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.

totokaelo-50% off sale

that rounded collar...
apc coat, size 40, now $250


apc wedges, sizes 38 and 39, now $195


my dream parka...
united bamboo fishtail parka, size 6, now $672


mociun moonwalker skirt, size medium, now $156

friends and birthdays

flowers from margaret


my favorite scents from stephanie


matthew has his thesis review this afternoon, so we're going to celebrate both good things tonight! leon and i are now off to a playgroup in spite of the snow.

haiti

i donated to doctors without borders. my school put together an extensive list of charities here.

short hair inspiration

photo by garance dore.

birthday wish list

for next tuesday....


mociun moonwalker skirt

jess brown + wovenplay rag doll

verre initial necklace in glass

repetto zizis in dark grey


makie wool cardigan

a haircut

penelope's sale

sven shearling clog boot, $288, 37, 38, 39, 40. go up one full size. sven makes the no. 6 boots, also. this version is 11" versus the 15" no. 6, and it looks like the shaft is a little wider. i'm saving up for a pair of the no. 6 because i prefer the narrower shaft and the aviator brown color.




a.p.c. black knitted mini, $98, xs-l. i wore this skirt throughout my pregnancy last year. it was so comfortable and warm. fits true to size, even a little big. i wore a small because it's so stretchy.

the little details

antipast dress on sale at worthwhile.

domahoka sale

correll correll grey color wheel tee, $46, xs and s
steven alan soma dress, $132, xs and m (runs true to size to slightly small, better suited for fuller busts).
a.p.c. knit coat, $168, s (substantial knit, soft lining, perfect for spring and autumn as outerwear).

knowing when to walk away

i found this jeffrey monteiro peacoat for $400 at the LouisBoston sale. it was nice, but it wasn't amazing. maybe i needed a 6 instead of a 4, but it just didn't look as good as i thought it would. the fabric was so soft, especially the lining, but i decided to walk away from it.

the hardest thing about shopping is knowing when to abstain. buying simply for the sake of possession is something i no longer want to do. i have a pair of loeffler randall boots that are languishing in my closet, too precious to 'ruin' with wear, too coveted to sell. it's a hard distinction to make, knowing which pieces belong in your 'collection.' some things, like my marni hummingbird coat, are only worn once a year, but my wardrobe would be incomplete without them. other things, well, i'm learning to admire from afar....

ironing in the new year

i never thought i would spend the last week of 2009 laundering new sheets and towels. the sheets took over 2 hours to iron; i found it to be as meditative activity as jogging. and the results were so very worth the effort. perhaps 2010 will be the year when i finally get my house in order. although, there's a good chance we may be moving. to somewhere exciting, i hope.

i'll be 30 in 17 days, leon will be 1 at the end of february.

may this new year and decade be a happy and healthy one for everyone!

shoes? shoes.

maggie gyllenhaal in her rachel comey penpal short boots.

at gimme shoes in whiskey, on sale for $236 from $338, sizes 8, 8.5, and 9. in navy, sizes, 8, 8.5, 9, and 9.5.

update: 7.5 and 9.5 at kickpleat for $232


also at gimme shoes, repetto zizi in textured dark grey, on sale for $180 from $260, in sizes 38.5, 39, 40, 40.5.


the dark brown zizis at creatures of comfort, size 39.5 only, on sale $213 from $285.

definitely size up for the zizis. i wear a 39.5 (or 8.5-9), and these 39.5s were a tiny bit too small.

happy holidays!

photo from orangette

this is my seventh(!) winter in cambridge, and i'm still waiting for my white christmas. i'll be spending tonight and tomorrow cooking and baking, which is no a mean feat on my part. a bourbon soaked dark chocolate cake is in the oven as i type, and many more goodies will follow tomorrow.

i hope everyone has a safe and cosy holiday season!

dressing for the holidays

leon's first christmas will be spent quietly here in cambridge with our little living fir tree. we've already visited friends and family early to avoid the frustrations of holiday travel. if i weren't planning on wearing sweatpants and a cashmere hoodie all week long, i wouldn't mind this apc sweater dress for christmas dim sum.

on sale for $170 at net-a-porter

a.p.c. winter sale

here

delirious new york

our weekend in 100 words or less:

leon loves nora. he also loves the bull mastiff at cb i hate perfume (we need a dog). i love the steven alan outpost, lyell, and h&h bagels. we walked up and down stairs, in and out of elevators, shopped too much, laughed even more with dear friends, made salt dough handprints, and made friends with the deliciously chubby alex. i bought a SA reverse seam oxford shirt, lyell jacket, a wiksten dress, and merino yarn for a new scarf.

this weekend...

leon and i are taking the morning train to nyc tomorrow. we're looking forward to long rambles with nora, museums and crafts with stephanie, and general december merriment.

oh yes, and shopping.

first snow of the season

(yes, that's leon playing with a cardboard box in which hector is hiding)

new custom skirt by modaspia
new falke tights

i bought a wreath, but the wreath hook doesn't fit over our front door, so it's now draped over a doorknob in the common hall. baby steps...

not quite ready for the holidays

i buy christmas cards on december 18. two years ago we ended up with a tree worthy of charlie brown because we waited too long. i wish i were better about the holidays, but they always seem to sneak up on me. this year i'd like to keep things quiet and uncluttered.

stephanie's elf houses are pretty amazing. i like how peaceful they look with their flickering lights and tidy facades.