Madewell Secret Denim Trick {interesting}

Every once in awhile, Madewell's "madewell musings blog" blog offers really interesting insight into their inner workings. Their "Shh…a jean secret our denim team swears by" post is one of the more questionable ones:

Shh…a jean secret our denim team swears by:
Though it may sound strange, we say don’t wash your jeans. What to do instead? Pack them in a plastic bag and freeze them for a day or two. All unsavory elements will disappear—and your beloved blues won’t have faded or shrunk in the process (like they would in the wash!).

According to some fans on Madewell's Facebook page, this tip is only good for selvedge or raw denim. Also there seems to be some conflicting views on this tip's usefulness. Below are some excerpts from fans:

• "Surprisingly works really well! Works with smelly shoes too. Getting the bacteria under the freezing point kills them and ta-da! No more smell!"
• "Putting them in the freezer is a way to continue a natural wearing down process to achieve the most genuine wear marks possible with fade this is not caused from soap or washing-machine irritation-intended to preserve the fit entirely as they mold to your body over time. It neutralizes the odors, kills bacteria and will leave the jeans fitting like you put them in, just really cold and less smelly. It does not matter if they are raw or selvedge. Selvedge denim is just regular denim that was cut on a different/special loom- which makes the washing differences irrelevant. People origianally began doing this to preserve raw denim to not shrink them or ruin the saturated dye. Which is the common goal here."
• "Here's the thing though, freezing bacteria and viruses doesn't kill them. It preserves them. Hence why they freeze specimens in labs."

This "secret" sounds kind of gross and unsanitary. I always wash my pants *and* jeans when I first get them from a store (and even online). Call me old-fashion, but it just seems like the right thing to do. (Actually, if I am particularly paranoid that day... I put them in the dryer on the rack with the heat on for 40 minutes. Then I wash them.) But who knows, maybe this is another way to "clean" jeans???

While on this topic, for those who pursue this technique... How do you explain the random pair of jeans in the freezer to the other members of your household? I can imagine a small child excited to get a cool refreshing popsicle during the hot Summer months, surprised to find instead nothing but Madewell's latest denim line on preview in the freezer. ;)

What are your thoughts on this washing-not-so-much-denim-technique? Do you personally employ the tip? If so, how are the results? Would you recommend this washing alternative for jeans?

J.Crew, Where's the Love for Petite Denim Fans?

"Thanks!" to Anne who made a startling observation: J.Crew no longer offers denim in petite sizes.

I initially thought, "whhaaat? That does not seem right." But sure enough, I had trouble tracking down a pair of denim (click here to view online) in a petite size. (This does not refer to sale items. Just new arrivals and regular priced items.) I even went under the dedicated Petite section of the website (click here to view online), and could not find one pair of jeans!

Does J.Crew no longer offer denim in petite sizes? (Seems weird to not offer them. But maybe there is a rationale behind the move that I am unaware of.)

Did you notice the lack of denim in petite sizes? Do you know why J.Crew scaled back their petite-offerings? If so, please share!

Madewell Email: The first sign of spring...

"Thanks!" to Marietta & Jaden, who shared the latest email Madewell (click here) sent yesterday.

The email features the Skinny Ankle Jeans ($95.00) which is described as the following: "Just in time for Spring— our Skinny Ankle Jeans, now in crisp, clean white".

I am all ready for Spring to come— bring on the warm weather and the leather sandals! However, white skinny jeans scare the crap out of me. I just know I cannot pull off the look with my pear shape frame. ;)

What are your thoughts on the Skinny Ankle Jeans? Do you like or dislike the style of white jeans?

J.Crew Email: Levi's 501 for J.Crew

"Thanks!" to Jaden who shared the following email that J.Crew sent earlier this week.

The email announces that new Levi's 501 jeans are available at J.Crew (click here to shop the entire line). Moreover, the jeans come in unique washes that were exclusively created for J.Crew.

An interesting factoid: Back in 1997, "Levi Strauss & Co. paid $25,000 for an approximately 100-year-old pair of jeans, believed to be one of the two oldest pairs of Levi's in existence." (Source: LA Times.)

Levi Strauss & Co. is definitely an iconic brand. I understand why J.Crew would want to partner with them.

What are your thoughts on J.Crew's partnership with Levi Strauss & Co.? Do you own or have tried on a pair of Levi's for J.Crew? If so, please share! ;)

J.Crew Email: Here's the skinny...

"Thanks!" to many of you, including Marietta, who shared the following email with us.

The email promotes J.Crew denim (click here to shop online) with a feature on the Ankle Stretch Toothpick Jean in Twilight Wash (Item 16719; $125.00). The email states:

You can do skinny. (Trust us) Our super skinny toothpick jean in a chic new ankle length.

