At INDi reading style blogs is one of our favorite ways to stay inspired about denim. With the weather getting miler, a lot of our must-read bloggers are rocking their denim jeans with cuffs. Whether paired with a comfy sweater and flats or a fitted blazer and pumps, cuffed jeans can work double duty. Cropped, ankle length pants will be popular once the warm weather really arrives, and cuffing your jeans is an easy way to test the trend before your commit. Any color denim is good for this trend, with the lighter more distressed washes reading as a boyfriend-style jean and the darker washes as more formal.

TOP: Taylor of Sterling Style, Blair of Atlantic-Pacific, Natalie of Like Fresh Laundry
BOTTOM: Karla of Karla’s Closet, Jessica of Bows and Sequins, Krystal of This Time Tomorrow

posted by: Bonnie Coombs on February 21, 2012 at 10:08 am
filed under: Trend Alert | Add a comment
TAGS: skinny jeans, cuffed jeans, boyfriend jeans

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Paris is known as the City of Light and for it’s fabulous fashion. What better place to look for outfit inspiration? Parisians know that denim is chic especially when worn paired with well-planned accessories. Denim worn fitted through the leg for both men and women is a popular and stylish way to contrast bulky scarves and flowing tops. Of course the super trendy flare leg jean also makes an appearance in a city this fashionable.  The overall denim trend in Paris is to keep it fitted and dark; but don’t shy away from the occasional pop of color for a change of pace.

Images from Chictopia

posted by: Bonnie Coombs on January 26, 2012 at 10:57 am
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TAGS: skinny jeans, flare jeans, high waist jeans, rinse jeans

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Did you know skinny pants are over 200 years old? In face the word pants originally referred to a skinny trouser. The first recorded fashionable skinny leg trouser was in men’s fashion of the 1790’s; they were worn high on the waist and then tied at the ankle so they stayed neatly tucked into boots. The style didn’t resurface until the 1950’s when popular celebrities of the era, like Elvis and Marilyn Monroe, started wearing tapered jeans that became very slim at the ankle. The trend continued with the bad-boy rock stars of the 1960’s while Audrey Hepburn made them classy and fashionable for women. A reaction against the bell-bottom jeans worn by hippies in the 1970’s kept the skinny jean popular, though they were referred to as drainpipe jeans at the time. The punk movement even popularized the skinny plaid jean, a precursor to all the bright options we have today. In the 1980’s into the early 90’s the skin-tight jeans of choice often came with stone or acid-washed finishes. With the rise of hip-hop and grunge in popular culture, however, the skinny jean briefly went out of fashion. In the 2000’s skinny jeans once again became popular for all genders, coming in a variety of retro finishes, like acid-wash, and bright colors. Though the skinny jean’s origin is over 2 centuries ago, they remain a popular and comfortable choice no matter what your style. Check out skinny jeans through the ages below:

posted by: Bonnie Coombs on January 24, 2012 at 11:33 am
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TAGS: skinny jeans, high waist jeans, taper jeans

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New Year’s day has come and gone and, by this time, you’re probably already tiring of your resolutions. To keep you on target we thought we’d have some fun with denim plus common resolutions. Whether you promised yourself you’d dress up for work, volunteer, spend more time outside, or finally get the hot body you’ve always dreamed of here’s some style ideas to keep you on track well into 2012.

Dressing Up for Work
Dressing up for work doesn’t have to be hard, just keep a couple classic staples on hand. For work we like a fitted blazer, round-toe pumps and trouser jeans (here in our Kezar black wash) to add a little polish to our day.

Volunteering
When you volunteer you want comfort and to not worry about making a mess. That’s why distressed skinny jeans are the easiest and most practical route to take. Pair them with a dark t-shirt and sensible flats and you’ll be all set to help out.

