Going denim shopping anytime soon? If you’ve been feeling hesitant because denim shopping can be such an ego-blow, experience from hell, we don’t blame you. But we’re here to make it easier. We’ve got 5 tips from Donna Ida on buying jeans to ruminate over before you head out there into the denim jungle.
1. If jeans go on easily, go down a size. Kicking your way into the legs isn’t unusual.
2. Don’t be afraid to hem cropped jeans. People often think that if cropped jeans aren’t the right length then they’re not the jeans for them, but cropped jeans should be hemmed to fit properly, just like a bootleg or straight leg.
3. When buying jeans with super stretch, look for good quality denim that has great memory. The ‘memory’ is how quickly the denim springs back after wear.
4. When buying jeans with super stretch buy them firm but not overly tight. If you have ‘seam strain’ down the legs, they are possibly too tight and this could damage the stretch.
5. Look for white jeans with faux front pockets. If the style you choose has front pockets you can ask the tailor to remove them for a neater look.
Stay tuned for more tips!
—DT Staff & Donna Ida
Tags: denim guide, denim shopping tips, Denim Therapy, Donna Ida, hemming service, how to buy jeans, which jeans to buy
In this installment of “Get To Know Your Jeans!” we’ll teach you a little something about the fibers that are woven together to create your jeans. These two terms indicate the direction the yarn is going in the fabric.
The “warp” refers to the warp yarn, which is the vertical yarn. The “weft” refers to the weft yarn, which is the horizontal yarn. Because the weft yarn can be modified to create patterns and designs in the weave, you can think of the warp yarn as a kind of canvas or base. More technically speaking, the warp yarn is a foundation and the thread is usually stronger and more coarse, giving structure to the fabric.
Some denim brands vary the color of their warp and weft threads through thread-dying to create a unique texture and color as the denim fades. One brand that does this is NEUW Denim. Naked & Famous is another, as pictured below. When you cuff up the jeans and notice a contrasting color inside, the weft thread has been dyed.
Got a denim question? Email us!
Image via Rawr Denim.
—Michelle Christina Larsen
Tags: denim glossary, denim vocabulary, warp thread, warp vs. weft, weft thread, what is warp, what is weft
Freezing your jeans as a method of cleaning is a topic we’ve discussed a few times over the years, but it’s always worth a re-visit for the sake of newly converted denim-heads looking for a way to clean their jeans sans-water (also, when we saw the gorgeous silver jeans in this Intermix blog pic, we knew we needed an excuse to re-post it). Here’s the run-through…
“To ensure your go-to denim stays fresh, we encourage freezing your jeans rather than washing. Associate buyer, Barbie Cavaleri, swears by this chilling technique and calls it her “at-home dry clean.”
The ‘freeze clean’ method will remove bacteria, preserve dark dyes and special finishes, and restore shape. After investing in this season’s trends, like coated jeans and leather detailing, be sure to use this method to maintain your denim’s waxy look and shine! Here’s how…
5 Easy Steps to ‘Freeze Clean’ Denim:
Step 1: Spot clean stains and let jeans dry completely
Step 2: Fold lengthwise twice, then smooth out wrinkles
Step 3: Place jeans in zip lock bag and close tightly without air
Step 4: Place jeans in freezer for a minimum of 24 hours
Step 5: Thaw, wear, repeat!”
Instructions via Intermix.
—Michelle Christina Larsen
Tags: clean your jeans, dry clean jeans, freeze your jeans, freezing jeans, how to clean jeans, put jeans in the freezer
8 is the magic number! This is one tip we stand by with both feet firmly planted, but Lucky Mag is here to reinforce it why we have to be careful how many inches should be accounted for in the rise of your waistband:
“Don’t go too low: Steer clear of jeans with anything less than an eight-inch rise, especially if you don’t have six-pack abs. (The rise, by the way, is the distance from the crotch to the top of the waistband.) If the top button is any lower than three inches below your navel, even the slightest post-lunch tummy pooch can look like a full-fledged muffin top, and who wants that? Well, someone, probably.”
…Well, even if someone does want that, we don’t want that for you. Heed the 8″ rule! And remember, high-rise doesn’t mean high-waisted, to the belly-button. See three of our favorite picks for high-rise jeans below.
Paige Denim High Rise Jeggings ($199) – buy it at Shopbop.
GOLDSIGN Virtual High Rise Skinny Jeans ($234) – buy it at Shopbop.
DL1961 Nina Super High Rise Skinny Jeans ($168) – buy it at Shopbop.
—Michelle Christina Larsen
Tags: high rise jeans, high waist jeans, how to avoid muffin tops, how to buy jeans, how to wear jeans, which jeans to buy
One of spring’s hottest upcoming trends is tie-dye or ombre dye denim. UK-based denim expert Donna Ida weighs in: ”To me tie dye is all about a relaxed, fun, hippy vibe and this season the colours are so super vibrant as seen on the catwalks of Charlotte Ronson and Etro. Get beach chic with tie dye shorts and casual tees.”
Get the look! Siwy Denim Camilla Shorts in Mixed Signals ($308.20) – buy it at Donna Ida.
