Thursday, February 18, 2010

Blue Jean Baby

            
White shirt: Thrifted, $3 // Denim shirt dress: Prototype via TJMaxx, $10 // Jeans: Almost Famous via TJMaxx, $18 // Shoes: Payless // Hat: Target, $13

As I was putting on my office-y clothes this morning, I got a call saying I didn't need to come in. At that point, my style mood took a very casual turn, so I decided to try out the denim-on-denim trend. I would have liked to button the top, but it's just too long. A shorter (but still loose-fitting) denim button-up is definitely on my list for spring, so I kept an eye out while thrifting this afternoon. Every single denim shirt I found (both women's and men's) was adorned with hilariously tacky embroidery, from flowers to basketballs to Looney Tunes. Sigh.

It's probably no secret that I'm a die-hard denim fan, but I feel like jeans have sort of a bad reputation. I realize that they are the epitome of casual American style. I know everyone and their mom and dog wears them all the time and that fashion-minded people set themselves apart by not wearing them. And I'll be the first to admit that they are a cop-out of sorts. I'm probably most creative when forced to not wear jeans. But, man. I love jeans. And I always think fashion bloggers (who tend not to wear them very much) look amazing when they do. Anyway, my ode to denim is complete.

I'm excited to try this trend in different, more feminine ways. I think my next combination might be this same top buttoned and belted over my denim leggings with tall heels and jewelry. Also, I'm sure my trusty high-waisted denim skirt will come into play once the weather warms. How do you guys feel about the denim-heavy look or jeans in general?

54 comments:

Charmalade said...

I think one of the very first things I noticed about the world of fashion blogging is that no one hardly ever wore jeans. At all. And when they did, it was a momentous occasion!

I feel because jeans are so commonly worn (of the A&F or Hollister variety), they got a bad rap in fashion. But I think that your look is a fresh look at it, and doesn't feel kitschy at all. I love the hat too, great touch!

Uh, so yeah, those were my two cents. Or five...

http://charmalade.blogspot.com

Alyssa said...

The jeans look GREAT on you! This is a really cute picture. :)

Lainey said...

You look so adorable in this outfit. So relaxed. I think I need a new pair of distressed jeans. Did you do these yourself?

The Sound of Lace said...

i have quite an addiction to denim...although i hardly ever post about it. im in love with all things g-star. i do feel like sometimes denim can look very stale...but this looks perfect. you definately spiced it up. and i cant believe your boots are from payless!

thesoundoflace.blogspot.com
thesoundoflace.blogspot.com
thesoundoflace.blogspot.com
thesoundoflace.blogspot.com
thesoundoflace.blogspot.com

Polina said...

this is cute and i like the hat

Sydney said...

you look so cute in that picture! and i love your hat and shoes.

M. said...

you pull off jean on jean very well, I love the dark wash on the shirt I always see light wash denim shirts, yours is better!

lovelove, M.
http://marissaexplains.blogspot.com

Laura Gerencser said...

Love the jeans!:)

Moomby said...

i agree, jeans are very American. i also think there's something very awesomely rebellious about wearing Levi's and a tucked men's white tee.

...or perhaps that's me just finding an excuse to be lazy

Monique said...

I wear jeans nearly every day of the week, except when I have work. I guess it is sort of a cop out, but it's one less outfit component I have to think about when getting ready. Plus there's a different style for every mood!

I love how you styled these. I've always thought denim on denim would be tacky, but you've managed to make it look chic!

Anonymous said...

love love love this!!! you look so fresh and cute! love the fedora too.

xoxo,
F

lekisskiss.blogspot.com <-- Texas gal bloggin fashion from nyc!

Anonymous said...

well i do like jeans for the CASUAL look but jeans never fit me the way i want them to. there either to loose or to tight in certain places. your jeans definitely look great on you!

i love your blog! and your haircut is HOT

yanil said...

I Love your bloggggg! that's such a cute outfit!

Mila said...

Adorable! I love the hat:D

xoxo,
meme-stylenewbie.blogspot.com

TP said...

