Denim Talks

Every gal knows that the pair of jeans you choose for the day sends a message loud and clear.  I've heard that the average woman owns eight pairs of jeans... So essentially that is eight different messages a gal can convey with her denim.  We all have our going-out jeans, the yard-work jeans, work-appropriate jeans, and the list could go on and on. 


The pair I wore to work this morning were a pair of cropped denim that I've wore here.  By the time I got home they were stretched out to point that I just didn't want to take a picture of them (my small weight-loss caused these pants to be way too baggy - not complaining).  I had a very small window of time between getting home from work and hurrying off to my Friday evening activities and I knew I wanted to change my jeans before rushing out the door. 

On the left side we have a pair of ripped boyfriend jeans from Express.  I love these jeans so much that I bought two pair... that's right, TWO pair of the exact same jeans!  When I bought these I was down 20+lbs and I loved the fit.  They were a weekend staple for most of last year.  I saw a picture of myself in these jeans around Christmas (after the 20lbs found me again) and I was super unimpressed about the way they looked.  They are still a little too tight to comfortably wear out but I thought I would post pictures showing the contrast between the look of one pair of jeans versus another.

Now I'll tell you a little about where I was going.  I was headed up to my high school alma mater to assist with judging cheerleading try-outs. Whenever anyone asks me to help with try-outs, clinics or anything related to cheer, I always jump at the opportunity.  For me, cheerleading helped to bring me out of my shell, it gave me confidence to stand in front of others, and I have life-long friends from the experience.  I know how much of a positive impact it had on my life so I look forward to being a part of that positive impact on other young women's lives!

The community where I grew up is mountain-casual (as in if you wear khakis, your family asks you where you're going all dressed up). Jeans were a no-brainer for judging try-outs but like I needed to decide what message I wanted to send with my jeans.  I went for the ripped jeans first to try and make the outfit a little more casual and youthful.  I didn't want to wear anything too stuffy but I also didn't want to look like an unrelatable thirty-something.  In the end I decided the ripped jeans were just too tight and I wouldn't be comfortable sitting there for well over three hours.  I went with the DKNY jeans from my Macy's shopping spree.  They are still super comfortable and felt like a better option for the long night.

While sitting there watching all of these young ladies, the importance of first impressions kept coming to mind.  There were some very talented ladies but the amount of effort (or lack there of) put into their looks was often distracting.  I had a few arguments in my own head over whether their appearance or their talent should have more impact.  In the end I think talent should be the strongest of the two, however showing up with a disheveled appearance (messy ponytail, wearing a thin ribbed tank top with bright pink bra straps showing, or wearing a pair of dirty white shoes) makes me wonder if you can clean up for events, games and competitions.  As a representative for the school, I do think that there should be a certain amount of effort put forth and pride shown in appearance.  I don't intend to come off as shallow by sharing this opinion and I really hope it isn't taken that way.  There were a few ladies that were very beautiful but looked as if they had just rolled out of bed - boo.  On the other hand, there were a few ladies that may not have worn any make-up, but they took the time to put on a clean, unwrinkled shirt and pull their hair back in a clean manner- yay!

I guess I just want to relay the message that when you are trying to win someone over (try-outs, interview, etc) it is important to put a little bit of time and effort in to your appearance.  If you aren't going to step it up when you are trying to persuade someone to chose you for the team (or job), when will you?



Outfit Details
Black Cable Knit Cardigan - Gap
Striped Tshirt - H&M
Ripped Jeans - Express
Jeans - DKNY via Macy's
Black Tall Boots - Bass