The Ultimate Guy's Gift Guide

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Thanksgiving will be here in a few short days, and then the countdown to Christmas begins. Are you trying to think of the perfect gift for the guys in your life? No matter what “type” of guy you love, we think he’ll love our jeans.

Also, remember that we’re hosting a huge Thanksgiving sale this Thursday, 11/27 (Thanksgiving) through Monday, 12/1 (Cyber Monday), so it’s the perfect time to buy the best gift for the man you love! All jeans are 40% off with FREE SHIPPING (for both men's and women's jeans) when you use the code THANKS through 12/1. Afraid you’ll get his size wrong? No worries—we now offer free shipping for all exchanges and returns! We’ll make sure that he ends up with the size that fits him best. Shop now.

JLeer jeans are perfect for…

The Tech Guru

He’s brilliant, always has the latest tech device, and can solve your computer problems with his eyes closed. He lives, eats and breathes apps, html codes, and shortcuts. He sends you the best YouTube videos, and will probably invent the next big social media platform. When you go to the Apple store, he’s usually offered a job at the Genius Bar. Whether he’s a graphic designer, a video-game fanatic, a software engineer, or just loves to be connected, our jeans are an obvious go-to gift that he will love! Whether he’s an iPhone fiend, a Droid dude, or a Galaxy guy, his beloved smartphone will always be within arm’s reach, and he’ll look great wearing them.

The #1 Fan

Because of him, you personally know the names and statistics of all of the players on his favorite (or fantasy!) team, and you know that on Sundays (and Thursday, and Saturdays, and Mondays) the television will be set to ESPN. His rec-league team is the best in the league, and he’s probably been named MVP. He doesn’t just know about this season, but is a walking dictionary of sports legends, statistics, and plays. He’ll love that our SmartPockets leave mere inches between him and his fantasy football app, that they’ll guarantee that he can get into the stadium easily, and that they are perfect for tailgating. Plus, they’ll definitely go with his favorite jersey.

 

The Artist

Maybe he’s a photographer, a writer, or loves to paint. Your house includes countless renditions of his work, and his personality shines through his unique style. He’s creative and talented, but also loveable and smart. Although his creativity creates his work, he’s also business-savvy in a way that gets the attention of others. He loves to express himself, and that translates into his wardrobe as well. The entrepreneurial side of him will love that our SmartPockets allow him to stay in touch with clients with ease, and the artistic side of him will love them for a variety of reasons. JLeer jeans are a favorite amongst photographers, who love having somewhere to stick their lens cap. They’re also great for holding paintbrushes, memory cards, and any other tools of his trade.

The Handy Man

He’s strong and tough, and takes care of any spider that comes your way. He’s great with repairs, and can help you navigate a Lowes Hardware store like a pro. Flat tire? Don’t call AAA, call this guy. Leaky faucet? He’ll be right over. Your yard will always look immaculate as long as he’s around and he’s fascinated with what makes things tick. Replace those worn-out jeans he loves with JLeer jeans, and watch him come up with his own creative uses for the SmartPocket.

The Musician

His fingers are calloused from strumming the guitar, and he has the best taste in music of anyone you’ve ever met. He still makes you mix-CDs, and you’re excited for the day when it’s his voice playing through your stereo. His pockets are currently stuffed with guitar picks, set lists, napkins with potential lyrics, and his iPhone (to listen to Pandora for inspiration, of course). The problem? He can’t get to any of these items easily, and they’re cramping his style. Cue: the best gift ever. Buy him a pair of JLeer jeans that go with his unique style, but that will make his life ten times easier.

No matter what your man's interests are, we're sure that our jeans would make the perfect gift for him, and what's better than 40% off + free shipping? Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Shopping!! Remember to use the code THANKS at checkout!

Click here to shop now!

                        Xoxo, JLeer

By Amelia Beamer

An Artist We Love: Arsena Schroeder

Last month, we were excited to announce our very first sponsorship with singer/songwriter Arsena Schroeder. Today, Arsena released "You Made," a free (!!!) single from her highly anticipated upcoming album For My Artist Child, which is currently available for pre-order and will be released on December 2nd, 2014.

