Jeans 101: Viva La Color!

Rihanna shopping with dog Oliver in New York City on May 13th, 2008.

Jada courtside at the LA Lakers Vs. Celtics game 4 finals on July 13, 2008.

Fergie spotted in Los Angeles on August 20th, 2008.

Kelly Rowland officially launches St Aubyn's Holistic Centre London, England - 03.05.08.

Hands up those of you who last wore colored denim when you were five years old? You are not alone! I've been in two-minds about the colored jeans trend since it hit the streets last year, but Jada Pinkett and Rihanna (a stonch believer in colored denim) have convinced me to a least try on a pair. My main concern is that those of us with curves are going to end up looking like a giant crayola crayon... not very attractive. If you decide to venture into this trend, tread carefully. Start off with flared jeans or a denim jacket and see how you fare. Baby steps ladies. Baby steps...

My Picks!

Left to right: Stretch Skinny Jean, $27.80, www.forever21.com; Erika Super Skinny Jean, $29.80, www.forever21.com; Denim of Virtue Women's Patience Red Wash Skinny, $170. www.shopkitson.com; Colored Denim Jean, $21.99, www.drjays.com

Left to right: Stretch Skinny Jean, $27.80, www.forever21.com; Ankle Grazer Colour Jean in Purple, $80, www.topshop.com; Neon Skinny Jean, $24.50, www.wetseal.com; Dittos the Classic in Grass, $110.60, www.pinkmascara.com

Skinny, colored jeans seem to be what's hot in the virtual streets of online shopping. I did find one flared pair from PinkMascara.com. I'd caution againgst high-waisted colored denim - it makes you look a little too much liks a fashion victim. Only those who live in LA can get away with such a style bold statement. See below for some ideas on what to pair colored jeans with.

Wear You Colored Jeans With...

Yellow Jacket: Cropped Jacket by Bi La Li, $675, www.net-a-porter.com; Top: Metallic Filigree Flutter, $17.80, www.forever21.com; Bracelet: Satin Wrapped Bangles Set of 3, $14.99, www.urbanoutfitters.com; Graphic Tee: Metallic Filigree Flutter, $17.80, www.forever21.com; Clutch: Danni Pomegranate Clutch, $36, www.amiciaccessories.com; Belt: Priscilla Patent Belt, $7.80, www.forever21.com; Earrings: Graffiti Earrings, $10, www.oohboutique.com; Pumps: Orizaba, $79.98, www.aldoshoes.com

Jeans 101: Dare to Bare

Kelly Rowland visits MTV's "TRL" in New York City, March 26, 2007.

Lauren Conrad of “The Hills” at the Mark photo shoot for Avon, October 26, 2007 in Malibu, California.

Ashanti attends the Giuseppe Zanotti NY store re-opening party at the Giuseppe Zanotti Design Boutique in New York City on September 7, 2007.

If you’re anything like me you’ve already been working out in anticipation for spring. I’m particularly motivated by the prospect of wearing a denim skirt for the first time in almost five years! This season denim skirts are smaller than ever (see Kelly above) but don’t be a slave to fashion, wear what makes you comfortable. If you like to bare a little leg but don’t want to worry about flashing every time you make a move, opt for a length like Lauren’s. Pick a dark denim, knee length skirt for night time glamour. Just add a floaty top for understated elegance like Ashanti.

My Picks!

Left to right: Recycled Denim Skirt, $34, www.azjeans.com; Lurex Denim Mini Skirt, $22.99, www.azjeans.com; Grey Mini Skirt, $19.50, www.wetseal.com; Miranda, $59.50, www.abercrombie.com

Left to right: Porkchop Pencil Skirt, $27.50, www.westseal.com; High Waist Denim Mini, $27.80, www.forever21.com; Indigo Denim Mini , $88, www.jcrew.com; Star Denim Skirt by Alexander McQueen, $223, www.shopbop.com

Denim obviously comes in many colors but I’ve always been drawn to darker and “dirtier” hues of denim like the mini from Abercrombie above. That said, a nice baby blue denim skirt is a classic and provides the perfect contrast to the bright, block colored tops that are everywhere this season. Make sure you get a skirt that isn’t too tight. Though it may look good in the store once you start walking it’ll continually ride up. Go for a slightly bigger size that will shrink in the wash to the perfect size.

