As we get into January it’s easy to give up on style. The holiday parties are over, the days are cold and gray, being comfortable and warm become the only priorities. But believe it or not, if you keep a few key accessories around, spicing up your wardrobe can be done in the amount of time it takes for your car to warm up. Here are some sets we made with indi jeans on Polyvore to illustrate just how easy it is to stay fashionable without sacrificing comfort through all these cold days. Starting with the basic after the holidays jeans and do-I-look-thin-in-this-black-shirt here are some ideas to help you get through till spring.
Rather than settle for your classic black or navy (or charcoal gray etc.) peacoat, opt for something with a little more flair. There are so many options out there in every price range, it’s easy to add some fun to your errand runs with a statement coat to chase away the winter blues.
But once you get to your (hopefully warm) destination, wearing a bold piece layered over your black shirt will keep you looking put together. Choose an accessory you are comfortable wearing that also makes a strong statement. Whether it is a printed wrap or a waist defining belt with fun detailing, accessories can instantly up your style factor.
Don’t limit your creativity to the ideas listed here. These are just a few examples to get you back into your style groove. Mix things up with some jeweled or feathered headbands, or a boldly detailed handbag. So don’t surrender to winter, experiment with layers and have fun with eye-catching and colorful pieces!
How do you keep your style going in the winter months?
posted by: Bonnie on January 18, 2011 at 3:18 pm
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Raw denim is defined as a denim fabric that has not been washed at the end of production. This means that raw denim is stiff and has no distressing. Over time the dye will wear naturally in the raw denim and you will get a unique pair of jeans reflecting your lifestyle and daily activities. The most common places raw denim fades is the upper thigh, where “whiskers” form, and behind the knees. Raw denim is considered by denim enthusiasts to be a more unique look than pre-worn, factory denim.
Another key to raw denim is not washing them for at least the first six months (some committed denim heads go even longer!). The reasoning behind not washing your raw denim is that you want to keep the unwashed starchiness of the jeans for as long as possible, so your creases and distressing continue to set. Once you wash your raw denim, it will take longer for the creasing and abrasion to become permanent.
Left: Pure Raw Denim that hasn’t been washed or worn. Right:Raw Denim that’s faded over time
Also, washing will cause the raw denim to be more uniform in color, as opposed to having very distinct distressing. In addition, raw denim shrinks drastically if not washed and dried properly (up to two sizes!), so keep this in mind when cleaning your raw denim. Since raw denim is not washed very often, some tricks to keeping them fresh include putting them in the freezer over night or hanging them up in the bathroom when you shower, to steam the raw denim without affecting the color.This may sound a little extreme for one pair of jeans but raw denim wearers will tell you that it’s worth it.
And once you think you’ve accumulated enough time (lots of it) and achieved fading in all the right places (or you can no longer bare the smell that comes from not washing your raw denim) then by all means, wash with caution. Soaking your raw denim inside out with a tub full of lukewarm water and a splash of laundry detergent then letting them air dry will do just fine.
Raw denim jeans will fit you perfectly and reflect your daily life; they will be uniquely yours. At indi, we are excited to now offer raw denim as a fabric option for men. Get a perfect fitting pair of raw denim at indi, then watch them become even more uniquely yours with each wear.
posted by: Bonnie on January 12, 2011 at 10:07 am
filed under:Happenings at indiDenim
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With the beginning of 2011, we should all take a moment and reflect back on 2010 denim trends—both good and bad. To give you a quick recap, we’ve compiled a list of denim worthy moments…some we think are inspiring, some we think are intriguing and some will keep us coming back for more.
Expanding our Denim Horizons
The best trend by far this year would be the look that flatters your body the best. In the 2010 denim world, anything goes as long as it works for your body—skinny jeans, flare jeans, boot-cut jeans, trouser, etc. This notion prompted many denim brands to introduce various jean options after realizing that every body is different and not every style is intended to fit everyone. An influx of petite and tall options for women also have popped up at larger retailers like Gap and Banana Republic.
Of course, this isn’t anything groundbreaking. In fact, some of us have known this for quite some time. As you know, we’ve made it our philosophy to create jeans that are made to work for your body. And it’s nice to know that some brands are catching on to this philosophy by finally creating more sizes and more styles for everyone.
Another big trend this year was printed denim, which certainly expanded everyone’s denim horizons to include animal prints, flower prints, you name it. Not flattering for most, but certainly a trend worth mentioning.