Photo courtesy of Arsena Schroeder & Kevin Currie

M e e t  A r s e n a

Born in Pittsburgh, Arsena Schroeder doesn't really "feel southern," even though she's lived in Charlotte, NC since she was five years old. 

"I feel more at home when I go up north," the twenty-three-year-old artist said, "especially in [Washington] D.C. ... that's where I started playing music."

When listening to Arsena's songs, it would be easy to mistake her for a life-long musician,. You'd probably be shocked to learn that she's only been creating music for five years, since the day she decided to teach herself guitar chords with a series of DVDs. Before picking up the guitar, music was present in Arsena's life in many ways. Her elementary school’s music class exposed her to classical music. Gospel songs were staples at the church she attended with her mother. She was on her high school’s dance team that performed routines to the brassy school songs of the marching band. 

Last week, we had the chance to sit down with Arsena to talk about her free single: "You Made," her upcoming album: For My Artist Child, life as an artist, her inspiration, her love of JLeer jeans and much more. 

We were excited to sponsor & outfit Arsena and her husband Stephen with JLeer jeans to wear to her official listening party, and we couldn't wait to hear their feedback on the product. (The verdict? They both plan to wear them on her upcoming tour!) Check out what she loves most about our jeans in the interview below & shop the same styles that Arsena loves, The Skinny Mary in black wash & her The Lady Mary Straight leg in medium wash. Also, we now offer free shipping for exchanges & returns to ensure that you get the perfect size for your body, so don't be afraid to shop now!

Arsena rocking our Skinny Mary style in our black wash

I n f l u e n c e s 

“Generally speaking, growing up here in Charlotte, in inner-city black communities, people listened to R&B and hip-hop,” Arsena said, “Do I like R&B and hip-hop that much? Not really… it was more like, ‘I’m a child, I want to be popular, this is what everyone’s listening to,’ but in my private time, I’d be sneaking like ‘Oooh, let me hear some other stuff.’ ”

With a list ranging from The Beatles, Phil Collins, Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake to Paramore, Amy Winehouse and Corinne Bailey Rae, Arsena became fascinated with performers that played their own instruments. Today, she plays the guitar, the “guitalele” (a guitar and ukulele hybrid), performs her own vocals, and is learning to play the keys.  She also writes all of her own songs.

“For me—I can’t speak for all songwriters, but that’s the difference between songwriters and entertainers. Entertainers—they pull from fiction, and you know, might sing about things they’ve never experienced. They don’t usually write the songs. I can’t process that side of the business. I don’t disrespect it, but I can’t understand it,” she said, shaking her head.

When Arsena writes a song, she writes the lyrics down, but because they are so truly "her story," she describes them as becoming quickly ingrained into her memory.

"I write the lyrics down," she explained, "I used to have a book, but now I just write on random pieces of paper. And somehow, they just get ingrained in you. I don't ever refer to that piece of paper again--it's just in my head... For me, it becomes an emotion, a feeling, a vocal inflection. To actually type it and look at it is really weird--it feels foreign... I'll usually write at the top of the page, you know--this is the intro, this is the chord progression for this verse, and then just like the lyrics, you keep playing it. You just remember it."

L a b e l s

Arsena’s combination of geographic and musical influences, and her ever-evolving passions have made it difficult to stick her with a label, genre-wise. Although she is very openly a Christian and described her music beautifully as being “dipped, bathed, and soaked in my faith,” in a 2013 interview with Breedlove Music, she also stated in the same interview that: “The Abundantly EP is a snapshot of where I was in my life during the years I wrote the songs. I was a new believer so the songs express my newfound faith, joy, and desperation."

When writing For My Artist Child, Arsena challenged herself to break free of this genre.

“I’m a Christian, but over time with this project, I really challenged myself to write it in a way that people from all walks of life will listen to, enjoy, and get something from it—this is not to dumb down my faith, but just to challenge myself as a songwriter and to push myself to connect with an audience who might be different from me,” Arsena explained. “I find that with these new songs, all kinds of people can really find things that they can connect with.”

Arsena’s music is also commonly labeled as “neo-soul,” and while that doesn’t necessarily alienate potential listeners, Arsena isn’t crazy about the stereotype it conjures.

