Finding Jean's Tips

Before you leave the house in your favorite pair of jeans, stop and take a long look in the mirror. Is your backside sagging like a day-old diaper? Are your jeans so acid-washed they look like they should be in an 80’s hair band video? If the answer is yes, it’s time for some new jeans. You might be hanging on to the “old reliable” jeans because finding a new pair can be a pain. Besides, by now, they're probably very comfortable. For some people shopping for jeans is an impossible task. The thought of going into multiple stores, trying on 20 pair of jeans, and coming home with something that isn’t quite right, is more than most people want to endure. That leads to another weekend of the “old faithful” jeans. Who cares if your look is a bit dated ? You're comfortable. Keep reading and we will give you some ammunition to help find a great pair of jeans.

The first challenge for the jean shopper is finding the style of jeans that will look good on your body. This is where most people get stuck. They see a style that looks good on a friend and ask where they bought them, or they go try on the latest trendy jean because that is all there is in the stores. In both cases, when the jeans seeker tries them on, they are often discouraged with the results because not every style works for every body type. They have no idea what will look good on them and so they waste time and energy trying on pair after pair of bad fitting jeans. Then the jeans end up hanging at the back of the closet, not getting worn. In 2005, Americans spent more than $1.5 billion on jeans according to NPD Group, a retail research company. Sales of jeans costing $100 or more per pair increased 51% for men and 53% for women. Jeans for a lot of people are no longer just a casual clothing purchase. Education is the key to finding out what works best for your body, and the information below will help you determine the jean’s style that will work best with your body type.

BODY TYPES

Tall: depending on your figure, you have several jean styles to choose from. You could start with an extra low rise style to show off your flat tummy and slim hips. If you are looking to accentuate your long legs, then wear a high-waist jean. A wide-leg or a tapered-leg jean will look great and give you the lean line you desire. More and more companies are making jeans with a 36” inseam for the taller person. If you find a jean that you like and they are a little too short, don’t be afraid to let the hem out. Be sure that the hem falls to the back of the heal to avoid high-waters.

Short: Are you vertically challenged ? If you have shorter legs, a low-waist, wide-leg jean will elongate your legs. Finding jeans (especially for women) that don’t drag on the floor can be a big problem. If you find jeans you like and they are too long, don’t be afraid to buy them and have them hemmed. As long as the jeans are a straight leg, and not a boot cut, the can be shortened and re-hemmed with the same stitching without changing the shape of the jean. Some experienced tailors can handle the boot cut, but this is a “proceed with caution” area. Unless, you trust your tailor, stay away. In addition, if you are shorter than 5'4'', you should avoid a boot cut altogether. A boot cut may make your thighs look heavier by hugging the knees too tightly before flaring at the bottom making your legs look shorter. Finally, stay away from cuffs.

Tummy Troubles – Are you battling a bigger than desired belly and are trying to hide it? Stick with a classic dark wash for a slimming effect and go for a little stretch. Select a mid-rise jean so that the waistband lands in the middle of your tummy not above or below. Avoid distressed washes as they often draw attention to the unwanted areas. Never ever buy any jeans with pleats. Choose a five pocket style or jeans with slash pockets on the diagonal. The width of the jean leg can also create a more balanced body image, so a boot cut jean will help achieve the balance. Most people with a thicker middle typically have thinner legs; the thicker your legs, the worse a boot cut will look on you.

Big Butt – Do you have a bigger than normal bottom? The challenge in buying jeans to fit a bigger backside is finding the proper rise. Some jeans are now made with a lower rise in the front and higher in the back, which can help fit a larger backend and hide the dreaded plumber’s crack. Avoid skin tight styles and if you want to play down your backside, and stay away from any kind of flap on the pocket, or pockets with lots of embroidery as these will only call attention to the rear. Also avoid the popular vintage treatments that make the butt area look worn. Instead look for no pockets or angled pockets to help camouflage and flatten your backside. Styles with a slight flare or will balance out your larger figure.

Large hips – Are you curvy? Look for jeans with a little stretch. If the jeans are distressed, make sure they aren’t highlighting an area you want to hide. Stick with a mid rise jean that is slightly on the lower side in order to fit around the widest part without creating love handles. Go for a wider waistband and avoid a tapered leg, as this could exaggerate your curves. Go for a straight or trouser leg. These typically fall down from the hips to create a longer-looking leg line. If you go with a tapered leg, it will just exaggerate your curves. Larger hips typically mean thicker legs, and straight leg jeans help give the leg a uniform width. Stay away from the boot cut jean as these will only highlight the thickness of the thigh in relation to the knee. A helpful hint for those under 5’4”, stay away from a flared leg.

