James Jeans

THE STORY:

L.A. clothing designer Seun Lim created these slimming jeans last year by eschewing trendy topstiching and concentrating on the manipulation of subtle details to present a leaner, meaner silhouette.

HOW THEY FIT:

Two words: short and slender. Inseam length varies from 32-33". Much like the Blue Cult buttlifters, James Preserved's rear pockets are positioned high and on-angle to raise and shrink the backside. Cut corners created an added sense of lift. Whiskering is confined to the area around the fly, drawing in and narrowing the hips. Thigh highlights are lowered toward the knee to lengthen the lower legs and overall height.

FALL 2004

James Preserved has four washes, each of which is applied to different denims with differing degrees of stretch. These denims are then cut into either of two styles. By looking at how the wash and then the cut fits, you can pick the perfect pair of jeans.

WASHES

Light Soil is a light blue wash on a rigid (non-stretch), raw, heavy denim that's perfect for Fall/Winter. This denim is more durable, fits straighter, and will retain its shape longer. Because of its weight, it is cut wider through the thigh.

The Dark Fusion is also a rigid, durable denim that holds its shape well, but it is softer than the Light Soil. The wash is darker and dirtier. The Grey Swan wash is on a cotton/Lycra blended denim for a more elastic, softer fit. This "faux rigid" denim gives the structured look of Light Soil or Dark Fusion, but adds stretch for a cozier, more forgiving fit. The Dark Emily is James Preserved's lightest, softest denim. A hint of Lycra lets these jeans stretch the most because of the light weight.

CUTS

Both cuts feature designer Seun Lim's signature slash-corner pockets and strategic fading that lengthen the leg, lift the butt, and make you look slimmer and trimmer in comfort.

The James Original 5 Pocket is hugely popular. Fits straight through the waist, hip, and thigh with a bootcut legging. The waistband is shaped higher in the rear for better coverage and comfort. Long inseams accommodate taller sizes. Ideal for a slender figure due to stretch and slim cut, it will also accommodate a hippier girl thanks to a wider, pinchless waistband that doesn't contour inward.

The Jack cut comes in Light Soil, Grey Swan, and Dark Emily. While the overall fit is similar to the 5 Pocket, Jack has a lower rise for more of a hip-hugger fit. Jack also boasts stylized patch pockets which has a slimming effect on curvier hips. The shape and angle of these front pockets helps lengthen the legs.

resource: NY Times