J Brand's New Styles...For Men

Two new styles have been added to J Brand's collection of men's jeans. J Brand's "Walker" and "Kane" fits have been popular with male celebs but when compared to how many of their styles are seen on female celebs, well, there is no comparison. This could be due to there being about half of available men's fits to women's fits. So these two new styles should help improve the balance.

Of the two styles, the "Corporal" chino with it's slimmer fit should be popular with J Brand's core customer. If I had to guess who they were I would say they are those men who want to show they have a sense of style but still prefer classic looks. The "Aviator", however, is a much more daring style and reminds me a little of the super-popular J Brand "Houlihan" cargo that we just couldn't get away from last Summer. Let's see if the same thing happens for men. As is the case with celebs, Gerard Butler was able to get his hands on a pair in advance. Check out how he wears them.

 

 

 

Style of the Day: J Brand Brights

Color is everywhere this Spring and J Brand is the latest brand to add an assortment of brightly colored jeans to their collection. The line, aptly called "J Brand Brights", is essentially the "811" mid-rise skinny, dyed in four colors, Bright Yellow, Bright Royal, Bright Fuschia and Bright Red.

It's been awhile since we've seen color of this caliber for Spring. For a long time consumers have favored seasonless color with seasonless fashion; preferring items that can be worn year round. Maybe it's just me, but my spirits are instantly lifted when seeing bright, merry colors such as these. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that this transition back to brighter colors for Spring is a sign that we are all happier, or hoping for happier times to come.

Style of the Day: Joe's Jeans Skinny Micro Flare

 

Ankle-breathing styles, like bootcuts or flares are gearing up for a full takeover this Spring.

Joe's Jeans is the latest to come out with a version of this silhouette called the Skinny Micro Flare. This style has a skinny fit all the way down to the ankle where it flares out at a slight 17 inches.

“While the 70’s flare jean is a key trend this season, we wanted to also offer our girl who is still in love with her skinnies, a modernized version of the 70’s flare” says Joe Dahan, Founder & Creative Director.

The jeans hit stores this week and will retail for $172 to $179. For those who can't wait, you can buy them online at joesjeans.com.

What do you think? Are you ready for the flare?

Style of the Day: Level 99 Shorts

 

 

Shorts are making an amazing comeback and by comeback I mean, not just the supershort things that teenagers wear to stay cool and show too much leg in the Summer, but a year round item that comes in a variety of different lengths and whose style range is steadily expanding.

Level 99's shorts spread is a great example of this. This season they're offering a range of styles from cuffed denim short shorts, to knee length, slim-fit cargo shorts for urban hiking or picnics in the park. The Beatrix cinched waist or the white short shorts are for those who like more resort-y looks. And cuffed beige or dark gray shorts are almost good enough to wear to the office.

Shorts are already being worn year round by trendsetters, but look for it to become more mainstream this year.

You can find Level 99 in Anthropologie stores and online and Brooklyn Industries.

 

 

Style of the Day: Prada Spring 2011 Denim

(image courtesy of The Cut)

Check out this little gem we just found in the blogosphere.

Prada's Spring 2011 collection has been so talked about unless you've been living under a rock, there's just no way you could have missed it. Add to that the dress that Hailee Steinfeld wore to The SAG Awards and the buzz turns downright deafening.

Elle Magazine recently covered minimalist denim in their "Elle Shops Denim Guide" in the February issue which we tweeted a few weeks ago and this Prada number fits right in. Looking forward to seeing this trend hit the streets.

 

 

 

 

Style of the Day: Non-Traditional Denim by nine:in:the:morning

When you talk about denim all day everyday, you spend most of your time talking about jeans. You analyze every little detail, every little nuance and try to express it in a way that makes you understand what's so special and unique about all of these different brands.

