You rock your jeans just about every day and here’s the thing, every spring our favorite denim designers– from Hudson to William Rast, True Religion, J Brand, Paige & Joe’s– try to create the new “it” denim of the season. Most of the time it’s a total miss– hello denim jumpsuits and ridiculously over-priced cut-off shorts.

Last spring the wide leg really killed it– the complete sailor look. It will always make me think of sweet, sweet summer days, as if I too will be spending the summer walking through the streets of Monaco in a wide brimmed hat, espadrilles perfectly wrapped around my ankles, and a navy striped cotton tee that fits so perfectly Grace Kelly herself would be jealous of my demure, sexy styling. However, this is 2009, and there’s a whole new set of denim rules this spring– well, sort of.

Knocking your wedges off at #1…

The Ankle-Length Skinny: Think the perfect red patent leather flat and tailored Theory blouse to pair with the ankle-length skinny, which I think ties in quite nicely with the 50s & 60s-inspired looks we’re seeing multiply before our eyes. What makes the denim ankle skinny so perfect is that you can play out your yearning for Don Draper and a nice cool glass of spiked lemonade without looking like you’ve dressed up as Mrs. Cleaver for the day. This denim is classic and modern all at the same time, whereas plaid belted dresses with flared skirts are very much a time-sensitive issue. Favorite this season: Paige Premium Denim– classic ankle skinny. Look for one that’s dark all over.

These are from Tobi, $169.

The Distressed Ankle-Length Skinny: It’s not over with the ankle skinny and this is where I have to say I’m not overly enthusiastic about  this trend– the ankle skinny featuring distressing, a light wash and a cuff.  Before jumping at this trend, you should ask yourself, “Am I exceptionally thin for my height?” If the answer is yes, awesome. Rock this look with reckless abandon, but only for one season because this is not a trend that’s here to stay and you’ll be nothing more than a washed up fashion victim come Spring Twenty-Ten.

Blue Heights Skinny – Midnight Rocker Destruction, Paige Premium Denim, $210.

The Wide Leg: This is a very body-friendly fit. Curvy, check, stick straight, check, Jessica Simpson– wait. OK, a few rules for finding a safe fit.

• Avoid extremely high-waisted fits with heavily detailed front patch pockets. See previously mentioned celebrity’s unfortunate chili cook-off performance if you need a deterrent.

• Avoid whiskering at the hips (when designers use washed out lines across the hips horizontally to create a more interesting texture…Straight answer: Not cute on this cut).

• Always do this look in a medium to lightweight denim.

• Wear with a heel, preferably a wedge or other wide heel.

Hudson Deluxe Wide Leg – Tahoe, on sale now at Shop LA Style for $94.

The Denim Dress: I know what you’re thinking, does it have adjustable straps and a skort like the one I wore circa 1990? No! This is more of an update on the shirt dress. Nicely belted in a lightweight chambray denim, the dress can actually be very sophisticated. So, if you find a good, buy it, they’re few and far between. Cute, different and not a jumpsuit. I’m not even going to get into that.

Ceres Denim Dress, French Connection, $148.

The Denim Short: Though I mocked the over-priced short short, there are a couple denim short styles I will enthusiastically recommend and none of them say Bongo on the label.

• A dark wash bermuda short can go a very long way during the summer. Dress it up with a heel and bring it down with a flat sandal. Easy. Favorite brand for this style: Hudson Jeans.

These are on sale right now at Bluefly for $80.

• The loose-fit cuffed short. True Religion’s Jess Short is my favorite version of this (shown below). Looks great on thighs big and small, short and long. Basically, if you’re comfortable baring a little leg, take care to do so in the most flattering way.

True Religion “Jess” Roll Jean Short, $172 at Bloomingdale’s.

I’d love to hear what your favorites are and how you’re sporting them, so leave comments letting us know.

Cheers,

Ashley

P.S. For all you loyal INPT readers, allow me to introduce myself, my name is Ashley and I’m the latest addition to the team.  Really my pic says it all. As a fashion-savvy kindergartner circa 1986, I rocked the first day of school by pairing my Cabbage Patch lunchbox with worn-in Keds, belting my over-sized tee to tie it all together and never looked back.  Looking forward to contributing to the site.