Heavy thighs – Are your thighs your problem? Pick a style that skims (but doesn't hug) your leg. Flares and boot cuts elongate the leg and makes the ankle area appear bigger giving a better balanced leg. Avoid a peg leg jean and stretch jeans that fit skin tight. Avoid baggy jeans as these often have no shape and only make you look larger. Finally, avoid the whiskering sometimes done on jeans as it will only call attention to your thighs.

No butt – Do you want to add a little something to your backside? Look for jeans that have flap pockets that are closer together. Also, look for pockets with heavy embroidery or designs. This will accentuate your backside and give people something to look at. Jeans that have a slightly higher back pockets will also make the butt appear to be lifted.

Heavy up top – You are the lucky ones. Almost any jean will be a fit, but choose a jean that has a lighter wash, some bleaching on the leg or distressed markings. Distressed denim gives volume to the lower half without actually adding any bulk, and helps balance the overall body line.

After researching styles, body types, cuts, washes etc, we believe that custom jeans are a great option for the consume in addition to being a good value. If you want your jeans to fit perfectly, you value your time and you typically spend over $100 on jeans, then custom jeans are for you. Why? Once you determine your body style and what jeans will look good on you, then why drive to the mall (or anywhere), try on 10 different pair looking for the right fit? With custom jeans the length will be perfect, the rise will be perfect and you can be assured that your waist, bottom, hips and thighs will be covered exactly how you want them. You will get to select the denim color, fabric (stretch or not), styling, washing, stitching and pockets. You can also even have your own label. With custom jeans, the fit guess work is eliminated. Once we have you measurements, a new pair is just a few clicks away. That is value!

You are now set to go shopping. A lot of the information we have provided is to ensure that if you do buy off the rack, you will know what to look for. While we believe custom is the best solution, a well informed customer is always our goal.

Trends Fall-Winter 2007-2008

THEMES

The "top" trends for Fall 2007 are narrow pants, skinny ties and extra long sweaters!

Snug Jackets -

Makes sense with the slim cut pants and oversize sweater! The jackets have rounded fronts and are short.

Worn-in Jeans -

Denim is backing off the clean and raw look toward authentic vintage washes.

Gloves -

They are back - A necessity for colder climates, this fall you can make a fashion statement.

Accessories -

Bow ties and tailored vests are featured for Fall!

Shine -

Metallics, sequins even – anything that reflects light. Retro-futurism?

The Military Look -

Seems like this “look” is back and forth so much it’s more in than not! Look for a military influence on styles and lots of details like zippered vents on casual jackets, enameled hardware or fur trim.

COLOR

Versatile Gray!

For spring we got lots of gray in reaction to all the black last fall. You’d expect a shift to color this year, but the designers are sticking to gray! Gray is neutral and thus goes with everything even other grays.

Fashion houses are also going green! Not the color but the movement, with organic cottons, and natural dyes.

Sweaters

Oversized Sweaters To balance the slim cut pants. Both large and long.

And some Turtleneck Sweaters used as a basis for the layered look most designers did on the runways for fall. The turtlenecks were shown thick or thin as an alternative to the shirt and tie under suits and sport jackets.

Trousers

Slim cut pants

As with the trend in dress shirts and Coats, the trousers are next.

NECKWEAR -

Patterns of plaid, checks, graphic grids in deep rich spice tones.

Paisleys

Botanicals (vines or bamboo patterns)

Bar tacking, self tipping and hand finished details. Even some seven-folds from necktie makers who never made seven-folds before!

Trends Spring-Summer 2008

Spring colors for everything will be bright fluorescent pinks (every shade imaginable) and muted oranges, dusty lavenders, melons, blues and greens

Safer, more classic colors of caramel and olive keep the look neutral for trousers and shorts.

Classic black is shiny this year including rock star-inspired Patent Leather in lace up pants and leather jackets, a throwback to the punk rocker days of the '70s, with many zipped features

Black and silver gray color-blocked ensembles feature heavily for spring, provided they are in lightweight fabrics. White is still in the spring color pallet.

PATTERN -- Stripes – horizontal, vertical or bias on T-shirts, knits and woven shirts. Plaid accessories like belts, shoes or flat caps will be popular. And checks in more vibrant colors. Sport shirts will have bold plaids.

SUITS - Patterns of very thin “hairline” stripes, and small herringbones – visible only up close. And morning suit stripes on suits.

SPORT JACKETS – The trend here is to feather light fabrics! (Global Warming driven?) Combos of linen wool and other light weight fabrics Cashmere/linen. Jackets will be deconstructed and have a skinny fit.

TROUSERS -- tapered legs, cuffs, higher waists, and oversized single pleats. For casual pants bright tropical colors, and some cargo pants were seen reemerging on runways.

