Giovanni Amenta, Willowbrook Shopping Centre Stylist

Giovanni's Bio:  Giovanni (Gio) Amenta is Willowbrook’s stylist and one of Canada’s top style experts!  Gio started his career in New York where he was certified by three of the top image consultants in the world. Since then, Gio has been featured as a style expert on various TV shows including W Network’s Beauty Call and Breakfast Television.   He has worked with celebs such as Marie Osmond  and Miss America 2007 as well as several  major retail brands.   Gio also teaches fashion styling at Jon Casablancas in Vancouver as well as represents the Association of Image Consultants International.

Delicious Denim Trends & Tips for Women!

Gone are the days of denim being the blue-collar fabric. Cowboys and construction workers have inspired a revolution, and now we see denim everywhere - even on the red carpet. We all have some denim in our closet, and for most of us these articles of clothing are the things we wear most. But, just because they are comfy and still fit, does not mean that they are still in style or that they are flattering to your body shape. The following are some tips and trends for those who have spent hours trying on jeans, only to come up confused and empty handed.

The first step is choosing the right fabric and wash of denim. When choosing a wash and fabric keep in mind 1) Where will you wear the denim? 2) What will you wear with the denim? 3) Do you want your denim to accentuate or camouflage?

Dark Wash Solid Denim – This denim is ideal for wearing out for dinner, on a date, a casual Friday at the office, or to a concert. Dark denim can be worn with more dressy pieces, or can be worn with casual t-shirts and tops. The great thing about a solid dark denim is that not only is it versatile, but it also is the best wash to camouflage any area that you don’t want attention drawn to.

Black Denim – This denim can work very well for dressier occasions, as long as the fabric is a tighter weave and has a bit of sheen to it. Matte black denim tends to look more casual and fades quickly once you wash it. Faded black denim is not ideal when trying to look elegant or polished. But, it can work great if you are going for the rock and roll or creative look. Tip: When washing dark denim turn it inside out and do not put it in the dryer, this will help to keep the color and shine longer.

Light Denim – This denim is strictly casual and works best for a day out at the mall, going to the park, or grocery shopping. Light denim is easy to take care of and the softer it is, the better. You want your light denim to look worn and fluid, not stiff like your dark denim. Keep in mind that light denim can accentuate the area you are wearing it on. So, if you want to avoid this be sure to wear a colour lighter than the denim on the area you want to accentuate.

Faded Denim – This denim is interesting because there are some dressy and casual denims that use this technique. Use your discretion when buying faded denim, a good rule is that if the denim is a dark wash and a stiffer higher end fabric it is probably more dressy, and the lighter the denim the more casual. Beware of the “spotlight effect”; this describes what happens when you wear faded denim. The area that is faded acts like a spotlight that attracts attention to that exact spot, so make sure the fading is where you want people to look.

Now that you know the different washes of denim and what they do, feel free to mix any of them. The rule when mixing denim is to go ahead and wear it from head to toe, as long as the denims are different.

Now that you have picked your fabric, it’s time to pick the right fit for your body type. The following cuts are some of this fall’s hottest cuts and should be easy to find in any wash and fabric.

Flare Jeans – This is the ultimate jean for anyone who is hippy or has a larger chest and shoulders. The flare balances out the upper body by giving some volume to the lower body and giving you more of an hourglass shape. The flare jean looks amazing high waisted with a silk blouse tucked in, or low rise with a body skimming untucked top.

Chino Pants – These jeans make your leg look very slim, as they skim the leg as opposed to skinny jeans, which cling to the leg and show everything. Chinos tend to be cropped which makes them great for wearing with a great pair of heels or cropped booties. This style looks best on women who are slimmer or have a more rectangular shape. They can be dressed up or down, and come in various colors such as khaki and dusty rose. Try this style with a crop top and a skinny belt.

Cargo Jeans – These are utilitarian and so comfortable. This style is very casual due to the pockets on the legs or near the knees, and can be skin tight or a bit loose. This denim looks best on a slim leg because the pockets can add volume to the leg.

Straight leg – This style is perhaps the most universal cut and looks good on most body shapes. The straight leg is ideal for the woman who has a bit of a mummy tummy or a more muscular thigh. A great brand for the mummy tummy is “Not Your Daughters Jeans”.
 

Aside from the cuts of jeans some other denim trends are as follows:

Colored Denim – Blue and black are no longer the only colors on the denim world! Much like in the eighties, we are back to various colors such as dusty rose, pink, purple and red.

Jean Jackets – Yay!! The jean jacket is back! This is a cause for celebration; a denim jacket goes with pretty much everything. Well except a pair of jeans or a top the same color denim as the jacket.

Denim Shirts – Pair an oversized denim button up shirt with a lace undershirt. Add a skinny brown belt over top of a long flowing prairie skirt, and this makes for a hot look this fall.

Well there you have it! I hope this helps you on your hunt for the perfect denim to add to your fall wardrobe. Remember, jeans are like husbands, sometimes hard to find but so worth the effort in the end!

By Giovanni Amenta – Image Consultant/Stylist
Be sure to visit Giovanni’s new website www.pinkandgrey.ca

Products subject to availability. Prices subject to change: Women’s Revolution Skirt, Ricki’s, $49.50; Ladies Jeans Northern Reflections, $64.99; Women’s True Religion Jean, Abito $235+; Women’s Miracle Body Jean, Aldila Boutique, $139.95; Women’s Yoga Denim, Plum, $110.00; Ladies’ Levi’s Shirt, Mantique, $68.00.