With that said, it always gives me flutterbelly when I see something different. Denim used non-traditionally or jeans made with unusual silhouettes are always going to be encouraged by us because it further proves how versatile and wearable the fabric is. nine:in:the:morning is a fairly new brand based out of Italy which, with denim offerings like ruched dresses, halter dresses and droolworthy harem pants, is proving just that point.

In all honesty, we know here that you guys don't really need much convincing when it comes to the versatility of denim. But I love it when brands like nine:in:the:morning give me the chance to talk about fabulous dresses or things that are normally left to the mainstream fashion bloggers.

 

Look of the Day: Easton Denim Bomber Jacket

Indonesian brand Easton is going to be one of those brands that's always going to shock me because I've never been to Indonesia (though I'd love to go) and never could have imagine that there could be a denim brand who's product is so fantastic.

Last season they included a raw denim bomber jacket in their Fall/Winter 2010 collection among offerings that were already pretty impressive and I was floored. I love the style, I love the detail and I love how wearable it is.

If you are a true denim connoisseur and you want impress all of your other denimhead friends, then you will visit their website www.thisiseaston.com and purchase something. The fact that their coming all the way from Indonesia alone is enough to give you bragging rights.

Style of the Day: Alkemy Denim

 

Or more like "Styles of the Day". Alkemy Denim has a few pieces that I think are worth an honorable mention. The first, and my favorite of the two, is the A103D002-649-VsZ. Whew, I actually had to look at the keys for that one. I guess they figure, who needs names. Anyhow, it's a grey crosshatch denim with baked whiskers and scraping details. When the crosshatch look was popular I was on board with it but lately can only take it in small, creative doses. This version is definitely of that type. I think the vertical scrapes across the front create a nice effect.

The second is the A103D005-646-MSZ. They're listed like that on the website too by the way so I'm not just being funny. It's a black slub denim with baked crinkle. The crinkle is a draw with this jean because it adds a papery effect which I'm not sure is intentional or not.

 

Style of the Day: Charley 5.0 Fully Armored Dress

 

Denim dresses have really made the most amazing impact this Spring and surely you would agree with me when I say they've become a coveted item to complete your wardrobe. In my opinion, this is due to several reasons. 1) The technology to create and treat denim as a fabric has advanced to the point where we no longer have to worry about a dress that's stiff and immovable. 2) Brands have expanded finishings beyond basic washed-down indigos, black or, ewww, acid wash. Let's leave that for the People of Wal-Mart. 3) Design teams have realized that you can create gorgeous silhouettes that are wearable on any occasion. Case in point, Michelle Trachtenberg's red carpet look, Kristin Cavallari's slim body-con dress, or Emmy Rossum's spaghetti-strapped babydoll dress.

Charley 5.0, a company known for taking denim beyond the basic five-pocket jean, makes some of the best dresses on the market. Their latest creation is the super cute Fully Armored Dress that is made with gray denim. I will admit bias because I own this very item and have fallen completely in love with it. Because of this, however, I can personally attest to a flattering fit and, at the risk of sounding cliche, a look that can go from day to night. When it comes to denim dresses nowadays, that's what it's all about.

The dress retails for $288 and can be found at www.shopbop.com

Style of the Day: Hudson Jeans "Beth Baby Boot" Bootcut Jeans

 

(Hudson Jeans "Beth Baby Boot" in Brigg)

I said it before and I'll say it again, the bootcut is back. Last season we saw a bootcut silhouette slipped quietly and discreetly into many a collection, hiding among the plethora of skinny jeans and jeggings. Only a handful of brands have been openly declaring its return and the latest is Hudson Jeans.

Hudson recently launched the "Beth Baby Boot" jean which is a super-slim bootcut of the kind I used to like to wear at the height of their popularity. A low-rise and a subtle flare adds height and lengthens the legs while the inky indigo wash is abraded in all the right places that make bootcut jeans so flattering to the body.

The jeans retail for $198 and can be purchased on the newly launched e-tail section at www.hudsonjeans.com.