Outdoor Exercise
So you want to spend more time outdoors. Modern jeans are made with so much stretch, and have such an ability to maintain their shape, that they make a comfortable option for a cold day. Wear them hiking with some sturdy (but cute) boots and a warm top for a fashionable boost to your resolution.

Look Your Best Ever
And (probably) the most common resolution? To finally get the body you’ve always wanted. Since wearing clothes that are too small or too big can make you look up to 10 lbs heavier, INDi custom jeans can help you cheat with this one. By wearing jeans that fit your unique shape you ensure that you’re showing off only your best attributes.

So remember to have fun with whatever resolutions you’ve promised to keep this year, it’ll make them easier!

posted by: Bonnie Coombs on January 11, 2012 at 12:23 pm
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TAGS: skinny jeans, trouser jeans, grey jeans

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All images from Chictopia

It’s getting colder many places and we wanted to check out what is going on in the denim world. Women’s jeans are worn in a wide range of washes, but tend to stick to the leaner, skinny jean look.  A pair we love is our Duboce Skinny 5 Pocket Jean – the distressed grey wash adds an interesting twist to any outfit and works with any color palette. This cut is easier to tuck into boots or pair with booties. No matter your personal style, wintertime is the perfect time to experiment with layering using texture and proportion. Cropped sweaters over a long button up or a suede vest paired with a long-sleeve knit tee are all ways to have fun and stay comfortable.

For the men it’s all about dark wash jeans with a statement piece on top. Our Potrero Classic Straight 5 Pocket Jean fits the bill with a classic dark wash and a tailored, clean fit. Whether they chose a bold color, print, or pattern these stylish guys prove that warm dressing doesn’t have to be boring. Denim makes a great base fabric with which to build a unique outfit, so the only limit is your imagination!

posted by: Bonnie Coombs on December 8, 2011 at 12:59 pm
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TAGS: skinny jeans, boots and jeans

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Tis the season to impress! With the holidays fast approaching, we know finding the perfect thing to wear for every soiree can be a challenge. For gals, of course, you don’t want anything over-the-top yet you certainly don’t want to look underdressed either. A festive cocktail dress is always a safe choice but did you ever consider throwing jeans into the mix? Unlike the wear-once party dress, jeans can be worn many different ways. Pairing them with a few festive elements—lush velvets, rich jewel tones, crisp winter whites or sequined sparkles can give you that sophisticated pop, ideal for the holidays. Don’t worry we’re not forgetting the guys! To look hip in denim this season, choose a classic, un-distressed pair of black denim and pair with a preppy but modern button up. Accessorize with a great watch and some snazzy loafers for a fun twist on holiday dressing. See for yourself what exactly we’re talking about, check out our ideas below:

posted by: Eunice Tanos on December 1, 2011 at 10:44 am
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TAGS: skinny jeans, black jeans, flare jeans, relaxed jeans, men's bootcut jeans

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We are really proud today to reveal the new INDi brand and website, as well as to announce some great new styles and unveil many new product enhancements!  We hope with this complete re-design, we have made it that much easier for every INDIvidual to get top quality, premium custom jeans. Of course, while it should be super easy for our consumers, changes this big take a lot of hard work…  we’ve been working for months to bring you what you see today, and now we want to share with you a little glimpse into that process.

Back in September we had a photo shoot in and around San Francisco with a great crew of models. As you’ll see on the site, we want are aiming to celebrate the diversity of our customers, across both body types and styles, and capturing this was a big part of our focus with the shoot.  Now that the re-launch secret is out, we can finally show you some of our favorite behind-the-scenes shots of the process. Take a peek at what goes into creating a whole new shopping experience and check out our brand new website, http://www.indicustom.com!

posted by: Bonnie Coombs on November 9, 2011 at 11:14 am
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TAGS: skinny jeans, bootcut jeans, flare jeans

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It’s finally starting to feel like Fall since November’s cold front is in full force. This only means that we get to bundle up and wear more jackets, sweaters, scarfs and blazers paired with our jeans. One of our favorite pairings here at INDi is wearing our skinny jeans with a fall essential= boots! We live in them, day-in and day-out, and we’re always on the lookout for the latest styles and greatest ways to wear them. And since there are so many different styles of boots, we felt the need to break it down for you piece by piece. Here, we’ve rounded up some street-style winners to give you inspirational outfits and help you decide what boots to rock your skinnies with this fall.

