Fall Goes Grunge Chic With Plaid

Plaid is so hot right now. When it first hit the fashion scene, I just didn't get it. They were not hitting it for women. It was just too masculine, and I am always one for feeling like a girl, if you are a girl. This Fall season is so different. I love it, and I get it. It can be rugged-plaid, with amazing bright colors, done with a classic cut.

For the guys, last year, about this time, some guys were growing out their facial hair, and sporting that grunge thermal. I thought it would pass, no- I wished it would pass. But of course it didn't. I hate to admit it but the look has officially grown on me, with the exception of neck beards (which will never grow on me; please shave your neck guys), guys are looking hot in grungy plaid.

So when picking your plaid of choice, pay close attention to the fit and the color. Classic, great fitting cuts, are really in right now. Don't buy anything that makes you look "boxy." Get plaid prints that don't look like Costco specials, but instead are mixed with bright and fun colors that give your plaid a very modern appeal. You can also go for very classic plaid but make sure it looks more designer than bargain bin.

Lastly, I want to mention accessories. Everyone knows that there is a massive scarf movement right now. It is always so easy for a guy or a girl to add some plaid flair to their outfit by throwing on a great scarf or hat, and plaid is a subtle way to be bold right now.

Thanks for keeping up with the Fall trends with denM Gallery. You know we will have all the hottest styles in plaid coming in now all the way through Christmas. We got in a new Monarchy plaid button up for guys today, we also have some great new coats in for girls in plaid, and as always we have a ton of plaid scarfs in. More comes every day. Tis the season.

Jewel Tones Hot for Fall/ Winter

There are so many great Fall and Winter trends this year. I don't want to spoil it all at once so I will just blog it out every couple of days. My first spotlight will fall on jewel tones.

If you are just figuring this out, you may be one of the last peeps to know. Jewel tones are so big right now. I love it. Think ruby red, sapphire, emerald, topaz, amethyst, and so on. These colors are rich and they are delicious.

The great thing is that they make looks in these colors that are meant to be casual, but they are so easy to dress up. Especially if you get a top in a satin fabric, paired with a rich color of purple, or other tone, you can put on jeans in the day, and then slip on a skirt at night.

My favorite part about this trend is that boring fashion followers, like myself, can do it too. I am always prone to buying basic cuts, especially in black. But now just the rich color alone, in one of my basic styles, make me look like I am making a statement. It's easy, it's fun, and it's so flattering to any figure.

Denim and True Religion in General

Welcome to the Fall Season. Otherwise known as the true beginning of denim season. Right about now all the designer jean lover's out there are peering into their deep closets and making sure that their denim is looking good, is still in style, and is ready to wear. This is a good time to reflect on all things denim.

So we have established what is in style for the season, high waisted, wide leg, boyfriend fit, skinny, straight and almost any combination thereof. A lot of people, including myself, are excited that "damaged" or "worn in" denim is making a very strong come back.

What is cool as far as brands go is all over the board. Some new companies that are less known are doing really well and some old faithfuls are staying strong. I like this new denim brand called Blue Notch, and I cannot seem to fall out of love with some of my classics. True Religion for one, is still staying strong in the fashion world. Last year all I would hear about the brand is that they were fading out, fizzling if you will. This year has proven the contrary. With the damaged and relaxed looks coming in strong, True Religion is at the head of their game. I don't even want to admit it but it's true.

True Religion remains our best seller. I thought maybe is was just "The Redlands" that were still in love but that isn't so. I spend a lot of time in LA with some of the best stylists there are. They are still loving their True Religions; It seems they just can't get away from the great fit or the quality crafted denim. There hasn't been a better way to look hot while dressing down. We have at least 6 brand new styles of True Religion in stock at any given time.

What new denim brands are you guys buying or just chasing?

To Tattoo or Not to

I want all thoughts on tattoos. Give em' to me. What you like and don't like. The where's, the how's, and the who's. Me & the other half of me are getting new ones very soon. I like to think of tattooing and fashion together. Hmmmm. You tell.

bro...brach...bro-ho

I am so mad that I couldn't find better pictures to depict what these style pioneers sport everyday. I swear if one more person comes in the store and asks where the Famous Stars and Straps section is I will scream.

This look is not in style anywhere else in the world, it is not cool , and it is not flattering. It is straight out ugly.

Some things do go out of style and this is one of them. For guys, the lifted trucks, paired with huge Dickies shorts held up by a studded famous belt, an off-center bent up hat covering the spiked hair, facial piercings, and some big logo shirt is out. Guys, wear pants that fit a little better, and tone it down a bit for the ladies. You guys look like 12 year old boys trying to scam on chicks. We like guys that look like they could actually have a carreer one day. A job that does not include beer bottles, naked chicks, and cigarettes as a part of the day.

