Question of the Week: How to Keep Jeans Tucked Into Boots

Every winter I think about how annoying it is to keep jeans tucked into my boots, and despite efforts to tuck my jeans into my socks, they never really stay quite the way I want them to.

I always toy with the idea of crafting something stirrup-like, but never get around to it. This year I decided to search the web for some solutions to keep my jeans from bunching at my knees, and wow, I can't believe I didn't do this earlier. There are so many to choose from! I'll start with the most expensive and work my way down.
Stirrups ($25 + approx. $6-7 S&H)
These seem to be the most well-designed with two clips on each side. I'm not sure how much of a difference it actually makes, but it seems like they would provide some extra strength in keeping jeans down.

Jean Grabbers ($9.99 + $2.95 S&H)
Pink cameo, tiger stripe, floral. I'm not really a fan of any of the patterns, but I think they could get the job done.

Jean Straps ($9.99 + $2-3 S&H)
I've read a few reviews about these. They're apparently really comfortable, but the clamps only work if your jeans are thin. If your jeans are thicker, these might not be a good option, especially if you have to fold them up.

Pants Down ($8.00 + $2.00 S&H)
This Canadian eBay store sells pant clips in a variety of colors and patterns. Pants Down also accepts special requests and can customize your straps to be longer or shorter than the standard size.
Jodphur Pant Clips ($2.99 + $6.95 S&H)
These pant clips are from an equestrian supply store. These are the cheapest option, and from what I've read, it sounds like they work just as well as the others. The shipping cost is kind of high for such a small item, but you can always place an order with a friend or if you're a little behind on your gift giving, you can place an order for your friends.

If you're tried any of these or have other suggestions, please leave a comment!

Now Wearing...

Before / After
Me and vintage shopping, I haven't decided whether I should call it an addiction or talent. Maybe both? I found this vintage dress in the neighborhood yesterday for $35, which in California is pretty standard, but in New York is kind of a deal. I loved the dark colors and graphic print, and it reminded me a bit of pieces I've seen from Marc by Marc Jacobs.

The dress was originally a bit big on me, and beyond sizing, the style was rather matronly. I will need to get this dress tailored, but I couldn't wait to wear it - so I fixed it up sans sewing machine with a few little tricks. To modernize this piece, I hiked up the hemline by tucking some dress under a belt ("how to" video coming soon), rolled up the sleeves and added some bold accessories.
Purple blue tan print dress - vintage
Chain belt - vintage
Brown studded multi-strand cuff - Linea Pelle
Black bag - Gryson for Target
Black wooly tights - Hue
Brown woven oxfords - Jeffrey Campbell

Now Wearing...

Tribal print dress - vintage/DIY
Black rose buckle belt - Forever 21
Hematite fringe necklace - secondhand
Black bangles - H&M
Cooper hoop earrings - Claire's
Wedge sandals - Old Navy

A few weeks ago when it was warmer out, my friend Randy Smith asked if he could shoot some photos of me against the city skyline. I choose to wear this dress because I thought it might be fun to play with contrast - urban vs. tribal and organic shape vs. structured buildings.

I found this vintage dress secondhand shopping. It was extremely frumpy (so bad it made me look pregnant and short) and in terrible condition (so old I’m labeling it dry clean only), but I bought it because the top fit right and I was so in love with the print. When I tried it on, I played with around with belt and saw that I could create a bubble hem, so I felt like it was a safe purchase.

To fix up the dress, I create a soft high-low bubble hem. I felt like a longer hem would match the print and darker look of the dress. But a longer hem wouldn’t solve the frumpy problem, so I stitched a higher hem in the front to show off some leg and make the dress younger and more playful. I would have done a DIY post on the alteration of the dress except I think it would have been just an example of very poor technique. I did a really lazy job – just loosely stitched every couple inches around the bottom.

Now Wearing...

An eye patch? Oh yay, nerdy glasses glare.

Quilted sweatshirt vest - Men's Diesel
Black long sleeve - Mossimo, Target
Black gray acid wash jeans - Criminal Damage UK
Eyeglasses - Alain Milki
Earrings - Subversive for Target

The vest is a hand-me-down from my friend Steven. He was cleaning out his closet earlier this week, and I was so fascinated by the texture that I was determined to keep it.

Worn alone, it's quite ill-fitting and noticeably so. It's too big from my frame, but not soft or thin enough to drape. So to make it work, I wore a circle scarf under to give it some shape by supporting the collar and filling out some of the vest. And by wearing contrasting snug long sleeves, I made the vest pop more and the overall look less frumpy - than if I were to have worn it alone.

How to Style Vintage

A follow up to How to Shop Vintage, here is Episode 5 How to Style Vintage. We've got a few guidelines so you can avoid looking too costumey or dated. Plus we demo with a few pieces from our personal wardrobes.

