We're used to seeing hips and bellies - no biggie (we hope) - hovering above or swaying in jeans these days. And designers have accommodated us quite well in the quest to show skin. This year, we're going even further, plus everything seems to be "pre-worn." Not surprisingly, these marks and imperfections are no accident; in fact they actually add to the price tag.
That's okay, though, maybe some supermodel already broke ‘em in for ya, right? And if you babysat or mowed lawns this summer, you may be able to afford a pair of these hip and ultra-cool jeans. Just remember to add another $15 every time you hear the word "vintage."
The overall theme with today's hottest jeans seems to be spending your pennies to look like you didn't spend any. Everyone's slumming, and they're breaking the bank to do it. If someone looks poor, there's a good chance they're rich-similar to the 1980s, when the jeans were acid-washed, pre-shrunk, and pre-ripped.
Yet back in that "me decade," jeans were conservatively high-waisted and often shapeless. Today's cuts are smarter and more than a little shapely. Worn or not, they look classy when compared to discount low-rise jeans, which don't hug the body or the legs as nicely. The jeans that are hot properties right now are popular because of the way they're cut. And let's be honest: they look pretty darn cute on the right bodies.
Here's a quick sampling of jean lines making denim chic today:
AG Jeans - Here are some high-quality, low-rise jeans with four or five pockets, designed by Adriano Goldschmeid, that come in various styles of "Angel" stretch-or non-stretch. Average Price Tag: $130-$150.
Chip And Pepper Jeans - Designed by surfer twins, C&P are known for their "worn-out early century vintage look." You might pay as much as an extra $50 for authentic marks of wear - the Pamela Non-Stretch Echo Bay line appears the most worn, and costs $198. Average Price Tag: $135-$165.
Paper Denim & Cloth Jeans - This hand-sewn line comes with hand set pockets. Their stylish worn look is offset by the fact that each pair is a little bit unique, individually hand-finished and then numbered. Average Price Tag: $170-$190.
Miss Sixty Jeans - Interesting jeans that are pre-treated to make them appear weathered. In fact, they come pre-wrinkled until you wash them the first time. Average Price Tag: $119-$149.
