Corrinne's Search By Inseam Blog

ShopBop In NY Times Today

shopbop.com has the front page of the NY Times' style section today!  Here's the article in case you missed it.  They're basically saying what we've known all along - shopbop is hot. :) 

Clothing Swap June 19 in North Hollywood

Julia Scott, founder of BargainBabe.com emailed me last week to tell me about a great event happening this Saturday (July 19, 2010).  The Frugal Festival Summer Swap is LA's biggest and best-ever clothing swap, with 300+ savvy shoppers descending on the North Hollywood Performing Arts Center for one day only to swap designer clothing, accessories, home decor, books, music & movies.  Tickets are $5-$10 plus a limited number of VIP tickets for $15.  For more information, go to http://www.goldstar.com/events/north-hollywood-ca/frugal-festival-summer-swap.html?ref=bargainbabe. 

I'd go if I was closer! :)  Happy swapping!

H&M Coming to Tacoma

H&M is coming to the Tacoma Mall this year!  The Tacoma News Tribune reported in this morning's newspaper that it will be opening before holiday season.  It'll be a big store - 20,000 square feet (Old Navy is 16,000), and will carry women's, men's, and children's clothing.  H&M will be next to Ann Taylor Loft.  I'll soon be able to say I've shopped H&M in Barcelona, Berlin, Tukwila, and Tacoma. :) 

Support Haiti Aid Efforts via Joseph Abboud & Nordstrom

Support Aid to Haiti. From January 24 through January 30, Joseph Abboud is supporting aid efforts in Haiti by donating 10% of net sales at Nordstrom to Doctors Without Borders. Click to learn more.

Heidi Klum's New Maternity Lines

Supermodel and supermother Heidi Klum is ready to launch two new maternity lines for A Pea in the Pod and Motherhood Maternity next month.  The Project Runway host and mother of four will debut Lavish for A Pea in the Pod and Loved for Motherhood Maternity online and in stores on February 12, 2010.  Lavish, like the name suggests, will be high-end pieces - 15 in total that are of "iconic style and seamless fit" according to People StyleWatch.  The Loved line will have 14 affordable, comfortable pieces.  See examples of each below (Lavish is first).    

 

Miss Tall International 2009's Letter to Her 16-Year-Old Self

I saw this on The Amazona Blog yesterday and thought it was a good read.  Happy Friday! 

Letter to My 16 Year Old Self: Miss Tall International 2009.

Oprah's Favorite Jeans

Oprah has some new favorite jeans!  She’s in love with CJ by Cookie Johnson.  Designed by wife of NBA legend Magic Johnson, Cookie Johnson created these jeans to fit and flatter women of all shapes and sizes.  Oprah declares them her favorite jeans, saying they're "the perfect jeans for real women with real booties."

Cookie created them out of frustration: “Every time I go to the stores, I put the jeans on and I couldn’t get them past my thighs.  I thought: ‘I’m in good shape.  I work out.  I eat healthy.  Why can’t I find a jean to fit me?’”  She decided it wasn’t her, and went on to make some great jeans.  In sizes 24-38 (which equates to size 2-18), you’ll find bootcut jeans, trouser jeans, boyfriend jeans, skinny jeans, and high-rise jeans in a variety of washes.  Inseams range from 30 inches to 35 inches.  Check out the full line of CJ by Cookie Johnson at Search By Inseam.     

Tummy Tuck Trousers in Real Simple

I was just reading my October issue of Real Simple and spotted Not Your Daughter's Jeans Tummy Tuck Trousers highlighted in the "Slimming Strategies" article.  Author Yolanda Wikiel writes "The crisscross panel inside these rayon-blend trousers holds in the tummy, while extra spandex helps lift the rear.  Berlin [Allison Berlin of StyleMadeSimple.net] likes hems to hit an inch from the floor: 'The longer your pants, the thinner you'll look'" (p. 90).  Find Not Your Daughter's Jeans denim and pants in your exact inseam length at SearchByInseam.com.

Denim Fit Guide at CoutureCandy

CoutureCandy released its new Denim Fit Guide about a month ago, and I'm just getting around to checking it out.  The guide has suggestions for the Pretty Pear, Long Waists, Short Waists, Tall Models, Petite & Chic, Booty Beauty, and Flat Bums.  You'll find tips on brands, styles, even shoes to wear with your new jeans.  They've aimed to fill the guide with something for everyone, and I think they've come pretty close.  Check it out and let me know what you think.

Top 10 Jean Brands by Sales

I spotted an interesting chart in USA Today yesterday that listed the Top 10 Jean Brands by Sales (p. 2B).  Here are the top ten for women:

Rank    Company                Estimated Price Range

1          Levi's                              $49-79
2          Riders by Lee                  $22-29
3          Lee                                 $42-49
4          Gloria Vanderbilt              $32-38
5          Calvin Klein                     $49-89
6          Lucky Brand                    $88-140
7          7 For All Mankind             $155-255
8          Levi Strauss Signature      $19-25
9          Liz Claiborne                    $39-49
10        Wrangler                          $29-49

Sources: NPD Group; Romney Evans/TrueJeans.com  

Men's Skinny Jeans

There was a fun article in the The Wall Street Journal on Monday that caught my eye about men wearing skinny jeans.  Written by Ray A. Smith, "Tight Squeeze: Making Room For a New Men's Fashion" details the trend of men's skinny jeans, and also the problems - namely having to walk slower, not being able to cross your legs, and overall discomfort. 

