The MVP: Denim, Pt. 1
The most valuable player in our closet certainly has to go to our denim. You know that if you go to your closet right now you have a pair of jeans with miles of memories in them, a pair of comfy jeans that you could wear all day, your go to going out jeans, skinny jeans, fat jeans, and the pair of the jeans you just can’t get rid of. Denim has become even more important in our wardrobes due to the relaxed dress codes of many employers.
One of my most requested items when I’m shopping for a client is good fitting new denim. How can something that is sold almost everywhere be so difficult to find?! Shopping for denim doesn’t have to make you want to pull your hair out, and resort to elastic waistbands. I have a few tips to make shopping for denim so much easier AND more successful! Just like the MVP in a sporting game, knowing your ‘Denim Stats’ can greatly increase your denim success rate!
Before we get into my ‘denim stats’ (Part 2 of this blog) lets talk denim styles. I recently did a poll on my Instagram on denim styles to get an idea of what my followers have been wearing. 80% of the people responded said they’re still exclusively wearing skinny jeans. Here are my thoughts…
In general, but especially if you are wearing jeans to work you need to update your denim. Skinny jeans are a dated look that can translate to your image and skill set at your job to also being dated. Should you donate them all? No, I think skinny jeans will forever have a place in fashion (great for tucking into boots and will certainly come back in style) but I’m suggesting you dabble and try on a straight leg, wide leg and flare leg pair.
Wearing different leg styles doesn’t make you trendy, it makes you current. So many women are afraid of being trendy, but following and adapting to the trends makes you current. To me, the difference between trendy and current comes down to two Fs- fit and feeling. A person who is trendy may wear a trend regardless of how it looks on them (doesn’t fit well) and regardless of if it feels authentic to their personal style. A current person adapts to current trends and wears what fits and flatters her body and what feels cohesive with her lifestyle and personal style.
The new styles can certainly feel overwhelming, but there are a few ways to find your perfect style. If you love a skinny, take baby steps and try a straight leg or a kick flare. They are the next closest thing to a skinny jean and won’t shock your system. I also love to get inspired by browsing Instagram or Pinterest. See what you are drawn to and then try them!
Give yourself grace through the transition period. Almost all of my clients are a little hesitant when I put them in a new denim style. The first hurdle is the fit, and then we tackle the new style. As long as the fit is there (Part 2 of this blog) you can style anything. By the end of a try on session styling the new denim, I have a converted and happy client who can’t picture themselves in anything else anymore.
Order online and order a few. Try different brands. If you’re unsure about size, order multiple sizes. I feel like so many people get burnt out in the course of online shopping because of the ordering, returning and reordering. If you have it already there for you, it makes choosing a lot easier. Choose a day when you’re feeling good about your body and have some time and try them all on. Try them on with your favorite top and different shoes to see the versatility of them. Ask yourself in what situation would I wear these? Envisioning yourself in a new style helps to ease yourself into a new style.
Now that we have a game plan, now its time to execute. In part 2 of this blog I am going to teach you what denim stats you should know and why it is a crucial part to finding the perfect pair of denim. Stay tuned!
PT 1 update: Check out part 2 here!
xo, Ashley