The Big Comebacks
Everyone loves a comeback story. Some denim trends that were left behind in the past have made their big comebacks in 2010. Denim trends in the past are not always bad—some just need to be updated in order to look fresh and modern. Case in point: the denim on denim look. By wearing distinctly different denim top and denim bottom, you can create a classic American style that looks put together without trying too hard. Cargo jeans are also another big comeback this year. This time around however, the cargos are skinny, not baggy and wide, with smaller pockets on each side for a more feminine silhouette.
Which is not to say, of course, that wide leg jeans didn’t make their very own come back. Wide-leg jeans, from low to high rises, was a huge 2010 denim trend as well.
Odd Denim Sightings
During the winter Olympics past February, the US snowboarding team was spotted crossing the finish line wearing denim jeans! This is definitely an odd place to wear jeans but its presence in sports, especially snowboarding, has only cranked up the denim’s cool factor.
And finally, in the era of the snuggie where comfort rules, someone invented jeans that are supposedly made for comfort…in this case, maybe a little too much comfort. The “pajama jeans” are made out of cotton and spandex, but was designed to look like jeans and of course, feel like sweat pants. Everyone loves clothes that are comfortable but when your jeans start resembling sweat pants, we doubt that you’re actually making a conscious effort to look nice so we should draw the line here people and leave this trend behind.
Whatever caught your attention in 2010, we know that this New Year will bring more note-worthy moments in the denim realm and we’ll be here, waiting to write about it. With that said, Happy 2011 Denim Lovers!
posted by: eunice on December 30, 2010 at 2:28 pm
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We mentioned them a while back…but now they are becoming a reality! The NEW WASHES are here in the office! All of us here at indi are now busy taking photos and getting ready to revamp our jean builder to reflect all the cool new options. After many months of development, we’re proud to give you a sneak peak of our final washes below:
In addition to new washes, we’ve simplified the denim design process for you. The first step, choosing the fabric, will now include several different washes and distressing options combined with your fabric choice. You’ll also be able to see an entire jean in your fabric and wash selection, giving you a better idea of how your finished jeans will look throughout the design process. And, based partially on popular demand, we’ve now added the choice between gold or charcoal as your thread color to give you more customization options.
And listen up men: we’re really excited to add raw denim to the fabric options list for men. Raw denim means the fabric was not washed after production. This leaves the fabric very rigid and dark. Since there is no pre-wear on raw jeans, over time the denim will wear and become personal to you and your lifestyle. Many of our male customers have been requesting a raw option, and we think you’ll love our new raw denim.
So take a peek at the new washes and make sure to check back soon to design your own pair of indiCustom jeans in our brand new washes!
posted by: evan on December 15, 2010 at 6:36 pm
filed under:Happenings at indiDenim
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Shopping online has become an increasingly popular way to buy presents, especially during the holidays (personally I love the mall this time of year, but I know most people would think I’m crazy!) According to IBM Coremetrics, online sales for 2010 were up 15% over Black Friday 2009 and 19% over Cyber Monday 2009. Bottom line: shoppers are choosing spend their dollars, even on traditional in-store retail days, online.
So what are the benefits of buying online?
1. Convenience. One of the obvious benefits of online shopping is convenience. No lines, no driving, no waiting. Also, what about lugging all of those heavy packages for friends and family? Rather than pay the extra baggage fees on the airline, shop online (especially at retailers like us that include Free US shipping…) and get gifts mailed to your holiday destination. They’ll be there waiting, ready to gift wrap
2. A wider variety. Who wants to hear that the perfect gift they found in-store is “out of stock”? Online shopping gives you access to a wider variety of gifts all within the comfort of your own home. And, at custom retailers like indi, ““out of stock” doesn’t exist: we make every order from scratch.
3. No sales tax. Guess what? If you live outside of the state in which an online store is based, you get to skip sales tax altogether. Hooray!
4. Comparison Shopping. Lugging between stores to look for the best price is a drag. It’s hard enough to do shopping in-stores in the first place. Online you can compare prices of a single product across multiple sites. Remember to shop around!
5. Deals, Deals, Deals. One of the biggest reasons for an increase in online spending this holiday season are online deals, especially amidst the group buying sites like Groupon and Gilt offering as much as 70% off designer goods (much better than any store deal).
At indi, we’re offering a FREE fit kit with every gift card this holiday season (see below), which includes a personalized gift card in any amount, a measuring tape, and a variety of swatches of our different denims or shirt fabrics all packaged in an adorable holiday case, perfect for gift giving or stashing under the tree.
