion designer. Crow is teaming up with Canadian clothing manufacturer Western Glove Works to launch a low budget denim line. Western Glove Works is also the same manufacturer used by Victoria Beckham's dvb denim line.

The collection, which will be called Bootheel Trading Co., will launch next year and will retail between $20 and $65. Boothlee Trading Co. will be a denim based collection and its expected to become available in stores until Fall 2008.

I have always loved Sheryl's laid back, rocker style and look forward to seeing what this line will offer. 

What do you think?  Would you rather buy clothing designed by celebrities or actual designers?

Denim Hits the Runway with Chanel

When you think of Chanel, black and white classic elegance most likely comes to mind.  However, Chanel’s recent catwalk show at Paris Fashion Week moved away from the world of classic elegance and moved into the edgy world of denim!

It seems like everyone in the fashion world, including Louisa Kinoshi at Tartan Online, is buzzing about this collection.  "The last thing the fashion world expected was a show proclaiming American nationalism", says Kinoshi, “but that's just what they got. With a prevalent theme of reds, whites and blues, Chanel Creative Director Karl Lagerfeld showed the high fashion crowd that denim can belong on a fashion week catwalk, in more ways than one.”

With this line, Largerfeld has taken an everyday fabric like denim and has translated it into the haute couture world of high-end fashion.  I am not sure how I feel about the use of denim in this collection.  Don’t get me wrong, I really think the lines of these pieces are gorgeous.  I just don’t know if the fabric is appropriate for the image Chanel upholds. 

How do you feel about Chanel’s new line?  Do you think Chanel is taking the denim trend too far?

Eco Friendly Clothing Lines

Going green is not a new concept. In fact, I have shared environmentally friendly news about ways to recycle your old denim and Pine IV's efforts to be an eco-friendly brand.  This trend of environmental awareness is beginning to take over the fashion world. 

More and more brands are looking for ways to make them more eco-friendly.  Innovative, affordable, eco-friendly designs are here to stay, and boutiques and stores are recognizing this emerging trends, and beginning to make these eco-friendly styles more available to consumers.   

One of my favorite new eco-friendly brands is Doie Designs.  This beautiful collection of Asian-inspired bamboo jersey fashions is the brainchild of Sara Kirsner.  Kirsner previously worked with well known designers Marc Jacobs and Donna Karan before deciding to leave the  high-end world of fashion to focus on her own environmentally friendly clothing line. 

Doei Designs are made from bamboo fabric.  Unlike cotton, bamboo grows fast without artificial assistance and does not require pesticides.   Bamboo is also incredible soft and extremely durable and strong.

One of my favorite piece in this environmentally friendly collection is the Harusame Nagameru Dress.  Check out the entire Doei collection at www.doiedesigns.com.

Take Forbes Advice on How to Wear Fall's Fashion Trends

A recent Forbes article, entitled "How To Wear Fall Fashion's Top Trends," discussed the latest fall fashion trends and offers advice on how to take the runway trends and make them work with your everyday wardrobe. 

 According to Forbes, wearing runway looks can "pose  a risk: What won applause on the runway can get you hooted off the stage of real life. Says David Wolfe, creative director of The Doneger Group, a fashion-forecasting firm in New York City, "For the designers, it's an exciting time; but for consumers, figuring out how to wear these trends without looking foolish can be problematic."

Yellow and other bright hues were a major trend to hit the runways in designer's menswear fall collections.  Forbes advised that the best way to incorporate these brighter colors into your wardrobe is to "use sparingly."  A great way to pull this look off is to incorporated brightly colored accessories  such as a tie or pocket pocket to your outfits.  

For women, the major color trend is grey.  But for those who are looking for a little more color, geometric patterns are the way to go.  Forbes warns that you can "run the risk of looking a fool, though, if you wear too loud a print in too conservative an office. And to wear more than one patterned item at a time is definitely a no-no: You'll look like a test-pattern." 

To learn more about the right way to wear this season's trends check out "How To Wear Fall Fashion's To Trends"  at http://mt.corpblogsite.com/mt2/www.forbes.com

The Great Debate - Button vs. Zipper Fly

Have you ever wonder about the logic behind a pair of pants that takes an extra 10 seconds to unbutton, an extra 15 seconds to button?  Many can even argue that buttons close the fly less completely and less efficiently than a zipper.  So why do some many of the premium brands only offer button fly jeans?