“I think when a lot of people hear that label [neo-soul], they think of a black girl with curly hair and a guitar—and they’re like ‘Oh it’s neo-soul,’ –but well, I think I have elements of, for sure R&B, but I think there’s also a very indie-folkish influence as well.”

So what genre does Arsena fall under? She is a self-proclaimed “acoustic soul” artist, because she performs solo acoustic for the majority of her shows. All of the shows on her upcoming tour are “house concerts”—Arsena’s favorite type.

“Basically, you have someone that likes your music that wants to host you in their house. You turn their house into a venue for the night and they bring their family and friends, and they’ll usually do a potluck dinner if you want and we usually just get really intimate and people can ask questions about the songs,” she explained. “I love them because you can really engage and connect with people in a way that you can’t at a traditional venue.”

Photo courtesy of Arsena Schroeder & Kevin Currie

C o n n e c t i n g  &  I n s p i r i n g

Connecting with others seems to come naturally to Arsena, not only through her music, but also through her easy-going personality and goal to inspire others through her journey. Even if you’ve only just met her, she has a genuine spirit that makes it feel as if you’ve known her for ages. For My Artist Child consists of twelve songs, all of which were inspired by people and experiences in the musician’s life. This was a challenge in itself to Arsena, but she also wanted to challenge herself to push through and bring life to challenging creative song ideas. The result: For My Artist Child will include several full-band songs, a few full-band acoustic songs, a solo acoustic song, a rock song with a "dark, haunting" sound, and even a DJ/dubstep version of one of the songs--a bonus track. 

“This album is really the first time that I’ve ever written songs that people have inspired,” she admitted, “It makes me so vulnerable.”

Arsena explained that the free single, “You Made,” available here today, was inspired by a failed friendship. Her goal with all of the songs on her new album was to write songs that would cause others to contemplate the feelings and messages that her songs evoked, while also enjoying the music. In addition to writing about a failed friendship, For My Artist Child also includes a song about the artist’s relationship with her rarely-there biological father.

“Someone might hear the song about my father, and not think about that at all. They might think about a problem within themselves. Maybe they are a father, and you know, it connects with them there,” she said.

Also on the roster is Arsena’s first-ever love song, written for her husband.

“It’s called “Words Just Won’t Do,” she explained. “He kept asking for years, like, you sing all these songs…where’s a song about me? …I have a lot of songwriter friends that find it easy to talk about their love life, but for me it’s different... words just won’t do—boom, I ended up going with that theme."

Photo courtesy of Arsena Schroeder & Kevin Currie

F o r  M y  A r t i s t  C h i l d

The title For My Artist Child is a nod to Arsena’s journey via Julia Cameron’s book The Artist’s Way, a 12-week guide aimed to help creative individuals reach their highest point of creativity through spirituality (check out Arsena's blog post about the twelve things she learned from The Artist's Way here).

“A term used in the book a lot was your ‘Artist Child’ and how your creativity is like a child and needs to be taken care of and nourished, because you don’t want it to die off. When I started writing for the album, I thought, ‘Okay, I’m going to write something for my artist child, rather than writing what I think sounds cool and hip,' ” Arsena stated.

The album is available for pre-sale for both hard and virtual copy here and will be released and sent on December 2nd.

Photo courtesy of Arsena Schroeder & Kevin Currie

A r s e n a  &  J L e e r

here

Arsena wrote a fantastic blog when we decided to sponsor her music that answers the question of why she would pair up with a jeans company as an artist, and that delves into her personal beliefs about building relationships with other individuals, projects and brands that you personally believe in. We are proud to represent her, and excited that she wanted to represent our product as well! Check out the blog post here!

When asked about her opinion of the product, Arsena's answers showed exactly how JLeer solves everyday dilemmas, as well as those particular to the world of musicians.

"I have two pairs of JLeer jeans now and my experience has been awesome. Before I had them, I always put my phone in my back pocket (doesn't everybody?) So the SmartPockets are very convenient. Not [keeping your phone in your back pocket]-- especially in the car-- I mean, you shouldn't text and drive, but if I have to grab it really quick, I don't have to do all of this," Arsena said, wiggling and digging into her back pocket while giggling. 

