My Jean Closet

During high school I had two pairs of jeans, both which weren't particularly flattering, and both which I wore constantly. After graduating, my eyes were opened to the big world of jeans beyond the mall, and I quickly became an official jean-a-holic. Over the next year, my collection ballooned until I owned fifteen pairs in a rainbow of colours, most of which were very inexpensive, and still not very flattering. I had been purchasing without even really considering the construction on the jeans or how they looked on my body type.

Over the next few months I ended up selling, donating and giving away all of the pairs of jeans that didn't completely flatter me, and I was left with four pairs that I loved.

Women with a significant measurement difference between their waist and hips take note -- the pairs that I list are ones that I've searched long and hard for - jeans that didn't squish thighs, or gap at the waist.

1. Julian Red Lady Hoboken - Shy Rinse - $225

These are the only pair of jeans I've ever bought at full price, after trying them on and falling in love. The fit is amazing, and I'll probably never stop raving about them. The denim has just enough rigidity to give structure to your legs and thighs, and enough stretch to be comfortable while doing so. The rise an inch or two below my natural waist, and the waist band stay put and doesn't stretch out, even after continuous wear. I got mine in a dark wash, and after a two years(!) they're still dark, with some fades that you can see in the photo.

2. Attachment - Striped Jeans - $100

These jeans are made for men, but with the small high waist and the generous hip measurement, they're surprisingly well suited for the female form. The stripe gives them 'dress pant' feel, which makes them an easy transition piece between causal and formal. The pockets resemble ones from a pair of trousers, without losing anything in the streamlined fit. The rise is fairly high, and when worn with a shorter shirt, it gives a fantastic hourglass shape.

3. Acne Hex - Earth - $80

The colour of these jeans is what drew me to them at first - black overdyed with a rich deep brown. There is a lot of stretch in the hip and bum area, but it has a very sturdy waist band with a medium rise. I've owned them for about a year and a half, and both of the knees have ripped, but it sort of adds to their dark appeal.

4. Club Monaco Cigarette Leg - White - $30

Ever since I saw the band Islands perform in their all-white outfits, I had an insane craving for white jeans. After trying on dozens of pairs, most of which were too see through, or magnified my thighs, I ran across these on sale. While they get the least amount of wear out of all the jeans in my closet, it's more to do the spill-frenzy that always over takes me when I wear them, threatening to one day stain them some terribly colour.

I'm now on the hunt for a pair of wide leg jeans to complete my collection. I'm leaning towards J Brand Kat in Indigo, but am still looking around.

07.15

Thrifted Sweater (I cut the sleeves off)
Neil Barrett Cardigan
Rick Owens Tank
Club Monaco Skirt
Thrifted Heels

Today. Back in Vancouver, to deal with mail, bills, etc.





Boyfriend's Club Monaco Button Up
Diesel Tank
Julian Red Jeans
Thrifted Boots

Art

While I'm on the topic of travel, I found two masterful pieces of sketch book horror, drawn by my sister (who is, in reality, an excellent artist) when we both visited France for the first time (on the exact same many-suitcase trip!)

Although we are both from Canada and took French class for many years in school, neither of us can speak anything past the obvious 'Bonjour,' 'Je suis l'ananas,' 'J'aime les chats'. In her defense, she switched into German class in high school, and in my defense, I can barely speak English, let alone an entirely different language.

Anyway, while in one of the airports, no doubt waiting for one of our many suitcases to emerge onto the carousel, I narrated and she drew two pieces that I recently came across, after forgetting their existence entirely.

The first tells the story of a weary traveler, much like ourselves at the time, waking to realize that he has been robbed blind, and is now a unclothed shell of a man. In perfect French he asks, 'Quelle snatch my satchel?' which we translated to 'Who stole my stuff?!'



The second is a general explanation of why Charlie Brown is always so unlucky: he is haunted by a ill mannered ghost.

Photo Saturday

Because I'm back at my family's home this week, I eventually sat down on old my high school computer (which now has been handed down to my younger brother) and started sifting through hundreds of photos that I'd taken throughout the years.

Here are some photos I took, and were taken of me, in the summer months of 2006.

