Uniforms of the Day

EARL JEANS

Four and a half years ago, the Los Angeles-based husband-and-wife designer team of Benjamin and Suzanne Freiwald of Earl Jean ushered in the dark denim low-rise, slim-cut jean that has become the denim du jour. Sexy in cut, plain and classic in construction, Earl is pure Americana revival. Sure, their average customer has turned in the Camel filters and Converses for a Fendi bag and Prada mules, but it’s that perfect blend of redneck and royal that is vintage Earl. “Our name perfectly describes Suzanne,” says Benjamin. “She’s from Georgia, but she has a sort of air--she’s very stylish. Earl is not only your mechanic’s name, it’s also English royalty.”

JUICY

Don’t knock a Hanes V-neck in the presence of L.A.’s Juicy designers Gela Nash-Taylor (left) and Pamela Skaist-Levy. “Hanes are amazing--I’ve worn them for years,” says Skaist-Levy, though, she laments, “they can’t take you everywhere.” Which is why, in a city where the iconoclastic T-shirt still reigns supreme, the Juicy duo set out to design the ultimate in cotton chic. Revamping the classic with bright colors, sexy silhouettes and neckline nuances, Juicy cuts to fit all body types. “You don’t have to be a waif to wear them,” Skaist-Levy adds. “We’re also doing a new line of jeans, very forward and hip, but they have to be about fit. Every girl knows that.’

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Stylist: Vincent Boucher/Artist Group Management; hair: Daniel Jacob Erdmann/Artists; makeup: Shally Zucker for Valerie of Beverly Hills/Artists; wardrobe assistant: Ian Fuller; models: Ashley Carter/Champagne Trott, Malain/Elite, L.A., and Clint Owens/Next, L.A.