Showing posts with label Jeans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jeans. Show all posts

Wednesday, 19 May 2010

Trouser trouble sorted

For trousers to really work well you need to know how they sit on the body and most importantly if you buy ready to wear you will need to get them altered. Alterations are cheaper than chasing the holy grail of finding a pair of trousers or jeans that fit perfectly.

Check out if you have a dip in you back and how pronounced that is. If you do you are typically an hour glass or pear shape. You need to make the waist band fit, to avoid muffin top due to buying the trouser pant too tight so it doesn't fall down. Same for jeans. Make sure the rise suits and there is a curve on the waistband. If you happen to be more of a boy shape (straight up and down) then a lower rise will work well. It would be fair to say that apple shapes have a hard time when it comes to trousers and I can give not real comfort except to say that a jersey flare with a fold down wide waistband is probably the best option. Such a style is hard to find although they were all the rage many years ago, but the harem is the obvious solution now with this waistband element and the detail of drape.

When you select a trousers do so on the fit around the backside, front, hips and thighs. Any bagging on bum or at the front is a no no as is tightness on the thigh creating creases or bunching. But don't forget you can get them altered. The waist and leg length is easiest and it is easier to take in than let out. If you haven't got a dressmaker use a local tailor, no one is going to turn away custom these days.

Sexy black trousers
- probably the best high street retailer for that Helmut Newton-esque model posing in black trousers/pants is Karen Millen. They always have a black pant offering every season and they wash well and hold their shape. A classic cut, they will work for years regardless of the trends that come and go. The wonderful wide waistband should make these work for all body shapes.Tailored black trousers £120

Cigarette Pants - again are a useful must have in the wardrobe. Often with a turn up the essence of the cigarette pant is the fact it is straight and fitted. The forerunner of the drainpipe, the skinny, and the base for designing the peg. It is obvious a straight pencil cut creates opportunity to change the basic template and add to. Whilst a flare is the equivalent of the a-line skirt and as it's strength comes from the cut at the waist. Lots of options from designers such as Rag and Bone to on the high st. Zara have a pair in red currently if you fancy.
Rag and Bone Wool mix trouser £260.00 at Matches

The sexy flare and the cigarette pant are your investment purchases. Spend your money here as quality is a key ingredient to carry off such garments.

Jean territory is the nightmare of most women. I have to say if they don't work for you and the idea of finding a pair is hell then don't bother. They are not what defines you. I do wear jeans but occasionally not everyday and I have only two pairs a skinny and a flare.

The skinny jean - a wardrobe staple and easy to buy anywhere. Topshop's Baxters are a firm favourite but I always have to have the waistband altered as I need the right fit on the leg which leaves a gape at the back but an inverted triangle reduction always resolves it. If you've got wide calves then the straight jean will be a better option.

The flared jean
- this is a personal favourite so I'm not particularly objective about it's value because I love a flared jean. I prefer the skinny flare to a true flare but that's a personal decision and always go with the proportions of leg that suits you. The Made in Heaven brand do a wonderful retro pair and again only buy at this price if it is the look for you. You could have 10 pairs of jeans alone and there is no reason not to.
MIH retro look jeans £148 Matches.com

The flared jean always reminds me of the Charlie! Revlon advertising, an inspiring image for a stylist.

Leather trousers(!) - the rock look only please. I'm thinking men and women who've pulled it off. It needs boots not high heels and a good t-shirt. And for goodness sake never wear a leather jacket on top as well think Jim Morrison not the Fonz. I know Balmain have worked that leather pant with statement heel look but I still think it only works with a good tee. It needs that dress down rock chic element to really work. Mind you Hermes worked a great leather look reminiscent of the Avengers for A/W 10, so in reality there are no rules...just advice that morphs.


A colourful cotton pair - you now what I mean, it's like a jean but not. In red or any bright bold colour it adds zing. Find them in Uniqlo, Gap or Zara. A grey t-shirt is a fab look with a coloured jean trouser.

