Double Denim, Charlies Angels and Old Wranglers

Thursday 7 March 2013


"Once upon a time, there were three little girls who went to the police academy. And they were each assigned very hazardous duties but I took them all away from all that and now they work for me. My name is Charlie.

Cue Charlies Angel music. Anyone remember Sabrina, Kris and Kelly? I wanted to be Kelly - yeah - in my dreams. Wrong nationality, one foot too short, three sizes too big. Like I said - in my dreams. And for some reason, my friends always made me play Sabrina because I had the shortest hair. These things stick in your brain you know.



Anyway, the above sprung to mind after I had a little play with some old jeans and teamed them with a  denim shirt. I'm doing that thing where everyone is wearing boyfriend jeans so I've got it in my head I want to wear something else. I'm not sure the something else are these old jeans but hey ho they were in one of my many dressing up boxes and I didn't have to go far for them. Getting me out of the door in this double denim ensemble might be another thing altogether. I may very well be laughed out of the playground for wearing this one ... hence the fact that I'm "trialling" this in the safety of my home.

Zara Shirt, Wrangler Jeans, Krimble Sandals

The jeans are actually old Wrangler bootcuts circa 2004/5. When bootcuts were still all the rage. Teamed with the shirt. they have a hint of the seventies about them - just nod and humour me. Just pretend they are funky flares.

Wrangler - now that's really 70's!

According to Wikipedia, Wrangler jeans in the 1970's became an icon of youth culture, synonymous with teenagers the world over. Yes I cribbed that from Wiki.

And because I've now got this seventies thing going on in my head, I felt the need to accessorise.

 
Jade Pendant (Hong Kong)
Aviators (Primark)

Okay, the glasses were a bit overkill but the overall outfit brought back happy memories of my childhood. Oh yes and when the 2000 movie of Charlies Angels came out - yup you guessed it - I wanted to be Lucy Liu.

So what do you think of double denim then? What do you think of the bootleggy flares? I have to say this is a tricky one and will definitely divide opinions. For the skinny diehards, these are probably almost worst than boyfriend jeans. Be interested to hear what you think.

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Last note :

  • Did you know that the Angels cast was  to be originally made up of one brunette, one blonde and one redhead? Neither did I till tonight.





44 comments

  1. LOVE, love, love this post! You look fab - definitely the lucy liu of Leeds ;) x

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    1. Thanks Clare but they are rather scary. I've not seen myself in a pair for so many years now that it feels rather strange. I'm not sure I'm brave enough for the outside yet. Straight leg is as wide as it gets for me currently. But thanks for the vote :o)

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  2. I was truly odd 'cos I loved Sabrina. I think it was her voice. She had the most amazing husky voice ... and she always seemed far more interesting than the two Barbies beside her. Double denim ... em, no! Can't get my head around it. Love the shirt, but not with those jeans. Can't make up my mind about the jeans. I think it's what we're used to looking at and it's been a long time since I've seen anyone wearing boot cut. Having said that, I was a big fan of them in the past and for little people like us, they were way more effective than boyfriends or skinnies at the whole leg lengthening illusion. Would you be hounded by the fashion police if you wore them outside the house??!!

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    1. It's because I wanted to have long bouncy flicky hair and I didn't. I basically had Sabrina's hair so basically I had to play Sabrina. You hit the nail on the head about the jeans and what people are used to seeing. In 1996 when I'd just had Ben, I was trying to get my head round skinny jeans and that just wasn't happening for me. Roll on 6/7 years later and they are now the norm (even though I still don't like myself in true skinny jeans). I'm not sure I would be hounded by the fashion police - I still see a lot of mums wearing them in my playground and I know some who wouldn't dream of wearing a pair of skinnys. Maybe I should stick to my ripped boyfriend jeans Helen?

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  3. I love double denim and have rocked it (or so I like to think) on my blog already.
    And you know I don't think those glasses are overkill. Au contraire, they add just the perfect touch.

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    1. Yes you do double denim really well and you don't even have to offset it like I would normally i.e. black denim with blue denim. It just works on you. You have the look.

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  4. I love bootcut jeans :( Does that make me sad? You totally have got the double denim. I can't do it - look all uncomfortable in it somehow. Glasses are just perfect.

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    1. I confess I used to love bootcut jeans but they've worked themselves out of my wardrobe for the last 4 years and I came across them again recently and just thought I'd give them a go (at home). To be honest, I don't think I've ever done double denim before - fine for everyone else but it has always been a no for me (till this post) but now it's at least given me a bit of confidence to try with other jeans.

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  5. Hi there! Well as a denim lover, I'm going to say a double yes to this double denim look-really love the bootleggy flares and these particular Wranglers definitely have a real 70s vibe going on, I think you look great in this outfit!! I was also Sabrina in the playground, so loved Charlies Angels back in the day and I remember I had the choice of going to gymnastics or getting a Charlies Angels patch for my corderoy jumpsuit and I chose the patch!! xx

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    1. Well Sabrina was always the intelligent one - I don't think I ever did her justice. I think Wranglers to me are just synonymous with the seventies. I was going to cut these up last year to make shorts but never got round to it and it was much easier to just buy a pair from H&M. I think I will be folding these back up again for a while - I don't have it in me to walk out in them.