Lace-up boots can give that rock and roll feel, wear them with a good pair of slim-dark wash jeans to get that tough-girl look, add lots of layers and a pop of unexpected color

Slouchy- Make sure to wear your best fitting skinnys with these boots. With these boots, comfort is key. Try wearing them with jeans and a structured bomber jacket.

Ankle Wedges- always modern and edgy, this boot is favored by many fashion-forward women because they give emphasis on your legs. It creates a slimming effect when you pair them with your skinny jeans. Pair yours with some true basics, making the focus of your outfit on the shoe.

Riding —pretty much any equestrian boots will never go out of style—so if you’re looking for a more classic look, then this is for you. They make your legs longer and leaner, pair yours with a warm sweater and a scarf.

posted by: Eunice Tanos on November 3, 2011 at 9:11 am
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TAGS: skinny jeans, dark wash jeans

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A few weeks ago we started brainstorming (with the help of our Twitter and Facebook friends!) how we could incorporate denim into our Halloween costumes. We got some great ideas and, with Halloween right around the corner, wanted to share them with you! Each of the costumes starts off with one of our basic INDi jeans and dresses them up with clothing items you probably already have laying around or can easily obtain. After all Halloween is about being silly, not stressing about the little details. First up, our take on the iconic Rosie the Riveter. We began with our trouser jeans and paired them with a denim shirt, boots and a bandana to tie over your hair, just flex your muscles and you’re in character!

The next (and probably most obvious) costume is that of a cowgirl/cowboy. Take some distressed skinny jeans and add a plaid button-up, flashy belt buckle and boots and voila! You’re ready to ride.

Another idea for trouser jeans, or any wide leg jean for that matter is the classic sailor look. Just pair a striped top with a scarf tied in a triangle around the neck and pick up a sailor hat from the nearest costume store and you’ve got an instantly recognizable outfit.

Last, and our favorite, is using straight leg jeans to dress up as Waldo. The key here is the rounded black glasses, and with a striped sweater and beanie you’ll also be ready for a cold Halloween!

So these are our ideas for a denim Halloween. What ideas did we miss?

posted by: Bonnie Coombs on October 25, 2011 at 8:47 am
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TAGS: skinny jeans, straight leg jeans, trouser jeans

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So we’ve recently covered denim styles in your 30’s and now, we’re going to give you the rundown on how to create simple yet head turning looks in your twenties. For women in their 20s, there are no set rules or standards. These are the years were you come to your own style-wise, and you don’t necessarily think about whether something is age appropriate or not. When it comes to dressing jeans, we always like to keep things fresh and simple. And since the months of September through October are sometimes hard to gauge weather wise, we are here to offer some 20s slash transitional temperature outfits to pair your jeans with. Check them out below:

Dont be afraid to give your outfit a little splash! Sometimes, all you need is a vibrant top and some skinny jeans, a few indie cool accessories and some awesome boots to prove that your style stripes this fall. We also like the denim on denim look after all, an old standby (like jeans) even if its custom made or not, needs an outfit refresher (like pairing it with a chambray shirt) from time to time.

We hope that you get a little inspired with dressing your jeans from these looks—just make sure to have a little fun with your wardrobe! (and thats even if you’re past your 20’s).

posted by: Eunice Tanos on October 18, 2011 at 11:05 am
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TAGS: skinny jeans, custom jeans, dark jeans

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Today we are traveling to the Midwest to check what they pair their jeans with. Chicago is known as the windy city. Unlike other states where you could still wear sandals when its in the 60’s outside and opt for hoodies instead of actual coats, this simply isn’t going to fly in Chicago’s Fall season. When it comes to what you pair your jeans with, structured coats and boots are the way to go. The trick to dressing for fall temperatures is to not over bundle after all its not winter quite yet.