Travels

My family just returned from France today, and I'm very envious of their trip. Since starting school I've only been back and forth from the island to the mainland, from lack of money and because I have to save for the upcoming year of school. Almost a year ago I took the train down the coast with friends, stopping in Seattle, Lacey, Portland and finally San Fransisco. I had such a fun time, and I'm hoping to plan something like that this upcoming August. Seattle, of course, is the cheapest and easiest place for me to go - $70 for a return trip on a bus or train. I wish flying was cheaper; it takes less than a hour to fly there, but the price inflates nearly $200. I can't wait till I start working in the film industry, and can write off those kind of things as business trips.

Because I delight in books with multiple lists, I have been reading 'The Packing Book':



It is essentially a guide book for traveling with only a carry on bag. A few years ago I went to London for the first time, my mother bringing my sister and I along while she attended a conference. I have this traumatic-packing memory of us lugging multiple suitcases down the steps of the Underground (a full sized printer in one of them) - and from that moment on, I vowed to be a carry on person.

Here's what the book outlines for the clothing needed for a two or three week trip to Europe. I thought it was most appropriate for most trips, because it involved outfits for sightseeing days, museum visits, beach wear, chilly mornings and evenings and dining out.

Outer Layers:
1 - Jacket (Blazer)
1 - Cardigan Sweater

Tops:
2 - T-shirts
2 - Blouses
1 - Extra Large T-Shirt (Pajamas or a Coverup)
1 - Dress

Bottoms:
1 - Pair Casual Pants
1 - Pair Nice Pants
1 - Skirt

Shoes:
1 - Dress Shoes
1 - Walking Shoes

Accessories:
Tights
Pashmina Scarf
Packable Rain Coat

5 Centimeters Per Second

I just watched one of the most beautiful films I have ever seen - Makoto Shinkai's '5 Centimeters Per Second'. Released in three parts, this is a series of stories that initially revolve around the love that forms between two childhood friends who are separated in their youth, but continue to correspond with one another through letters. The visuals in this movie, I can't even describe. There is such an attention to the level of detail and the lighting in the world that surrounds the characters, it may very well have been a live-action film.

Watching it just renewed my love of the world captured in cinema, and the and is the very reason I want to make films.

If you haven't seen it, and you're terrible like I am (bootlegging, etc) - you can watch it: here.

07.07

Day six of my 'twelve item wardrobe'! The past two days have been without sun for the most part, and it's beginning to rain. I love this sort of weather.



Venue Vest
Marc Aurel Silk Shirt
Rick Owens Tank
Thrifted Skirt
Jil Sander Flats

The Uniform Project

'The Uniform Project' is a daily account of the creativity and resourcefulness of Sheena Matheiken, who vowed to wear the same dress (although she has multiple copies of it) for an entire year, in order to promote sustainable living, and to raise money for the Akanksha Foundation, a non-profit devoted to bringing education to children living in the slums of India. This is a fantastic idea, and the creation behind the dress she chose to wore is very interesting.

'How do you design a dress that can be worn all year around? The dress is designed so it can be worn both ways, front and back, and also as an open tunic. It’s made from a durable, breathable cotton, good for New York summers and good for layering in cooler seasons. With deep hidden pockets to appease my deep aversion for carrying purses. '

Putting that much thought into the construction, and purchasing of clothing, I think is very necessary to building a versatile wardrobe. It almost seems more ideal to have more bold accessorizes, layering items and shoes and to keep with neutral colours on staple pieces to get the most wear out of them. This blog made me realize how little I was doing the items of clothing in my closet. Even the most basic of item can be worn, accessorized, and changed in some way to recreate it entirely.

These are the favourite looks, but they're only a mere few from the blog, which premiered on May 9th of this year. I'd definitely recommend checking it out.

07.06

I'm on day five of my 'weekend away,' and I decided to stay a little longer. I think I packed a perfect amount of clothes - because five days in I haven't re-worn the same outfit once.

My perfect formula re-cap:

Bottoms:
1 Pair Jeans
1 Pair Chinos
1 Flowy Skirt

Tops:
1 Tank Top
1 Sheer Top
1 Patterned Top

Outer Layers:
1 Vest
1 Suit Jacket
1 Cardigan

Shoes:
1 Pair Sneakers
1 Pair Flats

Accessories:
1 Waist Cinching Belt

This may be my new go-to list when it comes to packing clothes for summer trips. It was extremely light to carry when I was on the road, especially because I wore my heaviest items (jeans, sneakers...etc) on the way here. If I was here for a week+ I'd definitely throw a dress into the equation. And a swim suit!