Store can take in your jeans

Looking for a cheap way to a new pair of straight or skinny-leg jeans? Just look in your closet.

Uniquities clothing boutique in Cameron Village has a new and easy option for you to turn those wide-leg jeans you might not wear much anymore into a more updated skinny or straight jean. The store is now allowing outside merchandise to be brought in to be repaired or altered at its alterations department.

"We have a fantastic alterations person and we thought that we should share her with our customers," says store owner Julie Jennings.

The store's specialty will still be denim hemming and repair, including taking those beloved wide-leg jeans and having them remade into a sleeker straight or skinny look. Jennings says she made the decision after getting a number of requests from customers about what to do with their old wide-leg jeans.

The store also can patch jeans that are worn. "Most of the time, depending on the damage, you cannot even tell the jeans were patched," Jennings says.

It'll set you back $20 to have a wide-leg pair of jeans turned into a straight leg. A basic hem runs about $15 and patching costs anywhere from $7 to $12. Want it done in a jiffy? Add $5 to the tab for 24-hour service.

Beauty legacy

Meet the second generation of beauty leadership at Benefit Cosmetics from noon to 4 p.m. Friday when the two daughters of one of the company founders come to Belk at Crabtree Valley Mall.

Maggie and Annie Ford Danielson will be bringing their team of experts with them for custom beauty consultations. Maggie helps run the East Coast business out of New York, while sister Annie leads from the West Coast. The two watched mom Jean Ford and aunt Jane Ford whip up the first Benefit cosmetics in their kitchen while they were growing up. Reserve space at the event by calling 919-782-7010, extension 269.

A stylish feed

Seven local designers, including Metamorphosis metal jewelry, Totaleigh Jewelry and Mint Workshop handbags, are gathering Tuesday for Handmade in the Hill to benefit the Food Bank of Central and Eastern N.C.

The shopping event, which will run from 6 to 8:30 p.m., will be held at West End Wine Bar in Chapel Hill. Attendees are asked to bring a nonperishable food item or make a donation to the Food Bank. Find out more at handmadeonthehill.com.

What's new

See the latest jewelry designs by Moon and Lola's Kelly Shatat from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Kristen's Shoe Boutique in Cary. Thursday is also the start of the store's Dress for Success event, which runs through Saturday. Bring in gently used shoes or handbags and get a discount on a new item.

And now, farewell

I want to thank the faithful readers of this column, The Fashion Plate blog and the style stories I've written over the years. Next week's Stylin' column will be my last.

The past 10 years at the N&O, first as the retail reporter and then on the fashion beat, have been some of the best of my life. I couldn't have asked for two more perfect jobs. (Where else would I have been paid to go to the mall and read fashion magazines?)

But I've found something I love even more: my new son. After 20 years in the newspaper business, I'm leaving to watch him grow as well as take on a few projects I've been longing to tackle.

So as I trade in my stilettos for flats, I'll leave you with a few favorite style tips I picked up on the job: The best way to hide a belly is with a jacket, keep a full brow if you want to take years off your look and never, ever wear something just because it's trendy. Make sure it's the right fit for you.

See you on the playground!

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