There was quite the debate going on last week over Jenna Lyons and her perhaps-ill-fitting-if-not-daring dressed up denim at the Met Gala. If you thought that was extreme, then you may want to excuse yourself for the remainder of this post.

Never one to shy away from a bit of opulence, Karl Lagerfeld showed his Resort 2013 collection for Chanel on Monday, at the palace of Versailles, outside Paris, France. As fountains spat plumes of water that sparkled in the spring sunlight, models strut through the gravel in fantastical, punk-y interpretations on the era of  Antoinette (Marie, that is).

Believe it or not, many of these looks were cast in denim and chambray, giving the dramatic shapes and embellishments a more accessible, contemporary spin. Worn all at once, certainly these looks are a lot for the average woman. But let me tell you, I am loving the military-inspired denim jacket on the far left, and the ornate zip-up dress on the far right.

What do you think about Chanel’s resort denim? Too much? Not enough? See the whole collection here.

[Image credit: style.com]

In these times of trend-heavy denim collections, I often can’t decide how I feel about a certain trend. I have to let it marinate for a while before I can make a call. Floral denim, for example? When I started seeing it at the previews in the fall, I was conflicted. Is this too 90s? Too busy? (As it turns out, it’s a little bit of both and in all right right ways.)

Colored denim was something i didn’t have to be sold on – I’ve been in from the start. Now, ombre colored denim? That’s another story. On one hand, I like that it’s quirky, unusual and a bit bohemian. On the other, I don’t know if I would struggle to figure out how to style a pant that can’t decide what color it wants to be.

Get the look: Genetic Denim shorts ($165); Genetic Denim skinny jeans ($198); Rich & Skinny Legacy jeans ($145); Siwy ombre cutoffs ($163); Bec & Bridge ombre skinny jeans (sale! $141).

What are your thoughts on ombre denim?

[Image credits: Style Scrapbook; Cheyanne Meets Chanel; this Tumblr; Syl & Sam.]

By Ann of Holier than Now

In my thrifting and flea market hunts, I so often come upon vintage lace pieces that are beautiful but for a couple of stains.  Don’t remind of how many eBay purchases-gone-bad have involved a “pristine” number that in fact had some coffee spillage in its history.

But this DIY inspiration is an easy way to turn an otherwise unwearable lace piece into something amazing.  Whether you hand-stitch or make use of the innovation that is iron-on tape, this is a great DIY to refresh a pair of jean shorts.

If you’re not crafty in the least, no worries, here’s the look in one step:

Take out your pair of scissors and … cut the tags off a new pair of lace shorts, paired with a denim shirt!  So lazy – I mean easy!

1. Free People True Grit Denim Top ($128)

2. BB Dakota Amris Lace Short ($90)

3. Miguelina Jaya Lace Cover Up Shorts ($180)

4. Madewell Lace Shorts ($98)

5. Free People Scalloped Lace Shorts ($78)

Image credits: via Live Love Laugh Fashion, via Jesslyn Amber, via Wardrobe Junkie

Happy Friday! I don’t know about you guys but this week has been a long one, and I’m very much looking forward to the weekend. I can’t wait to sleep in, go out to a late breakfast and perhaps spend some time in Central Park.

The forecast for New York City on Saturday is looking positively glorious, somewhere around 77 degrees and sunny. That kind of perfection calls for the perfect weekend denim look, am I right?

I’m thinking it’s time to give the skinny jeans a rest, and perhaps pants in general, no? I want to let my legs feel some sun rays (trust me, they need them). So what’s a girl to do? Instead of going with the classic go-to of denim shorts, why not pair a breezy little skirt or dress with a denim jacket or shirt? It’s the perfect way to add a warmer layer in case of a breeze (or the shady side of the street).

I love how Kate of O My Heart!, Helena of Brooklyn Blonde and Anna of See Jane have paired a little denim on top with a short, feminine pieces.

What’s your weekend denim go-to?

Fashion has always been cyclical, but doesn’t it seem like lately the cycles are speeding up a bit? For example, the 1990′s were only about 20 years ago. I have a hard time unearthing trends that pertain to a decade in white I was in gradeschool.

Sometimes though, I can be swayed by the right spin on a too-soon-to-be-revisited trend. A modern piece or updated twist on something from the Saved By The Bell days can make even a southwestern-inspired striped button down shirt and denim vest feel more current than costume.

I can’t put my finger on what exactly makes the above look work for me, but I think it has something to do with her sassy little shorts and awesome hair. The denim vest is one of those almost inescapably ’90s pieces, but you can definitely counter those connotations with the right pairings.