Oh, how I want to trust you J.Crew. {sigh} Unfortunately, the skinny jeans look just does not work for my pear shape frame.

The outfit above also includes Silk Ruffle Cascade Jacket (Item 20942; $188.00). I have seen this jacket in my local brick & mortar (B&M) stores and don't know if I like it or not. I can't decide if I like the ruffles or its ruffle overload.

What are your thoughts on the Ankle Toothpick Jeans? Do you like the skinny jean look? Thoughts on the Ruffle Cascade Jacket? Are the ruffles a lovely or over-the-top feature?

Madewell Email: Our latest stroke of jean-ius

"Thanks!" to Marietta who shared the email Madewell sent yesterday.

The email features the Legging Jeans which is described as "part jeans, part leggings– they're our coolest hybrid jet" and retails for $79.50. This look is completed with the Patent-Leather Oxfords ($148).

The email also reminds us that they are having their Fall Denim Tour with Lucky Magazine. (For more on this, refer to the "Madewell Email: Denim Tour w/ Lucky hits stores" post.)

Lastly, over at Madewell (click here), they are showcasing another four stylish women wearing pieces from Madewell under My Madewell. This feature has been around since this Spring. (Refer to the May 13th "Madewell Email: Introducing My Madewell: Our clothes, your way" post.) I still think this is a great concept and look forward to when J.Crew decides to do it too! ;)

What are your thoughts on the Legging Jeans? Does this look work for Fall? Thoughts on the Oxford shoes? :)

Madewell Email: Slim Slouch Jeans: a worthy obsession

"Thanks!" to Marietta who shared the email Madewell sent yesterday.

The email features the Slim Slouch jeans which is described as "they look cool without even trying– it's all about their baggy-meets-skinny fit" and retails for $110.00. No your eyes did not read that figure wrong– those jeans really do retail for {a whopping} $110!

This look is completed with Barbour Classic Beadle Jacket ($379), the Borrowed-From-Your-Brother Shirt ($68), Big Square Fringed Scarf ($49.50), Striped Lace 1937 Sock ($12), and the Ankle Bootie ($198). From the looks of these prices, I don't get how Madewell is lower priced than J.Crew. ;)

The email also reminds us that they are having their Fall Denim Tour with Lucky Magazine. (For more on this, refer to the "Madewell Email: Denim Tour w/ Lucky hits stores" post.)

What are your thoughts on the Slim Slouch Jeans? Do you think the jeans are worth the $110 they cost? :)

J.Crew Email: Hurry - up to 25% off select denim, online only

"Thanks!" to many of you, including Marietta, who let us know about the latest email J.Crew sent.

The email lets us know that select men's (click here) and women's (click here) denim are now up to 25% off! This promotion is available only online and expires 10/2/09.

Will you be taking advantage of this offer? Are there any jeans that you are currently lusting over? If so, please share! :)

J.Crew Email: Join the fray

"Thanks!" to Marietta & HeidiG, who shared the following email J.Crew sent today.

The email reminds us that they are offering free shipping on orders of $150+ with promo code LABORDAY. This offer expires 9/7/09. :)

The email also features J.Crew's Destroyed Matchstick Jean in Busted Stone Wash (Item 18140; $118.00). The outfit also includes the Wool Ruffle Jacket (Item 17863; $198.00) and the Solid anklets Socks (three-pack; Item 19179; $24.50). There is just a lot going on with this outfit- from the bright colors to multiple accessories.

As for the jacket, I was really excited when I first saw it (refer to the "J.Crew's September Catalog (over at jcbellemarie)" post). However, I was disappointed to find out (after many of you correctly pointed it out) that the edges are frayed. And for the neon anklet socks... I will pass on them. As I mentioned in the interview with Supermelon (refer to the "An Interview with the Supermelon" post), I can't believe that is a "trend alert" in their latest catalog! ;)

What are your thoughts on the Destroyed Matchstick Jeans? Are you a fan of the style? Have you seen the Wool Ruffle Jacket in-person? Do you like or dislike the jacket? Please share! :)

Madewell Email: Our latest Ex

A big "thanks!" to Marietta & HeidiG, who shared the following email/ promotion from Madewell (click here).

The email features their Ex-Boyfriend Shorts. The shorts are described as "just like the pair of his that you coveted- but without the heartache" and retails for $95.

Moreover, they are offering 15% off purchases for students at their stores. To redeem the promotion, just show your student ID.

What are your thoughts on the Ex-Boyfriend Jeans? Do you like or dislike the style? Would you pay $95 for them?