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    2. Hi again! I think this outfit will really work come summer, when bootleggy flares are really back in trend you'll have yours tucked away! Don't cut them down, they are such a good fit around the bum and the cut looks great! Thanks for your your comment on the black jacket, will look forward to seeing yours on-they are so versatile you can wear it for a simple shopping trip with jeans or a dressy night out, such a good buy xx

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  6. You look awesome! I love this on you! And so glad to see you've finally found a denim shirt you're happy with. I have endless pairs of bootcut jeans hidden away in storage, convinced I'll want to wear them again some day, and you're totally right, in today's context, they do look almost like 70s bell-bottoms. Love the outfit. And no, the sunglasses aren't too much.

    www.nomadicd.com

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    1. I kind of like the combo but don't feel comfortable so that's part of it isn't it - feeling good in what you wear or at the very least comfortable and happy. If I was Kate Moss, yes - the look would be pulled off to perfection - the shirt would be that little bit smaller and tighter, the flares that little bit flarier (is that even a word?) so if I can't do it totally right, I might just leave it for now. But it's good to try and see how people take these looks. It's strange how the width of your jean legs can divide opinion so. I'm just being a bit MOR about it all - I'll probably end up with my black denims with this shirt if I'm doing double denim or if not - some chinos (could I get any more suburban school mom????).

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    2. And yes the elusive denim shirt finally turned up. It's not a true denim shirt but not a chambray either. A bit of an inbetweeny. But I think I just knew after trying it on. Hope this serves me well this summer.

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  7. Bootcut jeans just look so dated to me now. I think the double denim look would work if you teamed the shirt with skinnies though.

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    1. Hi and thanks for leaving a comment. It's good to see what people think of the different cuts of denim. I think the younger girls would carry this off and make it look cool and the older ladies like myself now look a little bit off in them. I have to say I prefer a slimmer looking jean - it's all a sign of the times and what's acceptable. But that begs the question of what happens if skinnys, straights and boyfriend jeans don't suit? Where do you go then?

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  8. Oh my I LOVE this - the double denim, sandals and the fact they are Wranglers just takes it up another notch!

    www.poppys-style.com

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    1. Joanna - I should have known you would like this one. I can't believe that I actually had a pair of old Wranglers kicking around - I bought them in Topshop sooo long ago. I think you could carry this one off better than me - you've got much longer legs.

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  9. I'm too young to remember Charlies Angels properly (smug face), I think of the Lucy Lui/Cameron Diaz one first, but the original ones were hotter by a long shot! These jeans are gorgeous on you Sue and I'm not usually a big fan of double denim but I think your blues are different enough in colour and texture to work well, so get outside in them girl!!!

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    1. Trea - I'm going to slap you if you rub it in one more time how young you are! Can't remember the original Angels indeed. I don't think I'm really a fan of double denim but there's no harm in playing. Seems to be getting a reaction anyway! Think it's proving very divided as I anticipated.

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  10. This is a difficult one because how you feel in your jeans is such a personal thing. Double denim is wonderful! The jeans do suit you but as you say, if you don't feel right in them, it's just academic. The worst boot cuts of recent times were the ones that barely covered the bum! I think Wranglers are a total classic in themselves.
    I love 70's flares so would look for the proper flares that are high waist and fit around the hips to wear with some platform wedges :-)

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    1. Oh I couldn't do the original high waisted ones - I shudder to think how big my backside would look! I don't think I can even do these ones but it's strange how one's mindset has changed over the years. I think skinnys just infiltrated our consciousness and has left a huge imprint. Anything not skinny looks strange now.

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  11. Is the denim shirt from Zara new season? The color and texture looks perfect for Spring... Maybe I should stop by this evening after work ;)

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    1. Hi Helin? The Zara shirt is this season - there's a link above if you're interested in a better look. I just thought it was such a nice alternative to the regular denim shirts out there - it has a Mao collar instead of the usual winged one and the colour wash was just perfect for summer. I struggled with loads of other shirts or maybe I was too picky as I scrupulously inspected the fading on each one and was making sure it didn't look too obvious or uneven. So I gave up going down that track and just settled on this one instead. Job done. I have to say, the finish wasn't great - a few loose threads which should have been snipped and tidied before hand but I just sorted that out myself as the overall shirt was perfect. Check it out - you might like it :o)

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  12. Love the shirt but the jeans are a no-no from me. I think they are ageing but not really because they are bootcut, I think it's because of the colour/fade. If I were you, I'd dye them navy or black because they are a super fit on you.
    But actually, how spooky that we both did different jeans today? Telepathy??!! haha! Avx
    PS my boyfriends are in the post..but may never make the blog. I'll share on the forum tho...just for you guys!

