10 REASONS TO GET EXCITED ABOUT DENIM AGAIN

1. ACID WASH

Ever since Balmain’s Christophe Decarnin filled his spring ‘09 runway collection with bleached out jeans, the 80s retro look has never felt fresher.
FLARE PICK: JBrand “Thrasher” acid wash jeans, $298. At Over the Rainbow, and Mendocino stores.

2. GAP’S 1969 PREMIUM JEANS COLLECTION

Leave it to Patrick Robinson to take Gap’s ever-evolving jeans to another level with a freshly re-imagined look that just hit stores. The classic blues have been reworked, restyled, re-jigged, right down to the zippers and thread. The result? Super soft denim, amazing fits and über-trendy styles that rival other hip (read: expensive) labels – and all under $89.50!
FLARE PICK: The Boyfriend, the slouchy new shape.

3. DISTRESSED JEANS

Nothing is more comfortable than a pair of beat-up and thoroughly lived in jeans. Now, you can find the ravaged look right off the rack just like Rihanna’s.
FLARE PICK: Current/Elliot shredded skinny jeans, $234. At TNT and select Holt Renfrew locations.

4. CANADIAN DENIM DESIGNERS

Believe it or not, there are some unbelievable homegrown labels that are taking the denim market by storm. Vancouver-based Fidelity Denim (left) and Naked & Famous (middle) and Guido & Mary (both out of Montreal) all boast figure-flattering cuts, directional designs and piggy-bank friendly prices. Oh Canada indeed!

5. DENIM CUTOFFS

Think cut-offs are just for the beach? Take your styles cues from model Agyness Deyn – looking flawless in a hi-low mix of Chanel and Levi’s – showing how your go-to summer staple can look uptown when paired with pretty flats and a polished top. Best of all, you can still sport them in the fall with leggings.
FLARE PICK: Blank rolled up jean shorts, $88. Blanknyc.com.

6. EVA MENDES’S NEW BOOTY-LIFTING JEANS

Sexy starlet Eva Mendes knows that when it comes to denim, the most important view is from behind. No wonder then that Calvin Klein Jeans chose her to help launch their new Body Collection. The $100 jeans boast a curve back yoke and pockets designed for a perfectly contoured fit (read: instant butt lift), a stretch waist band that eliminates gaping and panty previews, and forward-facing side seams that make you looks slimmer through the thighs.

7. CHEAP JEANS

Still swooning over designer jeans but feeling the pinch in your bank account? Well cult denim label Rock & Republic (Beyoncé is a fan) has come to the rescue in a fashionably frugal way. The new Recession Collection has denim washes with fun names like Spend and Stimulus and the prices have been slashed to just over $200. The Berlin skinnies (above) retail for $235.

8. JEGGINGS

Jeans + Leggings = Jeggings. Style maven Sienna Miller has been sporting the new hybrid style and we think they’re the perfect alternative to your tired skinnies.
FLARE PICK: Charley 5.0 leggings, $158. Intermixonline.com.

9. EMBELLISHED JEANS

Denim goes downtown with edgy accents. Miss Sixty’s runway look is slick but for a more wearable look try just a smattering of studs.
FLARE Pick: Current/Elliot studded jeans, $280. At TNT and select Holt Renfrew locations.

10. DENIM ACCESSORIES

Jeans go the extra mile with denim accessories a la Lanvin.
FLARE PICKS: Chanel sunglasses, Alexander Wang bag, and Diesel booties.

Photos: Beyonce. Rihanna (Startraks Photo), Anthea Simms (Agyness Deyn, Balmain and Miss Sixty runway)

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