DENIM WARRIOR: Tabia Wood
AGE: 21
PROFESSION: Office manager
DECLARATION: “Because my figure is straight, no curves, it’s hard for me to find jeans that fit in both the waist and the butt. And stretch jeans do not stay up on me.”
REVELATION: “The Essence team recommended a low rise and a straight leg to ensure a good fit. And they did.”
ON TABIA: Rock & Republic jeans, $224, rockandrepublic.com. Gryphon jacket, $760, net-a-porter.com. Old Navy top, $25, oldnavy.com. Kenneth Cole necklace, $38, select Macy’s stores. Gorjana stars necklace, $185, gorjana.com for stores. Miriam Haskell braided chain, $350, miriamhaskell.com. Streets Ahead belt, $160, streetsaheadinc.com for store locations. Tebazile bangles, $110 (set of five), tebazile.com. lia sophia rings, $86 for set, liasophia.com. Bally sling backs, $495, Bally, Beverly Hills, California, 310-271-3310.
DENIM WARRIOR: Celine E. Dixon
AGE: 26
PROFESSION: Accountant
DECLARATION: “I find myself purchasing jeans that are too long, then I have to get them altered.”
REVELATION: “I realize that my shape is beautiful, unique and sexy—and I want to show it off.”
ON CELINE: Torrid jeans, $58, torrid.com. Abby Z. top, $58, abbyz.com. Stephen Dweck necklace, $1,630, Bergdorf Goodman, New York City,212-872-8651. Pono by Joan Goodman necklace with blue stones, $200, 886-336-PONO for store locations. Philippe Audibert bracelet, $600, Bloomingdale’s stores nationwide. Robert Lee Morris ring, $110, robertleemorris.com.
BUDGET BUY: nicole by Nicole Miller for JCPenney jeans, $44, JCPenney stores.
DENIM WARRIOR: Denice Smith
AGE: 27
PROFESSION: Actress
DECLARATION: “My biggest concern is finding jeans that capture my shape. I’ve run track all my life, and it’s difficult to find sexy jeans that can fit my proportions as well as my athletic figure.”
REVELATION: “Now I know to look for jeans with stretch. I’ll also consider wide legs now.”
ON DENICE: 7 For All Mankind jeans, $156, 7forallmankind.com. Zac Posen vest, $1,850, Intermix, Chicago, 312-640-2922. Trovata tank, $80, Barneys New York stores nationwide. Robert Lee Morris necklaces, $175–$225, robertleemorris.com. Suzi Roher belt, $240, suziroher.com. R.J. Graziano thin bangles, $35–$45, 212-685-1248 for more information. Pono by Joan Goodman thick bangles, $70 each, Christopher 19, New York City, 212-627-9159. Stephen Dweck ring, $330, Bergdorf Goodman, New York City, 212-872-8651. Isaac Manevitz for Ben-Amun hoops, $100, made to order, ben-amun.com.
BUDGET BUY: Forever 21 wide-leg denim trousers, $25, forever21.com.
DENIM WARRIOR: Markia Hall
AGE: 31
PROFESSION: Associate program director
DECLARATION: “My tummy hangs over my low-rise jeans.”
REVELATION: “It actually looks and feels as though inches were taken off my midsection.”
ON MARKIA: Not Your Daughter’s Jeans, the makers of Tummy Tuck Jeans, $89, nordstrom.com. Lanvin jacket, $1,950, Barneys New York, New York City, 212-826-8900. Marina Rinaldi top, price upon request, 212-734-4333 for more information. Suzi Roher belt, $420, suziroher.com. Roxanne Assoulin for Lee Angel bracelet, $115, stylebop.com. Philippe Audibert ring, $150, Henri Bendel, New York City, 800-HBENDEL. Aldo pumps, $80, aldoshoes.com.
BUDGET BUY: Old Navy The Flirt boot-cut jeans,$30, oldnavy.com.
DENIM WARRIOR: Estrella Grosa
AGE: 29
PROFESSION: Insurance consultant
DECLARATION: “My jeans are always either too long or too big in the waist. I have to get them tailored before I wear them.”
REVELATION: “Pairing jeans with heels quickly resolves my length issue and gives me a classy edge.”
ON ESTRELLA: Nobody Jeans jeans, $230, Atrium, New York City, 212-473-3980. Chanel jacket, $4,865, select Chanel boutiques. Philippe Audibert bangles, $625 each, Henri Bendel, New York City, 800-HBENDEL. Pono by Joan Goodman ring, $125, 886-336-PONO for store locations. Gorjana hoops, $100, gorjana.com for store information. Moschino pumps, $545, zappos.com.
BUDGET BUY: Forever 21 Norma skinny jeans, $25, forever21.com.
DENIM WARRIOR: Tykime Davis
AGE: 27
PROFESSION: Medical receptionist
DECLARATION: “When jeans fit my thighs and hips, I’m left with a gap in the waist.”
REVELATION: “I would have never considered a wide leg as suggested by the Essence fashion team. I no longer feel stuffed into my jeans.”
ON TYKIME: Rock & Republic Joe’s Jeans jeans, $187, Henri Bendel, New York City, 800-HBENDEL. Anna Sui blouse, $339, and vest, $260, Anna Sui, New York City, 212-941-8406. Dinosaur Designs necklace, $465, Dinosaur Designs, New York City, 212-680-3523. Stephen Dweck ring, $565, Bergdorf Goodman, New York City, 212-872-8651. Anya Hindmarch bag, $195, Anya Hindmarch, Short Hills, New Jersey, 973-379-7183. Report Signature pumps, $195, report shoes.com.
BUDGET BUY: Express Eva fit and flare jeans, $60, select Express stores.
DENIM WARRIOR: Tiffany Crafton
AGE: 31
PROFESSION: Hairstylist
DECLARATION: “I can never find jeans that are long enough for my legs yet small enough for my body.”
REVELATION: “Now I know that skinny jeans—which I had been avoiding—are perfect for my long legs and body shape.”
ON TIFFANY: Blue Notch jeans, $250, Atrium, New York City, 212-473-3980. Jill Stuart blouse, $248, Jill Stuart, New York City, 212-343-2300. Stephen Dweck ring, $2,385, Bergdorf Goodman, New York City, 212-872-8651. Tebazile earrings, $125, tebazile.com. Tory Burch clutch, $325, toryburch.com. Jean-Michel Cazabat pumps, $595, Bloomingdale’s stores nationwide.
BUDGET BUY: Uniqlo Skinny Fit Jeans, $50, 877-4UNIQLO.
DENIM WARRIOR: Danielle Jackson
AGE: 23
PROFESSION: Student
DECLARATION: “It can be difficult to find a size 14 that fits me properly. I often have to buy a size bigger to accommodate my thighs.”
REVELATION: “I can now enjoy all sorts of styles and have no problem rocking a trend that I love because of my size.”
ON DANIELLE: PZI Jeans jeans, $79, pzijeans.com. Emilio Pucci sweater, price upon request, emiliopucci.com for stores. DKNY Jeans top, $29, Macy’s stores nationwide. Stephen Dweck necklace, $1,630, Bergdorf Goodman, New York City, 212-872-8651. B-low The Belt belt, $85, 310-839-6690 for more information. Dinosaur Designs bangles, $70–$140 each, Dinosaur Designs, New York City, 212-680-3523. Cesare Paciotti sandals, $815, Cesare Paciotti boutique, New York City, 212-452-1222.
BUDGET BUY: Ashley Stewart Private Label boot-cut jeans, $29, Ashley Stewart stores nationwide.
