New arrivals at The Denim Shop!

This winter has been one of the dreariest weather-wise that I can remember. Whether you've been rained out or snowed in, day after day of cloudy skies and cold temperatures really takes its toll on your spirit. However, it is the winter blahs that makes the arrival of spring such a celebrated event!

Spring not only brings a renewal to the earth, but also a renewing of mind, spirit and, let us not forget, wardrobe! That's right- it is time start thinking past the dark colors, chunky sweaters and big boots, and to start thinking about brighter hues and lighter layers.

At The Denim Shop, our first new spring arrivals include updates to some of your favorite denim brands like the new Angel Wing Jean from Miss Me. It is a fresh version of one of our most popular recent styles. The unique angel wing design starts with a angel wing burnout on the yoke which is covered in tiny black rhinestones. We also have a new fleur de lis pocket style which is nearly sold out, a new cross pocket and two new western style Miss Me jeans.

Other new early spring arrivals include the Maddie Jean from Big Star, the new Hottie in Lumber from !iT Jeans, and new Yellow Box shoes! We'll soon be adding new Ed Hardy, Corky's and new Vintage Havana as well.

Sutter's Jeans Offer a Great Fit and a Great Price!

At The Denim Shop we are always on the look out for jeans that provide the best combination of style, fit and value. Some of our bestselling brands include Big Star, !iT Jeans and Silver Jeans. Our newest addition, Sutter's Jeans, has developed a brand new line of jeans with hybrids of some of these well known fits.

Sutter's, who has been making denim for over a century, is back and is taking the denim industry's most tried and true jeans to find out what works and what doesn't. They've done the measurements and made adjustments to design jeans for your body type and all of the other types out there as well. Each fit is painstakingly designed to accentuate your best parts and camouflage the rest.

They have curvy body fits that will appeal to fans of the Diva by !iT Jeans and the Aiko by Silver or basic bootcut fits like the Tuesday by Silver and the Hollywood Hills by Paige. Sutter's also has a fantastic skinny jean that rivals all of your favorite skinnies.

Sutter's doesn't just have a proven fit, it also has a great price! They generally retail under $90 which is incredible in the current jean market! At The Denim Shop, you never have to compromise style to maintain your budget. Sutter's is a great way to get the fit and the style that you want at a price that works for most people! Check our our Sutter's page to find out more about the styles and fits.

Lucky Brand Jeans Lowers Their Prices for Fall!

One of our favorite brands just got a little better for fall! Lucky Brand Jeans listened to their customers suggestions and lowered their prices this season! Many of their fall denim styles now retail for under $100 and have all of the details that you loved about them when they were more expensive! What could be better than your favorite fits, fabulous washes and fun pocket treatments with lower prices?

Lucky Brand has always been known for its free spirited look and its variety of fits that really do flatter nearly every body type. Their Easy Rider Jean is their most relaxed fit and is ideal for a woman with fuller hips and thighs. If you like the relaxed look, but want something a little more fitted, you might like the Sweet-n-Low Jean. It was a lower rise that the Easy Rider, but is still relaxed through the knee. The Lola is the classic bootcut jean that most women have in their wardrobe. It has a lower rise and a slimmer leg opening. For the more junior customer, Lil' Maggie is a better choice because it is the slimmest fit and is ideal for the junior body.

Lucky Brand is not just known for their jeans. They also make some of the best looking vintage tees that we've seen. They take a retro screen print and bump up the bling factor with studs and embroidery. You'll find fun "pops" like studded peace signs and embroidered butterflies.

Denim Trends to Avoid in 2009/2010!

Run, don't walk away from these denim disasters and debacles! Ok, that may be a bit of an exaggeration, but for alliteration's sake, it seemed appropriate. Since writing the blog post on Denim trends for fall 2009, it made sense to also address our least favorite denim trends for Fall. I admit that some of these trends can be tamed and altered until they are more flattering- like the Boyfriend Jean. Honestly, it took me a while to warm up to the boyfriend jean, but most of that was due to the over sized, sloppy way that several celebrities wore it in the beginning. Since then, it definitely has evolved into something that has it's place for the time being. Is there a denim trend that keeps you up at night or makes you cringe as you look through the pages of your favorite celebrity magazine? Let your opinion be known and add a comment below.

