Contrary to popular belief, men also have trouble finding the right fit, when it comes to jeans.  Thanks to the denim industry, a multitude of fits have been conceived to break open the shackles of boring, constrained male silhouettes.  Consider the Carrot fit jeans:  built roomy in the thigh area, dropped crotch, and tapered down to a straight leg.  Depending on the cut of the jean, a man with muscular thighs can carry the carrot jeans off like a slim or straight leg, without cutting off circulation.  Warning:  if you are on the short side, look for Carrot fit jeans that begin the taper above the knees.  If the thigh is too baggy, your thighs will look bigger, unless that’s the look you were going for.

Featured above:
(L to R, Top) Nudie Jeans Big Bengt Carrot Jeans, ASOS Dark Wash Carrot Fit Jeans, TopMan Raw Indigo Arc Leg Carrot Fit Jeans, and Diesel Krooley 8A0 Tapered Jeans.
(L to R, Bottom) AllSaints Gun Fit, Unconditional Side Zip Carrot Jeans, G-Star Raw ‘Morris’ Tapered Jeans, and TopMan Bleached Denim Carrot Fit Jeans.

– Kathy Ng Hassan

Denim Therapy has been in bed with The Laundress and we love the service she gives…laundering our denim, that is.  Oh, behave!  I bet you didn’t know that besides their amazing Denim Wash product, they have a special denim cleaning service?

The Laundress Denim Service offers the best care for your beloved (and often overpriced) denim. There’s no need to run to the dry cleaners or deny those beloved pairs a good washing because you are afraid they will fade, won’t be the same or have the perfect hole ruined. Fret no more, we have the perfect method which combines The Laundress Denim Wash and cleaning from the experts in laundering.

So, don’t let your dirty little dungarees get out of control.  Shower them with love in the loving hands of The Laundress Denim Service for only $20 per item.  It’s all about the Denim Therapy.

THE LAUNDRESS

–Nikki Cho Russo

Most people who are raw denim enthusiasts want the maximum “bespoking” to happen naturally, so it’s kind of a zen mentality of not washing their raw denim for over 6 months to get the maximum effect.  I happen to believe that it’s not a number that you can follow because each person has their own lifestyle and amount of activity that they do in jeans. If you wear them every day and you’re moving around a lot then I think you can wash them sooner than the 6 month mark, if you sit a lot then I would wait the 6 months and hold out if you want the best effect.  The whole philosophy and aim of owning raw denim is to get them to conform, fade, acquire marks and creases specifically to your body, forming the perfect fitting and comfortable jeans.

If you are a little anxious to wash your jeans, but they aren’t dirty, but smell a little I would pull them inside out and put them in the freezer overnight and then either let them air out the next day or you can put them in a plastic bag along with a box of Arm & Hammer refrigerator baking soda to soak up the smell or a strip of Arm & Hammer Essentials fabric softener.

If you got them dirty and want them clean, use a splash of Dark Woolite in some warm water, with your jeans inside out, dunk them in the water moving them around to release any dirt without making too much movement that will add creases or marks from fading and then hang dry.  This process will minimize the amount of fading and creases.  Just keep in mind that there will be some shrinkage.

In Amman’s case, the jeans are grey so depending on the kind of grey, light - use regular Woolite, dark - use Dark Woolite. Hemming should definitely wait for after his first wash and as I told him, he’s in luck, cuffing is the trend with the whole heritage work-wear theme that is so hot for men right now.

Speaking of jeans, check out Spurr Denim by Simon Spurr.  A very hot young designer with a great men’s collection.

Spurr Raw Indigo Pipe Jeans, $340.00

New for Spring 2010, this Indigo 5 pocket denim has plain back pockets and contrast trim and are the perfect addition to your wardrobe.

SPURR @ BLUE AND CREAM

–Nikki Cho Russo

Janine Chilton-Faust, VP of women’s design for the Levi's® brand.

In all my sputtering about on the current “It” jeans, I recently had the opportunity to revisit an American original in the denim industry; and, what’s more, had the privilege to interview a top Stylist from Levi’s®.  What really blew me away, was, the good PR folks actually got me the top Stylist, Janine Chilton-Faust, VP of women’s design for the Levi’s® brand.  I wanted to pick her brain on what were good jeans for women of various sizes and shapes to wear, and what were some good tips on what to wear for various occasions.  As you know, jeans are taking over!