The button fly was included with the first pair of Levi’s, presumably for the same type of sturdiness provided by the rivets that made jeans last longer than other pants. At some point zipper flies were introduced, and the confusion began.

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld let the world know that he only wears button fly.  During an episode of his hit TV show Jerry stated: "That is one place on my wardrobe I do not need interlocking metal teeth.  It's like a mink trap down there."

What's your stance on this issue?  Do you prefer button or zipper fly jeans? 

 

Denim Invades the Boardroom!

In a recent article by Ezine Articles writer Megan Youngblood, the trend of denim becoming more and more acceptable attire for all occasions is discussed.  The article, entitled “The Modern Citizen: Jeans in the Boardroom,”  explains how even though the price of premium denim has risen, jeans have still managed to make there way into environments were they were previously taboo. 

It has become more and more acceptable to wear denim to the office.  According to Youngblood, one of the major reasons for the acceptance of jeans in previously non-jean friendly environments is the higher prices.  For example, “when your Citizens of Humanity, True Religion jeans, and Seven For All Mankind jeans have prices in the same range as your dress pants, you’re bound to see a crossover.”

Price tag aside, it is clear that certain styles, washes and cuts of denim are more acceptable for more formal settings like the boardroom.  When taking denim into a professional or formal environment, look for jeans with dark, clean washes and minimal embellishments or treatments.  Also, avoid cuts that cling too tightly to the body.  More relaxed styles are more acceptable as they create a more polish, professional appearance.

 To read more about wearing denim to the office, check out Denim For The Office - What Every Man Should Avoid and The Skinny on Business Casual. 

Find the perfect coat for your shape -- Under $300.00

The winter season (at least on our side of the coast) is underway.  I woke up to a bit of frost on my car, and there is no denying that there are some cold mornings to come.  Having lived in New England all of my life, I know how hard it is to find a flattering and fashionable coat that meets my winter warmth standards.

To my delight, I found some great hints in this months Issue of O Magazine.  The article, entitled ‘The Right Coat For Your Body’ gives readers tips on just that—finding the perfect fitting, flattering winter coat.  Now, a few of the price points in the coats featured in the article are a bit high, so I have put my own twist on the piece.  I’ve found the same styles in the suggested coats online, all priced$300.00 or less. So here we go…

 

Problem: Some coats are bulky, taking away from our natural curves.  For women that want the look of softer curves, a jacket with side button closures and tailored lines is suggested.  I found a great jacket from Revolve Clothing. This is a lighter jacket spinning off from what is shown on Oprah’s magazine, but should create the desired effect of softer shoulders and a more pronounced, but soft waist.

 

 

 

 

Problem: Do you have a great waist, but a weaker upper half?  Many women experience the same problem and would like to find a coat that, by the jacket’s style, accentuates their shoulders.  Draping around the neck and shoulders is the best way to show off your upper half.  This gorgeous wool coat from Marc Jacobs on Bluefly is a perfect fit.  Wrapping around the waist still shows off your natural waist line, but the open v-neck and draping around the shoulders will help you with your fit needs. 

 

 
Problem: Some women try to hide the area between their hips and knees in heavy ankle length coats.  Well, O Magazine provides a solution: find a peacoat style more fitted around the upper waist, which forms into a a-line towards the bottom and make sure the coat is tailored to end above the knee.  I would also suggest wearing this coat with slimming clothes, like a high waisted but fitted pair of jeans like Kasil Jean's Tribeca, or a pencil skirt with herringbone leggings.  I found the perfect coat on Bluefly again.  A DKNY wool pea coat with extended collar, drawn in waist and a lower cut to end right above or at your knee.  

 

 

Problem: Need space for a bigger bustline, but still want room to move?  A cocoon shaped coat is perfect for this fit battle.  The coat’s shape allows for a full range of motion without looking like you’re swimming in the jacket.  In fact, this style of coat which is lightly gathered at the bottom is coming back into style.  Back in the 20’s the cocoon shape substituted for capes to offer better protection in the winter months.  Because these coats are so popular, it was really hard to find them within our 300.00 budget, but I did get lucky on Oasis a great black and white wool blend with fashionable buttons and a funnel collar will do the trick!