• Double Denim- The first faux pas came from an article on Fashionising.com talking about the no-no of doubling and tripling your denim. Now my love for denim is not linked to the bottom half of my body- I love denim in many forms, but one at a time please! Ever since it's resurgence in the 80's, concept of doubling up on denim has always been difficult for me to understand- how do you make it work? Christina Ricci adds to her 80s vibe (not in a good way) with her hoodie popping out of the top of her jean jacket while Pete Wentz' bowtie, denim jacket and gray jean fiasco's only redeeming factor is that he's going to the Kid's Choice Awards.
• Acid wash- While I love a lighter wash jean, seriously- I am wearing a pair of lighter wash Big Star Livs as I type, those on the verge or even crossing over the line to acid wash are just too much. On the wrong person, they can look like a couple of dancing turkey sausages. Basic light wash jeans can be flattering especially in a bootcut or wider leg fit. However, skinny bleached out denim is best left to teens who are can get by with this young, skinny look. Lindsey Lohan definitely draws attention to her well-toned legs with her acid wash jeans and contrasting black top & ankle boots, but that kind of attention doesn't look good on everyone. If you enjoy this look, avoid wearing them too tight as lighter washes tend to accentuate bulges while darker washes camouflage them.

Let us know what you think? Are these hits or misses? More blunders to come soon. For the latest denim trends and always in style jean choices, visit us at The Denim Shop.

Budget Friendly Denim Brands

Premium denim has it's pluses and minuses- they have a great fit, quality Italian and Japanese denim, and let's face it, their name stitched on the backside, but they also come with a hefty price tag. Why denim prices continue to climb in the midst of a struggling economy, eludes me, but I suppose some of it has to do with the increased price of supplies, the shrinking value of the dollar and good old American desire to make a buck.
Less expensive brands like Silver Jeans, See Thu Soul, !iT Jeans and the ever so thrifty Dollhouse Jeans are some of our favorite choices for adding great style and fantastic fits at reasonable prices.

See Thru Soul
Prices - $54- 78 - A huge variety of styles to fill your need for both basic and trendy denim!

Silver Jeans
Prices- $60-80 range. Silver Jeans offer amazing fits, an extensive selection of sizes and a fun, vintage look. Two main fits - original and red label are available in several variations.

!iT Jeans
Price- $50-80 range. One of our best-selling brands has fits to flatter a plethora of figures, including the Hottie, Diva, Belle and Rising Starlet. Many of their fits are available in a variety of inseams, colors and fabrics.


Dollhouse Jeans-
Our best value at $45-60. Spice things up with Dollhouse's trendy mix of jeans, pants and tops at unbeatable prices!

Other brands with styles under $100 are Lucky Brand, Big Star, Level 99, Cult of Individuality, LTB, Miss Me and Sang Real.

Fall 2009 Denim Trends!

Image by LeRamz via Flickr

As an avid denim fan and denim buyer for The Denim Shop, I see a lot of jeans, but this coming fall season definitely stretches the limits of denim. After looking at 1000's of pairs of jeans for fall and finding motivation to blog from Seventeen Magazine's Fall Denim Preview (August 2009), I've narrowed the styles down to my favorite All-American Girl must-have jeans for Fall. If you have a favorite that didn't make the list, let your voice be heard by adding a comment below.

• Boyfriend & Cropped Jeans- Summer's trendy Boyfriend Jean still continues to be a hot look for fall and has led to a the reemergence of more fitted cropped jeans. This streamlined style can hold up to more voluminous tops and bigger layers than the relaxed boyfriend jean which looks better with slim tees, tucked in tops and sleek blouses.
• Bootcut- This look never goes out of style. The Bootcut Fit just keeps getting revamped through more current washes and more modified pocket treatments. This season continue to look for bold stitching, both dressy and damaged washes, dark denim and unique pockets.
• Bleached and Colored Denim- Although these are not necessarily my favorites, they will definitely give your wardrobe a young, funky boost and can be integrated into your eclectic mix of rock tees, hoodies and cardigans. These 80's inspired jeans have been on the verge of a comeback for at least 2 seasons now, but they are finally making a statement for fall.
  
• Skinny Jeans- This trend has gone from fad to to fashion mainstay with fits that flatter a variety of body types. That's right- skinny jeans are not just for skinny bodies! Just make sure that the waistband is high enough to prevent bulging above the belt and balance curvier figures with tunic tops and fitted layers.
  