It's not easy to make jeans look fashionable, but you're rocking it. Like the hat with the whole look.

Alisa said...

I agree with all of the above, you look terrific in your jeans, and your hair is just too perfect on you.
OK, question. I was feeling the need for a denim shirt, too and picked one up at Walmart (of all places) last week in the Max Azria section. It's a great shirt, but I'm trying to figure out how to wear it. How are you planning on wearing your denim shirt once you find one?

Grace M said...

Can't wait to see the other denim outfit you mentioned - this top + denim leggings. Sounds awesome!

Lovers, Saints & Sailors said...

Oh my gosh I totally did a denim on denim look today too! (The post will be up this afternoon) Except I went with the pale denim/chambray style a la "Some Kind of Wonderful".

Also, you look adorable in this shot.

http://loverssaintsandsailors.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Aww-dorable! I'm loving denim on denim, why not?! Americana all the way.
I'm new to the blogosphere...you've been very inspiring! Love your blog!

xx
Alice

Sidewalk Chic said...

This looks very chic on you - love your little hat too.
I haven't done the denim on denim thing since I wore a denim jacket with jeans when I was a teenager. It wasn't really the best look on me.
The new denim trend looks very fresh though and I may try it out soon!

- JoAnn, Sidewalk Chalk

Chelsie Te(e)la said...

omg. the hat and hair are an awesome combination. i love new hair styles. i always feel as though i have a whole new wardrobe after cutting or coloring my hair. yours is super cute.

Anonymous said...

I try to never say anything negative but you hit my biggest button: I hate jeans!

The reason I do is not their ubiquity but the thoughtlessness usually behind their use. Too many people put jeans on to avoid making a fashion choice. It's a default that actually an unconscious bad choice.

Your outfit, however, is certainly cute -- you obviously put thought into it and that shows.

Kellie said...

I love the denim-on-denim look! :) I don't wear jeans much at all anymore, because I'm super-short and jeans tend to look funny on me and my stubby legs, but I'm in love with anything else denim! :D

http://playingdressupwithkellie.blogspot.com/

Kyla said...

You look so beautiful in this picture! I LOVE the outfit and of course I always love seeing your smile :)

I kind of agree with you on denim. I've never realized how much I loved denim until I started my new job - where I can't where jeans. Boo!

Sea Bird said...

Your hat is so cute and looks great with your haircut!

Lady San Pedro said...

You look so cute like this!

The hair, the outfit, the attitude; it suits you :-)

Nichole said...

denim is the jam! i don't care what anyone says. i'm totally down for anything americana, kitchy or not.

denim has a bad rep for being too common...but if you look around lately everyone is starting to wear the same high-waisted skirts and tights. so i think jeans for a change is refreshing! you do your thing!

style-magnet said...

ADORABLE. I love, love, love denim on denim and you pull it off perfectly!

glee said...

you are very stylish girl. i love all your outfits, so envious ;)

girl, we have a competition going on at Creative Fashion. we invite creative girls like to join our contest "Empty that closet!" for a chance to win expensive accessory from New York Design Shop.

Here is the link to the contest:

http://creativefashion-glee.blogspot.com/2010/02/empty-that-closet-contest.html

Anonymous said...

I love this look and I love the smile :)

As for denim - I can't get enough of it. The more the better! lol. Love the hat!

Kimberellie said...

Okay, I LOVE jeans. And I love this photo! You look great smiling!! And you've really nailed the denim on denim look.

I had no idea that jeans were a "cop out". Huh. I didn't catch on that jeans were a fashion blogging faux pas, but now that you mention it...

Well, I'm with you: YES to jeans.

Emmika said...

Bought a pair today, actually! Owww look at that smile!

m. said...

Love the smile! I feel like we don't see it enough on here!

MELISSA Z. said...

wow! Maybe, this is my fav look on you! Love denim sooo much!

www.abitoffashion.com

Erin said...

