Didn't catch it the first time around? Browse through our Newsletter Archives for further learning! 

• August 2010 - Developing Personal Style
• September 2010 - Clustering Your Clothes
• October 2010 - Evaluate Your Wardrobe
• November 2010 - Clothing Wear and Care
• December 2010 - Fashion in the Fast Lane
• January 2011 - The Power of Personal Apperance
• February 2011 - Art in Everyday Dress
• March 2011 - Line in Design
• April 2011 - Shape in Design
• May 2011 - Color in Design
• June 2011 - Fabric and Texture in Design
• July 2011 - Pattern in Design
• August 2011 - Developing Your Personal Style
• September 2011 - Which Fashion Trends Work into Clusters for You?
• October 2011 - Timely Tips for a Successful Wardrobe Evaluation
• November 2011 - 7 Ways to Find What You Need In Your Closet
• December 2011 - Love Plus Logic is the Key to Great Shopping
• January 2012 - Where Have All the Nice-Looking People Gone?
• February 2012 - Judith Rasband's Fashion Rule of ONETM
• March 2012 - Discover Which Fashion Lines Work for You
• April 2012 - How to Keep Your Shape in Shape
• May 2012 - Color: Don't Believe Everything You Read

Old Navy Jeans

Denim.  It's hard to imagine life without it.  We wear it to work, school, church, the mall, restaurants, and everywhere else.  It has literally become "the fabric of our lives."  Jeans, the most commonly worn form of denim, are a staple in most of our wardrobes and many of us have more pairs of jeans than we have days in the week to wear them.  But is there such thing as too much denim?  When is it appropriate and when is it not?  And what other choices do we have? 

Levi's began making jeans for miners. They were first worn by miners in Placer County, CA in 1882. Photo: LEVI STRAUSS & CO.

Originally denim was used as a durable fabric for miners and sailors.  During the 50's wearing jeans was seen as a form of rebellion and some public venues refused to admit teenagers sporting the fashion.  By the 60's and 70's jeans became more acceptable and by the 80' and 90's they were mainstream.  Today denim jeans seem to be the only thing anyone under 35 will consider wearing. 

I was recently hired to help a young mother who was ready to make a change in her life and in her wardrobe.  Upon entering her closet, I discovered that the only thing this woman had to wear on her bottom half were jeans; light jeans, dark jeans, grubby jeans, cropped jeans, and more jeans. Though not entirely surprised by the scene, I was stunned at her response when I suggested that she might also want to include some more sophisticated and versatile pants.  She looked at me like I was from another planet and asked, "What else is there?"  That's when I realized just how desperately deep into denim my generation is. 

So what else is there?  Plenty!  There is a vast range of choices other than jeans that will give you many more options for more occasions.  Consider cotton twill chinos in countless colors, jersey knit gauchos, summer linen capris, all season tweed trousers, winter wool slacks, sporty seer sucker shorts, sophisticated flowing palazzos, stylish sailor pants, reliable durable corduroys, and the list goes on. 

Let me guess; right now alarm bells in your head are going off, "I just want to be comfortable and casual!"  Jeans are not the only kind of comfortable pants.  Personally I find my cotton jersey wide leg pants as comfortable as pajamas and yet they are versatile enough to wear from work to an evening out.  Recently I purchased for a client, a beautiful pair of pants made from the new Tencel® Lyocel, feeling much like a very soft and supple rayon.  She literally jumped for joy as she came out of the dressing room, "These feel like yoga pants!"  When you really think about the options for comfort, jeans are pretty far down on the list. 

And we haven't even mentioned skirts.  Yes, skirts.  Skirts are more comfortable than just about anything out there and they can 

be as relaxed or formal as you want or need.  Broomstick skirts work for an evening out or to get around on the floor and play with the kids.  Straight skirts, flare skirts, maxi skirts, A-line skirts, circle skirts, dirndl skirts and more; all of these add another option for comfort while giving your wardrobe more life and flexibility.

And as far as casual goes, if we are constantly dressing casually we become casual in conversation, casual in our relationships, casual in productivity, and casual in our motivation.  We limit ourselves in terms of the places we go, the people we interact with, and the types of experiences we have.  The truth is if we want to be valuable, dynamic members of society, we can't afford to be casual all the time. 