 

 

Problem: In the 50’s A-line swing coats came into style, and let me tell you, it simply isn’t old yet!  Every season new A-lines appear in better wool blend and colors than before.  If you have a pear shaped waist line, which many of us do, this is the coat for you.  Of all the coats suggested here, this is the easiest to find at your local department store.  However, if shopping on line is more your style, check out this coat on BlueFly by Adam Meets Eve.
 

 

 

 

Problem:  As a petite woman myself, I look for a coat which will give me a little more height.  This great coat from La Redoute is just what I’d purchase.  It has a wrapover look to give my torso a longer look and a partial funnel neck to give me more height up top around my neckline.  The coat shows more leg, which also gives the desired illusion of height.  Match that up with a great pair of heels and fitted bottoms and you’re ready to go!

 

I hope this helps you all either when browsing online or during in-store shopping trips!  

If you have any other fit problems we can help you out with feel free to leave a comment and I’ll work on finding the right coat for your body.  If you have any other favorite styles or stores online for coats feel free to share it in a comment as well!  Happy Shopping!

Long vs. Short Waisted - What Rise Works Best on Your Torso?

 

What a difference your waist waist line make!  It is important to pay close attention to where your pants' waistband rest, aka the rise.

If you have a lot of room between your ribs and hips and your legs are on the short side, you are most likely long waisted.  Wearing high waisted pants with tucked in tops is a great way to make your legs look longer.

 Those ladies with longer legs and less distance between ribs and hips are considered short waisted. By wearing pants with a lower rise with untucked shirts can stretch out your torso and make you midsection appear longer. 

When your waistband is hitting where it is should bem your legs and torso will appear to be in perfect proportion.   

For more information about finding the perfect rise for your body check out People Magazine's Style Watch.   

How to Dress to Flatter a Smaller Chest

 

Not all of us are lucky enough to have curves in all the right places.  For those who are a little less well endowed in the bust, there are a few simple tricks from People Magazine’s Style Watch that can make you appear more voluptuous.  Don’t worry, we won’t tell!!!  

Just like those with a boyish figure, you small busted ladies out there can create curves and a more shapely appearance by wearing clothing that is very structured.  Tops that add dimension, whether in the form of ruffles, embellishments, etc., are a great way to create the appearance of a larger chest.  Asymmetrical and higher necklines will also help to broaden the shoulder and create the illusion of a fuller bust. 

Adding layers or clothing that drapes and the bust is also a trick that helps to fill you out.  Kate Hudson is a great example of how layering can work in your favor.  “While the slim knit (left) is fine, the sweater’s added layers and the belt make for a sexier silhouette.” 

Is Global Warming Changing the Way We Dress???

Everyone who has seen Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth knows that global warming is no joke but who knew that one of the most obvious effects of the warming trend can be seen in your closets.  A recent article in the Wall Street Journal examines how we as a global community are moving toward “seasonless dressing.” 

The WSJ also claims that “people spend so much time indoors and in cars that their lives are essentially climate-controlled. There's less of a need for bulky sweaters and tweedy woolens.”

So what are designers trying to do to adjust to the climate change?  Liz Claiborne Inc, Target, Kohls and JC Penny are all shifting the way they sell clothes, so they have items on the rack that customers need "month to month, instead of season to season." These companies have been working with climatologists and meteorological consultants to how plan the fabrics and styles that should be available month to month.

Because there are lee dramatic changes between seasons, the chore of switching out your entire wardrobe every few months is no longer necessary.  I wonder if that means that the near future we will be wearing white denim all year round – kind of a scary thought!!!

What do you think about the climate change’s effect of fashion?

How to Flatter a Heavier Bottom

 

 

 

Bottom heavy ladies out there have no fear.  People Magazine’s Style Watch recently featured several simple tips to help flatter and enhance your pear shape.

Songstress Nelly Furtardo is a great example of a bottom heavy, pear shaped figure.  “Combining a tight top with skinny jeans (left) only makes her behind seem bigger.  The halter neck and longer top (right) create a more balanced look.”

Your goal in dressing yourself should be to draw attention to your upper body and minimize the appearance of your lower body.  That said, you should avoid anything that adds to the perceived size of your lower half, including wide leg pants and flared skirts.

A great straight leg or slim bootcut jean works great to play up your bottom half without over emphasizing it.  Red Engine’s Straight Leg jean or Super Sexy Bootcut are classic styles perfectly suited for pear shapes.  When pairs with a sleek pair of heels, Red Engine’s jeans create the illusion of a longer, leaner shape.