Sample Sale Report: Hudson Jeans

Last night I also stopped by the first ever Hudson Jeans sample sale. I for one was very excited because in addition to a snug fit that is super comfortable, Hudson specializes in a variety of unique finishes that makes a pair really special. Unlike competitors, their finishes are never crusty but superior in softness and wearability.


Jeans started at just $50 a pair for women for metallic deco printed styles, dye blasted, striped and snake print. For $60 a pair you could pick up a black back, white front 50/50 color block pair like I did. Or they also had white shorts, ultralight linen jeans in pink and medium blue jeans. For $65 you enter the world of coated and there is a pearlescent blue pair that I already own and love as well as a copper style, shiny style in both turquoise and purple blue. 

For $75 there is a black and white rose print with tuxedo stripe, coated pair with tuxedo stripe, coated sweat pants to name a few. At $100 there are some with elasticized waistbands, detailed back pockets and embroidery up the side of the leg. If you went up to $125 you get the special pairs with zippered accents or leather panels. Sizes were available from 24 to 32 in just about every section although not every style was available in every size.

Sample Sale Report: Siwy Denim

I stopped by the Siwy sample sale and was surprised by how small the sample sale was. I have been to all sorts of sample sales in my life but the two lonely racks at Siwy may have been one of the smallest sales I've been to. Despite this there were quite a few lunch time shoppers trying to snag some sexy denim at 40% below wholesale.

Sizes ranged from 24-27 with most selection in the size 24/26 range. As far as I could tell each item was marked on a tag with selling price and seemed to be about $80-87 per item.

So if you're a huge Siwy fan and in the size 24-27 range, it's worth stopping by but there isn't very much stock so go soon. Otherwise it's a rather small sale that may not be worth the effort.

Who: Siwy Denim Sample Sale
What: Prices now 40% below wholesale
When: June 11-12, 2013. Tues-Wed 10am-5pm
Where: 231 West 39 Street (b/n 7th & 8th Ave) Suite 302

Sample Sale Report: MiH April 2013

Last night I stopped by the MiH sample sale in Soho. MiH is the British brand that has been creating leg lengthening well fitting jeans since 1969. It sells at high end retail channels like Net-a-Porter and Barneys New York. I arrived to a spacious room that was filled with rack upon rack of skinny and flare jeans in a rainbow of colors. The prices are really great! Jeans are just $40 a pop, which is a steal considering that they normally retail for around $200+. I'm not going to lie, these jeans make my butt look pretty darn perky and I bought a few pairs to prove it - The Oslo in particular is my personal go-to with it's slim leg and mid rise, there is some feeling of security because it covers up some of the softer stomach bits.

Lucky Brand's Denim Jean-ius Contest for FNO

A few weeks before Fashion's Night Out, Erin and I were invited to participate in Lucky Brand Denim's Jean-ius Contest alongside with other bloggers like Denimology, Midtown Girl, and Fashion Pulse. We were challenged with crafting something using all of the supplies provided at least once - a pair of denim pants, embroidery thread, patches, buttons, safety pins, glitter, puffy paint, twine, permanent marker and only a couple of our own supplies.

Erin's Denim Top
Erin wanted to create something that incorporated what is beautiful in pair of jeans but create something new. She worked on her project while she was on vacation in Stockholm. There she visited Skogskyrkogarden Cemetary and noticed the how the flowers glowed brightly against the serene environment and tried to recreate that effect with denim. Since denim is naturally serene, she used pops of playful color to create cheer.

Lani's Denim Shorts
I tried to create something that I would actually wear. Lately I've been wearing a lot of printed bottoms, so I decided to make denim cut offs and decorate them with the supplies provided. I originally wanted to use the embroidery thread to create a print, but in a time crunch, I decided to use the puffy paint to create a pattern and the thread to create a loosely braided belt. I used the rest of the supplies to decorate the coin pocket and one of the back pockets.

Sugar Rock Catwalk team effort


Fashion Pulse's Denim Bag


Midtown Girl's Denim Top

DIY: Proenza Schouler x J Brand Graffiti Jeans

Ever since I first saw these Proenza Schouler x J Brand collaboration jeans make their way down the runway as part of the Fall 2010 runway show, I’ve been contemplating ways to make these jeans find their way into my closet. The jeans are Japanese stretch denim that have been graphically printed and then hand painted to accentuate texture making each pair uniquely fabulous.

