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ConFashionals by Tracie LeBlanc
Photography by Sarah-Jane Schorlemer
As a fashion blogger, writer and stylist, I’m rarely short on opinions—and it just so happens that I love to share them. My vision for the ConFashionals column is to open up my personal diary on life as a fashion insider, appreciator, and collector. But it doesn’t stop there. What’s fashion without a little drama? Rather than rave about the latest trends or designers, I want to shock, provoke, and test boundaries. But don’t worry—auto-psychoanalysis is so last season. We’re here to have some fun!
And what could be more fun than the skinny on a girl's social life with a photo shoot to boot? After nearly two years of coupledom, I’m back in the dating game. What an adjustment. My chief man concerns used to involve dirty socks on floors and toilet seats in the upright position; now I’m dealing with first dates (some of them blind), follow-up dates, and those dreaded “where is this going?” conversations.
How do I cope? Like any fashion stylist worth her Christian Louboutins, I’ve learned to manage my men as I do my jeans: I prefer to have a selection on hand, each one suited to a different mood or occasion. Sometimes you just want to go with the old reliables; other times there’s nothing better than breaking in that new acquisition for a night out.
To help illustrate my “mean are jeans” metaphor, I invited photographer Sarah-Jane Schorlemer and some other fashion shoot friends into my home for some flirty fun with a denim-clad boy toy. Don't you love the pics?
Between me and my Calvins
So here's where I'm at: Although a most recent pair of suitors presented me with arguably the perfect dichotomy—a sweet, sensible nice guy, and a sexy, aloof, not-so-nice guy—after about four dates with each I discovered that the time-tested “jeans rule” applies to men too: they’ve got to compliment your assets, minimize your flaws, and make you feel like Brooke Shields in her circa '81 Calvin Kleins.
In my quest for the perfect blend of dudes and denim, I feel like I’m working my way through the jeans wall at The Gap one date at a time. Here’s a review of my ill-fitting attempts to date:
Like a pair of relaxed fit jeans, my sweet, sensible guy was non-invasive, polite, and never too bold. He was a comfortable, pleasant way to spend a few hours, yet our interactions lacked the chemistry needed for consistent appearances. And, let’s be honest, no fashion stylist alive would be caught dead in a pair of stonewashed, tapered, relaxed fit jeans. Mr. Sensible’s days were numbered from the start.
Mr. Not-so-Nice was my skinny jean. I love to wear skinnies that fit tight in all the right places and make me feel super sexy, but when I’m feeling a little bloaty, they’re the last thing I want to see. Not suited for long-term commitment or the mundane occasion, my bad boy would have chafed at the idea of going into heavy rotation. Besides, skinnies don’t have room for extra baggage, and this pair had plenty.
Next up was a young pup with oodles of confidence, style and good looks. He had the cockiness, but lacked the charm. Like a pair of raw denim jeans, I felt I had to break him in for a good while before wearing him with comfort and pride. It would mean lots of investment, but oh, what pay-offs—a pair of jeans built just for you! The deal breaker? Upon further inspection, I discovered that these jeans still sported stains from the last girl.
I could go on, but you get the drift. Lots of denim, very little dynamite. A good many cocktails, inebriated texts, and fancy dinners later, I'm taking some time out to get reacquainted with my leather leggings and bandage skirts.
Hell, I’m not even into this season’s staple, the “boyfriend jean.” No worries, though. That fad will be out of style by spring anyway ... just in time for my annual bout of spring fever!
Photographer: Sarah-Jane Schorlemer
Stylist and model: Tracie LeBlanc
Male model: Bruno Soulière
Styling assistant: Hilda Cowie
Hair: Meghan Dailey
Make-up: Dee Dee Butters
Clothing: Models’ own
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