"Sometimes, I'll be sitting on it and I won't even realize it," she added, "and I don't know where it is. So my experience with my [smartphone] being right here has been super convenient. The alternative for me, is usually in here," she said, opening her large purse/endless abyss. "I have a lot of stuff going on in here" she said, "So it’s the bomb to have somewhere specifically for my phone."

"As a musician, I also love using the pockets for guitar picks. If I'm not wearing my JLeers, my guitar picks have to go in my bra," Arsena said, erupting with laughter. "No really, they do. But now, I don’t have to do that! I love the hidden pocket ones; both pairs of mine are hidden pocket styles." 

"Overall, I just love the fit for me—they’re comfy!" she said. "Also, I have long legs and these are the first jeans that have ever given me enough jean to where I can roll them at the bottom, and I’m like 'Ahhh, this is the best ever!'  I’ve always seen people do that, and it’s so cute, and I’ve wanted to do it, but with every other pair of jeans, rolling them would make them look like capris and that would be weird. JLeers are just a genuinely good quality of jean."

Photo courtesy of Arsena Schroeder

Arsena also expressed her excitement over the "jegging" style that we have in the works. 

"I love jeggings!" She squealed. "I love wearing them, especially with a drapey shirt. I can't wait for them [JLeer's jegging styles], I'd probably wear them every single day," she said.

...We hope you will, Arsena! Thank you for letting us sponsor you through the exciting time of your first full-length album release, and for the free single download! Make sure to go get your free DL of "You Made" here (now!) and remember to pre-order your copy of For My Artist Child (we got to cop an early copy, and it's really REALLY good, y'all!) 

Connect with Arsena on Facebook here, and
  Follow @ArsenaMusic on Twitter & Instagram!



As always, make sure you're following us on Facebook, and Follow @JLeerBrand on Twitter & Instagram!

   Xoxo, JLeer Brand

By Amelia Beamer

What's the Skinny?

Before we released our new styles, we were often faced with two questions from consumers. First, was it possible to make the SmartPocket more discrete? We answered this with our Fitz style for men (available in medium-light and medium washes), and Lady Mary style for women (available in light, medium & dark washes), which you can read about in our past blog post, "How Cool Are Our Hidden Pockets?"

The other question that we were asked often was whether our brand would ever make a skinny jean. Today, we're going to show and tell you about every style of skinny jean that we now offer!

The Mac Skinny Leg

The Mac Skinny Leg in medium-light wash.

Don't panic, manly men! You can still pull off the trend of skinny jeans without cutting off your circulation. Our Mac Skinnies sit high on the hip and are relaxed through the hip and thigh, giving you room to breathe, while still fitting snuggly around your ankles, and giving off a more "put together" look than their boot cut counterparts. These feature a 7" flat leg opening, and their fit has been compared to the "511" style of men's Levi's. These jeans feature the 5 pockets you're used to in jeans, plus our original SmartPockets to give you the original 7-pocket denim. Our SmartPockets are 6.25" long and 4" wide, the perfect size for most smartphones and wallets.
The Mac Skinny Leg style is perfect for drawing attention to your shoes, and for putting together a tailored, more streamlined look. They are available in several different washes, to match any outfit or setting. Make sure to check out our photo collection at the bottom of the post to see the Mac Skinny & other styles in several different washes, and click one of the following links to be taken to the shopping page for the particular wash of Mac Skinny jeans! Mac Skinny jeans available in:  Light, medium, medium-light, & dark.


The Lady Mac Skinny Leg

The Lady Mac Skinny in medium wash.

Cheers, ladies! The skinny jeans you've been asking for have finally arrived, and just in time for boots season. Pair these with your favorite sweater and boots for an instantly Pinterest-approved autumn outfit. Unlike the skinny jeans that you already own, you can wear these out to concerts, athletic events, dinner, or nights on the town without having to worry about packing all of your essentials into your tiny purse. These feature a low-mid rise fit at the waist, run straight through the hips and thighs, and end in an 11" leg opening. This style has been compared in fit to Lucky's "Charlie with Skinny Leg" style. Our black, dark, and medium washes combined with the skinny leg make it easy to dress up for casual Friday at work, and we guarantee that you'll be comfortable in them all day long (we can't speak for the stilettos you pair with them, though!) Make sure to check out our photo collection at the bottom of the post to see the Lady Mac Skinny & other styles in several different washes, and click one of the following links to be taken to the shopping page for the particular wash of Lady Mac Skinny jeans! Lady Mac Skinny jeans available in: black, medium, & dark.