—DT Staff
Tags: dip dye denim, Donna Ida, How to wear it, ombre denim, spring denim trends, tie dye denim, what to wear
So you’ve got your pair of jeans and your crisp white t-shirt, maybe you’ve got wind-swept hair and some in-demand jewelry… but you’re not exactly sure how to take your outfit over the line from effortless to totally freaking hot? We’ve got the answer: Red heels. Whether they’re wedges, platforms, or stilettos, a pair of bright red heels with jeans can turn an every day look into something extraordinary (without taking from the effortless aesthetic you were going for in the first place). Below, we pair three pairs of jeans with three red shoes we love right now.
1. 7 For All Mankind mid-rise straight leg jeans ($210) – buy it at Net-A-Porter; worn with the “Jemma” platform boot in red ($220) – buy it at Nasty Gal.
2. Genetic Denim The Jane High-Rise Slim Bell Jeans in Fang ($253.69) – buy it at Glassworks Studios; Worn with the “Red Your Mind” boot in red ($234.99) – buy it at ModCloth.
3. TIBI Low-rise chambray wide-leg jeans ($285) – buy it at Net-A-Porter; worn with Stuart Weitzman platform pump in red ($298) – buy it at Bergdorf Goodman.
Love this look? Post your jeans & red shoes pics on our facebook wall!
—Michelle Christina Larsen
Tags: 7 for All Mankind, Genetic Denim, red heels, red shoes, red shoes with blue jeans, red shoes with denim, tibi jeans
This one’s for the dudes (but ladies with tomboy taste can take advantage of it too). Every Guyed has posted a guide to wearing denim jackets for men, including tips on how to look more rugged, which shirts and fabrics to pair them with, how to slim down the look (hint: no shearling lining), and finding one that fits. Our two cents? It’s really hard to go wrong with this timeless staple.
Learn how to wear a menswear denim jacket, and report back with progress/questions!
—DT Staff
Tags: denim style, denim styling tips, how to wear a denim jacket, what to wear with a denim jacket
We say it all the time, but denim is an amazing fabric because it’s so versatile. A pair of jeans can lend to your look, whether you’re heading to an outdoor festival or a lunch meeting with a client. Different colors, cuts, and textures on the market right now make this transitional styling option even more viable. We love the idea of taking jeans and making them totally luxe, because you add the element of glamour while keeping it cool. Today, we’ll show you how to do that with a few simple tricks.
1. Denim shorts with kimono-style robes.
Zadig & Voltaire Play denim cut-off shorts ($225) – buy it at Net-A-Porter.
Topshop peach floral sheer kimono ($47) – buy it at Topshop.
2. Denim workshirts under tailored blazers.
Delia*s Lightweight denim workshirt ($40) – buy it at Delia*s.
Sportmax Aubergine Sondalo Corduroy Blazer ($283) – buy it at My Wardrobe.
3. Denim dress with chunky, glam costume jewelry.
CURRENT/ELLIOTT Blue Destroyed Denim Dress ($279) – buy it at Stylebop.
GUESS by Marciano Rhinestone Bib Necklace ($128) – buy it at GUESS.
Try these tips and let us know how you like ‘em!
Opening image via Fashion Gone Rogue.
—Michelle Christina Larsen
Tags: denim cut off shorts, denim dress, denim shirt, styling tips, tailored blazer, what to buy, what to wear, Zadig & Voltaire
According to Lucky Mag, there’s a brand you should stick with if you’re in the market for skinny jeans that have the power to slim down your thights. They’re talking about Siwy Denim‘s Hannah skinny jean, which feature seams that contour slightly forward from the usual side seam standard, creating the illusion of thinner legs. They come in many washes, textures, and styles. Below are three of our favorites to start you off.
1. Siwy Denim Hannah crop skinny in Shadow Play ($228) – buy it at Siwy Denim.
2. Siwy Denim Hannah crop skinny in Fall In Love ($182) – buy it at Siwy Denim.
3. Siwy Denim Hannah crop skinny in Desert Rose ($182) – buy it at Siwy Denim.
—Michelle Christina Larsen
Tags: how to look thinner, jeans to make you look thinner, pink jeans, polka dot jeans, Siwy Denim, skinny jeans, the hannah, which jeans make you look skinny
We think you probably don’t need much persuading when it comes to buying a perfect pair of jeans, but buying two pairs? These days people’s purse strings are tighter than ever, but here’s why it might not be such a bad idea to stock up when you find “the one”:
“When you find a pair of jeans you love, buy two.
Tailor one to wear with flats, and keep the other long enoguh to wear with heels. Here’s why: With heels, your jeans’ hem should just skim the floor—this elongates your legs. But if you wear that same pair with flats, you’ll end up stepping on (and tearing up) the bottoms, and the look will be more schlumpy than chic.” (Via LuckyMag).
We have only two things to say, and we’ll leave the decision making to you. First, you could also cuff your jeans when you wear them with flats. Everyone knows the perfect cuff can be as noteworthy as an accessory on its own. Secondly, if you do tear the hems up, you know where to go for your expert denim repair!
—DT Staff
Tags: denim shopping, how to hem jeans, perfect hem, what to buy, which jeans to buy
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