6. Returns/Exchanges. Many brick and mortar stores have rigid holiday return policies, and even the ones with good policies are a hassle. After the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, who wants to take all of their gifts back to stores? At indi, which is pretty rare for custom retailers, we adhere to a 100% satisfaction guarantee, allowing customers to exchange their purchase for any reason and re-order online.
7. Shop alone. Avoid the pushy store clerks, relentless mall vendors, and friends and family that can distract you from the task at hand. In the comfort of your own home, the most aggressive attacks you’ll have to avoid are pop-up ads (just click X. You’ll be ok).
So remember to get the best out of your holiday shopping this season, and look online first. Happy Holidays!
posted by: evan on December 9, 2010 at 11:00 am
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In cities all over the world, the Americana trend is taking off. Americana is defined as a collection of “books, papers, maps, etc., relating to America, esp. to its history, culture, and geography.” (Random House Dictionary 2010). More and more current trends are reflecting this nostalgic feel, a “Depression-era” aesthetic with workwear and military influences. Also the fashion pendulum is swinging back, after several years of dark washes, fashionistas are returning to the medium to light wash. While dark denim, with its body flattering properties, will never be out of style, lighter denim in a modern cut is one simple way to update your wardrobe without breaking the bank. We made some sets on Polyvore to illustrate some ideas on how to wear both trends, without looking like you stepped out of history!
Pair these light wash jeans with a plaid shirt and lace up boots and you’ve got an all-American look for winter that’s simple and, while on trend this year, will remain a classic look.
For cold days a Fair-Isle sweater, one with a colorful geometric design named for one of the Shetland Islands in Scotland, is a piece that will be right at home with the vintage country trends for this winter. This design was first popularized back in the 1920s when it was worn by the Duke of Windsor. Since you probably aren’t going for the great-grandfather look the key is to keep the vintage silhouette slim. Make sure that either the jeans or your top (or both!) are body-conscious to keep the look modern.
Elbow patches on sweaters, jackets or shirts are also a workwear trend that is resurfacing. These patches were originally worn to extend the life of clothing after the elbows wore out (or preemptively sewed on to prevent this occurrence). Adding this small detail is a fun way to try out the trend without taking it too far.
Here at indi, we love all things denim. Well, we love denim jeans, and denim/chambray shirts, denim skirts and the well-styled denim vest or jacket. But even we draw the line sometimes - not all things were meant to be given the denim treatment. So we present a list of the 5 denim trends not to adopt, in no particular order.
1. Denim Boots. Yes, denim is a comfortable, versatile material, but that doesn’t always translate to stylish, especially when you turn it into footwear.
2. Denim Gown. Denim can be dressed up, a dark wash paired with a feminine blouse and blazer and some killer heels will always be in style. Even a flirty little denim dress paired with the right accessories can look great. But a denim ball gown? This might be the perfect example of a good idea taken too far.
3. Denim Romper. I know I know! There’s plenty of fashionable gals out there who look great in denim rompers. But maybe not denim rompers with cutouts, strange buttons and flaps as well as an oddly light, distressed wash. Erin Wasson we love you. But this design? Not so much.
4. Winkers. Maybe you’ve seen these posted else where…they’re the jeans that “make your butt wink when you walk.” Is there really anything else to say?
5. Knee-less jeans. And last but not least, these monstrosities. Yes, distressed denim is in, but the complete removal of a crucial part of the pants leaving only the inseam and outseam to hold them together seems like overkill.
For those who knew the above information, I hope you were amused. For those of you that are cleaning out your closet, I hope you feel better informed. Try your hand at designing a pair of custom jeans that won’t scare anyone (including yourself!) at indi next time, ok?
posted by: evan on November 18, 2010 at 10:53 am
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denim,
denim disasters
We’ve got some really exciting news for you: now you can shop custom shirts and custom jeans all at the same site!
You’ve probably noticed that the URL above has changed to indiCustom.com, which is our new home. You may also know that we sold shirts at indiTailored.com. Now indiDenim and indiTailored have merged into indiCustom, allowing you to shop custom jeans and shirts under the same domain.
So why did we make this change? As a premium retailer of custom products, we are expanding our offerings (ladies, get excited). While indi’s core products, our men’s shirts and custom jeans, still remain the same (your past orders, the shopping experience, etc.), soon we will offer a wider variety of products to choose from. You’ll be able to build upon your custom patterns and experience with us to shop more custom products that fit your body perfectly.
Welcome to the new indi!
posted by: evan on November 16, 2010 at 12:10 pm
filed under:Happenings at indiDenim
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