Men's Fashion: Skinny Jeans Stir Up a Ruckus

It seems not too long ago that large swaths of the fashion community were complaining about the sight of popular men's jeans. They were simply too baggy. Tired of seeing men, especially students and younger guys into the specific clothing of certain subcultures, walking around with increasingly lower pants that exposed boxer shorts and seemed to impede the ability to walk, many people made no secret of their loathing for the clothes items. But jeans are an essential component of the American fashion landscape, and it seems that while denim may go through many manifestations in tune with the times, the basic love of jeans isn't going away any time soon. That staying power is evident in an apparent 180-degree flip recently taken by the men's fashion industry: no longer much interested in the baggy models that have been so popular over the past decade or so, designers and buyers alike seem firmly enamored of the "skinny jeans" trend.
Traditionally limited to the realm of women's fashion, skinny jeans have a tapered leg with a close-fitting ankle, a major departure from the boot-cut and flare designs that are slowly being phased out. While these new skinny jeans arguably present a cleaner look, some models are also presenting their own problems in terms of wearability. Whereas baggy jeans were prone to slipping down and getting too much fabric in the way of walking, skinny jeans can prevent a full range of motion, making some guys say goodbye to their carefree, fence-hopping ways. As the fashion industry buzzes with interest in the new jeans, denim outlets are racing to develop pants that deliver the right look without being too constricting, a balance which often presents a challenge for clothes makers. One popular response has been the creation of jeans in more versatile, stretchable fabric blends.
Observing the change from baggy to tight is certainly amusing, and critics of both styles abound, though of course there are many devotees as well. Our interest? Aside from sharing the pain of having to "break in" our jeans with the other half of the population, we're thrilled about the opportunities that skinny jeans open up for men's accessories. Let's face it --with baggy jeans that trail excessive fabric from the waist down, there's little option left for elaborate jewelry to do its thing. But skinny jeans help create a great canvas for a variety of men's costume jewellery designs, from leather and silver bracelets to complex yet masculine pendants and well beyond. Affording a nice waistline, skinny jeans are also great friends with costume jewellery belt buckles, letting guys get in on a bit of the glam with designs that have just the right amount of sparkle or polish.
As we gear up for fall --one of denim's favorite seasons--, we're sure to see new better-fitting skinny jeans making merry with men's jewelry items that project personality without being tired or boring.

Today's Japanese Fashion Trends

Japanese style has always been wicked. Anime art has had an influence on fashion houses as well as street trends. Lately, the trends have shifted from inspired fashion of Pokemon and Dragon Ball Z, in which individuals wear mitch-matched clothing and over accessorize with stainless steel bracelets, fashion belts and art deco brooches. Today's trends, while resembling animation, inspire feminine looks of 18th century France.
In Tokyo, a group of girls is growing who dress like royalty who have escaped the Rococo era of art. The style icons for this group are figures like Paris Hilton and Marie Antoinette. So just image, young girls walking the streets of Tokyo covered in pink- pink ribbon headbands, crystal brooches and diamond earrings. These girls dress as if they are attending garden tea parties fit for a queen everyday. To find this clothing, they shop at Jesus Diamante. This is a boutique where one can easily spend $1000 on an outfit. Not only do girls of this rising group dress in frilly lace and costume jewellery, but they have the mannerisms and voice to match. Mayumi Yamamoto who is an avid shopper of Diamante speaks in a soft, bubbly voice as she talks about this new fad. Yamamoto takes it one step further, she has decorated her room in rococo style furniture of florals and imitation fabrics of that period.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the new wave of princess girls are better known as hime gyaru. So far this trend has only been executed by girls. It would be nice to see some little princes in the streets of Tokyo. They can wear fitted trouser, mens pendants, men's bangles, and maybe diamond earrings for a modern twist. Since the style seems to transition into a lifestyle for those welling to undertake the extravagance of this new trend, maybe it will bring back chivalry. It is definitely, one of the lost 18th century practices.