I absolutely love your outfit. I've definitely noticed not many bloggers wear jeans, which I can understand because they are so common, but at the same time, the commonness of them can make other parts of the outfit stand out more.
Personally, I love jeans and wear them pretty much everyday, especially in the winter because jeans are the most practical thing when it's freezing, and we have 4 feet of snow. I really do think jeans can look just as great and unique as anything else if they are thoughtfully put into an outfit!

Unknown said...

Love, LOVE this look. I am a jeans gal, so I am down with your take on the denim-on-denim.

www.brunetteandpink.com

thedirtyknitter said...

love the look of denim on denim - can go very wrong quickly but of course you've done it perfectly!

Jolie said...

This is one of my favorite outfits I have seen you in! I havent experimented with the denim on denim look but might now, this is such a wonderful outfit! xoxo Jolie

smalltownchic said...

I think one of the reasons that I consistently check your blog is because you are not afraid to wear jeans. I, too, am a jean lover. You give me a lot of inspiration with your jeans looks, especially today's!

Audy said...

Oh my goodness. SO adorable! Can I clone you, shrink the clone and keep her in my pocket?? Yes? Ok, good! On it.

Yes, I know jeans are considered a cop-out by many in the fashion world...but this outfit is so cute and well assembled, I don't know how anyone could frown upon it. I'm honestly not usually a fan of denim-on-denim but you're actually changing my perspective; perhaps it's not just for my mother and that little old lady I always see at her mailbox... ;) <3

Christina said...

LA ladyyyy...sorry I think more blog posts should be Elton John songs. Love the denim.

Lexie said...

i too feel like in fash blog world there's a near stigma against jeans. denim can be styled in fun and fresh ways - just as you've proven here!

Linds said...

this is adorable! one of the best pictures of you!

Malu Keizer-Swartjes said...

Woaa such a cool denim mix!
Love your style and blog

xx

Click here to go to Malu’s Fashion!
Click here to go to Malu’s Fashion!
Click here to go to Malu’s Fashion!

winniecoop said...

that photo is adorable!

k said...

when i first started paying attention to fashion blogs, i noticed the lack of jeans, and so have felt a little pressure when starting to post my own pics that i am wearing denim too often. but honestly, i love jeans, and that's just part of me. i also think there's a difference between denim styled well with other elements, and your standard jeans and t-shirt (not that there isn't a place for that too!)

also, your outfit looks great!

Fabulocity in Amish Country said...

This outfit is absolutely awesome!!! I completely agree that sometimes I feel like jeans are a cop-out look for me... I really try to at least spice it up a little bit. But you totally rock this look out! Ode to denim... complete! :)

Jilliebeanie said...

I really love denim. Jeans, yes. But also skirts, jumpers, rompers, shirts, accessories...you name it. Styled properly it can look really chic. Styled badly is how it's gotten a that reputation you describe.

This picture of you is absolutely adorable AND I LOVE your well-styled denim.

Jilliebeanie said...

Oh my gosh! I JUST realized I bought the exact same shirt at TJ Maxx last weekend! Haven't worn it yet though! HA. As I was saying...

soooali said...

Double denim, great look!

http://www.soooali.com/

C said...

Oh Katy, you are SO cute. I love this happy denim-y photo of you!

Kansas Couture said...

Thanks, everybody, for your sweet comments!

Lainey - No, the jeans came pre-destroyed (though my puppy has added to the effect a little bit...)

Alisa - Try wearing your denim shirt tucked into a girly lace or floral skirt. Or, if you want to try the denim-on-denim look, try wearing it with jeans or a denim skirt.

alya said...

I avoid jeans for two reasons. First, I work in a western themed restaurant and its part of my uniform, and second I cannot find a single pair of any style(wash, rise, leg opening, length) that comes even close to fitting me well. I think a lot of women have problems with fit; a skirt or dress that skims over your lower half is so much easier!

Sarah K. said...

honestly, I never liked the idea of denim-on-denim, but this looks really cool! you may have changed my mind.

and I totally had a denim shirt with Looney Tunes embroidery when I was a kid!