Forgiveness in Blue

Desperation calls. The eternal search for The Perfect Jean.

It's almost as bad as the search for a New Bathing Suit.

If you follow my tweets, you'll know that I'm a devotee of Stitch's and Gap jeans. I have an amazing pair of NYC-bought fancypants jeans, but, well, I bought those on my honeymoon. And in the back of my closet I have my beloved first pair of Designer Jeans, bought well-pre-wedding at Nieman Marcus. They're now worn and perfect, but even now I can't quite make it into them without them threatening to finally wear through in one of those spots.

My Stitch's I bought post-Bean #1 at a DSS. They're incredibly forgiving (despite what you'd think from the website of scrawny mavens in skin tight jeans), if even a bit too stretchy. It's the problem with jeans with a little bit of stretch - they do. I'd have included some in the set below, but their site doesn't "clip" well. So pooh on them.

My other two standby pair are both Gap - one a trouser jean with a nautical flair and the other a 1969 Long & Lean that, well, is. Or rather, makes me appear so. I tend to the trouser jeans right now, as they're a little higher cut, and therefore make me fuss less with ye olde muffin top, but I still adore my L&L pair.

So my recommendations for the vast majority of us, who carry a little bit of extra, um, padding? Pretty straightforward: high(er) waisted (go totally high-waisted for an amazing finished, modern Kate Hepburn look), head straight for those "curvy" labels, and yes, a teensy bit of stretch. Boot cut isn't as reliable as you'd think (some of them can get pretty skinny on you), but trouser jeans are usually a sure bet. A little bit of tailored denim goes a long way in making a girl feel slim.

So yes, the set below is long on the Gap pair, but there are a couple of high-end outliers, with the purveyors of my favorite cords, Ann Taylor LOFT, thrown in for good measure. Those light trouser jeans might cause some trouble in the hips with those pockets, but I just love the look, and think they're worth a try.

Forgiveness in Blue by DCCeline

Style Dilemma: Chicago on Foot

We're taking The Bean on her first plane ride Saturday. BabySis lives out there (with new baby!) and H has a conference. The Bean and I are going to play corporate family.

So once we got all the logistics settled (hotel room with two rooms for sleeping through the night, very nice friend teaching us to install and uninstall carseat, travel potty...the joys!), now we're down to the Very Important Stuff.

What to pack.

Granted, I have to figure out her wardrobe, too, but she's lucky enough to have inherited some adorable stuff from dear friends. A relative no brainer.

But Mama? That's another story.

Weekends now I usually live in jeans and cargos, a totally What-Not-to-Wear target. Ambush Makeover's waiting around the corner for me. My work wardrobe isn't particularly child-tourism friendly.

And lord knows what the weather will be on The Lake in April. Monday they had snow.

So off to ponder the packing...

Give in Style: Give & Get from GAP

A bunch of you said you wanted ways to look good during these (blah blah blah) economic times. Staples-stockers like GAP are always a great option...and in March you can jump that down even lower - while doing a good deed. Try these deals on for size...

Trouser jeans - perfect for dressing up a casual outfit, with snazzy double-button and hip pocket details. On sale online (though promotion is in-store) for $49.99. With 30% off, a very reasonable $34.99, and about $1.50 (not much, but every little bit counts) of that goes to charity.

Pintuck cuffed shirt - a twist on the white standard, and an easy way to brighten your wardrobe. $44 down to $30.80, again donating about $1.50 to charity.

What: GAP Give & Get.

When: March 12-15 - In Store Only

Why: 30% off your purchases, and use the coupon as many times as you like, then 5% of your purchase goes to

the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Why even better: Good at any Gap Inc. store - including Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic

Shop away!

PS - If anyone's feeling particularly generous, I have a dear friend who's trying to help another dear friend through leukemia - they're looking for a donor. If you can help with a donation - or better yet, are willing to get tested (a private test kit costs $175), please email me directly at dcceline.blogspot@gmail.com.

Reuse, Recycle, and Rejoice!

We all have those items in our closet that, for whatever reason, just sit there.

And then we pull them out.

And get compliments up the wazoo.

My orange Nine West Gian flats, bought at the end of last winter, when I was starting to not be able to wear heels as much, normally sit in my closet. Members of the Infintessimal Readership know I'm a proponent of Shots of Color as Neutral, but the flats just haven't been as practical as I'd have liked. A leeeetle bit of something about the fit, too.

This morning I threw them on with my Friday trouser jeans and brown merino/silk shell (with preppy grosgrain ribbon belt for a bit of cheer).

In the office elevator, "Great shoes," says the woman next to me, and coming out of a regular Friday meeting, "Love your shoes," says a colleague. "I was looking at them under the table the whole meeting."

They're coming out more often, methinks. This girl's way of saving the planet.

Ladylike Perfection

Laranha fired off an email to Baby B and me this morning, subject line: I'm in Love...

Ann Taylor has some cute spring stuff, she wrote. And it's true. The object of her affections? This short sleeve ponte knit jacket - Elsa Schiaparelli would be proud. The sweet, bright pink would be darling with just about anything from trousers to skirts to jeans to dresses (I'm picturing it with trouser jeans and slingbacks at the next of Baby B's 10,000 wedding showers she has this spring). Just don't be predictable DC Junior League (sorry JLers, no offense - it's a great organization!) soccer mom and pair with any sort of cropped, ankle-length, or capri-like pants. And no pearls, please! Cuffs, big earrings, sweet little gloves, sure. But no pearls.

Also worth checking out? This pique belted jacket - the Peter Pan collar is eternally flattering, though the belted waist might be a tad bit high for the average gal.