• Denim Leggings- This is one style I had to think about for a while. Staring at you on the rack, they are not the most attractive looking jeans, but throw them on with a tunic and a fabulous pair of boots and they look super cool. A zippered ankle adds a little more edge.
  

Make all of these styles your own with great accessories like bright belts, ankle boots, sporty kicks, flats, graphic tees, cardigans, blazers or whatever your style commands! This fall season is all about denim so embrace it!

Understanding Denim Fabric Content

Understanding fabric content can be an important key to deciding what size to order or how to launder your jeans. There are many types of denim available, but we will discuss a few of the most common.

100% Cotton- Also called Rigid Denim, there are still a few fans of the all cotton denim. They are structured jeans that lack the maneuverability of jeans with a stretch agent. They still have their place for the customer who wants a no nonsense fit.

Cotton/Stretch Blends- Most jeans are a blend of cotton and some form of stretch such as elastane, spandex, or lycra. The addition of stretch gives you a more comfortable fit and a more durable fabric. Most of these jeans will stretch out over time. Simply washing and drying them in the dryer will normally shrink them back to size. Just be careful not to dry them at too high of a temperature or you will have smaller jeans than you started with. More premium jeans like Paige Premium Denim or 7 for All Mankind have more "memory", meaning that you can wear them a few more times before they start to stretch. We prefer to buy this fabrication with a snug fit to allow for a little stretching.

Polyester Blends- Some brands like Paige, !iT Jeans and Silver Jeans have added polyester to their fabric mix. The addition of polyester offers several benefits including longer lasting color, shorter drying times, and more durable fabric. Also, they are more wrinkle resistant than cotton/spandex blends; you can usually wear them right out of the dryer. Polyester also allows the jean to have more gripping power so it fits better to start and keeps it's shape longer. Keep this in mind when choosing your size- don't buy them tight with the hopes that they will stretch.

Tencel Blends- Tencel is an all-natural fabric that wicks moisture away from the body keeping you cool and dry on warm days and warm and dry on cold days. Tencel allows the denim manufactures to give new, smoother textures to their jeans. It can be found mainly in jeans from Level 99.

We hope this helps and will make your denim buying decisions a little easier the next time.

Try a hot "mom jean"- the Suki by Silver!

Mom jeans. Those simple words strike terror in into the hearts of adolescents and preteens everywhere. Being seen at the mall with mothers wearing outdated, high rise, tapered jeans is an experience that most socially conscious teenagers avoid at all costs! We'll let you in on a little secret- today's "mom jeans" are not the hideous, unflattering styles of years past or the lowrise, skinny cuts worn by teens. You can wear current, flattering styles that keep you covered and comfortable.

One of our favorite styles is the Suki Jean from Silver Jeans Co. This company caters to a wide range of body types from tiny teens to curvy moms with a look that is consistently on trend. Silver Jeans created the Suki jean because many of women no longer feel comfortable in the hiphuggers they grew up wearing, but still like the details like distressing or a little fading that these styles offered. This best-selling style was cut in the mold of Silver's Original Fit which conforms to the natural curves of your body, allowing for a more comfortable fit. Thanks to it's higher rise, you'll be able to combat many denim mishaps- muffin top, plumber's crack and a gaping waist. Also, they have a little more room in the hips and thighs for added ease.

The best part- if you like the Suki Jean, you can get it in a boot cut version, straight leg version, skinny leg version and flap pocket version! How exciting is that?? You'll have a fit you can trust in a variety of looks and colors so you won't have to wear the same style over and over again! Several of these newer styles will be available this fall (August and September) at The Denim Shop!

You certainly don't have to be a mom to appreciate the Suki- they're a great choice for any woman who wants a younger look without sacrificing comfort or committing a grievous fashion faux pas.

The Liv Jean - Big Star's Hottest Style!

Whether you admit it or not, everyone has a pair of jeans in their closet that they have worn over and over until they have to be restricted to weekend duty only. You can't throw them out because it would be like losing a limb, but you can't wear them out due to their threadbare state. Enter the solution- the perfectly aged Vintage Edition Liv Jean.

Taking inspiration from their sister company, AG Jeans' Limited Edition Aged Denim, Big Star developed the Liv Jean to replicate different "ages" of denim at half of AG's price tag! With this style you can have your cake and eat it too (or have your jeans and wear them too)! Their unique denim processing methods provide just the right amount of fading, destruction, holes and even stains to produce their desired age. You'll get the comfortable lived in feel, the aged to perfection look and good, quality denim that you can wear out in public!


