HOW TO BREAK INTO JEANS

By Celebrity Fashion Stylist, Toni Ferrara

We all love our stretched out, worn-out, broken-in jeans. They are like long lost friends who know you and are so comfortable. As we drift into fall and make new friends (and buy new denim), here are a few tips on how to speed up the process to personalize your brand new jeans.

WASH WITH CAUTION.  Read the label if you want to break in your new jeans. Many labels call for cold water wash and air drying, if you want to speed the process, follow these instructions closely. Otherwise, the fibers and hard work you have put in will tighten up and shrink if you are careless.

DE-STRESS YOUR DENIM. Simply put, take your aggression out on your new jeans. Denim is one of the strongest fabrics and were made for heavy duty activities.

1. Start by soaking your jeans in the bathtub in warm water, getting the fabric and fibers wet is key.
2. Squeeze out excess water.
3. Lay the jeans on a hard surface (hardwood, concrete, or tile floor) with the waistline facing you and the legs extended away from you.
4. Begin by rolling the jeans away from you and toward the hem of the legs as tight as possible. This process pulls and stretches the fibers.
5. Unroll the jeans and pull them back into place. This will soften the fabric.
6. Turn the jeans inside out and repeat the steps above 3-5 at least four or five times.
7. Use a rolling pin starting from the crotch area and working down the legs and along the width of the waistband to continue the stretching out process.
8. Throw jeans in the dryer on a high heat setting with 2-3 pairs of sneakers. The friction between the jeans and the fabric will also cause the jeans to stretch.
9. Let the jeans cool completely, they will definitely be more comfy than when you bought them.
10. Repeat 1-9 for at least 4-5 days, it may seem like a while, but 4-5 days is better than 4-5 months.
    

CUSTOM-FIT JEANS.

1. Place your new jeans in the washer on a cold setting inside out.
2. After the cycle is in the final rinse stages, remove from the washer.
3. Put on the wet jeans (this is for the brave, fearless fashionista who aren’t scared of getting a little wet for the sake of comfy, broken in jeans.)
4. Do squats, lunges, and bend over in the jeans. it’s a great workout for you and your new favorite jeans.
5. When the fabric dries, the jeans will be perfectly sculpted to your body, hugging your every curve.
   

WEAR THEM OUT.

• Wear them as often as you can.
• Lounge around the house in them.
• Sleep in them.
• The more you wear them, the more they will become just as great as your old favorite pair.
  

The best way to avoid having to give your new jeans a workout is by always purchasing jeans with a little stretch. They don’t have to be “jeggings” (the jeans + leggings that is the new terminology). They just have to have a small percentage of Lycra mixed with the cotton. Naturally they will appear more comfortable and definitely softer than the stiff, tight ones.

Favorite brands: J Brand, William Rast, Stitches, Prvcy, Blessed & Cursed, MEK, and Hudson.

FALL 2009 TREND REPORT: MEN

Ok, men take notes & grab your favorite fashion friend, it's time to stop crunching numbers or checking your stock portfolio-- it's time to update your wardrobe. Whether you are a ROLLING STONE, a SOUL PROTECTOR, or a MAD MAN, clothes always determine the man. Gear up for a fantastic fall/winter without the stress of this past year! Fall head over heels in love with these 3 key trends for men:

1. ROLLING STONE. Has the economy got you waivering on fall holiday plans? Cheer up, chum, this winter grab your skiis, hiking boots, and camping grear. Make the outdoors your winter wonderland. Native american prints, bold plaids, and cozy thermals inspire tales of rails and trails. Turn up the heat with layers of plaid, thermal, and cargos. From DSquared to Ralph Lauren, these designers are ready to get out from behind the desk and create their own adventure!

2. SOUL PROTECTOR. Still not sure if you can embrace these trends? Then stay heavily guarded in your best suit of armour. Sometimes the best weapon is looking stealth in your threads. Alexander McQueen and Calvin Klein take inspiration from G.I. Joe's closet. Look for bullet-proof faux details, such as quilting jackets, sleek tailored coats, and molded foam vests, so that you can be an American hero. Try pairing high neck turtlenecks with a velvet blazer and a pinstripe scarf. Make it street savvy by adding a badass pair of leather cut-off gloves that pack a Kung-fu grip. No need for the Brinks truck now.

3. MAD MAN. Eager to make waves in the boardroom and in the bedroom? Leave the skinny jeans for the emo kids on Sunset and take a trip back in time to the sexy 60's. Confidence is the best accessory when reminiscing on these good ole days. There is nothing sexier than a man in tailored suit, can we say Don Draper? The runway competition was fierce this fall. Ralph Lauren kept it classic with his ruthless silhouette that only he can perfect. Louis Vuitton knows the best things in life come in 3's- blazer, vest, and slacks. For the men who are looking for a statement without saying a word, try Ermenegildo Zegna's tweed trench pair a Brooke Brothers white dress shirt, with a Hugo Boss charcoal scarf, and your favorite jeans. (Men, stay smart with a bootcut jean- favorites are William Rast, Joe's jeans, and Hudsons.)