We’ve put together some Chicago bloggers ( The Style Tribe, See Jane, The Midwestyle, Blonde Bedhead ) to remind us that when it comes to wearing jeans, simple is chic—and yes, it’s possible to keep comfort at the forefront without looking like a bundle of mess. A fun plaid and some dark wash jeans might be all you need to pull one awesome outfit so you could stroll down Millennium Park or check out boutiques and bars at Wicker Park and Bucktown for a day.

posted by: Eunice Tanos on October 11, 2011 at 9:32 am
filed under: Denim inspiration | comments (1)
TAGS: skinny jeans, custom jeans, dark jeans

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Andrea Kerbuski of Blonde Bedhead is the type of blogger you’d want to be friends with in real life. She’s someone who isn’t afraid to show her style; this gal likes to wear upgraded versions of basics (think maxis, tunics, shirt dresses and coats) in vivid hues and fun prints with a vibrant shoe collection to match. Recently, she designed a pair of INDI skinny jeans with embroidered back pockets in our camel/chesnut combo. “Since I live in jeans,” Andrea mentions, “it only made sense to design a versatile everyday pair, naturally a dark wash skinny jean made snug the butt area, but more forgiving in the waist, where I typically have the most problems.”  We think she looks great and we couldn’t agree more. Here, we ask her some questions about her personal style, current inspirations and anything denim related.

1. How would you describe your style?
I’d describe my style as understated, but edgy. I love wearing neutrals, cotton, leather and a crazy heel.

2. Custom denim is a big investment. Any tips for how to wear jeans multiple ways?
I live in jeans and have learned ways to incorporate them into almost any outfit, from work to a nice dinner date. It’s about knowing what kind of jean you feel most comfortable in and investing that one, because then you’ll get more wears out of it. For me, it’s a basic dark wash skinny jean. They can be worn as a part of a comfortable, Sunday outfit with an oversized sweater and boots to a night out with the girls with a platform heel and a lot of jewelry!

3. Chicago is a city of temperature extremes, what items do you think are must-haves to live there?
Because the weather is so extreme, it’s important to have clothing that’s easy to layer. A lot of my clothes can transition into multiple seasons based on how I pair them together. For example, a basic black maxi dress with an open back can be transformed into a fall outfit with a pair of lace up boots and chunky camel sweater thrown over with a felt hat. I buy a lot of my clothing with the question in mind, “how can I wear this during other seasons?” If that question is too difficult to answer, I typically pass on the item.

4. What blogs do you use for style inspiration?
Caroline’s Mode is one of my favorite blogs. I find her minimalist, edgy look very inspirational and she has a great eye for photography. I also love On the Racks. She has such a graceful, feminine look with a bit of edge. She’s always photographed so beautifully in San Francisco.

Check out Andrea’s Fashion & Personal Style Blog, Blonde Bedhead and on Twitter

posted by: Eunice Tanos on October 6, 2011 at 8:20 am
filed under: INDi Success StoryDenim inspiration | comments (1)
TAGS: skinny jeans, dark jeans

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Jeans and sweater weather is arriving! Need a little inspiration to help you get over the end of summer? We browsed lookbook.nu to find some serious denim styling from all over the world:

Click the image for more info

Whether on the streets of Paris or Milan, men favor a more fitted jeans paired with slightly retro feeling clothes. Women’s street style is even more versatile – skinny to wide leg all can be worn this fall. But the one thing all these stylish denim wearers have in common? Their own unique take on how to wear jeans. Obviously, anyone who doesn’t think street style influences major designers should think again!

