Nothing blue about the blues

Denim pants and its relatives – who would have thought that they would forever reign in the fashion world? They were created at a time when crinolines, petticoats and lace were in the pinnacle of fashion. Denim garments were used by miners because they were durable and as hardworking as the miners during those days.

The modern denim is not only hardworking and durable but also versatile and always in the spotlight as it wraps its yards around the most glamorous legs in town. It can be your daytime companion or nighttime savior. It evokes a raw and uncontrived sexiness and with the new cuts available, it can even fool the eye – making legs longer, bottoms more perky and hips less ample.

In colors that rival those of the rainbow, denims can be fun. But if taken too far, it can also be cheesy. For now, the denim pants that are rocking everyone’s boat are made of soft and thin denim cotton material that clings to the right places and has detailing meant for optical illusion purposes. Joe’s Jeans makes the hit list for fashion mavens in Europe and NY. It’s made of a slightly lighter fabric that has already been broken in! Joe’s apparel once made a splash with its campy chic shirts (remember Shop at Joe’s?). Now, it’s a must-have as it finds its logo grazing in some the world’s most famous behinds such as the ones belonging to Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Lopez. It’s sexy, not at all flamboyant, and focuses on cut and details rather than branding. Jill Stuart, a line known for feminine and sexy girly wear, now makes waves in LA and during Fashion Week in New York, with its own jean line. With sweet details like patches and embroidery, Jill Stuart jeans are far from the miner’s uniform. It adds punch to daywear and complements the most dramatic of evening tops.

Now for the tricky part – even if denim pants are made to weather the most trying of circumstances, caring for these garments requires a gentler touch. Usually, you should wear your denim pants a few times before washing it. A friend, who is a denim aficionado, suggests wearing a brand-new pair five times initially to break it in, then washing it regularly after two or three wearings. Another says that she only washes hers when it starts getting funky, I can only fathom that that means when the dirt starts boring holes on the fabric! Also, always handwash with lukewarm water and detergent, then hang dry (I actually prefer flat drying them, which takes longer though). Do not use the machine and dryer, you’ll risk shrinkage and ruin the shape. Wash these old-fashioned gems the good old-fashioned way!

Another tricky question: Is the jean du jour right for you? Well, for starters, the cut is very important. Flares look great on taller women with lean bodies since the cut accentuates curves. For more petite women, a bootleg is great regardless of their size. It’s vey flattering and the just-right flare gives definition witout emphasizing. A slim cut is also great for lean women. For women with a more athletic build, a straight-cut jean is perfect. Many try to hide big legs in big pants, but this is futile since this only gives more volume. A clean-cut line lessens bulk and adds seamlesness to the silhouette. Cropped pants are great if you have toned thighs. For fuller thighs, try a longer length, like just above the ankle. The cargo pant is given a revamp. It is now slim and the pockets are done in a more elegant manner.

So now, whether you’re in heels, boots, slippers or barefoot even – paint the town red in style. Who says looking fantastic these days has to be hard?