Judith Rasband, Director of the Conselle Institute and a recognized expert in image management, points out that according to Webster's, casual means "without thought, careless."  Now I don't know about you, but the last thing I want to communicate to myself and others is that I am a clueless, careless girl who doesn't think.  There is nothing wrong with being relaxed in our dress when the mood and occasion calls for it, but to be carelessly casual all the time is pretty boring, unoriginal, and gives us little room to explore and develop our personal style. 

Now don't misunderstand me.  I am not saying that jeans should be banned from our closets.  In fact, I believe denim is an important element of a working wardrobe.  Denim is durable, long lasting, and an integral part of the American way of life.  Including a denim cluster in your closet is a very wise thing to do if it fits your lifestyle.  Two to three pairs of jeans distinctly different in style and color, a denim jacket, denim skirt, and a variety of tops to coordinate with all three can be a fun and relaxed way to express your personal style.  Classic denim clusters can be easily updated with a few small changes because they are just that, classic. 

Denim is a great addition to fashion and should not be discarded.  It should however, be seen for what it is; one option among many for rugged, relaxed, or informal dress.  And no matter whom you see trying to make it otherwise, it is not appropriate for the corporate office, weddings, funerals, church or anywhere else that calls for you to be more than "without thought."  Don't give up on denim, but do give something else a try.  Chances are you'll feel more comfortable, less careless and casual, and more like the interesting individual that you really are.

To read related information about fabrics and texture selection, and coordination in dress and image, with instructions and examples regarding people just like you, order Conselle's wardrobe strategy Book #6, Fabric & Texture in Clothing Selection and Coordination for the reader's special of $19.97 rather than the $27.95 list price.  For the special discount price, call 801-224-1207 and order directly through Kathy.  

You'll find charts that will summarize the information and simplify your learning and application.  Order Fabric & Texture In Clothing Selection & Coordination through Conselle's Store or call 801-224-1207.

Last Photo: Cheetah is the New Black

Wardrobe Strategy #6 states, "rely on all-season fabrics, light to medium-weight woven and knit fabrics that you can wear at least three seasons or about nine months of the year.  Cotton broadcloth and crinkle-cotton shirts available this summer fit the bill.  It's true, when you build most of your wardrobe with all-season fabrics, decision making gets easier, your clothing dollar goes further, and fashion options increase.  It keeps more clothes in use, rather than in storage." I'm talking about gingham, pique, even denim, broadcloth, chambray, pinwale corduroy, and jersey knit, adding crepe, challis, and charmeuse for best dress.  High quality blends of natural and synthetic fibers combine the good looks and absorbency of a natural fiber with easy care properties of synthetic fiber, often at lower cost.  High-quality blends generally contain no more than 35 percent synthetic fibers. 

Frabrics from top L: gingham, charmeuse, crepe, chambray

Most jeans don't fit my genes!  They never have.  And it's true for a lot of other people I see.  For some it's a baggy seat.  For others, they cut up in the crotch, or they expose and call attention to thunder thighs!  When I get them to fit my thighs, they're always too big in the waist-gobs of extra fabric in back!  I get those altered, quick!   Educate your clients to become aware of their options.  We've got more options in jeans than ever before -- including some with spandex.  We need to get better acquainted with what's available.  Penny's has some well-fitting jeans.  I like the fit I get at Chico's.  I'm loving the look of Home Shopping Network's Diane Gilman jeans even on my body!  And we're not stuck with blue jeans.  I appreciate the sharp sophistication of black jeans.  Then there are all the new fun colored jeans for summer we've got in the stores and catalogs.  But regardless of color, we've got to be fit to be seen in our jeans.  If you've got a high hip curve I'm all for the easy fit of jeans with a flat-lying elastic waistband in back.  No one has to see the elastic waistband either.  Just top it with a great patterned tee or tuck in a classic white shirt, blouse and belt it.  No one's the wiser. Top any jean with a lightweight jacket, vest, or shirt-jac and you get a great transitional line over both high and low hip curves.  This applies to men and women, just omit the fun-colored jeans for men.

Photo: Not Your Daughter's Jeans, available at Macy's and Nordstrom

Judith Rasband

Conselle Institute of Image Management

Check out our blog at http://conselleimageconsultant.wordpress.com!