Denim Part Deux
LA Brands at Work + Introducing The Comfort Zone
The love for LA continues and will not show signs of stopping. I would likely be writing about LA anyway, but it feels especially apropos right now as our beloved city continues to experience devastating fires (and wind) and thus more fire. I am not a meteorologist, but this sequence of events feels troublesome and somehow even more surreal than the last two weeks, to say the least.
What I am a partial expert in is denim. In fact, the day the fires in LA broke out, I was sitting in the Vernon offices of Mother Denim reporting a (now sadly scrapped) story for BoF. I visited Mother’s production facility, adorably named Mother Maker, and got a wonderful tour with co-founders Tim Kaeding and Lela Becker. During the pandemic, Mother’s external LA production facility closed down. Kaeding and Becker absorbed the sewers, staff, machinery etc and took production for about 99 percent of everything they make in house. Not only have they kept skilled workers in the well regarded LA denim industry employed, they are able to create a more efficient, sustainable and playfully creative company all here in LA. It was comforting to see what remains of the LA denim scene and economy thriving all right here thanks very much in part to Mother. Most denim companies have either been sold to larger corporations who have taken production and sourcing overseas and or denim companies in general who produce abroad to cut costs. No shame in that game at all. Manufacturing in LA is challenging. Kudos to Mother for consciously trying to continue the LA denim legacy, keep amazingly talented sewers and denim experts employed and….for creating Lil Mother.
If you are unfamiliar with Lil Mother, it’s Mother’s petite denim line for us queens under 5’4”. It feels like “petite” took a beat. I remember my mother shopping the Petite’s section of Nordstrom and Macy’s when I was growing up and then it feels like that department ceased to exist. I was THRILLED to see Mother’s nod to petite and create directional denim that didn’t incur the extra cost, time and guesswork of hemming. I do encourage getting denim tailored, but hemming a pant that was designed for a long leg will almost never pan out right if you are not the owner of such a leggy leg.
As you may know, hemming is not always the answer when it comes to pants. With a wider leg, kick flare or boot cut, where the leg starts to flare or widen is key and if jeans jut out in a place ideal for a 5’8” and above frame, that just won’t be the case for anyone shorter. Lil Mother has sought to resolve that. Case in point: these Lil Ditcher jeans are as wide as wide legs come yet fall perfectly along every inch of the leg.
I own a few pairs of Lil Mother because I have wanted desperately to participate in the wide leg conversation without a trip to the tailor. I will say, the line does not disappoint in fit, length, pocket placement or wash.
Levi’s also makes a wonderful wide leg for short statured shoppers. The women’s mid-rise 94 baggy wide leg is the perfect length for us vertically challenged and blessedly comes in at an under $100 price point. I get more compliments on these jeans than maybe any other I’ve ever worn. I promise you won’t be disappointed. For anyone still using Amazon, you can get these guys there too.
And finally for another LA brand (like Mother, not Levis but…you get it), the Pistola party continues. I mentioned these Ryder wide cuffed jeans a few posts ago and have not removed them from my bod since. The length is perfect, the appearance is rigid but the feel is soft, soft, soft. Quite a feat. Speaking of feet, the ankle bone grazing length works with trusty Clarks, sneakers, ballet flats and heels if you’re into that sort of thing. For anyone taller, these won’t appear cropped per sé. I think they work on a lot of heights.
From Denim to Lip Oil, because what is linear thinking anyway especially considering what 2025 has been hurling at us thus far?
The term “comfort zone” has been ticking through my mind for about a month and it’s taking a little shape here in The Drop By. I see it like the fetal position, but in the form of little things that make us feel a little better or at the very least provide a brief distraction from the existential dread that continues to permeate our lives and days. WHOA.Too much? That’s exactly why we need the Comfort Zone. It’s nothing flashy, nothing fancy. Heck, nothing too well thought out. Just some stuff that I feel is getting me through this very minute and moment and into the zone of comfort. Let’s unclench our jaws together.
Maison Margiela Replica Afternoon Delight
I (honest to God) accidentally sprayed this perfume on myself at Sephora the other day and then couldn’t stop sniffing my wrist. Afternoon Delight from Maison Margiela is a creamy vanilla that even people who find vanilla vomitous can stomach. It’s a little smoky, a little caramel-y, a little spicy. I had previously sprayed something else on myself that I hated (text me, I’ll name names) and grabbed Afternoon Delight to cover it up. It did that plus provided some very comforting vibes, I forgot that I was in a sea of insanity inside Sephora.
Monika Blunder Sweet Talk Lip Oil
I know there are a lot of lip oils out there. I’ve probably tried most of them and Monika Blunder’s wins the gold medal. It’s hydrating, plumping, slick but not sticky or too oily. The colors are saturated but sheen-y. It smells like candy but tastes like nothing. I feel like I could immediately report to the red carpet and pose right after applying it. Not that anyone wants to see that, but it is important for me to feel that way and this DOES JUST THAT.
Odacite Smooth + Glow Vitamin C Scrub and Oil
Odacite has been clean before clean was a category. I remember the founder Valerie coming to my office at the LA Times with a little fridge where she kept all of the products she was launching back like a decade plus ago. This line truly keeps it clean and manages to make super thoughtful, effective, luxurious products. While both the scrub and oil here are undeniably hydrating, I think the zesty, earthy, “who’s peeling an orange?!” scent emanating from both products is the real allure.
Thanks for dropping by and for coasting through the Comfort Zone with me. See you in the next one.
MM x
I always love getting informed with the latest and best on the what is comfy, and in good style from Melissa.
Very extensive, detailed and informative article about denims in the California scene. Love the article. 😍😍