In Spades

I love denim.  I mean loooove it.

The very first thing I started spending real money on was designer denim.  I will never forget when 7 for all Mankind hit the market at over $100 a pair.  Up until that point, I had maybe spent $50 or $60 on my best pair of jeans.  It was a shock to the industry, but the public accepted and 7 for all Mankind broke the threshold and forever changed the landscape for how we buy denim.  Soon after, new brands started to pop up everywhere.  Rock and Republic, Mavi, Rockstar, Frankie B.  Celebrities even got into the mix with (successful!) premium denim lines.  Remember William Rast, Justin Timberlake’s company?  Edun by Bono?

Today’s styles have (thankfully) taken a more reigned in approach. The over styled pockets and super low waistlines of the early aughts are but a distant memory.

There are five companies out there right now that I think are killing it with their denim lines. My favorites… #5 – The Gap
Technically not designer denim, I had to put Gap on the list because they are the only brand that can hold up to premium denim lines. The variety of washes and styles are endless and you can almost always walk into The Gap when the entire store is 40% off. Snug to fit without pinching your waistline, they are incredibly comfortable yet still look polished. In college all of my friends wore Long and Leans. I like their Always Skinny and Legging styles.

#4 – Mother Denim
At almost 100% cotton, they are by far the softest pair of jeans I’ve ever owned. You can literally sleep in them. A subtle “M” is stitched on the back pockets to break up an otherwise blank slate, and upon first wear they will mold to your body. This is a great jean to keep in rotation as opposed to wearing 24/7 because all of that cotton can lose its shape faster than other brands.  Favorite style: The Looker. 

#3 – Frame Denim
Frame denim is a newer brand for me but when I found them I fell hard. Their jeans are a combination of London street style with LA manufacturing. Made of cotton, spandex and polyester, they will never sag or lose their shape. They’re cut with a higher rise in the back to lift the derrière and multiple points on the legs to slim the thighs.  Favorite style: Le Skinny de Jeanne. 

#2 – Current/Elliott
Current/Elliott kills it in every capacity: skinny, boyfriend, low-rise, high-rise. No matter what your shape, they have a style that will look great on you. I think what makes a pair of jeans stand out most is the wash. The best dye houses on the planet are in Los Angeles and it’s no surprise that’s where Current/Elliott is manufactured.  Favorite style: The Stiletto.

#1 – Rag & Bone
Hands down my favorite denim brand ever. They mold to your body like Jennifer Lawrence’s Mystique costume in X-Men, yet still have the weight and structure of jeans, not leggings. They will always button with ease even on your bad days. The back pockets are slightly smaller than other brands, which is ultra flattering on every shape. I can’t praise these jeans enough. Stop what you’re doing and go buy them. Now.  Favorite style: Mid-rise Skinny.

I am one of those people that goes shopping before I leave for vacation.  In reality, this doesn’t make much sense because then I have no budget left to shop while on vacation.  But every time I open my suitcase to start packing, I panic and think I have nothing appropriate to wear.  Which makes me think… what the heck do I wear normally?

Las Vegas is a recurring summer destination for me, and after so many years I have my packing list down to a science.  Here are my essentials for a weekend in Sin City.  Click the links in the description below. Maxi dress – I wear mine on the plane because it’s so comfortable and easy and I’m weird about my bare legs touching airplane seats. It can also double as a pool cover-up and is perfect for those “holy crap we have 5 minutes until checkout/brunch closes” and need to race out of the hotel room moments.

Bathing suit and cover-up (shirt and shorts) – I can’t imagine a summer trip to Vegas without a day by the pool. I like cover-ups that double as street clothes as you hop from place to place.

Hat and sunglasses – summer sun in Vegas is brutal so not only are they great protection at the pool and while walking around, but they cover unwashed hair and tired eyes from the night before. I like to wear light colored hats to contrast my dark hair and because they attract less sun.

Stilettos – the key here is versatility and comfort (hah). To avoid packing too many shoes, I choose a pair that goes with both nights’ outfits and has an ankle strap to hold my foot into place for extra stability.

Wedges – as a friend once famously said, “I like to ruin my feet in different ways”. A dressier wedge is a great option if your feet just can’t take another night of stilettos. Plus, if you’re a heels-at-the-pool kind of girl, this is your chance.

Flat sandals – a must for all the walking you’ll be doing during the day. Choose a pair with metallic accents or embellishments that will still look nice with a cocktail dress at 4am if you really can’t take another minute of heels.

Sweater – moving from outside to inside the casino can mean a temperature change of about 40 degrees. I like to have something to shield me from those freezing air conditioners.

Travel bag – Pick something that can take a bit of a beating being placed underneath the seat in front of you or possibly getting wet at the pool. Saffiano leather is a great option for handling wear and tear.

Clutch – choose something with a wristlet or a hidden shoulder strap like the one above so your hands stay free while dancing or gambling.

Dress (pink or silver) and jumpsuit – I love bandage dresses. They got a bad wrap thanks to the Real Housewives of the world, but the right one can be beautiful and in my opinion, Vegas is the only appropriate place to rock one. Try Halston Heritage or Stretta for more affordable versions of the Herve Ledger original. To mix up the short, tight dress routine, I like a fun jumpsuit. Basic black is a great palette to accessorize, while a bold color can stand alone.

Jewelry – I don’t like to travel with a lot of jewelry so I stick to cocktail rings and earrings because they are the most versatile for reuse and the smallest to pack.

Packing problems solved!