Smith says that while the skinny style is increasingly popular with guys, they're finding them to be unforgiving.  In response, Smith writes that "the makers of men's jeans are trying to be more accommodating" (A10).  He says that "Levi Strauss & Co. added room in the seat and thigh in its newest skinny jeans for men," True Religion added spandex material to its new skinny jean (without advertising it, since they worried men would think spandex only belongs in women's gym clothes), and 7 for All Mankind "widened the thigh and elongated the distance from the crotch to the top of the waistband on the new skinny men's jeans it will start selling this month" (A10).  Gap and Rock & Republic have made similar changes.  

The article included pictures of actors Shia LaBeouf and Zac Efron in skinny jeans, and the caption said that sales of men's skinny jeans are going strong.  I've seen the style on high school boys and urban hipsters, but I haven't gotten the sense that the style is breaking into the mainstream yet.  What do you think?   

Barneys Closing Two Stores

Earlier in the week, I blogged about Filene's Basement seeking Chapter 11, and it seems that hard times are hitting the other end of the shopping spectrum as well.  The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday that high-end retailer Barneys is likely to close two of its seven department stores as wealthy consumers cut their spending (page B1). 

The store most likely to close is Barneys 85,000-square-foot store at the Shoppes at the Palazzo in Las Vegas.  The company expected to generate $6 million a month in sales there, but since last fall, it has only seen about a quarter of that amount realized.      

Filene's Basement Seeks Chapter 11

Rachel Dodes reported today in The Wall Street Journal that Filene's Basement filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection yesterday (page B1).  Real estate investors Crown Acquisitions and the Chetrit Group submitted an offer of $22 million for the name and leases on 17 of Filene's most profitable stores.  25 stores currently exist in the eastern part of the U.S.  

This is the second time Filene's has filed for bankruptcy protection since 1999.  The company has struggled with weak financing and strong competition from T.J. Maxx and Ross Stores.  I'm anxious to see what happens with this popular discounter that's so famous for their crazy "Running of the Brides" bridal gown event that happens twice a year in Boston.      

How to Wear Spring's Top Denim Looks

New on shopbop.com video: How to Wear Spring's Top 4 Denim Looks.  Explore the boyfriend, destroyed, slouchy skinny, and white denim trends.  See what to buy and how to wear them.  Happy Spring Shopping!  ‏

Old Navy Tall Sizes

I was shopping oldnavy.com yesterday because they were offering 20% off plus free shipping for Cyber Monday.  I found some great deals for my 6'4" husband (XL tall shirts) and the little 2-year-old girl we're "adopting" for Christmas this year.  And low and behold, I happened to spot the Tall Women's category!  Now, Old Navy has had women's tall jeans for quite some time, but I hadn't seen tall velour lounge pants in a 36" inseam (which I found for $8) or tall women's tops!  I scored some great tops and sweaters that were not only on sale, but thanks to their Cyber Monday coupons, I got them for an extra 20% off AND free shipping.  Love it.  I'll post a review on the tall sizes as soon as they arrive.  Can't wait! :) 

Out Ease Struts

Do the hems of your pants keep getting caught under the heels of your feet?  Try the patent-pending Out Ease Struts designed by Daryn.  These adhesive strips stick to the inside back bottom center of your pant hem, and keep your pants from getting caught between your heel and shoe when you're wearing backless shoes.  They're made from 100% corn film and are safe for any fabric.  Ideal for sling backs, mules, wedges, clogs, thongs, sandals, and slides, these babies promise to keep your pants and jeans looking perfect. 

  

All the Fashion, None of the Guilt

In All the Fashion, None of the Guilt (Oct. 26, 2008), New York Times writer Natasha Singer explores the "recession chic" retail movement and the new name for the style maven on a budget: "the recessionista."  

Singer reports that PR professional Heather Viggiani describes recession chic by explaining, "a host of discount brands kneel graciously at the feet of recession and position their products and services not only as the smart thing to do, but the posh one."  While lexicographer Grant Barrett argues the phrase is just giving Americans an excuse to buy more stuff.  "It's kind of permitting consumers to have justification for their spending habits," he said.  

Recessionista is a word that's been refashioned from from the word "fashionista" by publicists, retailers, and consumers over the last six months, Singer states.  Viggiani said the word is "making light of a situation that isn't so favorable for the consumer-driven industries of our nation, spinning it ... and delivering a luring message to the masses - PR 101 ladies and gentlemen."  Singer also highlights The Recessionista Blog of Mary Hall in Redondo Beach, CA.       

How to Wear Fall Denim Trends

Wondering how to wear distressed denim and other hot fall trends?  Check out shopbop.com's Fall Denim Trends Video:

Yummie Tummie

I was shopping with my mom a couple weeks ago when she mentioned the need for something to hold in her stomach. I reminded her that squeezing the shoulder blades together makes you stand taller and automatically draws in the tummy. She tried it in the mirror, and it almost totally got rid of the slight lump on her mid section.  She was happy such a small fix worked so well (and was free!), but thought there was still a little pouch there.  So I told her about Yummie Tummie, comfortable shapewear that you can either wear underneath your clothes, or as stand-alone tops.  Designed to stand alone as shirts and tanks, they suck you in and smooth you out.  Oprah's said Yummie Tummie gets rid of muffin tops and Heidi Klum wishes she'd know about the line when her body was recovering from childbirth.  So, try them for yourself and see the slimming magic happen on your tummy!    

Denim 101 Video

Check out the new Denim 101 video at shopbop.com. You'll find great tips on fit, wash, style, and designer brands for your body type.