The Jeans Outlook for 2007

There's nothing like a little anticipation to make life interesting. And this year, while some of the coming fashion trends feel a little conservative, much of the fashion technology feels very fresh.

It's been in the works for years, but now featherweight, "5-ounce" denim is coming to lines such as Rock and Republic and American Eagle. Current denim trousers are mostly made of 13 to 15 ounce denim fabric.

Made with engineered Tencel and natural cotton, the lightweight denim is half the weight of the stuff we're wearing now, making it much more comfortable year round.

Levi's was ready for the return to skinny and straight leg jeans in 2006. It promoted its 501 as the original straight leg for men. The new 504 is skinny and straight for women. "For years we took our eye off of innovation," Levis CEO said. "We weren't putting out the most stylish jeans lines.

"A combination of customer fatigue, overexposure (not least by the Wags in Baden Baden last summer, with their seemingly requisite wardrobe of bootcut or skinny jeans) and, frankly, a lack of any new denim styles left, means jeans, while still a wardrobe basic, won't generate anywhere near the excitement that they have for the past half decade," says Hadley Freeman, fashion writer on the Guardian.

"At the end of 2006 you could already see customers and retailers experimenting with alternatives, from leggings to shorts over cashmere tights."

So, Freeman's tip for 2007: tunic dresses with thick tights, "a look that is comfortable, flattering and can be worn to work or out in the evening".