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    1. Oh Avril - after my last dye attempt I'm not in a hurry to dye anything. The colour definitely has the seventies thing going on with it which is probably why I teamed it with the shirt - I was going for the whole seventies shebang. I must have nailed it a weird kind of way :o)

      Looking forward to seeing you crack this boyfriend jeans thing. It will happen. Or pigs might fly :o)

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  13. The jeans are fab....I love them and great outfit Susie and do i see your toes out...is it too early....i can not wait to get mine out!
    J
    http://lifelovesand.blogspot.ie/

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    1. I was just testing the sandals out with the outfit - it's way too cold for toes just yet. Like I said to Avril - I was going for a bit of retro vibe so I dragged my old faithful Krimble sandals out as I've always thought they had a touch of the seventies about them. Hope the weather improves soon - itching to get all my sandals out and put away the boots.

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  14. Well it's denim tonight isn't it? I loved Charlie's Angels and when Farrah married Lee Majors I was thrilled!!!! Six Million Dollar man and an angel......blimey! I also spent hours and loads of hairspray perfecting the flick...oh yes, I'm a fashionista don't you know!!!
    Double denim...now that's going a bit far Sue! Like I said on Avrils blog I've mourned the demise of the boot but ( being stumpy of leg, more carrot than breadstick me) as thy are the only jeans that have ever made my legs. Look long.....and those do the same for you ( you don't have carrot legs btw)... I would love Levi's 501( and the ad) to come back. I really love you in your straight cut/ boyfriends best.
    C

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    1. Oh the Levis 501 ads. Forget Nick Kamen sitting in his bath - I loved his brother Nick who was a very talented photographer and just as gorgeous. I am soo sad that I know this kind of thing but when you're young what else have you got to obsess about?

      Don't worry Claire - I'm not running back to my bootlegs but it's good to investigate the options if only to re-affirm and confirm what you already know. Back to the straight/skinny/boyfriends already.

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  15. Denim on Denim on denim is so in right now. I'd say throw on another denim jacket on top. Oh, and I was in loveeeee with Farrah. I still can't figure out how to replicate her hairstyle. Le sigh.

    P.S. Would you like to follow each other on bloglovin?

    WWW.ROXTHEFOX.COM

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    1. Hi RoxtheFox. A taker for Farrah then? She was a bit of a doll too wasn't she and I admit, she did have great hair. Will pop over to see you on your blog.

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  16. I like it - my bootcuts are faded now (and I had to patch up the knees) but still love em anyway and I've always dug the 70's vibe (I have a couple of my mums original 70s tank tops still!). It has been a while since I've done the double denim thing I have to say but you've made it look really cool! I used to have one of those press stud denim shirts (was it Lee?) - more fitted but totally 70s. Good grief your opening paragraph takes me right back - I was obsessed with Charlie's Angels (had the dolls) I wanted to be Kelly always, which was fine because my best friend was always Sabrina and think we just made do without Jill! x

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    1. I'm a seventies child. I should have been an eighties one but I prefer the seventies for the music and the fashion. I was nurtured by my brother and brought up on a diet of Blondie and Roxy Music.

      I've never done double denim before this time. It takes some getting used to I have to say. I'm not sure I'm wholly comfortable but never say never :o)

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  17. Sue I love it! Aren't those jeans far for more comfortable as well then skinnies? I've been wearing more straight leg and boot cut. They are so much more forgiving (and less restricting). You can definitely work the double denim!

    xx Mandi

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    1. Aww thank you Mandi. I loved your recent take on alternative jeans and I didn't mean it in a funny way when I said it had a seventies vibe - I meant it in the most fab way because I love the seventies looks and I thought you looked amazing in yours. You do have a point - they are more comfortable than the skinnies and don't they make your legs look soooo much longer? Very important for us small girls out there.

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  18. Love those jeans - really really suit you!

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    1. Thanks Anna - good luck on your jeans hunt too!

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  19. I actually did double denim on the weekend.. well, jeggings and chambray, I suppose that counts? And you totally look like one of Charlie's Angels in that outfit!

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  20. So I saw - I think that was the most relaxed outfit I've ever seen you in. I actually thought it was someone else in the photos for a moment.

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  21. Definitely a fan of denim on denim! I love your Wranglers, and so envious of your tiny bum! When I was a teenager I could fit into dad's old Wranglers, they are true proper bootcut and he was quite lean back in his day - except I grew and grew and lost my beanpole status so there was an embarrassing situation one day where I was trying to squeeze into them one day and they split apart..

    steph / absolutely-fuzzy.com

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    1. I can't imagine ever fitting in any of my dad's jeans (don't think he even had a pair) although I used to borrow his old jackets - he's quite short so they didn't quite drown me. I wouldn't do it now - it's all about the fit these days.

      Embarrassing about the jeans but hey, I cracked the toilet seat the other day which the Grumps won't let me live down.

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  22. C'mon sun.... show us your face!
    Flares and wedges are ready and waiting!

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Susie So So