"Thou Shalt Not Endure Mom Butt"- Our SF Indie Fashion Interview

When popular online resource SF Indie Fashion contacted us to help put together a denim buying guide, I thought YES! Now there's a tool I know most women would definitely benefit from. How many of us have looked at those neatly stacked squares of jeans and found them threatening? Digging for your size alone is an act of futility as no matter how hard you try those darn things tumble off and wind up in a mess on the floor. Plus, who knows if you even get the right style or fit and have to go back in for round two.

Needless to say I was thrilled (I'm even doing a little jig right now) to put some of our experiences onto paper as our heads are practically bursting with clandestine clothing knowledge from years spent as personal shoppers and wardrobe stylists.  It felt great to get that information out there, in a readily available and formidable fashion resource like SFIF*.

There's nothing like working with other people in the fashion industry who equally share your enthusiasm for sartorial problem solving.  They came armed with a list of queries ranging from how to pick the right pair of skinnies- now considered a staple in your closet- to butt pocket adornments and affordable denim options. Hopefully this guide with help everyone assuage any future denim debacles. Even in a city as seemingly laissez-faire as San Francisco, thou shalt not endure "mom butt", muffin top, or butt cracks.

To read the full article and check out SF Indie Fashion, click here.

*If you're not already, get acquainted with SF Indie Fashion. I've been following their tweets now for sometime and if you ever want up-to-the-minute San Francisco Indie Fashion information, start following their sartorial shout-outs immediately. They offer an insight into the independent fashion scene of SF, an area we in the industry value as it's what sets us apart from LA and NY.

Levi's Curve ID UPDATE

As some of you already know, I recently took a quick day-trip into the city with my sister to try on a pair of the much-hyped Levi's Curve ID. In a previous blog, I reveal the unique design of the jeans, as well as my own misfortune at not finding my jean soul mate within their selection. However, my sister was way more fortunate and sent over some before and after pics of her in the fancy new jeans she bought. As you're about to see, she looks great! No gap at the back, a perfect fit through the hips and thighs, a nice length, and more importantly, her butt looks amazing! All these small elements that can make or break a pair of denim.

In my personal opinion, the Levi's Curve ID have the most potential, out of any jeans a curvy girl can possibly try on anywhere, to look great the first time. What a relief right?! Walking into a dressing room with your chances already in your favor is like having a personal stylist ;) You've heard it here first though, free of charge.
Hopefully, you'll see the difference of how a great pair of denim can transform your derriere.





















On the Left: good length but saggy knees, too relaxed in the hips, and a droopy waist.
On the Right: BETTER! Snug fit through the hips and thighs, the darker wash makes her look slimmer, but the overall length could be better. I would hem it about a 1/2" and also have a tailor taper from the back of the knee to the ankle for a slimmer cut jean. (that runs about $30).























On the Left: Pockets are too far apart. Your eye follows the top line of the pockets which gives the illusion of a wider behind. They sit too low, causing our eye to view her butt as "saggy". They look as though they're resting on her and not hugging her.
On the Right: AMAZING!! The pockets are the perfect size and close enough together to depict a smaller butt. The fit through the hips is perfectly snug, giving the impression of a nice, perky rear end. Plus, I notice a definite lift, don't you?





















On the Left: Some serious gap at the back. If she were to let go, she'd have a big case of flat-butt syndrome. Not good.
On the Right: NO GAP AT THE BACK! She looks long and lean, with a butt you can see, which if you haven't guessed it, is what makes your butt look good in jeans; when you can see it.

I'm sure you're thinking, "but they're brand new jeans. Of course they look good!" Yes, that's true but not entirely. For one, the Levi's Curve ID jeans maintain their elasticity over time and keep hugging your curves- like they should! The waistband is thicker and hips won't stretch out, saving you from a lifetime of the pants dance. (Constantly pulling up your pants throughout the day). For two, my sister took these pictures back in late September, a full week after she bought them and wore them out of the store! Her only complaint to date is that they've stretched in the leg and gotten a little more relaxed looking. Other then that, they're still her favorite pair of jeans.

