skinny jean hunt. pt. 2

on thursday leon and i went to barneys at copley plaza. i was shocked to find that they do not carry any acne. stels no longer carries it, either, so it looks like i won't be able to try on the hexs any time soon.

j brand, the skinny, 10" leg opening, size 27, on sale for $109 in dark grey (from $178).

i thought this was a perfectly fine skinny jean. maybe it was the lighter shade, but somehow it made me feel like my legs were stumpier than usual. the inseam is a bit long, so i would definitely have to hem them, but overall they're unobjectionable. i did find the waistband cut in a little, but nothing too uncomfortable. there's probably a reason why half of barney's denim bar is devoted to this jean, but i wasn't convinced.

james jeans, twiggy, size 26, $114 in black cat.

this jean was well worth finding in a smaller size. last time i tried it on in a 29, and it turns out i'm a 26 in these (go down one size). i love how these feel, very stretchy, soft, and comfortable. the waistband fit perfectly, and i really liked the shorter inseam (29"). i would have bought these except i didn't care for the wash. the visible white threads felt too messy for me. i prefer an overall faded soft black wash like my R13s or the Current/Elliott skinny jeans. i definitely recommend these if you want a pair of skinny jeans that are as comfortable as leggings, but with more substance.

i think we're going to go back to natick this week and try on a pair of levis. 

boy

lyell kresse jacket

steven alan boyfriend shirt

R13 jeans

no. 6 buckle boots


i'm not really a jacket/blazer kind of person, but my lyell kresse jacket is so soft and snuggly that it's as good as my favorite cardigan. plus, the lining is gorgeous.

tom scott cardigan...spring forward

this cardigan is made for movement. the color looks forward to spring while simultaneously shaking the winter blues away.

other favorite tom scott pieces here, here, and here. (those old impulse/totokaelo blog photos make me wish i could find more pre-2008 images)

jenny gordy will be guest blogging for lucky next week (february 8-12). and look, she mentioned my blog! 

sale at stels

photo from domahoka

i was at stels today and saw this apc cardigan for $126, size medium. they have a web shop, but the cardigan is not available online. i wanted to buy it, but chose a cardigan by tom scott instead. will post photos tomorrow.

skinny jean hunt. pt. 1

leon and i went to the natick mall with a friend to try on skinny jeans. i bought a pair, but now i'm second guessing myself. fie, skinny jeans!

n.b. you'll have to excuse the terrible dressing room photos. i haven't quite gotten the hang of it. poor leon was very very patient. also, i've realized that these jeans look pretty much identical in my photographs, and yet they seemed to be very different in real life.

first stop: anthropologie

james jeans, twiggy denim legging, $114, black cat wash. size 29.
i tried these on in a 29, the only size they had. loved how stretchy they were, but still substantial unlike most denim leggings. probably about 2 sizes too big, the rise is 8", but they didn't feel too low. i might try to find a different size on my next outing.



j brand olympia denim legging, $138. size 27.
super stretchy, a much lighter weight denim than the james twiggys. similar to the current/elliott denim leggings. i really disliked the blue wash, it just didn't look right in legging form. the black was much nicer, but they were too skinny around the leg opening. i felt like a carrot in them. i have a pair of lululemon wunder under leggings that i live in, so i don't think i'm in the market for denim leggings. or 'jeggings,' as i saw once online. shudder.

second stop: madewell

madewell rail straight, black frost wash, $99(?). size 27
i like the denim a lot, it's softer than the skinny skinny, but i encountered the same problem that i have with jcrew denim--the fabric puckers and folds right above the knee. it's just a fit issue, and either they work with your body or they don't. it's a pity, madewell's prices are pretty reasonable.



madewell, skinny skinny, black wash, $69.50. size 27.
these also puckered above the knee and yet were super tight and fitted at the waist and calves. i thought the leg opening wasn't too bad, although i would probably roll them up most of the time. i didn't think the denim felt as nice as the rail straights. it felt light, stiff, and flat. hard to explain, but it's like wine or cheese, i want more subtlety/complexity with my denim. definitely a great basic pair of jeans if they fit you well.