Unfortunately this level of fabulous does not come cheap and at $550 a pair they are out of my Fall budget. Fortunately with a little bit of time to spare and a lovely pair of black jeans already in my closet, I was ready to take a stab and create my own take on these jeans. I sort of combined 2 of the combos together using both white and blue to create a slightly different finish. I started off with a trusty pair of black skinny jeans (I used Rich & Skinny but you can use just about any pair).

I had picked up some bottles of both white and primary blue fabric paint at the art supply store. They cost me about $1.50 a bottle. I used a styrofoam plate for carefree mixing and easy brush access and a nylon bristle brush. I also had an old plastic container available with clean water and a scrap piece of paper to cover my work area.

Then I started with the white paint making scribbly loose circular patterns across the front of the jeans while occasionally dipping the paint brush in water to help create more fluid lines and varying opacities.

Continue creating scribbles/circles until you have completely covered the front of the jeans. I was impatient and was curious as to how it would look so I actually did one leg at a time. The great thing about this project is that there is a lot of room for your own interpretation and you don’t have to be too careful about the order in which you do things, I actually went back several times later on to create more scribbles in certain colors on areas that appeared to need more attention.

I started to add in blue and other colors in the same family. I actually decided to use some acrylic paint I had at home for additional color variation. I’m not sure how it will hold up in the wash but seeing as it’s plastic when it dries, I’m hoping it will be all good.

When the front is dry the back is ready to work on. Make sure that you cover all areas, including waistband and around the pockets if possible. When the back is complete, allow to dry before working on the sides. You can flatten the legs out sideways and fill in any gaps that you have missed for a more continuous effect.

Voila! And there you have it! Although it’s a slightly different finish, I think it get’s the overall statement across. I’m pretty happy with the results! What do you think?

Wear What Fits: Levi's (R) Curve ID at Bryant Park - Fri 8/27

Tomorrow August 27th at 10AM, Levi's will be promoting their new Curve ID jeans. Bring something in good condition that doesn't fit anymore to donate to Goodwill and trade for brand new pair of free Levi's Curve ID jeans! The item can be old jeans, throw rug, lamp. etc. They will be giving away 1,000 pairs of jeans, personally fitted by denim specialists - first come, first serve.

And to add to the fun, Janelle Monae will be performing around noon!

Sugar Rock Giveaway: $100 Shopbop Gift Card

We're giving away a $100 Shopbop gift card. Shopbop is one of our favorite online shops, as they have a great selection of designer goods and helpful style guides. Designer goods can be a little pricey, so I tend to browse Shopbop Sale at the end of each season for 50-75% off retail prices.

Shopbop is perhaps best known for their huge offering of denim, everything from denim skirts to light wash jeans.

To enter this giveaway, leave a comment with your name, email, and a link to what you would spend your $100 gift card on. I've been eyeing some Rag and Bone Jeans and their smock dress.

Contest ends Thursday, August 26th at 8PM EST. Winner will be notified Friday, August 27th.

Rich by Rich & Skinny: Online Sale

If you're in the market for a pair of jeans, check out Rich by Rich & Skinny where they are having an online sale. All of the men's jeans are gunning for $50 a pop (retails for roughly $200/pair). If the weather wasn't so hot here - I'd definitely consider picking up a pair myself!

Bold Boot in Hit Me Vintage ($50 - was $198), Strong Straight in Black Vintage ($50 - was $209)

Erin and Lani have both sported Rich & Skinnies in previous style diaries and have commented on the comfort of the jeans. After reading their reviews on the product over a year ago, I decided to try it out for myself and grabbed a pair of the Bold Boot in Ace Vintage wash.

Overall, I definitely agree that they are one super comfortable pair of jeans. A couple of the washes feel exactly like what an old pair of jeans should feel like (Ace Vintage and Hit Me Vintage). However, like all denim, some of the washes are a bit rougher so it really depends on what style you're going for. While the men's jeans don't house a satin waistband (and for good reason), they do contain a cotton lining at the waistband which definitely adds to the comfort factor.

Tight in Whisky Vintage ($50 - was $192)

Happy Shopping!

Rock & Republic Opening & Memorial Day Sale

If you're bored this long weekend and decide to head up to Woodbury Common, you'll be catching the opening of a brand new Rock & Republic store! Anyways they're having a sale to help celebrate and it's 30% off outlet pricing on all Men's, Women's and Accessories!