[Image credit: Nando Alvarez]

Zinke Swimwear
Zinke Rompers
Felix Rey Umbrellas
Monrow Dresses
Edith A. Miller Tees

Tuleste Market Necklaces
Hudson Shorts
Nightcap Skirts
Marc Jacobs Earrings
Zeffira Earrings

Addison Dress
Tee Victoria Beckham
Shirts By Helmut Lang
Victoria Beckham Leggings
Rag & Bone Oxford Flats

Rag & Bone Sandals
Vince Anoraks
Shop Madison Marcus Dresses
New Vince Sweaters
Vince Tee Tanks

If there’s one occasion where it seems like denim might be slightly out of place, it’s the red carpet of a major New York City event. However, if you’re Jenna Lyons, the President and Creative Director of J. Crew, you make it work.

At the 2012 Costume Institute Gala on Monday night, Lyons layered an uber-fitted and cropped denim jacket over a crisp white shirt, and paired it with a glamorous hot pink skirt – complete with dramatic sash. The look was definitely amongst the most casual and quirky of the evening, but even so – how amazingly individual and true to her style does she look?

In the real world there may not be so many occasions to take dressed up denim this far, but we can certainly glean some everyday inspiration from Ms. Lyons’ look. Why not pair a teeny jean jacket like this Maison Scotch cropped number or this grey Club Monaco one (zipped and snapped up all the way) with a high-waisted skirt and heels? You could choose something short and flirty like this By Zoe a-line skirt, or a dramatic maxi like this one from MINKPINK.

I’m suddenly feeling very inspired to start dressing up, way up, in my denim jacket. How about you?

[Image source: Women's Wear Daily]

Pumps By B Brian Atwood
Sandals By Modern Vintage Shoes
Dresses By Madison Marcus
Dresses By Rachel Pally
Marchesa Notte Gowns

New Dresses By Elie Tahari
Sweaters By Andrea Lieberman
Tunics By Riller & Fount
Tank Tops By Madison Marcus
Women’S Calvin Klein Underwear

Backpacks By Stela 9
Totes Bags By Tory Burch
Intimates By Dkny
Tank Tops By Edun
Tees By 291

Pants By Vince
Jeans By Siwy
Dresses By Free People
Dresses By Charlie Jade
Dresses By So Low

Amongst all the color offerings in the world of denim that we’ve seen this season, peach and mint green have to be my favorites. The softness of the pastel hues and how well they pair with other colors makes each of them totally accessible to even the most timid of colored denim wearers.

I have talked about mint denim quite a bit (here and here), so lets talk about that peach-y shade of pink-meets-orange. You might also call this tone blush, but generally I mean this light, not bubble-gum pink-not-orange offering. It’s subtle, sweet and looks amazing when paired with white. The combination definitely says ‘creamsicle,’ but feminine and flattering on just about anyone.

Here are 4 of my favorite peach skinny jeans of the moment:

1. Rag & Bone / JEAN peach with holes skinny jeans

2. GOLDSIGN Frontier cropped slim leg jeans

3. Victoria Beckham powerskinny ankle jeans

4. Joe’s Jeans The Skinny jeans in ‘evening sand’

Whatever your style may be, you can pair your peach denim with a cozy white sweater like this one from Vince, or a sleeveless white top like this Equipment blouse – or a plain white t-shirt, too.

[Image credits: Song of Style, Stockholm Street Style, Just Patience]

Dresses By Joie
Blazers By Smythe
Trousers By J Brand
Necklaces By Gorjana
Cc California Dresses

Super Brand Sunglasses
Sunglesses By Ysl
Skirts By Maison Scotch
Sunglasses By Balenciaga
Beach Bags By Stela 9

Edun Rompers
Rory Beca Gowns
Phillip Lim Trousers
Shop Pedro Garcia Sandals
Sandals By Dolce Vita

Tanks Tops By Edun
Wedge Sandals By Tory Burch
Dresses By Kain Label
Tank Tops By Splendid
Miniskirts By James Perse

By Ann of Holier than Now

I reached a certain somewhat ripe “old” age a few weeks ago, and although we know it ain’t nuthin but a number, I did have a certain shift in consciousness when it comes to what’s in my closet.  Of course, having a birthday on the cusp of Spring is great timing for a wardrobe cleanse, and I found myself taking a hard look at the things I unearthed when I opened my warm weather trunk.  Was there anything I should get rid of based on age-appropriateness (or lack thereof)?  Super short sundresses – naw, they’re all generously cut, not too clingy … and fine with flats.  Cropped tank tops – yeah, ok, Bikram yoga-only pile.  Denim shorts …

Denim cutoff shorts?? Confusing.

My first instinct was to ditch every single hand-cut, perfectly frayed cutoff on the basis that they were too “immature” – how could I still be wearing a look I rocked when I was literally 12?  But by that rule, what about the rolled cutoffs?  Too short?  Ok, the lighter wash is maybe a bit body-con.  But the darker?  It was with this confused mindset that I evaluated every two-legged short denim item I own, with no decisions … they’re currently sitting in a purgatory pile awaiting judgment.