NECKTIES continue to loose width, Spring’s narrow necktie will be 2 to 3.5 inches wide. More texture and floral patterns plus stripes continue to sell well.

Colors will be less pastel, instead more will be in the medium color range.

Bow ties are this year’s novel accessory.

SHIRTS -- – lightweight and see through! Thin fabric (again going with the lightweight trend) , and a skinny fit.

Bold button-down shirts in contrasting patterns, in colors of light mauves and blues.

GREEN chic – green fashion in new organic fabrics.

LIGHTWEIGHT NYLON JACKETS -- High tech fabrics in nylon windbreakers, baseball jackets and trench coats

KNITS – A trend to texture in knit sweaters. Light weight cardigans, crewneck sweaters and T-shirts (long sleeves) in long (tunic length).

SHORTS -- in above the knee lengths – not baggy All kinds of fabrics – canvas, seersucker.

Many fashion designers have incorporated short-shorts into their business suits. !!! (Wear that look to your next job interview!)

The SPRING SCARF – a winter fashion statement now for spring. Lightweight (again!) scarves are worn as alternatives for neckties. Some in bamboo.

BAGS for the season include bus or satchel-type.

MAN BRACELETS -- (remember the sixties? )

JEANS -- Vibrant colored jeans like aqua, yellow, teal, and pink in skinny styles.

Blue denim takes on a mid-hued blue

Cut off jean shorts. have made a resurgence in above the knee length and slim fit.

Back to wear-and tear with abrasions/holes, but “more authentic” wear and tear than the total destruction of past seasons..

Hip hop and nostalgia prints on tee and acid wash jeans.

SWEATS -- Comfortable sweat shirts and pants with embroidery, patches, print details.

Some Important Factors

1. Color

Choose dark colors like the all-time favorite black. Unlike bright colors, dark colors give an impression of compactness, giving the wearer a leaner figure. Other dark colors that may also be used by men are gray and navy blue.

2. Plains

It is trendily wise to wear the same solid color from top to bottom. A monochromatic color helps creates an illusion of length and prevents your body from looking fragmented.

3. Prints

Stripes. – Avoid horizontal stripes. Go for vertical stripes because they draw the eyes downwards, making you look longer and thinner. The thinner the stripes, the better.

Patterns. – Do not wear clothes with big patterns. Choose small patterns that are close to each other or overlap. Big patters create an illusion of width and could be very unflattering on a full-shaped man.

4. Fit

Wear clothes that fit you best – not too tight, not too loose. Remember than tight clothes will emphasize your bulges while loose clothes make you appear heavy and wide. Clothes will only flatter you if they fit you right.

5. Texture

Avoid fabrics that are shiny like satin. They outline the problem areas by creating darker shades on the fabric.

6. Shirts & Jackets:

Collars. – Collars that make men look fatter are those that cover the length of the neck like turtlenecks. Flattering collars scoop necklines such as v-necks and round necks. It is because an exposed neck makes your face look smaller. In this same theory, in cases of buttoned shirts, do not button the first one or two buttons from the neck.

Jackets. – Jackets can make one trimmer because it takes interest away from what’s underneath it. The trick is to choose a jacket that is single-breasted because a double-breasted jacket makes the eye focus at the center. You can choose from leaving the buttons of the jacket unfastened of fastening all even the bottom. However, when fastening the last button will noticeably pull the fabric, it must be left unbuttoned as it can emphasize your wide midpoint.

7. Pants: Jeans and Slacks

Wear mid-rise pants, one which is between high-waisted and low-waisted pants. Either high-waisted or low-waisted pants can stress your tummy bulges. Tapered pants are absolutely a no-no. If your midsection is wide, narrow-legged pants can give you an unflattering cone-shaped lower body. Lastly, keep in mind that pockets and pleats will only draw attention to your tummy while side or back zippers and flat fronts can hide the fat away. Custom made jeans can make finding the right fit easier.

8. Accessories

Belts. – Always use a belt as it will hold your waistline and make it appear slimmer. It also helps your trouser hang properly. But be careful not to tighten the belt to much because it might outline your bulges.

Bags. – If you are uncomfortable with your belly and it seems to stick out from a side angle, you can shield it with your bag while walking or standing. Never hang a sling bag from one shoulder to the opposite side because the sling will define the curve of your belly.

Why Fashion is important

Clothes can create illusions to the physique of the wearer. It can give the appearance of looking thinner, but it can also give the appearance of looking heavier. Wearing the correct clothes with the right fashion is one tested-and-proven solution to a weight problem. In order to learn how to dress slimmer, you must know the men fashion styles to avoid and follow. The following are tips for you so that the next time you put on an outfit, you know you do not put more pounds but rather appear to lose weight.