The on-sale (!) textured cotton 2-button jacket and ponte knit double-breasted jacket can spiff up a work or weekend outfit, and also do double-duty as outerwear in this changable weather we're having.

Style Dilemma: First Day Out

Dear DC Celine:

I'm leaving the house for the first time tomorrow - after months of seclusion and ventures out only in sweats and baseball hats - Stacy and Clinton would have a cow in their "secret footage." I'm going to celebrate birthdays with my dearest girlfriends at Jaleo in Bethesda, and want to wear something chic and casual - and fitted. Months of baggy Ts and post-maternity clothes are wearing on me.

What to do?

Baggy in Bethesda

Dear Baggy:

First thought: trouser jeans. And heels, heels, heels. (I know you've been running around in sneakers - and not even the cute little ones.) The top is a little harder. I like blousy tops with tailored bottoms, but if you're jonesing for some fitted wear to show off your body a little (or at least not feel like a schlump), try a cute little blouse with ruffles, like the Banana one at left. Channel a little old-school secretary. Too make sure you're not going librarian on us, make sure the heels are sassy, and wear your hair down or at least in a messy, I-don't-care updo.

Hope that helps!

PS - yes, yes, yes, Infintessimal Readership, you guessed it, it's me. Baggy and schlumpy, I haven't had a shower in days. But tomorrow I celebrate 4 birthdays within 2 weeks of one another with my dearest dearest girlfriends (Go Terps!), and am really looking forward to a few hours of girl time. (And the shower.) Daddy's (formerly known as H) got The Bean, and Mama's looking for a brand new...well, everything!

Style Dilemma Solved: No Pants!

Now, now, British members of the Infintessimal Readership, it's not what you think. I am wearing underwear.

But three weeks ago, when I packed for our trip to the country, I realized The Bean was all set. She had what she needed to stylishly galavant through the Pennsylvania country fields and along the promenade in Sea Isle City, NJ. Pants, onsies, dresses, bloomers, bonnets, and sweaters.

But mommy didn't. I had no pants. Correction. I had one solitary pair that wasn't M clothes, and that pair, while a favorite, was stained and has seen better days. Now, lounging around at my mother's place required absolutely no real clothing (yoga pants and t-shirts were the extent of my wardrobe for the majority of the week). So just before I left to go down the shore, my mom and I took The Bean on a desperate jaunt to The Mall (choices are not that broad in not-even-suburban Philly; and we were in need of speedy shopping).

The Gap was closest to the mall entrance. So while Grandmom changed The Bean (and into a morbidly uncoordinated outfit - note to mommy: pack only solid color onsies as backups in the diaper bag), I ran in and tried on about 10 pairs of pants as fast as humanly possible. I also snagged a couple of Ts and button downs - the latter of which were sweetly detailed with great patterns and ruffles. I thought they'd look great with the rough and tumble cargos I'd snagged.

The result?

Ruffles don't look good on nursing boobs.

But I did come out with 1 pair of higher-waisted (think Kate H.) trouser jeans, 1 pair of hip mommy cargos (pockets are key for things like binkys), and 1 pair of caramel slacks - in case I feel like dressing up someday. I also snagged two marvelously soft Ts with great detailing on the neck.

Now...if only I could follow my own fashion advice....it's terribly important to pair opposite silouhettes: slouchy with tailored, plain with frilly, etc. Which means I shouldn't wear the mildly slouchy Ts with the cargos if I don't want to look like the super slouchy mom.

But if you see a happy lady pushing a stroller down the street, looking all baggy (yet somehow stylish), that's me.

Style Dilemma: Trouser Jeans Defined

In response to Style Dilemma: Birthday in Freezing Cold NYC, Amanda posted:

I was wondering if you can post on your "trouser jeans" description. I have the worst judgement when it comes to buying jeans.

Amanda:

Brilliant question. Main reason? I think trouser jeans are one of the most wonderful fashion inventions ever. I wear my Citizens for Humanity Faye #003 low waist full leg stretch constantly. They were the first pair of "premium" jeans I bought, and for a long time, were the only pair of jeans I had. They got me back into jeans, when I hadn't worn them in years. Literally. Haven't even given them up as the bump's growing. Still using the rubber band.

Alright. Now that I've rambled, to your question.

Basically, what trouser jeans do for you is dress up the jean into something not jean-like (but you still get the comfort and "not dressy" part of denim). They tend to be more flattering to more women than other styles. Picture your favorite pair of work pants - how they fit, look professional, and cool all at the same time - and you've got trouser jeans. Easy way to spot them? Look for the pressed crease on the front of the leg.

zafu.com has a great little article on trouser jeans (try their jeans finder, too!). You no longer have to spend tons of money to get a pair (though they're certainly a great investment - I bought mine for $150 at least 3 years ago, and they still wear great). Land's End, Gap, and even Target (Isaac, of course) have versions. And if I could ever find a picture of them, I'd love to show you the Pair I Never Got this past season - Shagg Downtown's high-waisted trouser jean. It's what Kate Hepburn would wear if she had worn jeans.

Hope that helps, Amanda. Go forth and try - lots and lots of pairs. It's the only way to find them. That, and take along a friend - critical for the very, very important "rear view" decisions. And if you're willing to spend a little more money, go see the local experts at our own Denim Bar. Or, if you're willing to wait a little while, put the folks at the just-about-to-open-in-our-area National Jeans Company. (The Bethesda store opens March 19th - more to come on that later. And no, their website name has no connection to the local beverage - honk if you get my meaning - I know because I asked.) Not just jeans, but if they've got jeans in their name, they know what they're doing.

And don't forget to report back! We've all been where you are.