Anyway, regardless of your age or opinion, please enjoy the above selection – and note, I’m definitely getting the last pair.  No brainer.

1. Ksubi Albequerque Cutoff Shorts ($180)

2. AG Adriano Goldschmied Lula High Rise Denim Short ($175)

3. True Religion Jayde BF Denim Shorts ($158)

4. Club Monaco Marianna City Shorts ($69.50)

But I ask you … do you think there’s a cut-off for cutoffs?  Do you still wear them, and exactly how old are you (jk), and if not – why?

Dresses By Joie
Blazers By Smythe
Trousers By J Brand
Necklaces By Gorjana
Cc California Dresses

Super Brand Sunglasses
Sunglesses By Ysl
Skirts By Maison Scotch
Sunglasses By Balenciaga
Beach Bags By Stela 9

Edun Rompers
Rory Beca Gowns
Phillip Lim Trousers
Shop Pedro Garcia Sandals
Sandals By Dolce Vita

Tanks Tops By Edun
Wedge Sandals By Tory Burch
Dresses By Kain Label
Tank Tops By Splendid
Miniskirts By James Perse

I had the chance to preview Paige Premium Denim‘s summer and fall collections a few months ago, and one of the upcoming styles I was the most excited about was their collaboration with Liberty Art Fabrics. The capsule collection includes three of Paige’s best cuts (shorts and skinny jeans) paired with florals from Liberty’s print archive, and all in the key of summer. The pieces are a sweet and super-wearable take on this whole printed denim craze.

I was so excited when Paige sent me their Lola short in the Sophie Alice Liberty print to give them a whirl. The floral design has a much more “English garden” feel to it than the very fun and bright ‘Chello’ skinnies I’ve been wearing all season.

The Denim

The Lola short has a decidedly city-ready fit to me. They’re a high-waisted short, with a 10″ rise and 3″ inseam. These proportions make it great for tucking in a blouse (or tying it up as the case may be), and not so short that they would look obscene with heels. (In fact, a high-waisted short does marvelous things for the leg with wedges). The unfinished hem gives these denim shorts a more casual appeal, and the 98% cotton, 2% spandex mix allows for a comfortable fit and good stretch.

Styling

We all know I’m a die-hard flats girl, so I played up the sweetness of these shorts with dainty metallic ballet flats and a vintage cashmere sweater. I think the hit of red is an unexpected twist with the purple in the print, and keeps this look from getting too summer-y too soon.

How do you style up shorts in the spring? Will you splurge on printed shorts this season?

[Photos by Crissie Fuller]

Dresses By Joie
Blazers By Smythe
Trousers By J Brand
Necklaces By Gorjana
Cc California Dresses

Super Brand Sunglasses
Sunglesses By Ysl
Skirts By Maison Scotch
Sunglasses By Balenciaga
Beach Bags By Stela 9

Edun Rompers
Rory Beca Gowns
Phillip Lim Trousers
Shop Pedro Garcia Sandals
Sandals By Dolce Vita

Tanks Tops By Edun
Wedge Sandals By Tory Burch
Dresses By Kain Label
Tank Tops By Splendid
Miniskirts By James Perse

I posted recently about my desire to pair my boy jeans with bossy heels. Often times I wax philosophic on all these denim dreams I have – how I’ll wear them, all these amazing shoes I’ll buy, and all the cool combinations I’m going to try.

More often than not, I just revert to the same old combinations. Boring, eh? Well, fear not, for a I have changed my ways! The other day I took my favorite skinny boyfriend jeans, the 7 For All Mankind ‘Josefina,’ for a spin in a more dressed up ensemble.

Really, I can’t say enough about how much a structured white blazer has changed my life. It’s bright, sharp and adds an undeniable cool factor to any outfit. Under that I’m wearing a comfortable and casual heathered grey t-shirt (with a “just frontin” tuck). Since I love a bit of good flair, I threw a silk scarf around my neck to add interest and a little something printed.

The big “woo-hoo” for me here is that I’m wearing super tall wedges! These particular wedges are amazingly as comfortable as they are high, so I can wear them at work all day, then out on the town, too.

Pumps By B Brian Atwood
Sandals By Modern Vintage
Dresses By Madison Marcus
Dresses By Rachel Pally
Marchesa Notte Gowns

Dresses By Elie Tahari
Knits Andrea Lieberman
Tunics By Riller & Fount
Tank Tops Madison Marcus
Women’S CK Underwear

Backpacks By Stela 9
Totes Bags By Tory Burch
Intimates By DKNY
Tank Tops By Edun
Tees By 291

Pants By Vince
Jeans By Siwy
Dresses By Free People
Dresses By Charlie Jade
Dresses By So Low