About a week before I moved out to go to university in another city, my dad came home with a present.

“They were selling these at a kiosk in the mall,” he said, handing me a black t-shirt with an iron on transfer of Jim Morrison’s face, complete with the words “the Doors” stuck on in shiny, gaudy blue letters. “I saw you flipping through Morrison’s biography at the bookstore once, and figured you’d like it. It’s an authentic band t-shirt.”

Despite rarely actually listening to the Doors’ music, and the fact that the ‘authentic’ t-shirt looked like it was manufactured no earlier than 2007, the sentiments behind the shirt made it my go-to staple for whenever I was feeling homesick while at school. Like all my favourite articles of clothing, my reasons for liking it went beyond its simple aesthetics and into the feelings it invoked.

We want to hear the stories behind your favourite articles of clothing. Tell us in the comments how you acquired that tattered old dress, or the wacky shenanigans you got into while wearing your worn-in blue jeans. Participants will have a chance to win tickets to the Toronto showing of Love, Loss and What I Wore.

The play, written by Nora and Delia Ephron, is described as “a collection of vignettes and monologues that uses clothing and accessories and the memories they trigger.” Starring Mary Walsh, Lauren Collins, and Andrea Martin (among others), the show will be playing at Toronto’s Panasonic Theatre from July 16 to September 4.

Because the show opens up this Friday, you have until Wednesday, July 14 to tell us your stories (make us laugh! make us cry!) before we pick a winner. Please include your e-mail address with your comment.

You can also check out Love, Loss and What I Wore on their website, Twitter and Facebook.

And now for the fine print:
Tickets will be held at Will Call for the winners. Prize includes 2 tickets to the show, dates TBD (most likely from July 16-24th 2010). Prize does not include transportation to the Panasonic Theatre in Toronto. Prize has no cash value. The winner must answer a skill testing question correctly. Winners must be over the age of consent as per province or have parental/guardian consent.

Find more great pics of Kenny here.

Well, kittens, it looks as though the demand for high-waisted jeans is not yet at a fever pitch. Fair enough. To be entirely honest, choosing denim on the internet is risky business no matter what. But a few of you brave souls rose to the challenge and one of you is about to reap a chic reward…

Though there weren’t a ton of entries, it was still a tough call. I’m always impressed with a girl who knows how to throw a punch – real or faux – and I admit the idea of having some sassy lady actually singing “Lady” while wearing Lady jeans is almost too good to be true… But in the end I had to go with the girl who was not only chosen by fate (what are the odds you’d be listening to Kenny at the moment you read the post), but who also knew the name of Kenny’s backup band. I never could help being impressed by trivia.

Congratulations, unnamed girl from Victoire! Get in touch and let me know where (and to whom) I should address this fancy package and I’ll put it in the mail, toot sweet!

g.

In 1980, nothing came between Brooke Shields and her Calvin Kleins.
Of course, she was only 15 at the time, so a few people thought that might be TMI.

Not too long ago I stopped in at Dennis’ House of Vintage (1239 Queen St. West). I was very pleased to find that they had a really decent selection of awesome late 70s and early 80s designer jeans – brands like Sergio Valente and Jordache. You know, high waisted and practically painted on. Think Kate Jackson, Blair in The Facts of Life or Debbie Harry. Since then, I’ve been searching them out everywhere. My latest find, a pair of Cote d’Azur brand, came from a tiny thrift store outside of London, Ontario. The genius of these jeans is threefold: they never ride down when you sit or bend, they make your legs look about a mile long, and if they’re slightly unflattering, it’s actually charming. Beat that.

But don’t forget! These were made in the days before Lycra. I wore my new favourite skintight Jordache to work yesterday; it was tricky, to say the least. First, thinking I could sit in those things was a HUGE MISTAKE. Second, I’m pretty sure they actually bruised me all around the waist and hips. Heh, heh. You have been warned.

At the same time I found my sexy Cote d’Azur, I also found what may be the greatest jeans since Fancy Ass – and though they didn’t fit me, I felt it was my duty to find them a good home. Inspired by The Gambler, I now have in my possession a pair of gen-u-ine Kenny Rogers’ Lady jeans… and they could be yours.

Our denim model is a size 31 (modern sizing) and these jeans are a shade big.
She is also, at 5’3”, wearing four inch platform heels… These are loooong.

Remember last year’s shoe giveaway? Well, the rules are basically the same. Write us a note in the comments section describing why you are the Lady Kenny himself would want representing his particular brand of class and sass. The winner will be announced on the website in one week, on April 21. See below for exact sizing and fine print…

JEANS SIZING
• Label sizing: 13/14 (but remember, that’s circa 1986 – probably closer to a 10 now)
• Waist: 29-30”
• Hip (at widest point): 38”
• Inseam: 33.5”
• Rise: 12” (holy crap!)

CONTEST FINE PRINT
• Contestants from the US and Canada are elligible to win not only these fine denim pants, but they will receive their booty’s booty with shipping costs included (up to a maximum of $10, sent by regular post). If a winner is chosen outside of North America, they will be responsible for mailing/shipping costs. Once those costs are determined, they can be paid directly to WORN through Paypal.
• WORN employees are welcome to enter. I would hate for any of you girls to be pantsless.
• Contest winner will be announced on the WORN website. It is up to the contestant to contact WORN with complete mailing details in order to redeem their prize at that time.

Your ad will appear in print in our own Maynard Street Market, putting it into the hands of readers in Canada and the US, the UK, Europe, Japan, and Australia just in time for a little spring shopping.

Your options are wide open: reinterpret the image any way you like, and with whomever (or whatever) you like. Just make sure your entry (and your ad design) hits our inbox by midnight on Sunday March 28th.

THE RULES:
1) Contest submissions must be digitally submitted in print quality size (minimum 1000 pixels wide).

2) By submitting entries/images, contestants consent to give WORN Fashion Journal permission to reproduce said images on the WORN website, in print, or for promotional purposes.

3) All entries will be judged and a winner chosen by WORN staff. The winner will be notified by email.

4) Contest deadline is midnight, Sunday March 28th, 2010

5) SEND ALL SUBMISSIONS AND AD DESIGNS TO dearworn @ wornjournal.com

6) Winner must submit their ad design within 5 days of notification. Winning ad will be printed in full colour in the WORN issue 10 Maynard Street Market ad pages.