When it comes to pants ladies you’ve got plenty of options, particularly in the denim department. (There’s also chambray which is a lighter option that is often seen in maxi dresses, wide legged pants, tunics, and oxfords.) So now I present to you the vintage, classic, new and improved styles of the coming season. One word: flare. Remember in the mid 90’s when suddenly everyone was wearing denim that looked like Cher’s and it lasted for almost a decade? Well good news, it’s back with a rocking, ripping and raw selvage edged vengeance! It’s an extra perk especially for muslimah’s (and anyone else) whose gams are a bit tired of constraint in their capricious skinnies and straight legs! Flares give the best of both worlds; tailored fit (depending on the brand/cut) and the wide legged appeal of disco dancing in studio 54, well the Halaalywood version! Some of the top designers and brands offering this trendy favorite are: J Brand (which are worth the splurge and are of excellent durable quality), Levi’s (a more affordable and classic brand), Madewell (the name says it all), Victoria Beckham (Royal London Denim), MIH, GAP, and True Religion!

In other areas of fit and cut, there are new and improved straight legged and skinny jeans! Oh yeah, perfect for the “halalified” summer dress, breezy silk tunic or drapey cardigan. New styles of the spring and summer are more graphic prints, I know we’ve seen the brighter colors from last year, but this year promises to be less futuristic and instead more minimalist and vintage! Yay, for the girls who love the “tried and true” blue jeans. There are hues of deep indigo, the retro stone washed blue is back also, whiskering and creasing, but without those greasy slick “I-worked-on-a-car-in-this-to-look-cool” marks from years before. The focus is on the denim itself, the weight, the saturation of color, fit and the subtle prints. Check out jeans from J.Crew, Cheap Monday, Current Elliott, Rag & Bone and Free People. Also last but not least, personal non-promotional plug: my absolute favorite line of denim in the entire world comes from Nudie Jeans! Don’t hate on the name until you slip them on! (There will be another post on that denim love coming later!)

Finally some of the new vintage throwbacks are resurfacing on the runway and on the street! I will say, it’s not for everyone! There are limitations to this look, however it’s probably and possibly age, but I’ll let you be the judge! The elementary school favorite overalls is back with a stylish flair, promising to give you more street cred than the kid with a Lisa Frank pencil box in class! Check out some of the latest overalls, jumpsuits and coveralls at J.Crew, Blank Denim, Paul & Joe Sister, Frame Denim and your local Goodwill’s, Thrift Shops (hey Macklemore did it) and yard sales!

One thing that I do believe is absolutely essential to any wardrobe, lady or gent, is a classic denim jacket or two! Levi’s of course makes amazing ones and they’ve been an American classic for decades! The classic, boxy, loose cut is back and the sinuous svelte cuts and jean blazers are starting to disappear for a while. Don’t throw them out, just save them for the next two years! Here are few top picks: Theysken’s Theory, Leur Logette, DL 1961, and Vince Denim. If you’re really into high end couture check out Balmain’s denim…anything! It’s stunning and impeccable in design. But again I suggest that you check a consignment shop, eBay, a vintage haberdashery or even your mom’s closet first and see if you can find one to sport! It may be better looking than what’s in the stores right now!

Stay tuned for more styling tips, finds and fashionable adventures insha’allah.
-MalikaB