Denim exceeds expectations
By Paula Rath
Advertiser Staff Writer
Just when we thought denim couldn't possibly get any bigger — it did. Denim is, simply, the season's biggest fashion statement.
Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser
Washes, frayed hems, designer pukas and distressed treatments bring on the vintage look. Silhouettes are boot-leg, straight-leg, flared and wide-leg (the latest). The low-rises keep going down-to-there, although those in the know say they shall rise again, and soon.
Body & Soul's latest offerings include deconstructed T-shirts that feature cut-up jeans as trim at the neck and armholes.
At Diesel, the trendy Italian clothing manufacturer usually credited with starting the dirty denim look, they've sand-blasted and whiskered jeans to make them look sat-in. Subtle hand abrasions and resin coatings create a timeworn effect. Styles range from double-breasted coatdresses to equestrian-style red denim with a blue panel inserted where you sit.
Trend-watchers, take note: Store manager Carol McNairy reports that Diesel is moving away from dirty washes to a more polished, vintage look.
Wet Seal is doing a green wash with orange stitching. In addition to frayed hems, their jeans and skirts feature deep slits that are sewn up with cross-stitched suede in the style of the Wild West.
The selection at Sears focuses on a range of lengths, from micro-mini skirts and revealing shorts, to capris and drag-on-the-floor hems.
Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser
Body & Soul, the fashion-forward Honolulu-based firm, is bringing back gauchos. They're so hot that the shop has already sold out its first shipment. They also see wide leg jeans as an up-and-comer.
This sand-blasted Diesel skirt with deep side slits has a sat-in appearance.
But perhaps their most exciting new development is a line of deconstructed T-shirts that use cut-up jeans as trim at the neck and armholes. Also a deconstructed sweatshirt that turns into a skirt when trimmed with parts and pieces of vintage jeans. They've just arrived at the Waikiki Body & Soul.
The windows at the GAP tell their denim story with six different washes, from pale blue to brown and black.
At ever-edgy bebe, deep cuffs (4-5 inches) are de rigeur. A pin-tuck down the front of the pant leg finishes the look.
At Neiman Marcus and Rafael, Seven jeans are still the hottest sellers.
Not only are they the favorites of Hollywood stars, they somehow magically work on a wide range of figures.