The Skinny Mary

The Skinny Mary in the dark wash (right)
& the Lady Mary Straight Leg in light wash
(on the left).

For this style, we combined the skinny leg with the hidden pocket for the chicest of chic looks. The hidden SmartPocket will still ensure that your smartphone is still at arm's length, but no one will ever have to know! These fit the same as The Lady Mac skinnies featured above, with a low-mid rise fit at the waist and 11" leg openings. (Also comparable to Lucky's "Charlie with Skinny Leg"). These are ideal for a woman that knows what she likes, but can be swayed to try new things. The hidden pockets draw no extra attention to the thigh area (even with the phone in them, from what we've found), so you can rest assured that we've got your best look in mind. These are ideal for the girl-on-the-go that wants to look her best, but also stay connected to the world no matter where she is. They're perfect for traveling, and can pull any outfit together. These go well with boots, wedges, flats, heels, ballet flats, and even look adorable tucked into rain boots when the weather is less-than-beautiful. Make sure to check out our photo collection at the bottom of the post to see the Skinny Mary & other styles in several different washes, and click one of the following links to be taken to the shopping page for the particular wash of Skinny Mary jeans! Skinny Mary jeans available in: black, dark, medium, and grey washes.

The Fitz

The Fitz in the medium wash.

The same great fit as the Mac Skinny Leg, but with hidden SmartPockets (learn more about them here!)-- No worries though, the pocket might not be visible to the rest of the world, but you'll be able to fit just as many necessities into them all the same! Keys? Got 'em. Wallet? Don't be that guy and forget it. Phone? Of course. You're all set for wherever your day takes you! Currently, we've seen lots of guys pairing Converse All-Stars or moccasins with their skinnies for a more casual look, or a nicer pair of Clarks or narrow loafers for a more dressed-up occasion. These too, sit high on the waist and are relaxed through the hip and thighs, with 7" skinny flat leg openings. They'll also be comparable to Levi's "511" style. They're available in medium and medium-light washes, both of which can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion. Their fit is relaxed enough for the guy that was formerly on the fence about skinnies, but tight enough around the ankles to make sure he's right on-trend. Make sure to check out our photo collection at the bottom of the post to see the Fitz & other styles in several different washes, and click one of the following links to be taken to the shopping page for the particular wash of Fitz jeans! Fitz jeans available in: medium and medium-light.

The Zipper (Men's)

The Zipper in grey and the Lady Mary Straight leg in the light wash.

Looking for a unique addition to your closet that you can wear throughout the transitioning seasons? These grey skinny jeans are exactly what you're looking for! With the same fit as the Fitz and the Mac Skinny Leg, these sit high on the waist and are relaxed through the hip and thighs, featuring 7" skinny flat leg openings. Be warned: the wash on these is so great that you'll be asked repeatedly where they are from. Grey is a neutral, so it will go with countless outfits, but it's also not a color that is often seen in jeans, making you stand out in the crowd. Mix it with blacks, whites, and other variations of grey to get the perfect urban look, or add a touch of color for contrast. These also feature hidden SmartPockets, so your look will always be streamlined. One of the back pockets is zippered, giving you just a touch of edge to play up or down as you please. Make sure to check out our photo collection below to see the Zipper and other styles in several different washes, and click one of the following links to be taken to the shopping page for the particular wash of Zipper jeans! Zipper jeans available in: grey.


Need help deciding? Check out our additional photos to check out the different styles and washes.