Now, I expected some denim-snobby answers, but not Ms. Chilton-Faust.  A San Francisco Bay Area resident, she exudes practicality, confidence and a bit of rebellion.   She says we can wear white jeans after Labor Day, and it’s okay to wear jeans to a wedding, as long as you style it right.  It shouldn’t be too hard to look great, especially with an assortment of Levi’s au courant jeans to steal the social scene.  To be honest, I had no idea how completely reinvented and how far Levi’s has come since I wore my first 501’s back in college.

In your opinion, what makes a terrific-fitting pair of jeans? Are bootcuts really for everybody?
The first test is how you feel!  You can own a fit and make it yours if you feel good.  If you rely on what others think, then make sure the jean fits your body type, doesn’t sag in the rear, gap at the waist and most importantly, the pockets are placed in the best position to optimize the rear view.

It’s true that bootcuts can be worn by anyone and all body types… but it is the wearer’s choice in what makes her feel good.

Tip: “If you want a leaner leg look, make sure the thigh to the knee is a slim fit!”

A Levi's legging jean.

It seems the legging jeans (aka Jeggings) are the current “It” jeans to wear.  How do you suggest we ladies wear them for the winter season?
Boots or ballet flats look great with jeggings.  On top, proportion works well with the legging – so anything long, wide or layered all complement the total look.

For those who may feel the Jeggings are too close for comfort, what are good alternatives?
Skinny jeans are the perfect alternative.  Levi’s® 531 Skinny or Levi’s® Juniors 524 Skinny are jeans that still provide a long lean skinny look without being too tight.

What is the “It” jean for men this winter? How should men wear them?
Levi’s® 501 jean!  And each man can make them his own.  It is a universal fit that can be worn crisp and clean for a smart look with a cuff, or washed and damaged for a casual look.

Is it appropriate for men and women over 35 to wear slashed/ripped jeans?
Absolutely!  Just make sure you pair it with a little more sophisticated top and footwear.

How would you cure the “muffin-top” syndrome?
Don’t be afraid to try on different sizes.  Sometimes you may need to size up one size. Otherwise, choose your tops wisely so they don’t hug your muffin.

What technique/tip do you have to make sure our straight leg/skinny jeans stay inside our tall boots?
Pull your sock up over the jeans.  If it is a straight leg with a little more room at the bottom you can fold over at the bottom to hug the leg, then pull your socks over.

A Levi's Boyfriend jean.

What is a denim fashion faux pas?  We at Denim Therapy aren’t terribly crazy about the Canadian Tuxedo and matchy-match jacket and jeans.  Do you care to dispel some fashion myths?
The beauty of denim is it can really work anywhere and anytime.  It’s about how you wear it that makes it appropriate or not.  I don’t like rules - and if there are rules, then we should break them.

SHOP LEVI’S

– Kathy Ng Hassan

The Laundress has developed The Laundress Denim Wash in a classic scent.  Non-toxic, biodegradable and allergen free, this exclusive product blends detergent and fabric softener to clean and soften, giving denim that perfect worn in feeling.  And, of course, when the love starts to unravel, Denim Therapy is here to help patch things up.  All it takes is a little therapy.

Shop The Laundress

–Nikki Cho Russo

Put This On, Episode 1: Denim from Put This On on Vimeo.

Oh, PUT THIS ON is a lovely little Web series, and there’s no topic better to kick it off than denim. A bit of denim history, philosophy and tips on how to care for your jeans is featured.  Show host, Jesse Thorn, interviews Rising Sun & Co.’s Mike Hodis, who is the denim expert who talks about denim like a gourmet who savors every fiber; and takes a denim question from co-host, Adam Lisagor, who asks a viewer question, like a radio call-in show.  A helpful denim buyer’s guide closes out the show nicely.  It’s all done in a sort of quirky-fun, but dead-pan style.  PUT THIS ON, Episode 1: Denim, is a show definitely for the dudes who want to get their jeans right.  I hope they do an update show!

Click here to support!

And, if you like the show, you can support it by making a contribution…

Thanks to Emil Sit for the tip about this lovely program!