Girls or Brach's wear studded belts, with looww rise jeans that are too tight, that create what we call a muffin top. Not attractive. Not sexy. Please wear pants that flatter your figure. I have even seen very skinny girls, manage to sport a muffin top. Another horror of this Brach or Bro-Ho trend is bleach blond hair with dark hair streaks. It is so harsh. It takes the softness of their natural femininity and crushes it. We should not strive to look like strippers right? Further more that skate shoe they wear is too big & bulky. There is nothing style-wise that feels right about this on a girl. The ultimate "Bro-Ho No No" is the ever-present tramp stamp. You know what I'm talking about, that star or butterfly tattoo right above the butt crack. This used to be cool, but if you have fresh ink in this area right now I shed tears for your severe lack of any style common sense.

So please, I am begging please, can I ask that no more guy's come into the store and ask for a size 40 in True Religion's when they are a 36. My heart suffers for you.

Nudie Jeans

Here we go. I said I would spill the beans on these newest, hottest, trend- Nudie.

I can't nail the description like Nudie themselves can. So here is how their website says it:

-"Nudie is the ”naked truth about denim”. Denim has the ability to age beautifully – formed by its user into a second skin, naked and personal. The longer it lives the more character it gets. The indigo is a living colour that fades and gives the denim its character. The more you wear your jeans the more beautiful they get. Jeans are more than just a piece of clothing. Nudie will stay true to jeans and all about jeans."

Basically Nudie is a fashion company for the ages. The are very concerned with the environment, claiming to become totally organic over the next few years. They say that cotton fields stand for 25% of all insecticides worldwide! They are dedicated to the environment in more than one way. Good working conditions, and high standards all the way through production is their way of getting it done. That is why all of their denim is quality constructed in Italy. No sweat shops here.

OK, now for the cult like following. I dare you to go online and check out sites dedicated to these jeans. Nudie instructs their customers to buy dry organic denim and wear them pants out! Do not wash them for 6 months, and when the six months is up wash carefully following instructions. Every pair becomes like a badge of honor to the owner. The different wear marks, texture, colors, rips... all make for your one of a kind wear.

If you want to see these jeans live, and in person visit denM. We all got a pair to experiment, and join the cult...apparently. Dave never takes his off. Tarryn and I wear ours, a lot, I must admit. I am becoming a junkie- but Dave is one.

VMA's :2 Strikes (One more your out)

Did anyone out there watch the Video Music Awards on MTV this weekend? I did. I really think the whole show is getting lame. Maybe I'm getting old, but I think that they are trying to change things up too much, totally forgetting that some things are better left in classic condition.

I liked the whole Hollywood back lot theme. Live music videos being shot. Good idea but it came off a bit strange at points. Over all I thought that concept was cool. The venue looked small. It looked like only the who's who could fit in there, and maybe not all of them. So that took away from the power of the event. It looked little and cheap 70's game showish to me.

My major pet peeve came with the host and the performances. The host, Russell Brand, for lack of a more fitting word, sucked. I know British humor is different, but really? After Brand went on about the Jonas brother's purity in the most disgusting way possible, Nick Jonas, took the high road, and commented after the show,"For us, it's cool to see that he recognizes we are gentlemen,". The Jonas Brother's wear purity rings representing their commitment to God to remain pure until marriage. What have we become if we choose to insult the celeb's that are trying to set the right example and exalt those celeb's who act like crack head easy bags. On the bright side, I think a lot of even the dirtiest of celebrities found his jokes beyond raunchy. During and after the show, celeb's such as Jordan Sparks and Paris Hilton, spoke against Brand's bad humor regarding the brothers.

I thought the performances should have been kept to the good ol' concert style shows with all the modernized ways they make concerts so crazy and amazing these days. But instead they had to do that whole eye trickery, two sided glass, with the "guess where they are" element. It was too much and I did not feel like I saw an amazing performance from anyone. I think the best performance was Rihanna, with Pink coming in second. Rihanna killed it, but why did one artist perform twice? Wierd.

They made the Jonas Brothers look lame beyond lame. First they looked like Disney Newsboys singing harmony on a stoop and then they took to the streets with a million screaming fans dressed in primary colors for the last 30 seconds of their one song. Whatever person in the Jonas Brothers camp thought that was a good idea for the bands image should be shot. I guess I was just left feeling like a never saw one knock out performance to remember.

Lastly, I would like to state my utter dissatisfaction with Britney Spears. She was too chicken to perform , and although she won several awards , she always played the "I'm normal" card. I wasn't buying it. I really just wanted her to say something like "Thanks to my fans and all those who stuck with me even when I was acting like a crazy b." Admitting it is the first step to moving on.

Oh, and one more thing...that band Tokio Hotel rolled up IE style! Lifted truck, monster truck style, with crazy paint job? Check. The IE is calling and we want our vehicle back. The lead singer (male) had acrylic nails, major eye make-up, and Edward Scissor hands garb on. This is not IE style and the IE is asking you not to give this back...it was never ours and we don't want it.

Let me know all your VMA thoughts. Peace!