(Left to right): Skinny Mary in dark wash, Zipper in grey,
Skinny Mary in black wash

Skinny Mary in medium wash (closest), Lady Mary Straight leg in light wash (middle), The Mac Skinny Leg in dark wash (in back)

Skinny Mary in dark wash

The Mac Skinny Leg in dark wash

The Mac in light wash (left), the SkinnyMary in medium wash (right)

Skinny Mary in grey wash

Skinny Mary in dark wash (left), Lady Mary straight leg in light wash (center), Zipper in grey (right)

Skinny Mary in medium wash

Skinny Mary in medium wash (left)
Lady Mary straight leg in light wash (right)

Skinny Mary in black wash (left), Skinny Mary in dark wash (right)

The Mac Skinny Leg in dark wash (left)
the Lady Mary straight leg in light wash (right)

The Mac Skinny Leg in medium-light wash

By Amelia Beamer

Wishing You Smooth & Stylish Travels

The holidays are on the horizon, but before we can enjoy the delicious meals, beautifully decorated houses, and time off from work to be with our families, most of us have to head to airports or pack up our cars for a long day of travel. Traveling can be stressful--we've all been there. Between the layovers, the traffic jams, the lines to get through security, and the bickering kids in the back seat, just getting to your destination without having a meltdown could be considered a Christmas miracle.

If you've ever travelled, you probably are more than familiar with these annoying travelers:

Mrs. "I Take an Hour at Security When There is Only One Line Open": No matter how many times she's flown, or how well the TSA instructional posters are worded, she still can't seem to remember to take her phone out of her pocket or her laptop out of her bag. No matter how innocent she looks, she will require the attention of every officer on duty, doubling your time in line. If you're caught behind her, we're so sorry.

Mr. "Elbow to Your Face While Trying to Remove His Wallet" Guy: He's had a long day too, and all that he wants is an overpriced snack or beverage from the flight attendant. Unfortunately for you, he has to contort his body into impossible positions just to dig his wallet out of his pocket. If you're flying next to him, kiss your personal space goodbye, and always be on guard to protect yourself from his flailing limbs.

Miss "I Just Crawled Over You to Get to the Window Seat But Need to Get to the Aisle Again Five Minutes Later": It's impossible to fall asleep or relax when she's crawling over you constantly, and you must always be prepared for falling objects as she retrieves items from the overhead bin and puts them away again. If you're flying next to her, pretend to be sleeping so that she'll at least reconsider climbing over you for the tenth time.

Are you traveling by car? You've probably ridden with these annoying travelers, too:

Mr. "I Know The Way, I Don't Need Directions": He knows this route "like the back of his hand," but you'll inevitably end up lost anyway (the stupid construction caused him to miss his exit!) He will move on to unfolding a map that will never again fold back to its original size, and insist on using it to navigate. If you're traveling with him, just pretend to be texting while you use your GPS app to "guess" whether his next turn is right or wrong.

Little Miss & Mr. "I Haven't Had a Nap Today, So I'm Going to be Cranky and Fight with my Sibling(s)": These little ones are angels 90% of the time--you swear! Unfortunately, after being strapped into the car for hours, the pacifiers, toys, and tears start flying. If you're traveling with them, just remember this magic trick: candy! (Just kidding, good luck!)

Mrs. "My Music is Superior to Yours and Since I am Driving, I Will Force You to Listen to it": Her musical palette is much more experienced and diverse than yours, and she will make sure that you know it. As the driver, she gets the official privilege of DJ, leaving you listening to show tunes, screamo, and her sighs as she reminds you that "she knew this song before it was even popular." If you're riding with her, remember to bring your phone or iPod and a great set of headphones.

We can't make the lines shorter, the staff kinder, or your destination magically closer, but we can make sure that amidst all of the chaos that comes with traveling, you not only look stylish, but also have easy access to your phone, wallet, keys, passport, iPod, boarding passes, headphones, and any other necessities that you need to bring along. Security will be a breeze when you can quickly slip your items out of your SmartPockets and into the trays. You'll leave your fellow passengers unharmed as you slide your wallet or phone from your SmartPocket with ease. You won't even have to dig through your purse to find your phone if you need a GPS, or want to listen to great music. You'll even stay warm, while everyone else on the plane is fighting over the few blankets the airline has available.

No matter what time of the year you find yourself traveling, make sure you wear your JLeer jeans. With 27 different styles for both men and women to choose from, there's a perfect style for every globetrotter! You'll be glad you did, and so will your fellow passengers. Friends don't let friends turn into annoying travelers. Click HERE to SHOP NOW!

Wishing you smooth & stylish travels this holiday season!

                              Xoxo, JLeer

By Amelia Beamer