One of our favorite features of the Vintage Liv Jean is the back pocket. Nothing can make or break a jean like the shape and style of back pocket and the Liv pockets totally rock this jean! Thick, multicolored stitching really stands out against the denim while flap pockets on select styles have specially made, detailed buttons, taking the Liv Jean a step above Big Star's other denim.

We've been amazed by how fast this style has sold and attribute it to the reliability of the Big Star fit and the affordability of this style- few denim designers offer the detail and look for Big Star's Vintage Edition Jeans at such a low price.

Coming this fall are a higher rise version and a skinny version, the Nico.

Jeans to Make Your Behind Look Bigger!

One of the reasons why jeans are so popular is because of their ability to alter to the look of your body with many types of visual camouflage and magic. By changing details like color, pocket size, pocket height and rise you can visually alter your height, weight and yes, even the size of your butt!
While magazines and style blogs are full of ways to make your behind look smaller, many women have the opposite problem. Athletic body types, tomboy figures, small frames or bodies where weight is carried mostly in the stomach might benefit from learning a few simple tricks to give you the illusion of larger butt and more evenly proportioned body. Try out some of the suggestions below to see what ideas work best for you.

1. Jeans with higher pockets will keep your jeans from sagging. They'll draw the eye up to the rounder part of your behind. We like the pockets on the See Thru Soul Jean to the left.
2. Flap pockets can add volume, but keep them fairly small- like the ones on Rock Revival's Jeans or Miss Me Jeans. Over sized pockets will end up making you look flatter.
3. AVOID baggy jeans and jeans that sag at the behind. A saggy behind will just give you a lovely deflated balloon look and draw negative attention to an area where it is least desired. Jeans with stretch will hug your behind instead of just hanging on it and make sure it has a snug fit. Try 7 for All Mankind for the perfect cotton to stretch ratio.
   
4. Lighter washes, especially with fading/sanding on the butt, will also make you appear larger. We like the collection of lighter wash jeans from Big Star. They often have flap pockets to further in enhance your curves.
   
5. A straight or skinny leg will give you a rounder behind. By making you narrower at the ankle, you will appear fuller at the butt. The Oaxaca Skinny Jean by MEK Denim or the Audrey Skinny by Silver Jeans will give you the perfect proportion.
   

These are just of few of the suggestions that we've compiled to help you take advantage of some of the tricks of the trade. We welcome any solutions that you've come up with for this problem as well!

New Trend in Jeans- Organic Denim

Although the green movement has been around for decades, it has just recently been elevated from a small cult following of politicians, celebrities and "hippies" (for lack of a better word) to a mainstream movement. At The Denim Shop we do our best to recycle and reuse when possible and believe that being green is something anyone can aspire to on whatever level is comfortable for them.
Green, organic clothing is a fairly new concept in maintaining an earth friendly lifestyle. Organically made clothing can fit into several categories. Some organic clothing is simply made from organic materials such as cotton which has been grown free from chemical pesticides and with earth friendly farming techniques. Other clothing is organically treated, using as few chemicals as possible during it's processing so that neither you or the earth is absorbing chemicals that are unnecessary.
In recognition and support of those embracing cleaner lifestyles, we have gradually started adding organic denim to our assortment of jeans. You will notice these denims are darker in color since they have not had the amount of chemical processing and fading that is used on most denim. The denim is soft and comfortable like other denim, but seems to hold it's shape better since it's fibers have not been weakened by chemicals.
Currently, we offer organic denim from MEK and !iT Jeans, but will be looking to add more brands in the near future.

How to Care for Denim

Image via Wikipedia

How To Care for Denim

Because all denim is colored by an indigo dye process, some amount of fading will take place with laundering. The best way to maintain the dark color of your favorite jeans is to send them to the dry cleaners, but that can get expensive. Here are a few other tips that we hope will slow the process without the pricey dry cleaning bill. If you have tips you would like to share, please email them to us so that we can post them.

1. Simply turning your jeans inside out before washing will cut down on the friction created by the agitator. This will help keep your jeans from wearing down prematurely.

2. Limit the number of jeans in the washer to 3-4 pair, depending on size so that they aren't packed too tightly. Denim is heavy and too many jeans in the washer at one time can hurt the effectiveness of the cleaning process. Use other lighter weight clothing items to fill the remainder of the washing machine.

