photography courtesy of MiH

I don’t wear jeans often. I find them uncomfortable: itchy, stiff, unforgiving, tight. (Save for my one pair of old Levi’s skinnies that I wear a couple times a month when my black cigarette pants are dirty. Like today.)

Then I was told a pair of MiH jeans would change my mind… by the brand’s reps. I’ve heard that line before.

Magic jeans: The Skinny Marrakesh in Joplin

But something kind of magical has happened. MiH sent over a pair of their cult-favorite Marrakesh jean in the updated skinnier leg flare (yes, a free pair of jeans is magic in itself), and I am in love. They’re so comfortable that after trying them on, I checked the label to make sure I hadn’t received the pair of PajamaJeans I had ordered. Kidding. I didn’t order those. They are cozy like sweatpants, but flattering in the way only expensive designer denim seems to be. I went with the Joplin wash, which offers a particularly soft fabric, but each pair of Marrakesh jeans comes in a stretchy fit. The Skinny Marrakesh ($205) sits at a mid-rise position and is cut to elongate the leg. It’s like the name says: Made in Heaven. Sold at Elements and The Blues Jean Bar. Don’t miss the less traditional spring/summer 2013 looks including bright, tri-colored skinnies, bleach-on-black cropped ankle legs, and even dainty scalloped shorts in sweet yellow and sky blue.

A look from Madewell spring 2013 (photography courtesy of Madewell)

I wish Fort Worth didn’t feel quite so far. Like, if I could just grab a rope and pull it closer by just 20 minutes or so. (Then I would hit up Beehive more often for under-$75 favorites.) Also, I would love a standalone Madewell, like the one University Drive is getting on Wednesday, the 23rd. Hit up the store from 10 am to 8 pm for Texas map tote bags (which are actually pretty cool–click here and zoom in), drinks, sweets, and the chance to win one of the $20 gift cards being handed out throughout the day. 1604 S. University Drive, Ste. 502, Fort Worth

Visit the boutique today and tomorrow to peruse the line with brand specialists who can put you in the perfect pair. If you’re free tomorrow, from 3 pm to 6 pm, make that your scheduled stop; the store will be serving cocktails.

Where: Elements
When: Thursday, September 27 (today) and Friday, September 28 (tomorrow)

lou lou’s 3rd Annual Summer Blowout Sale: Shoe lovers will swoon over the store-wide sale happening at lou lou this weekend. If you stop in today, you’ll receive a staggering 50% off of your favorite pair, but by the sale’s end on Saturday that escalates to 60%. Make sure to shop early for the best selection.

H&M Swimsuit sale: Summer is raging on, and it doesn’t seem to be ending any time soon. So, until August 1, H&M is helping you beat the Texas heatwave with savings on swimwear. It’s a buy-one-get-one deal with suits starting at just $4.95. Come by and save on prints, neons, and daring monokinis before your next beach outing.

Jean Party at Flirt: This Friday and Saturday, let Flirt Boutique and Blues Jean Bar help you find your perfect pair. Fit experts will make sure you leave with denim you love, and there’s plenty of swimsuits and summer apparel to shop as well.

Kelly Belter is a shopping intern.

Summer styles from Bleulab Denim: cutoff shorts in blue and bronze coating, left, and Detour legging in cheetah print with aqua pearl coating (photography courtesy of Bleulab Denim)

Women are notorious for overpacking. Luckily for us, there’s a way to save on luggage space while keeping all of our options open. The answer? Bleulab’s reversible denim.

Bleulab founder Carl Jones discovered a way to pack style, versatility, and comfort into one intricately tailored jean. It works like this: a special fabric allows each side to look completely different in a single wash. Then, all seams, pockets and loops are sewn to align perfectly, creating a jean that’s literally two looks in one. This makes switching up your outfit simpler than ever. Switch faded indigo for metallic cobalt blue, or turn acid-washed violet into ombre skinnies with one flip. It’s almost too easy.

Among the summer collection you’ll find brights, prints, and classic washes. (Two options per pair, of course.) When you’re ready for fall colors, explore the chocolate brown, military green, and leather-like black, all in the mix. Bleulab is available all over Dallas. Shop a pair for yourself at Nordstrom, The Blue Jeans Bar, Melanie Gayle, Tootsies, Elements or Neiman Marcus.

Kelly Belter is a shopping intern.

The spring collection is made of pastels in skinny legs and bell bottoms.

REUSE Jeans opened two weeks ago at the Shops at Park Lane. When I received the press release for REUSE, it spoke of eco-friendly fabrics and sustainable apparel. I was skeptical. I do not care for the Shops at Park Lane. And, save for Whole Foods, nothing about Park Lane is particularly planet conscious. But I’m past all of this now having visited the store last night. Every Thursday night, REUSE serves champagne so it was the obvious choice of weeknights to go. Four of us girls headed over to check out the shop.

The jeans here are recycled. (Before you crinkle up your nose, we’re not talking about pre-owned jeans.) The material itself is recycled. Scraps of discarded denim are cleaned, broken down back into original cotton, mixed with fresh cotton and spandex (for a stretchy fit), and reworked into new pairs of skinny jeans, low-rise flares, mid-rise bell bottoms, and more. The color selection is extra special. Each season, a collection of hues is released. (The spring 2012 pastels above come in skinnies and flares. The jewel tones from fall, below, are available in skinny legs.)

The fall collection. (photography courtesy of REUSE Jeans)

We were encouraged to try the jeans on to truly experience them. I kept myself busy snapping photos while the rest of my team hit the dressing rooms. (I typically find jeans uncomfortable, and I wasn’t interested in rediscovering my size.) When my three friends kept emerging in different colors, oohing and aahing about their cute butts and comfortable wear, I considered changing my mind. When I found out you have to go down a size in these jeans, I caved. Then I was hooked. My friend without a rear end suddenly had a perky hiney. No one had a muffin top. And most of all, we were comfy. “I could wear these to yoga,” one said. Prices are pleasantly surprising at $95 for women, $125 for men. Your turn to hit the dressing room.

HEAD IN RIGHT NOW AND ALL JEANS ARE BUY ONE, GET ONE 50% OFF.