posted by: Bonnie Coombs on October 4, 2011 at 11:16 am
filed under: Trend Alert | comments (1)
TAGS: skinny jeans, bootcut jeans, wide leg jeans

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Fall is fast approaching so here at INDI we’ve started thinking about how our wardrobes will change. Taking a cue from last fall we wanted to continue wearing light wash, distressed jeans (check out a pair of custom jeans in our vintage with distressing finish?). Inject an element of fun into a pair of straight leg jeans by taking a cue from recent menswear trends, loosely roll the cuff of your jeans above a moccasin or oxford and show off your socks. Paired with a plaid button up or cute tank top and cardigan, this style plays on several recent trends, Americana and menswear, but is most of all it’s comfortable! Another look we’re loving for fall is the 70’s high wasted flare or wide lef jean. Go full on retro chic with a suede jacket and tucked in button up or head towards a softer, more hippie, styling with a loose boho top. Take a look below for some more denim ideas this fall:

Now that you have some ideas, why not try out a pair of custom jeans?

posted by: Bonnie Coombs on September 20, 2011 at 10:07 am
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TAGS: skinny jeans, straight leg jeans, light wash jeans, wide leg jeans

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There was a lot of denim on the runway this past week, here in no particular order, are some of our favorite denim trends:

From left to right - DKNY, Theysken’s Theory, Jenni Kayne

From left to right - Alice + Olivia, Steven Alan, United Bamboo

From left to right - Thakoon, Charlotte Ronson, Vivienne Tam

From left to right - Rebecca Minkoff, Theysken’s Theory, ADAM

And one more random trend we noticed?? Black and white stripe pants popping up all over the place…

From left to right - Tommy Hilfiger, 10 Crosby Derek Lam, Charlotte Ronson

So are any of these trends ones you’ll try?

posted by: Bonnie Coombs on September 15, 2011 at 8:40 am
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TAGS: skinny jeans, trouser jeans, skinny crop

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Katie Holmes has certainly come a long way—in her career, personal life and most importantly, style. From her days as the innocent and lovable Joey Potter in Dawson’s Creek (yes admit it, we know you’ve all seen the show) to the ever-poised, effortlessly stylish, Mrs. Cruise, Katie’s been a regular fixture on our screens for years. And the same goes when she’s out and about wearing denim. We’ve seen this girl rock all of the different denim style—bootcuts, flare jeans, skinnys, probably even jeans from Tom’s closet—you name it, she’s been photographed wearing it. She’s even been dubbed by fashionistas as the one who started the boyfriend jean trend.

To sum it up, we at INDI are taking a look at how Katie’s denim style evolved, piece by piece and year by year. In mid-1990’s Katie played it safe—wearing your classic dark jeans with plain t-shirts but by the turn of the millenium, she started experimenting more by dressing her daily denim up with various pieces like pointed shoes and laced up long sleeves. In 2003, Katie debuted an edgy denim look in the movie Pieces of April .

I guess its safe to say by 2008, Katie’s signature style becomes permanent (and popular). At one point, she’s been spotted wearing different versions of the boyfriend jeans—for three days in a row. She was also seen rocking some wide leg jeans —which is also a trend that’s made a huge comeback in the fall. Fast forward to today, this lady has come full circle by recently stepping out with skinny jeans (we think its her best look yet). We cant wait to see what denim style she’ll bring back next!

posted by: Eunice Tanos on September 13, 2011 at 10:33 am
filed under: Denim 101 | Add a comment
TAGS: skinny jeans, boyfriend jeans, wide leg jeans, flare jeans

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Best friends Charlotte and Caroline stopped by our office to show off their INDI jeans. Charlotte wore her rinse bootcut jeans perfectly paired with wedges while Caroline tucked her dark indigo with subtle sanding skinnys into a pair of booties. While both girls have their own unique takes on personal style, one thing they can agree on is the importance of fit. Custom jeans have enabled them to escape common problems like waist gape and inseam length and just own a perfectly fitting pair of jeans!