– Kathy Ng Hassan

Change is meant to challenge us and that is what fashion does best.  It is putting something on your body and walking out into public. As Margret Thatcher Ulrich said, “Well behaved women rarely make history.” The same goes for fashion history. You must be daring and have the ability to wear something that you once thought you’d never be caught dead in. In the height of the 90’s flared leg, I swore I’d never touch tapered pants, yet here I sit in my skinny jeans that are tucked into ankle boots. So here is my next challenging trend: heels and socks. I know what you’re thinking, but look at the pictures! It just works.

The contrasting colors, the sophistication of the heels paired with the unexpectedness of a peeping sock all creates this runway-worthy look. And it has been popping up in the latest Spring 2010 shows from the likes of John Galliano to Hermès. Also seen sporting this look are my classmates at the Fashion Institute of Technology, where staying on top of trends is practically a competition. To change up the look, add cuffed jeans to this ensemble and you are ready to face this new fashion challenge.

 – Laura Kealey

Now this is not a new concept: boosting your booty by wearing special padded under wear. I’ve heard of plastic molds and prosthesis-like inserts that people can stuff into their jeans to give more shape. I’ve heard of jeans that claim to be the “butt bra.” And, if you watched that old TV series, LAVERNE & SHIRLEY, then you’ve heard of the Hubba Hubba Hiney.” Check out this new padded bra-like contraption made to round out your derriere. There’s even a collection for men. Shall I say these are what could be called Victor’s Secret?  It’s a hoot!  Not sure how it’s going to affect your overall denim sizing if you use it; however, if you’ve got a pair of William Rast jeans, these will definitely help fill them in a bit, because those jeans run big! 

From AOL Shopping:

– Kathy Ng Hassan

Nicky Hilton in Abercrombie & Fitch

Jean skirts are back in fashion this season. Update a typically bohemian or western look with a boyfriend jacket and ankle boots a la Nicky Hilton for a fresh, casual and edgy look.

D.I.Y. instructions to create your own Jean Skirt

(Source - Life & Style):

Tools needed: Scissors, tape measure, utility knife, sewing machine

Step 1: Cut jeans to desired skirt length

Step 2: Rip open the inseam (inside the legs) with a seam ripper or utility knife

Step 3: Use excess fabric (from the legs that were cut off) to make a patch insert.

Step 4: Sew patch onto inseams in front and back, then trim the hem so it’s even. Wash, dry and wear!

Tip: Jean skirts are great for showing off legs, so keep the length well above the knees. Skirts that are too long can look bulky and dowdy.

Abercrombie & Fitch

DKNY

Mango

Abercrombie & Fitch Elizabeth Light Destroy Denim Skirt, $60 (as seen on Nicky Hilton)

Buy It!

DKNY Denim Skirt, $59

Buy It!

Mango Denim Skirt RVM Rotos $28.99

Buy It!

–Nikki Cho Russo

Lindsay Lohan in PRPS

Ashley Tisdale in Siwy

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could make a wish to the Jean Genie for a pair of this seasons trendy cut-off jeans?  Hell, I’d ask for every premium jean from here to Tokyo!  Since that isn’t going to happen, here’s a way to breath new life into your old jeans.  Copy the look that so many celebrities (Lindsay Lohan and Ashley Tisdale to name a few) are rocking.  Show off those sexy gams of yours and sharpen those scissors of yours.

D.I.Y. instructions to create your own Jean Shorts

(Source - Life & Style):

Tools needed: Tape measure, pen, scissors.

Step 1: Mark the length on the midthigh, adding an extra 1/2 inch for fraying.

Step 2: Cut straight across the legs with sharp scissors

Step 3: Machine-wash and dry to encourage frayed edges.  the more jeans are washed, the more the fabric will unravel.

Tip: To get the best length, lay a favorite pair of shorts on top of the jeans and match up the crotch seams. Cut along the hemline.

PRPS

Siwy

American Eagle

PRPS Ladies cut-off denim short in Splatterpop, $349 (as seen on Lindsay Lohan)

Buy It!

Siwy Camilla cut-off shorts in Superstition wash, $168 (as seen on Ashley Tisdale), $168

Buy It!

America Eagle Destroyed denim cut-off short shorts, $34.50

Buy It!

–Nikki Cho Russo