Say "Led Zeppelin" at checkout, during the grand opening weekend (Friday, May 28th - Monday, May 31st) only at the Rock & Republic Woodbury Common Outlet and receive a gift with purchase (while supplies last.)

Rock & Republic
Woodbury Common Premium Outlets
Suite 842 Grapevine Court
Central Valley, NY 10917
845-928-3199

Store Hours: 10am- 9pm
Memorial Day Weekend Hours (Friday - Monday): 9am- 9pm

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!

Friends & Family: 7 for All Mankind

Who: 7 for all Mankind
What: Friends & Family enjoy 40% Off. Enter promo code 7FAMILY at checkout
When: November 12-15, 2009.
Where: In Store and Online.

Question of the Week: Finding Nice Jeans at a Nice Price

"I need some new jeans. Any suggestions on where I can get some for a reasonable price?"
- Veronica, New York

Since you live in New York, my first suggestion would be Uniqlo. They have a variety of cuts and washes for $49.90, and there's almost always a few pairs on sale for $30-$40. For more information on the fit and quality, check my Uniqlo denim review.

Another option and great classic is Levi's. They're really expanded over the past few years and have jeans at every price point - some as high as $158.00 and some as low as $19.90. They have a great selection (and sale currently) on their website and in-stores for $40 or less.

If you live in California or New York, sample sales are another great place to look for affordable jeans. For sample sale listings, sign up for mailing lists or just keep reading Sugar Rock Catwalk! Erin always does a great job of updating our sample sales listing.

For those living in other parts of the country, check out The Warehouse Sale. They hold huge sales, and their prices are reasonable. You will have to sign up for their mailing list and RSVP to attend their events. They will often offer VIP admission the day before the sale for $5 or $10, but personally, I think they usually have enough stock to just go when it's general admission.

And finally, I would recommend Gilt Groupe, which I feel like you're all familiar with by now. They're a great resource for online shopping, especially for designer and high-end denim. Yes, online shopping for jeans can be difficult, but if you know what you like it's awesome, which brings me to my next and final point.

A shopping tip for jeans, know your brands and size in each brand. That might seem like a no brainer, but if you know your brand and your size, then you can nab them when they're on sale! So the next time you're out shopping at a department store or what have you, try everything on and make a mental note of your favorite lines and styles.

UPDATE: Free Accesories at Martin+Osa

*Update* Dear Readers just wanted to let you know that the dates have changed for this promotion giving you more time to shop :)

Who said there's no such thing as a free lunch? Or in this case a silk scarf or belt! This Labor day weekend if you purchase a pair of jeans at Martin+Osa you can get some free accessories to boot! My personal fave pair of jeans are the Motocross, the zips & slim fit give denim some attitude. For men I like the Vintage Slim or Straight.

Who: Martin+Osa

What: Free woman’s silk scarf or men’s woven belt with the purchase of any denim
When: September 2-7, 2009
Where: The giveaway will be available at all Martin + Osa store locations.

Would You Wear Jeggings? A Round Up of Options

Is it just me or are Jeggings everywhere lately? The first time I heard the term, I dismissed it as fashion editorial nonsense but looks like they are here to stay.

If you are asking what are Jeggings?
Jeans + Leggings = Jeggings. Essentially super fitted jeans that might as well be leggings.

Skinny jeans are good! Leggings are good when worn correctly. The marraige of the 2? I'm a little torn. I mean we've already established that leggings are not pants does adding a few pockets make it ok? I'm thinking it'll really have to depend on the material! If it's super stretchy denim, perhaps it's okay, but if it's a thin jersey, we don't want to see that camel toe, so be sure to cover up with a tunic, mini or summer dress.

Jeggings are pretty affordable and here's a quick roundup of what I saw available...not necessarily advisable!

Target's Xhilaration Jeggings for only $9.99, they are sold out online but perhaps they can still be found in stores? Don't really love this version as I feel like people might falsely try to wear them as pants!

Surprisingly Amazon.co.uk had a version of acid wash for only $16 that look fairly substantial.

Topshop Jeggings in Grey Denim Look $40. These look pretty bland and you almost can't tell they are jeans! I think these should be worn like leggings and definitely not pants.

ASOS by far had the best variety at the best prices. I think these might be safely worn as pants because they look slightly more substantial. They range in price from approximately $17 for the metallic versions on sale up to $48 for the cute floral print version.

Finally the creme de la creme of jeggings brought to you by the lovely designer/stylists of Current Elliott for $218 via Shopbop.com