In-JEAN-ious!

Jeans.

We all have them. We all love wearing them.

But who likes to try them on?! You have to look for the right fit, cut, length, style, color, rise.....

So when I was invited to a fundraiser called "Denim After Dark" at the National Jean Company in Newton Center, Massachusetts I admit, I had some reservations. An entire night...surrounded...by...jeans?

But It was for a really good cause. And I knew it would be a fun time to catch up with friends and chat about fashion with new ones.

So I went.

And I'm so glad I did!

The fundraiser was for Youk's Kids. An organization started by Boston Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis. It raises money to help local kids. On this night the National Jean Company which features the Hudson Brand, was not only giving customers 15% off their purchase, they were donating 10% of all the night's sales to Youk's Kids. Money will go to a program called "Athletes for Heroes" (other Boston athlethes are involved as well). It will help kids who have lost a parent in the line of duty. Whether the parent was a member of the military, a firefighter, police officer or just a regular person. Kids will have help paying for sporting activities, anything to do with the arts or even a bereavement camp.

Everyone was shopping for the cause, but they didn't have to do it alone. At the National Jean Company the sales associates are experts in all things jeans. I've never seen so many women come out of dressing rooms smiling and HAPPY with their jeans!

I spoke with one woman who was just like me. Not thrilled to try on jeans. Especially in a store with ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE! We were laughing about it until the woman behind us held up a shopping bag and told us we had to see one of the store's sales associates, because she took one look at her, picked up a pair of jeans, led her to the dressing room...and voila! Her Denim Dream came true! New jeans that she absolutely LOVES.

What?!

I had to find out more. Not just about the sales associates at the store, but about jeans. What's in? What's out?

So I went to the source. Store manager Sarah Spalding. She gave me some advice on how to wear one of the new trends...colored jeans. Red, blue, yellow, green....oh my! But she said to keep the jeans as the focal point of your outfit. Simple accessories and a neutral top.

But the best advice? She said, "What's in, what's big is what looks good on you." Love it!

So how did a store that sells jeans and a local athlete come together?

National Jean Company is always looking to help local charities and it just so happens that Kevin Youkilis' charity was looking for some help.

So far Youk's Kids has raised $300,000. Judging by the VERY long line, which never seemed to slow down the entire night....I'm thinking they raised a whole lot more.

It was just a perfect fit. An In-jean-ious pairing!

And I'll definitely go back to the National Jean Company to find my perfect fit.

But I'm going to wait unitl the store doesn't have so many people in it.....