Jeans originated as work pants in the 1850′s, but the patent for jeans with copper rivets was filed in 1873. Dry goods merchant Levi Strauss went into business with tailor Jacob Davis; Strauss had been selling the jeans, but Davis noticed how easily certain areas of the pants wore out and came up with the rivet idea.

Jeans didn’t become popular as casual wear until the 1950′s, when James Dean wore the jeans of a generation in Rebel Without a Cause. Prior to that, photographs indicate that jeans were looser-fit, more like overalls without a top part, and meant for work. Soon enough, they were designed for a better fit and a more fashionable set of uses. Prior to the 1960′s, women’s jeans usually had a zipper down the side rather than down the front.

A New York boutique called Limbo first came up with the idea of pre-washed, worn-looking jeans in 1965. In the 1970′s, the technique known as “stone-washing” was born, and throughout the 1980′s and 1990′s, jeans became an absolute wardrobe staple for all types and sizes of people. Today, the average North American owns seven pairs of jeans, according to a cotton company.

Interestingly, a pair of jeans consumes an average of 919 gallons of water during its lifespan, including everything from watering the cotton crop all the way up to the last wash in the machine before they fall apart. Jeans companies are trying to determine a way to make jeans more sustainable, but the price of cotton keeps going up, so it’s likely that the price of jeans will, too.

The two blogs of this type that I read most often are What I Wore Today, run by Kasmira, and Fashion for Nerds, run by Audi. These two women both have very unique taste, and both of them have in spades a quality that’s a must-have in the fashion world: fearlessness. But they also go about the business of dressing themselves very differently. Kasmira, from Cincinnati, is a fan of thrifting, and sometimes blogs about entire outfits that have been created from thrifted clothes. Audi, who lives in San Francisco, has a more couture sensibility, and although she often thrifts, she also has pieces in her wardrobe from such designers as Helmut Lang and Alexander McQueen. I love being inspired by the choices of these two women, even if I could never be so daring as they usually are with their clothes.

Other top everyday style bloggers include:

• Tieka at Selective Potential
• Kendi at Kendi Everyday
• Sydney at The Daybook

Check these ladies out and get inspired!

In a video interview with New York Magazine, the Spanish king of couture shoes didn’t even know who the interviewer was referring to when asked a question about her. When the interviewer explained who Suri Cruise was, saying she was the child of Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise, Blahnik asked if she wore high heels. Since little Suri has been wearing kiddie heels since the ripe old age of three, the interviewer said that she did, and Blahnik was surprised.

She really knows how to work that walk by the photogs!

After the controversy over Suri’s heels two years ago, Holmes pointed out that she was wearing ballroom dancing shoes for kids, but since then, Suri has been spotted in heels a great many times by reporters and paparazzi – sometimes out-dressing her famous parents. In a picture from September, she is seen wearing a cute pink hat, a very stylish Little Mermaid purse with a string of pearls for a handle, and lipstick. Suri is five.

In her short life, Suri Cruise has been the center of more magazine stories and paparazzi pictures than most established celebrities, particularly due to her fashion choices. At this point it’s almost surprising that Blahnik was unaware of Suri’s existence. She’s likely to be one of his best customers as soon as she can wear adult shoe sizes.

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But I saw the logo so often, so ubiquitously, that I eventually decided to see what all the fuss was about. From the first moment I slipped on a pair of Lululemon pants, I knew the answer. They were the most comfortable, most flexible, most smooth and seamless yoga pants I had ever worn. I bought a pair that very day, and the first time I practiced in them, I was amazed what a difference perfectly-fitting pants made.

Of course you can practice yoga anywhere, in any kind of clothing, but Lululemon makes clothes that move with you when they’re supposed to (so you can sink down into that gorgeous split) and stay put when they’re supposed to (so your top doesn’t expose you when you flip up into a handstand). The company’s patented “luon” fabric blend is soft and stretchy, and doesn’t chafe with excessive exercise. I find the fabric’s breathability is a little iffy, so I don’t live in my Lululemon clothes the way some people do, but for the three hours it takes to prepare for class, attend, and come down from the clouds, they’re perfect.

Now, I recommend Lululemon to all my students. If they balk at the prices, I tell them what I thought when I put on that first pair of pants: “These are the Rolls Royce of yoga clothes.” They’re worth every single penny.

Unfortunately, with knockoffs, you often get what you pay for. Fake designer purses are often very cheaply made, and made under terrible working conditions. They are frequently the product of sweatshops and child labor in the third world. You would probably be better off carrying your wallet, tissues, and lipstick in a canvas tote bag – it likely won’t fall apart, and you’ll be able to sleep at night.

The most obvious way to tell if you have a counterfeit purse is where you bought it – it it was on the street, off the back of a truck, or at a kiosk in a shopping mall, it’s probably a fake. A much smaller number of retailers carry the real thing than you’d think. But if you examine the purse for the little details, you will probably be able to tell in just a few moments whether you’re about to get a bargain or not.

• If the lining or labels are glued on, rather than stitched on, it’s probably a replica. Louis Vuitton wouldn’t ruin that beautiful leather with glue.
• If any stitches you do find are unraveling, it’s almost definitely a fake. Real designer handbags are built to last.
• Look for the place of manufacture (you can even ask about it). If it was China, pass it up. If you want to invest in a designer purse, you should do a little research to find out where (and under what conditions) it’s made.

