Back to Basics!

Today we're heading back to basics - denim jeans. Everybody should have at least 2 pairs of simple yet fabulously fitting jeans in their wardrobe. Why? Because they are versatile. Jeans are easily dressed up AND back down again in coordination with your other essential garments & accessories, & when carefully selected, they are the perfect compliment to your body.

So lets talk denim:

1)THE HUNT - we've all been down this road before. Searching for a jean that fits in all the right places AND that's stylish too can be gruesome! We have all felt that pain. While there is no sure-proof way to eliminate the time & hassle involved in trying on X numbers of jeans, here are some pointers on how to minimize the hussle:

• The sales associates are working to help YOU. Let them know you're looking for jeans & explain to them your body shape, as well as how jeans typically misfit you ("they fit my thigh, but never my waist!")
• No woman is shaped the same! Many jean manufacturers these days are hip to that fact & have incorporated spandex into their denim. For those of us who are curvier (& even for those who aren't as much - you'd be surprised, try'em on too!), check the garment tag. 2% spandex usually does the trick.
• Pay attention to the wash & fit. (See below)

2) THE WASH: DARK. Dark denim is a dream! Darker denim lengthens, slims, smooths & accentuates your shape. It also presents a sleeker, more sophisticated, & more versatile appeal, making jeans wearable from day to night, & from casual to dressy. Darker washes are also of a softer texture, and are made more typically with spandex.

3) THE FIT: This is where many women go wrong. For initial investment pieces, there should be a certain criteria to meet, and the following is a list of that basic dos & don'ts.

1st, the DO NOTs:

• DO NOT buy high waisted jeans. These draw attention to your tummy.
• DO NOT buy low rise jeans. These will reveal your hiney.
• DO NOT buy tapered leg jeans. These are outdated, and widens your thighs & hips.
• DO NOT buy jeans with flap pockets. These draw undo attention & greatly enhance size.
• DO NOT fret if a pair of jeans fits almost perfectly. There are some tricks! (See DOs below)

Now on the the DOs:

• DO look for boot cut &/or straight leg jeans only - trust us. Both these styles were created to balance, lengthen, & slim our lower extremities. Not only will they create flattering silhouettes, but they will function effortlessly with the rest of your wardrobe so that you can dress up or be casual at the switch of a shoe!
• DO look for jeans with flat pockets or no pockets at all. A flat pocket is what you will find on the typical 5-pocket jean - pockets that you can easily slip your hand into without the flip of a flap. Jeans without back pockets, especially in dark wash denims, are a better solution to accentuating curves.
• DO think outside the fitting room! If the inseam is too long, or if the waist just a bit too wide, but the overall fit of the jean is wonderful - TAILOR! Tailors are everywhere, & many department stores even have their own. Your jeans should fit you comfortably, & for $20-$30, you can have that PERFECT fitting jean, finally, & it will be worth every penny.

Once you have found the perfect boot cut or straight leg jeans, wear them! Pair them with t-shirts, blouses, sweaters, cardigans, tunics or jackets; wear them with ballet flats, kitten heals, high heels, sneakers, ankle boots, or tall boots! Shoes, Shoes Shoes! (But that is a WHOLE other conversation ;-)

Boot cut & Straight leg jeans in Dark wash denim

Welcome to Ms.FashionFwd!

Ladies!!! As you begin or continue along your path towards self enrichment...it is NEVER too early nor too late to talk about FASHION. Fashion, ladies, is for everyone - every make, model & year ;-)

I know the typical remarks: "I just want to be comfortable," or "it's only what's on the inside that counts," or "I want people to know the real me, not what I'm wearing!" etc, etc. These, my dear girls, are excuses...here's the gist:

1. Fabulous clothes ARE comfortable.
2. What's on the inside counts 1000%, BUT people perceive who you are on the inside based on what you choose to wear on the outside.
3. Adorning yourselves in clothes that are reflective of, compatible with, and complimentary to your personality will only make people more intrigued by you, and more interested in seeing who you truly are.

For those of you who understand where I am coming from, but are still not convinced...perhaps your argument is that there isn't enough time on your hands to shop?...too busy with a career or looking after a family? Well, tending to yourself is an integral part of handling your business at work and in the home. How you present yourself at work and, yes, even to your family, will scream volumes about how you feel about yourself. The old saying goes, "you can't love someone else until you love yourself." The same holds true in the workplace AND in the home. Taking pride your health, fitness, and appearance tells people that you value who you are (what an example to set!), and that confidence will resonate as someone who is in charge of her life, in charge of her career, and in charge of her home. So set aside a day (and some dollars) for yourself each month. YOU ARE AN INVESTMENT - you are so worth it.

Now that all that is settled, WELCOME. Welcome to Ms.FashionFwd, the blog that will keep you ahead of date with the latest trends in apparrel, accessories and whatever is fabulously FashionFwd. For all you FashionFwd ladies out there on a budget, we understand; absolutely fabulous affordable fashion is our mantra. So check in often for updates and conversation. This site is about sharing the know so that we all can put our most fabulous shoe clad foot fwd; we would love to hear your voice! Welcome.