A chino - the chino has had a come back and whilst I can't grab an image from the Oasis website, I've linked it. The point with a chino trouser is, it is very much at the whim of fashion trends, and I would say go cheap and cheerful but on trend rather than see it as an investment buy.

The jodhpur - who can forget the influential Balenciaga A/W 07 collection when you all sported a J Crew blazer in lieu of getting your hands in the real thing. Well the real star of the collection was the jodhpur trouser and it is still around, next season it will be in black. Again given the trend nature of this item, head to H&M or COS for a reasonably priced and designed pair. Or find a genuine pair at a car boot or charity shop and dye them.


Shorts - A city short works all year round with the added help of thick opaque tights. The staying power of the short is assured with new designs and materials - this season it is all about the leather. Try a few on to get the right cut and length for your body.

The Jumpsuit - I know there is nothing worse than a convert but if you need a wow factor and you are more of a trouser kind of gal then you need to jump to it. ASOS is awash with jumpsuit that don't cost the earth.
ASOS Assymetric Shoulder Jumpsuit £30


I feel I've left out the sailor trouser but again adapt your top ten to suit your preferences and if you add it on to make 11 then I won't tell.

Sunday, 27 September 2009

What a suprise

It is a long weekend for me as I'm at a shopping centre fitting the public with jeans. Myself and my team of assistants are dab hands at fit and style for any body shape but every time we deal with high street jeans there is always a surprise winner. This season A/W 09/10 it is the New Look skinny flare.

I kid you not from size 6 to 16 they are a wow. The boot flare is not a bad second either. Good old New Look particularly as you can buy in store or order on line from a 28" to a 34" leg.

Friday, 5 June 2009

Neat freak

When I was doing my styling stint in Watford I realised what a neat freak I am. I find untidy shops very annoying. Imagine my horror at having to work in Primark for a couple of hours styling ladies in jeans. I set about organising my crib pronto!


They may be cheap but there's order in them rails!

Saturday, 23 May 2009

No!! I've been You Tubed!!

My first entry onto You Tube - yikes! Where's my make up, hair and styling team hey!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3F5thH37co


Now I know how hard it is to do presenting! I had my arms twisted to do this as part of my styling stint in Watford and I just had to do it on the hoof....

Saturday, 9 May 2009

Genius High Street jeans

I'm on day 2 of a 9 day stint at the Harlequin Centre in Watford during May and am at the cutting edge of putting women of all ages and sizes in all types of jeans.
My fab four are currently all probably off trend but deliver a great look for those who care more about fit than fashion fix.

Oasis - Scarlet, truly a reliable number for those who need style and a good fit but nothing too out there! The white pair look fab and its nice to see some white jeans making women smile.

Warehouse - Bell bottoms, these are so funky and give a great shape particularly if you are slightly pear shape these lengthen the leg and create a bit of drama.
M&S - really, really and truly. They have these high waisted wide leg jeans that are great. They are a good colour, have nice seams and the white stitching looks good. They work on all ages and it is lovely to see the 50+ age group having jeans that fit a wide variety of sizes that look good. The M&S bootcut are great too for the older lady looking for both style and comfort. I'm really impressed.
French Connection - the boot flare, again a glamorous addition to the wardrobe with high heels or flats depending on the length of the legs. Go for a snug fit as the denim is soft and expands easily. Just wash constantly to regain that taut LA look! The £65 ones are lower waisted than the high waisted £70 ones.

I have to give a shout out for best fashion fix jeans at River Island, tres Balmain at bargain budget level - the ripped pale wash skinny jean at £39.99. Due to the impossible nature of the River Island site I can't link directly to the product but they are featured on front page, currently and in the jeans section!



Thursday, 3 July 2008

Forever in blue jeans - yeah



Money is sweet but you can go without....if push came to shove you could get by style wise in a pair of blue jeans for a while. Which, is a naff way for me to prompt you to forgo a fashion fix to support a design gem to raise money to help Burmese children via UNICEF -see post by Delicious Industries

And yes I was having a Neil Diamond moment.