It’s been a while since jean jackets were THE thing to wear on breezy spring days. In the last couple of years, it seemed as if they were kept in the back of closets, while other trends like the leather jacket and boyfriend blazer stole the spotlight.

Being a big fan of the denim jacket trend and the cool, comfortable look they add to an outfit, I was excited to hear that they were making a big comeback this spring. They’re the perfect way to keep your look casual and effortless,whether you’re pairing them with a t-shirt and leggings, or a fun dress.

Always the trendsetter, Nicole Richie was even spotted in LA rocking Hudson’s THE JEAN JACKET in Janet this past January (yes, that’s right, a jean jacket in January… I want to move to LA now, please!). Hudson’s Spring 2011 line includes denim jackets of the traditional tailored kind in blue or white stripped, as well as a more modern shawl cropped silhouette, from their high-end collection that is absolutely drool-worthy.

Will you be rocking your favorite jean jacket style this spring?

Flexible, soft, and fantastic. I posted once (Yoga Jeans from ShopGirls) now I’m going to post twice. My dark indigo skinny Yoga Jeans have become the choice pick for casual Fridays in the office. Perfect to pair with pumps and a casual top, they’re a practical pick for your deep blue bottoms collection. Get more on the brand (Yoga Jeans by Second Denim Co.) at www.secondclothing.com.

I paid a visit to Queen West West (as I like to dub it) to see Parkdale’s SHOPGIRLS GALLERY BOUTIQUE. The main kick? Yoga Jeans. Lots of them. More than anyone else in Canada, actually. Being the denim bounty hunter that I am, I was determined to not only dig through their various racks of clothes, but to ravage the YOGA JEANS display upon entry.

Michelle Germain is the owner of the boutique, a former buyer for large scale retailers, on a mission to bring the most fantastical mix of Canadian designers and brands to Toronto’s Parkdale neighbourhood. First steps into the boutique are echoed on the woody flooring to the textured tops (ceilings). Really and truly, it’s a blend of everything flair that I adore – clothing, bags, accessories, art, furniture, accessories and plentiful stretch denim. All smiles.

Then came time to do something that I’m all too familiar with as of late – jumping behind curtains and struggling on clothing. If you’ve read to this point still wildly curious about what YOGA Jeans are, they’re a breed of jean that has 90%+ shape retention, have just the right amount of stretch, and command comfort no matter what you do. They come in various washes (from dark to acid), and skinny to straight. Going a step further, you too can customize your denim like Michelle has by tie-dying a pair to make distinctly your own.

Full disclosure: I was able to walk out gleefully with a pair of dark denim skinny yoga jeans in a size smaller than I normally wear (they really fit exactly, and require a size down to be perfect). And while I’ve been intensely weary of swag as of late, these have been my ultimate casual-Friday jeans. They pair exceptionally well with nude pumps and a snuggly attitude.

If these interest you, please feel free to use URBANEYJ10 when shopping with SHOPGIRLS online for 10% off your preferred denim.

Over the Rainbow situated (not over the rainbow) in Yorkville, Toronto has been my staple venture-to store whenever in the area. With an expansive denim wall loaded with staples and the latests, an enviable accessories rack, and friendly, energetic staff, the store is a sure win each visit. I was all too eager to attend their 35th Anniversary walk-through of the store with the family behind the landmark denim store.

“The idea is pure service”, says Joel Carman, the owner of Over the Rainbow. His excited demeanor showcasing the store from top to bottom was infectious – rattling off some impressive numbers and facts that I never would have imagined. Want some? Here’s a few:

• Has sold more than 500,000 pairs of jeans since being open
• Over 20,000 customers in their database
• 4,800 square feet to house merchandise
• A sewing facility in-house to cater strictly to their clients for hemming and fixes. They do over 6,000 original hems a year.
• Largest selection of denim in the country: over 250 pairs in their assortment.

Some highlights from the visit – viewing vintage press clippings of the store, behind-the-scenes glimpses of their photoshoot area and storage of countless puffy Canada Goose jackets for the upcoming winter season, and trying on more than my fair share of denim to find the right fit. Hudson Premium Skinnies were a win.

Their celebration is this weekend, with goodies and grabs outlined here on their store blog. Bring in your friends and family for a little denim fun and some.

Thank you to the OTR team and Briana!

Boyfriend Jeans? That was so 2009. This year, the spotlight’s on Fidelity Denim’s new collection of vintage western and Boyfriend Shirts for Spring 2010. While I admit that the idea of a denim shirt frightened me at first, the button-ups soon won me over with their cool, rugged, laid-back look that any boyfriend-shirt-wearing girl would appreciate. The shirts come in 2 different styles and 7 different washes – my personal faves are the the Louis in Crude, and the Ted in Ombre. Just pair ‘em up with some black leggings to avoid any jean on jean action.

What’s your take on the shirts?