DENIM UPDATE
The banana, the barrel, the horse shoe. No not dance moves. We are talking new denim grooves.
Yes this week I’ve taken a dive into some new denim.
Your jeans are meant to be the classic friends in your wardrobe. You feel you’ve done most shapes, you know the shapes that work your style and your shape the best. But somehow a style of denim (unless it is a total classic straight cut or bootcut) can suddenly make you look dated. Literally over night. It is like someone flicked the switch ‘ohh today we are wearing this now so that shape is over’.
Just this week my eldest daughter and I were discussing denim - she made quite a valid point - ‘it doesn’t matter how many pairs of jeans you have mum, there always feels like there is a pair missing’ I totally resonated with this as recently I looked at my denim and felt they didn’t feel relevant to the season. Yes! there was a pair missing…but literally 3 weeks ago I was fine.
I am a pro at editing clients jeans. Low rise, old faded skinnies, bulky bootcuts - I’ve insisted they leave their wardrobes and sourced them new exciting shapes. I have always encouraged a wide selection of shapes and colours to keep their looks relevant and modern. I counted and I own 8 pairs of jeans - a mix of vintage flares, boyfriend, barrel, diamanté, patchwork, straight cut.
This week I realised what was missing. A dark indigo pair. So I went on the hunt for new styles and new shapes. I favoured a baggy style, a wide length pair and I tried a banana barrel.
Under £100 was my focus and after a lot of searching I bought these 6.
Here are my verdicts and how they look on me versus how they are seen on the model.
Keep a look out this week for my instagram try on and chats!
The Wide Palazzo
Shape: High Waist, Wide Leg
Fit: Felt soft & comfortable.
Size: A comfortable 8
Length: Very long - a frayed bottom so a relaxed style you could cut to suit your leg length.
Great for: Heels and going out. Gazelle trainers for a casual style
Will I keep? No. Leg to long and to wide for my frame but would look amazing on a longer legged woman.
The flare
Shape: High Waist, Wide Leg
Fit: Felt smart, fitted and glamorous
Size: A fitted 8 (not a lot of room for cakes!)
Length: Long for me but perfect with a heeled boot.
Great for: Smart Casual by day with brogues. Felt classic and modern
Will I keep? Yes- perfect flare and colour - not to long and not to wide.
The Baggy Turn UP
Shape: Mid rise, loose and baggy
Fit: Felt soft, comfortable, casual.
Size: Waist 26, Leg 31 - felt good - would probably wear a belt as they loosen
Length: Long for me the turn up was perfect - could turn up more with a low trainer.
Great for: Funky casual with trainers and big knit.
Will I keep? Possibly I love the tartan edge and I think my daughters will want to borrow them too!
The Cargo Barrel
Shape: Mid rise, loose that taper in at the ankle
Fit: Thicker denim, mid rise - felt like a cargo jean -barrel baggy on the leg
Size: Size 8 - felt tight round the tummy but would loosen over time.
Length: Ok for me but may be a bit short for taller women.
Great for: Casual utility with big boots and knits - a turn up could work.
Will I keep? No - a stage seam panel in the leg added volume and didn’t suit my frame.
The washed Barrel
Shape: High rise, short and barrel.
Fit: Felt scratchy, scruffy and short
Size: Waist 26, Leg 30
Length: Short which enhanced the barrel - you can buy longer lengths.
Great for: Funky casual with high top trainers or boots.
Will I keep? No
The Balloon mid rise
Shape: Lower rise, looks.
Fit: Casual, utility style
Size: Roomy size 8
Length: Long but I liked how the jean could be worn long and with a turn up.
Great for: Heeled western boots, cowboy boots and a knit - these jeans felt a quite retro.
Will I keep? Possibly yes - the cargo style is great and I love the low rise and bigger low slung pockets.
Need more help sourcing jeans and pieces for you? Go to my Virtual Styling pages or book a Personal Shop or Wardrobe Edit.