We hope you enjoy the video! And if you have pictures of how you wear vintage, please share them with us!

Stay warm,

Erin & Lani

Now Wearing...

Black long sleeve - Mossimo, Target
Cream lace skirt - H&M, which I shortened and turned into a bubble skirt
Taupe scarf - H&M
Chunky necklace - Ann Taylor Loft
Black wooly tights - Hue
Brown boots - vintage, found in NY

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Now Wearing...

While I was in Chicago, I found this skirt on clearance for $10! Whenever I buy new clothes, I'm usually really eager to wear it out the next day, so I had to borrow a shirt from a friend since nothing I packed would work.

The shirt my friend had was a wide crop shirt and unfortunately looked really frumpy paired with the skirt. The shirt was too short to tuck in, so with only five minutes to get ready, I used a hairband to pull back and tuck in the shirt, changing the silhouette and creating a cutout in the back. I also rolled up the sleeves and tucked in the collar where my friend had cut a slit to create a V neck.

Gray shirt - American Apparel
Print skirt - Urban Outfitters, which I bought a size smaller so it would sit on my waist rather than my hips
Blue jeans - Uniqlo
Black boots - Vintage
Tan bag - Hayden-Harnett
Taupe scarf - H&M
Green headband - Goody

Now Wearing...

Owl Sweater - Twinkle by Wenlan
Laser Cut Wool Coat - Liquid
Zip Front Skirt - Richard Chai for Target (I sewed it to better show off the zipper)
Leopard Tights - Rebecca Taylor
Woven Purse - Botkier
Leaf Pave Necklace - Rachel Leigh
Beanie - No Name
Leg Warmers - No Name
Lace Up Booties - Vintage

I bought this skirt on Target.com, because I thought it was an exposed zipper skirt and exactly what I was looking for (see picture above)! But when I got the skirt...the zipper was covered with a unfortunate flap! BOOO!

Did Target change the artistic integrity of Richard Chai's Design?

Sew what's a girl to do? Make it Work!

Foot Petals Discount Code

For those that might be interested, here's a discount code for Foot Petals, which I love so much. It'd still be cheaper to buy them from a discount department store like I mentioned in my previous post, but order online with the promo code and they'll donate 10% of your order to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Enter promo code PINK on your next order and receive 10% off and contribute to breast cancer research!

Foot Petals for Those Killer Heels

I do not believe "beauty is pain, pain is beauty", and yes, I wear heels and wedges. In fact, I love them! Heels and wedges without pain? Enter Foot Petals. I put them in almost all of my shoes. They come in a variety of colors and patterns, so they're pretty inconspicuous.

I prefer Foot Petals, which are made of Poron form, over gel pads for shoes that I wear without socks because they won't stick to your feet and the material "breathes" a little better. They're also lighter and absorb shock better.


The Tip Toes are great for padding the ball of your feet and keeping them from sliding. They won't change your life, but they will give you a few extra hours in your heels. In a few shoes, I've had to add some extra glue since the shoe surface was too smooth, but for the most part, it's a simple peel, stick, and go.

Heavenly Heelz are another personal favorite. If you've ever had a pair of shoes rub up on the back of your foot or slip off your heels, these are the perfect fix it! Careful when putting them in shoes with porous leather or suede because they will stick forever, so line them up before pressing down.

Foot Petals retail for $6.95 a pair or $18.95 for a triple pack, but the pink Tip Toes and Heavenly Heelz are on sale for $4.95 a pair at footpetals.com. You might also want to check out a local discount department store like Lohemman's or Century 21, which will usually sell a triple pack for $12.

Get a pair and rock them heels!

Jewelry Transformation

I love junk jewelry. I mean junk in the best possible sense, the young, hip, fun and playful type of jewelry found in the cases at Barneys Co-op. The kind of jewelry that even if I cannot own it, looking at it makes me happy.

Subversive was one such line that I admired but never thought I could own until a Target collaboration came along.

The chunky gold necklace I was previously admiring had quickly sold out and I pondered how I would fill this hole in my wardrobe. So I found a bracelet but a little too chunky and fussy to wear as a bracelet while still maintaining the signature Subversive look and removed the jump ring, signage & lobster claw closure with some needle nose jewelry pliers. Then I re-attached the jump ring to the other side of the chain. Cut and tied some velvet ribbon to the jump rings and Voila! I had a necklace! Sure it's not the same as the one I had in mind, but it serves the same purpose and no one else has it!

The part of the bracelet i removed (i did this before so this is another piece i'm just showing for visuals)

The bracelet that was slightly overwhelming for my wrist

The Finished Product!

You can see it on me in the following Now Wearing post.