third stop: neiman marcus


current/elliott, the skinny jean, night wash, $72 (on sale from $208). size 26.
(note: this is a photo of the 27s. i got discombobulated and didn't take a decent photo of the properly fitting pair.)
i tried these on a few months ago in a 27 and found them to be unflattering in the thighs and seat. apparently i'm a 26, because this pair looked much much better on. tight and fitted all the way until mid-calf, and then just wide enough to prevent the dreaded spinning-top effect. i love the denim fabric that current/elliott uses. it's nearly as soft and wonderful as R13 denim. for only $72, i couldn't resist.

but now, having tried them on again at home, i'm worried that the rise is too low. i have visions of constantly hiking them up, so i may consider returning them.

i think i'll go downtown to barneys on thursday to try on acne, earnest sewn, and more j brand.

any thoughts on acne kex? too low rise? too skinny?
what about D RK SH DW's detroit jean--could i get away with the 27s? it looks like you have to size up in them.

domahoka--steven alan boyfriend shirt

extra 25% off at domahoka ("yourule")

i love the steven alan boyfriend shirt. i picked up a striped version in nyc last month. it definitely runs large, a small fits me with room to spare.

now $54 in a small and a medium.

denim

why yes, my hair is naturally wavy, although the haircut does a lot to bring out the curl. i agree that i'll probably like my short hair more in a month or two once it settles in and grows out a little. i wanted to wait a year after having leon to cut my hair off, and i'm glad i did. however, as jenny gordy mentioned, it's strange to have short hair again after nearly 6 years. it's a bit like time travel, it was a shock to my system to look in the mirror and see me circa 2004 (so much has changed). at least my current stylist is very good at cuts that grow out gracefully. i probably won't bother doing anything for the next 6 months. come summertime, i'll be back to my old ways--ponytail, bun, braids.

now, on to the denim question. thanks for all the suggestions, you've given me a solid list of brands to try over the next week or so.

this is my list so far:
Madewell
J Brand
James (Twiggy)
Sass and Bide
Acne (Hex)
Earnest Sewn (Harlan)
APC (New Cure and Petit Standard)

i actually adore the Current Elliott legging jeans, but they are super lightweight for winter wear. the C/E skinny jeans don't really flatter my back side, sadly. i haven't tried on a pair of denim from Levi's or the Gap in ages, so they might be worth checking while at the mall.

i'll keep everyone posted with photos and reviews from the trenches next week. my r13s stretch out so much, they look like jodhpurs! i spent $160 on them, and would like to spend no more than that on the next pair. wish me luck. for some reason, there's nothing more demoralizing and exhausting than shopping for jeans...

hair...short or long?

well, my haircut didn't exactly turn out like my inspiration photo. in fact, it's startlingly similar to a haircut i had 6 years ago (making it dated in my eyes). i spent a few days hiding and periodically crying out, 'what have i done?!?' but i think i'm getting over the shock of losing over 10 inches. it'll grow out, like it always does, and maybe this is a sign that i should get a new stylist. i can never decide whether i want short or long hair except right after a drastic cut. so, hopefully this time next year it'll be well past my shoulders (it grows very very quickly).

on another note, can anyone recommend a good pair of skinny (but not too skinny) jeans that don't stretch out after two wears? i'm wearing my new pair of R13s from Barneys Coop, and they bag out terribly in the seat. jcrew's toothpick and matchstick jeans both fit awkwardly on me, especially right above the knee. i used to wear earnest sewn keatons, so maybe harlan would be a good fit. acne might work, too. i like my martin straight legs, but they're too lowcut. i need something closer to an 8 inch rise.

any thoughts about this never ending dilemma?


i am considering this DR K SH D W pair but am unsure about sizing. i definitely prefer a slightly faded black wash.