Charlotte is wearing her SOMA bootcut and Caroline is wearing her SOMA skinny

When asked about running the show at INDI both girls wanted to be designers, Caroline designing new pairs of jeans and looks and Charlotte adding brightly colored denim to our lineup. Charlotte’s take on style is all about individuality, in her words, “Don’t try and imitate anyone else. Wear the colors, textures, styles and pieces that you love, regardless of what’s current.” We had a lot of fun hanging out with both these stylish ladies, don’t they look great in their custom jeans?

Also, be sure to check out Charlotte’s healthy beauty blog Freckles to Toes!

posted by: Bonnie Coombs on August 18, 2011 at 8:42 am
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TAGS: skinny jeans, bootcut jeans

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Denim jeans originated in our hometown of San Francisco, but now they’re worn (stylishly!) all over the globe. It’s getting towards late summer, so we wanted to round up some of our favorite international looks for denim inspiration this fall. Whether they hail from the UK, Paris, or Manila these fashionable guys and gals share one thing, a love for denim. Here are few of our favorites:

All photos are from lookbook.nu. Click the photos for more information.

In a dark or light wash, with or without holes, skinny or wide leg, the diversity of these looks proves that when it comes to denim style, you can wear it all! So this fall, what style jeans will you be wearing?

posted by: Bonnie Coombs on August 16, 2011 at 10:43 am
filed under: Denim inspiration | comments (1)
TAGS: skinny jeans, cuffed jeans, wide leg jeans

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You know those nights you thought you were staying home only to get a phone call/text message telling you to be ready to go out in a matter of minutes? Here are some suggestions for quick fixes to the last minute how-do-I-make-my-jeans-and-t-shirt-dressy dilemma:

Add a scarf. Nothing adds color and finishes a look better; worn over a plain shirt with some simple jeans this will make an outfit pop.

Ditch the flip flops. Pull on a pair of riding boots for cooler temps or a pair of wedges when the weather is warm. If you can’t decide just opt for a pair of booties! A nice pair of shoes goes a long way to adding to an outfit.

Accessorize! Just like a scarf, some nice statement jewelry makes your simple basics look like a backdrop instead of boring.

So what are your thoughts, do you have any go-to secrets to take your jeans from plain to stylish?

posted by: Bonnie Coombs on August 11, 2011 at 11:24 am
filed under: Denim 101 | comments (2)
TAGS: skinny jeans

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This time of year it’s hot outside, not exactly ideal jeans weather (unless they’ve become cut off shorts!) But since the cities in the Pacific Northwest tend to stay a little cooler, if you’re traveling to Seattle, jeans are a must!

Seattle has a lot of stylish guys and girls showing us how to layer just right for the variable weather, here’s a few of our favorite denim looks:

Images from It’s My Darlin, lookbook.nu, and Chictopia

Whether trekking to the top of the Space Needle to enjoy the view, or watching the orcas in Puget Sound denim style in Seattle is all about casual comfort and layers. One go to style is a looser, light wash jean cuffed over some boots or great sneakers, the perfect combination of casual fashion sense. We also love the loose knit tops and big scarves layered for warmth for the evening and the crisp white shirts paired with jeans for the day. Here’s how we would style our INDI jeans, inspired by our fashionable neighbors up north in Seattle:

Images from Polyvore

To start, we would cuff our vintage wash straight leg INDI jeans with fun socks and lace up moccasin booties. On top we chose a loose button up with a big scarf and, of course, a fitted jacket to keep us warm once the sun sets. Suffice to say, it may be too hot in the summertime some places, but if you’re headed to the Pacific Northwest make sure to pack some jeans!

posted by: Bonnie Coombs on August 9, 2011 at 8:12 am
filed under: Misc Musings | Add a comment
TAGS: skinny jeans, straight leg jeans

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