Jeans 101: The High-Waist

Jennifer Lopez arriving at the MTV Studios in New York City on March 27, 2007.

Ciara hosts MTV's "TRL" at the MTV Studios in New York City on March 5, 2007.

Jessica Alba backstage at Power 106's breakfast with Big Boy and the cast of "Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer" on June 4, 2007. – Get the exact pair Jessica is wearing from www.shopintuition.com (see below).

Eve spotted in New York City last month.

This trend has me somewhat perplexed. At first I was a complete non-believer, but then I saw Jlo work her style magic outside the TRL studios, I quickly changed my opinion to “neutral.” Oh but soon thereafter Eve surfaced with these ultra high-waisted pair sending me right back into denim-induced anxiety. Now, having watched the jeans evolve and merge with other trends such as the wide-legged pant (see Jessica Alba and Ciara), I’m safely back in style bliss and even considering buying a pair of these controversial jeans. Watch this space.

My Picks!

Left to right: High waisted with double welt pockets in Mid Stone, $80, www.topshop.com; Janiesse Foxy Jean, $215, www.shopintuition.com; Dittos The Classic, $165, www.pinkmascara.com; High Waisted Highway Jean by Grey Ant, $286, www.shopbop.com

Left to right: Cheap Monday Eiffel Tower, $28.57, www.caliroots.com; High Waisted Skinny Jeans By Karen Walker, $279, www.mycatwalk.com; Lux High Waisted Skinny Jean, $68, www.urbanoutfitters.com; 70s High Waist Skinny, $80, www.topshop.com

Those of you considering these jeans must make sure you pick the right style. I’d advise fuller figured ladies (i.e. anyone over a size 8!) to start with the wider pants. The braver amongst us can dive straight into the skinny, although you may have to buy a pair up from your usual size.

Note: Try these cute “Piper High Waist Jeans” from www.alloy.com at just $39.50.

Jeans 101: Le Petite Pois!

Kelly Rowland at the NBA All-Star Weekend Basketball Game in Houston on February 18th, 2006. Mya posing at Heatherette's official launch of its young contemporary line at Macy's Herald Square in August of last year in NYC. Sherri Saum attending the Glam Slam 06' party presented by Tennis Channel, Sony Ericsson WTA Tour and ATP at Crobar last August in New York City. Eva Pigford arriving at the VMA Style Villa at the Bryant Park Hotel last August in New York City.

I’ve been chastised quite a lot (via email and other means of communication) for not including petite fashion enough on this site. I try my people, I try. However, note that it is much more time consuming to find great fashion and photographs of celebrities for petite and plus size posts – I’m working on it though. Here I’m continuing our ‘Jeans 101’ series and focusing on ladies who have a hard time finding jeans that are the right length or size, i.e. sizes 0, 2 or 4. See below for ideas and as usual leave comments and tips for fellow readers.

My Picks!

Left to right: Flare Curvy, $39.99, www.gap.com; Cherie Jean, $168, www.guess.com; Boot Cut 515 Jeans (Petite), $44, www.levisstore.com; Petite Midnight Rinse Low Rise Skinny Jean, $78, www.bananarepublic.com
Left to right: Paige Premium Denim ‘Laurel Canyon’ Petite Jeans, $179, www.bloomingdales.com; Worn Jeans 'Nikki Lo Lo' Skinny Bootcut Stretch Jeans, $89, www.nordstorm.com; Provocatuer in Maude, $158, www.couturecandy.com; Jag Jeans Foster Stretch Twill Jeans (Petite), $79, www.nordstorm.com

Banana Republic, Gap and Alloy.com have great petite jeans at reasonable prices but if you can afford to go a little higher try the brand Kasil. Denim doesn’t just come in the color blue, so think about wearing neutral colors like brown, camel and beige.

Zafu.com

If my 'Jeans 101' posts haven’t taken you further on your quest for the perfect jeans you must head to Zafu.com. Take their quick and easy questionnaire to locate you perfect pair out of the 80+ brands they stock. They ask you everything from how tight you usually like your jeans to fit, right through to how much you like the back to gape (erm, no gaping for me thanks!). After you answer other more conventional questions about your size, height and shape, the site creates a list from their inventory that supposedly ‘fits you best.’ While you’re there look over their ‘fit tips’ for some sizing advice.

Credit: Thanks Allie Nicole for the site (even if you couldn't remember it!! ;)