American Denim is Here to Stay
You know what comes between me and my denim? Nothing. Brooke Shields taught me that in the 80s. Everywhere you turned there was beautiful American denim emerging. Denim was liberated. Denim was no longer just a working man’s uniform. Over the years I have loved them all: boot cut to skinnies to moto to wax-coated to distressed to dark rinse to destroyed. I have vintage denim. I have designer denim. I have under $20 denim. I wear denim to the barn. And, I am lucky enough to live in a city where denim is acceptable at a cocktail reception.
Well girls, I am here to tell you denim is entering a renaissance period. Yes, American Icon denim has returned this season. A year ago I turned to Tina and said, “Wrangler is back”. She was not entirely too sure about my proclamation. I spent the past year sending her any picture I could find with Wrangler in high fashion pictorials and on the street (it wasn’t difficult). I’ve seen them along side other icons, lined up in boutiques and high end stores showcased as “retro” and “upcycled”. No, they are not just for cowboys and the barn, they are an American classic.
Let’s go ahead and address the obvious. Western Glam is in this year. Nashville is the “it” city after all, y’all. But seriously, as a Nashville girl, it’s tricky wearing Western. We are slightly scared of looking cliché. By pairing dark wash denim with a soft cream leather jacket, I tone down the country. Adding the tie dye silk blouse tank with crystals helps bring my denim out of the barn as well. I have placed similar pieces in sizes 0-24 in the Style Vault for this collection (both Vault Insiders and Complete Insiders have access here).
If you love your cowboy boots, wear them. Boot cut jeans are made just for that reason. If you aren’t quite ready to finish your Western Glam look with a traditional boot, wear a bootie like I’ve done here. The bootie might be an easier approach for you to achieve this look.
Wrangler has been spotted on George Strait working the ranch to parading the streets of NYC on Lady GaGa this season. Styling the dark wash Wranglers with a black blouse and another Icon, Valentino Rockstud pumps, modernizes the jean and brings it into the city.
Don’t worry, I have sourced a pair of similar shoes in my collection that won’t break your budget in the Style Vault.
Speaking of modern trends in denim this season, let’s talk about high-waisted, flare leg jeans. Think sexy Farrah Fawcett jeans. As Tina mentioned, the flare leg or bootcut creates balance to your hips and thighs by placing the widest emphasis at your feet and not your hips. Math lesson: a triangle’s smallest point is at the top (your waist/hips) and the widest at the base = boot cut/flare leg denim. An inverted triangle’s widest point is at the top (your waist/hips) and the smallest at the base = skinny jeans. I am placing my exact jean in the Style Vault and it’s under $100!
This is a fun jean to style. It’s relaxed due to the faded wash, and the high waist makes it easy to wear a cropped shirt without being revealing. I have kept both my jacket and shirt higher here as well. Show off your curves, these jeans create a beautiful hourglass. My denim collection is offering a great olive jacket in sizing up to 24.
I recently read, “Jeans serve as perfect canvases for two time-honored national values: “creativity and rebellion.”* I could not agree more. This season’s denim is offering both options. I encourage you to depart from the skinny jean this year and explore at least one of the options I have given you. Make sure you are following me on Instagram for daily updates!
Until next time,
Jessica
*Source: James Sullivan - "Jeans: A Cultural History of an American Icon"
