Sharon Mosley: Chase those blues away with new denim - Huntington Herald Dispatch

For many of us, denim is the backbone of our wardrobe. But if you've done the "jeans and jacket" thing for the past few years, this fall is the time to chase away those denim blues and rethink some new ways to style those old favorites. Here are some tips to get you started:

Get the skinny on skinny jeans: Straight-leg jeans are still one of the most popular silhouettes, and chances are you've got a few pairs in your closet already. If you've been a fan of leggings, then the skinny jean is a great place to jump off. There are plenty of jeans with built-in stretch to mimic the comfort of knits but give you the cool factor of wearing denim. The cropped, cuffed slim jean is one of the newest ways to style skinny jeans this fall.

Say hi to Mom: The high-waisted "Mom" jean has returned to chic circles once again, and let's face it ... they're comfortable. With the return of the belt as one of fashion's latest accessories, these high-rise jeans show off cinched in waists and complement the return of the tucked-in top. Style these jeans with a silky bow blouse to wear to the office and an off-the-shoulder bodysuit for cocktails.

Send out a distress signal. The ripped and rumpled look is just as popular as ever, even though some of us may not embrace all of this trend's "holey" staying power, especially in winter weather when chilly breezes may not be so welcome. The deconstruction of denim this fall may best be styled with a frayed hem or a patched knee. Think like a rock star and pair distressed jeans with a colorful fuzzy fur jacket.

Get that vintage charm. Remember those old Levi's you lived in for years and hated to let go? Now you can get the "old" classics reinterpreted in contemporary designs from companies like Re/Done thanks to a new collection inspired by supermodel Cindy Crawford. (shopredone.com) And if you need a new denim jacket, then think big. The newest way to style this favorite is to keep it roomy and oversized, maybe with a few raw edges. Wear it with a short black leather skirt or leather leggings.

Take a shine to metallic. If you're tired of the tried-and-true indigo washes, whether it's dark or light, then this is a great time to light up your legs with shimmering metallic finishes. In glistening patterned foil overlays, these new denim pieces are going glamorous for fall in gunmetal and black - an instant way to update your party wardrobe. Add a velvet tank top and you're set.

Shake it up with shoes. If you don't do anything else this fall to recharge your denim duds, you can always fast forward the footwear. Super skinny jeans are vamped up with over-the-knee boots, cropped flares show off ankle shooties and every pair of jeans will feel a style redo when teamed with kitten heels or a pair of flat mules.

Find the right fit. And last, but not the least you can do to reinvigorate your denim wardrobe is to find the pair of jeans that shapes up to fit you in all the right places. Retailers have made this process so much easier. Jeans are categorized into skinny, super skinny, bootcut, flared, high-rise, ankle cropped, etc. It may mean spending a few hours in a dressing room trying on several options, or taking advantage of an online virtual reality check, but once you've found the "perfect" pair of jeans, you can "style" them any way you want and chase those moody blues away.

To find out more about Sharon Mosley, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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