3. If your jeans have a lot of destruction like holes and grinding, you may want to wash on the delicate cycle to keep the holes from growing.

4. Wash in cold or warm water (check the label first) and avoid using bleach. Some companies are now making detergent specifically for darker colors which might be helpful when washing your dark denim. Really dark denim may need to be washed prior to wearing so that the indigo dye doesn't rub off on you or your other clothing. Often, these jeans have a label recommending that they should be washed first.

5. To avoid wrinkles, remove promptly from the washing machine. Turn the jeans right side out. Zip and button jeans and then hang with a two clip pant hanger clasping the waist. We recommend hanging to dry to avoid the extra wear and tear of the dryer and to keep jeans from shrinking. Although, if shrinking is the desired effect, then go ahead and toss them into the dryer.

6. ALWAYS read the label inside your jeans before laundering. Because of embellishments used on some jeans, they may be strictly "dry clean only". We try to post on each item page whether or not a jean is machine washable.

7. Jeans are often prewashed in the factory to achieve the desired color. However, it's always a good idea to wash your jeans before having them altered so your new pair of 7's won't turn into high water pants after their first trip through the washing machine!

Jeans for a curvy body!

Those of us who have beautiful curves know that it can be both a blessing and a curse since they are often hard to dress! However, if you follow a few simple tips for choosing the right jeans, you see how amazing your curves can look!

If you have a curvy behind, you want to look for jeans that have a little stretch to allow a little give for your curves. Also, look for darker washes without a lot of fading and whiskers to give you a slimmer, more streamlined fit. Avoid wide set, oversized and undersized pockets as they will distort your behind and add visual pounds. One of our favorite jeans for a curvy behind is the Diva Jean by !iT Jeans. It fits snugly at the waist while allowing extra room in the behind and hips so that you don't have to walk around with jeans that have a huge gap at the waist.

Body types that are curvy all over look best in bootcut or wide leg styles. They create a lean look by balancing your upper half and giving you a "straighter" look. Avoid extreme styles like super skinny jeans and wide flares since they exaggerate your curves and will draw attention to all of the wrong places. If you want to wear skinny jeans, tuck them into a pair of chic boots to help add balance and make sure that they are not too tight. Also, stay away from lowrise jeans and instead opt for a midrise that will give you more coverage and help avoid the dreaded "muffin top." The Club jean from AG, Dream Diva from !iT Jeans and the Robertson jean by Paige are all designed with a curvy body in mind. For more curvy selections, you can email: sales@thedenimshop.com.

Find Some Great Deals in our Fall/Winter Clearance

You can currently save up to 50% on Fall and Winter merchandise at The Denim Shop! Jeans from some of our favorite brands including Level 99, Big Star, 7 for All Mankind, Sang Real, Mek, Silver, !iT Jeans and more have been marked $20-100 off! You can also find dramatic savings on shoes, tees, and fashion tops throughout our site. Now's the perfect time to buy the BCBGirl shoes that you've had your eye on or a pair of Rocket Dog shoes that will transition well into Spring and Summer!

We have a huge selection of clearance tees, tops and sweaters that are denim friendly and super stylish! You'll find all of the most current fashions representing a variety of today's trends from tunics and boyfriend cardigans to buttery soft turtlenecks, vests, hoodies, and tees. Some of our favorites include 25 Singles, Junkfood, Bobi, LAMade and My Michelle. Many styles are great for layering now and wearing alone in the warmer months ahead giving you the most bang for your buck. Be sure to stock up on our basic layering pieces from LAMade and Bobi to wear with the great bargains at The Denim Shop!

Rock Revival Rocks the Denim Scene!

From the makers of some of the denim world's trendiest brands like
Mek Denim, Sang Real and Miss Me comes a brand sure to be the next jean super star! Rock Revival reflects the evolutionary changes in the rock culture from the hard, rougher looks of rock and roll days gone by to a more balanced blend of organic and edgy that reflects today's rock genre. With the knowledge of fit and function which Rock Revival designers and manufacturers have gleaned from years of developing new denim, they have been able to design this brand with an incredible fit, stylish pocket treatments, fabulous washes, and the highest quality of denim. Available soon in both men's and women's, Rock Revival is certain to hit the denim market with a bang!