Remember, a genuine designer handbag is an investment, a piece that you should be able to use and treasure for many years. To pay $10 for the privilege of a fake Gucci bag isn’t even worth the $10…or the cost on your conscience. Although not many people are prosecuted for buying counterfeit purses, the merchandise can always be confiscated from you if you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time. So either save your pennies for the real McCoy, or make do with what you can afford.

As jewelry designs have become more complicated and “modern” through the years, Tiffany jewelry has stayed beautiful through its simplicity. It has a timeless quality that doesn’t fade as the fashion of the day fades, and a Tiffany piece from forty years ago, well-cared for, looks just as beautiful and fashionable as a Tiffany piece from last year.

Tiffany & Co. has also designed and created such interesting items as a Medal of Honor for the United States Navy, a White House china service for Lady Bird Johnson, and the company even creates the Vince Lombardi trophy every year for the winner of the Super Bowl. Jewelry is a lucrative business, but Tiffany has made an impression on the culture of the United States that is impossible to ignore.

Tiffany also offers collections of jewelry, so you can match the charm of your earrings perfectly with the charm of your necklace, and so on. The detail and quality of these items is unmatched, and they are so versatile that you can wear them with just about any outfit, whether casual or cocktail.

Although Tiffany diamonds are world-class – and you will pay world-class prices for them – some of their sterling silver jewelry can be relatively affordable. The simplest silver bracelet, with the iconic heart-shaped charm, can be had for less than $250, and enjoyed for a lifetime with the proper care.

This fall look for soft neutral colors like gray, brown or camel.  Patterns are also very in so think about adding some plaid or a windowpane pattern.  Basics to add for the fall include a classic oxford or button-down shirt and warmer slacks like soft corduroy.  Cardigan sweaters are big this fall; look for substantial zip cardigans for the most warmth and style.  Outerwear should be able to take you from day to evening, work week to weekend.  A wool blazer in charcoal gray or camel can keep you warm and comfortable without adding a lot of bulk.  To finish off your basics a classic pea coat in navy is always in style.

The days are getting cooler and it’s time to start thinking about your fall wardrobe.  You can still protect your wardrobe investment by extending the wear of your summer wardrobe.  Some summer items are ready to be put away until next year like thinner, strappy sundresses, white shorts, white jeans and summery sandals.  Everything else can keep on going through the early days of fall with a few simple additions.  Try pairing dresses with cardigans and scarves.  Dresses can also work as tops over skinny jeans or leggings.  Trading out your summer sandals for a pair of boots can also update the look of a dress or shorts.  If it is cooler out be sure to add some nice tights in black, brown or even some of the new sheers.

Another update you will want to make is choosing a warmer autumn color palette.  Your summer wardrobe yellows and pinks can pair nicely with browns and greens for a more seasonal look.  Adding denim in either a skinny jean or jacket over a dress gives a more substantial look to summer wardrobe styles.  Adding accessories can give your summer clothing a fresh autumn look.  Look for new hats, scarves and handbags or totes to add to your look without adding a lot of cost to your summer wardrobe.

As the days get shorter and evenings get cooler it’s time to think about what jackets will be in this Fall.  According to some networksolutions hosted fashion blogs, what we are seeing this year are military inspired and trench coats with an updated soft and feminine look.  The trench can be either short or long and this year the colors are more neutral than the brights we saw last year.  Look for subtle details like shoulder pads or ruffles on military jackets or piping and nipped in waists to create a softer, more feminine sillouette on the trench.

Another new look we are seeing this fall is a wide variety of sweaters and ponchos.  The styles are ranging from chunky knit cardigans to muted neutral color ponchos with clean long lines.  Sweaters that are belted create a nice hourglass look and can be worn over a summer dress to extend the wear time or over a t-shirt and jeans to create a more polished yet casual look.

For men this year the big Fall jacket winner is the aviator jacket.  It can be brown or black, leather or shearling, button up or zip front.  Any way you wear it the aviator jacket says this guy cares about his image and has a nice Fall jacket.

It’s that time of year again, the sales have begun and it is time to outfit  the kids for the next school year.  This year the biggest trend is that old familiar favorite, jeans and T-shirts. (you probably already know the website names for finding jeans and T-shirts)  To update the look this year we are seeing more skinny jeans and tees in bright colors.

For the Gals

This year we are seeing everything from animal prints to ruffles but the new thing we are seeing is plaid.  Lots of plaid.  Girls are dressing up their looks as well pairing blazers with graphic tees and brightly colored jeans.

For the Guys

Go with the classic jeans and tee look but pick t-shirts that show off your personality.  You can also dress up the look by adding and oxford shirt, plaid button-up shirt or blazer fpr true back to school fashion.  Guys are rounding out their look with skate shoes or high-tops for fun, versatile footwear.

Accessories

The most common accessory for back to school fashion is the backpack.  Again we are seeing the bright colors, patterns and lots of plaid.  Teens are branching out from the backpack and choosing other styles of bags for their everyday school use.  Large totes, Teardrop shaped backpacks and messenger bags are gaining popularity with the high school crowd for back to school fashion.