~Amanda

Guest Blogger Amanda Gives the Scoop on Levi's Curve ID- Get your FREE pair on September 17th in Union Square, SF

I was recently out with my sister in downtown SF. It was a girls day, complete with nails, drinks, all-round fun times, and a little side quest: go try on a pair of the new Curve ID line at Levi’s. Downtown SF is a major flagship location so why not go to the heart of the beast? Supposedly, these are the best pair of jeans you’ll ever try on in your life and at $69.50, they promise a little extra $ in your pocket for a top to match.

My sister, Amelia, and I walk in and asked the lovely doorman where we might find a pair of the new curve ID jeans. He spoke and pointed to the second floor, so off we went to find a manager. I was there on official business after all and had to know if things like license and pictures were a problem. After a bit of a turn around through several, yet very attentive sales associates, a manager appeared, officially nixed the idea of pictures and set up me up with perhaps the most patient sales associate on the planet, Emmanuel, or more informally known as Emi. I don’t think there is a happier or nicer jeans expert.

We had him get us everything! The Slight Curve, the Demi Curve, and the Bold Curve. All geared to flatter the various shapes of women’s bodies, the jeans are all attractively folded and hanging, ready to try but first, you must be measured. Emi took my sister and I aside and proceeded to measure each of us. I went first but the process is the same. They take a measuring tape that’s been pre-cut and wrap it around your torso, under your bust. The extra strings hanging at its sides are used to find your natural waist as the associate holds them against your sides and asks you to bend towards your left and then your right. Then, you get measured at your widest part in your hips and a few more inches above that, an area I think most gals like to wear their jeans. Amelia was given her two options to try: the Bold and the Demi. I was judged a Slight and Demi curve candidate. Off to the rooms we went!

As it turns out, the jeans are more about fitting and flattering than problem-solving. After several studies done on over 60,000 women, You Ngyuen, the head designer behind this revolutionary new fit system, found that over 80% of women fall into one of these three categories. It’s more about a woman’s shape than her size. The Slight Curve is used for ladies who need a bit more of a defined waist. The Demi Curve suits ladies who can find jeans that fit but don’t flatter their body. The Bold Curve is for the woman who constantly finds herself in a battle with the gap at the back.

Back in the rooms the first pair I tried on were the best fitting. They also happened to be the first pair that Emi handed to me. A Slight Curve jean in the straight-leg really felt good. The only problem was, I didn’t fall in love. I know my body well and I wasn’t happy with the length of the jean on my legs. They made me look shorter when I stand at 5’9 every other day. The bad news is that after about 9 pairs of jeans, I struck out. Amelia on the other hand was quite successful. Though she too went through at least 10 pairs of jeans, the ones that best suited her happened to be the same size I had in the Slight curve, but in the Bold. She had no gapping at the back, the straight-leg flattered her at the hips, through the thighs, and all the way down to her ankle. She of course wound up walking away with a fabulous new pair of jeans and I ended up cursing my own dumb luck that I would have the body type that falls into the left over 20% of women these jeans don’t cater too. I would have been tempted too by that first pair except for that fact that the style I liked, in my size, aren’t made with a longer inseam...yet.

Apparently, there are reviews and “how are we fitting you” cards being exchanged between the heads up top and the hands on the floor all the time. Emi was very candid in letting Amelia and me know that their customer reviews are very important and with this Curve ID system garnering as much buzz as it is, Levi’s has a lot riding on its successes. Happily, most reviews you seek out online are nothing but positive. So far, I’m the only one who didn’t strike gold.

All in all, the experience was completely fantastic. I may not have left with a pair of jeans, but I left knowing that there was an amazing amount of help on the floor, should I need it, and that my comments and criticisms were being escorted to the top of the food chain. Hopefully Levi’s can help you find a new ID for your curves to flatter your shape and forget your size.

~Amanda 

You read that right! Bring in an old pair of jeans to the Levi's store in Union Square and get a FREE pair of Levi's Curve ID.  It's first come fist served, so get there before 10:00 when they open to wait in line.

Images courtesy of Levi's and denimology.com