Truth be told, it wasn't until the past decade that I became fond of blue jeans. I know I'm going to receive some scolding comments on this statement but, I always viewed jeans as the lazy persons fall-back item for dressing. I live in Southern California and jeans are so prevalent that an actual style of dress is based off of them - California Casual. In other words, wear your denim and doll them up a bit. Jeans to work; jeans to a play (with a great top and heels, of course), jeans to an art opening, jeans to church. Jeans, jeans, jeans. Yes indeed, in Cali, if your closet consist of several options of jeans, then your wardrobe is good-to-go.
Like I mentioned above, I wasn't really fond of wearing denim until recent years. Since I could remember, I was the type of girl who found fashion conformity to be atrocious, and since everyone was wearing them, I wanted no part of it. The 80s were my high school years, and was also the era of the great designer jean. Remember Jordache Jeans, Gloria Vanderbilt and Sassoon? I remember having discussions with friends about what we were going to wear to impress the guys for our first day of school as freshmen. Almost all of them said one of the top designers jeans. All except little ol' me. Instead, for my first day as a freshmen, I chose to wear Bermuda shorts, argyle socks, penny loafers and a polo shirt. As the seasons changed and the weather grew cooler, one of my most memorable ensembles was built around a wonderful pair of oatmeal colored jodhpurs (that my beloved mother made for me), riding boots and a neatly tailored white button down. Boy, did I receive lots of stares and eye-rolling. In other words, jeans were simply out of the question, and while others dawned their denim, I used it as an opportunity to stand out from the crowd.
Fast forward 30 years: I can pinpoint my change in attitude toward wearing jeans around the same time I became a busy mom with two bouncing boys. No longer was I engulfed in the fashion world, rather, my new life consisted of T-ball practices, soccer games, sitting in the bleachers while my sons performed this sport or that band competition. Suddenly, jeans seemed to be the right fashion choice for my current lifestyle. Before I knew it, my closet boasted a wide array of blue jean choices...boyfriends, skinny, low-rise (after losing the baby weight), cropped, classic, overalls, dark washed, acid rinsed...you get the point. I had joined the blue jean brigade. But even with my obvious change, there was and still is quite a bit of the Glenda that needs to shine through. Even with all my denim wearing, I still manage to doll them up with pieces that make me feel a little giddy on the inside. NEVER, and do I mean NEVER will you catch me wearing jeans with a simple t-shirt and athletic trainers. Instead, I choose to make my jean-days sing a little with touches that make the look more interesting. Sometimes the touches are subtle and sometimes it'll slap you in the face. Nevertheless, I find the need to add interest to the over-exposed concept called blue jeans.
Today's Look - Striped Sparkle Top is J.Crew and won on eBay, Boyfriends: Loft (similar
option), Belt: Michael Kors via TJ Maxx, Loafers: Sam Edelman via Marshalls, Baseball Cap: H&M (new style
option): Backpack: Isabelle Vegan Handbags. Signet Ring: J.Crew (old), Watch is Citizen, Horseshoe Bracelet: Polka Dots & Moonbeams.
There you have it, friends, the story behind my need to dress-up the denim. Perhaps my need is one of my little quirks. And believe me when I say I have many. But nonetheless, it is a need that I must fulfill when I wear them. Tell me, how do you do denim? Are you a jean and t-shirt kind of person or do you wear your rips with glitz{wink}
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Photographs by Freddy
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