Bio
Q: What was the single event that has driven my career?
A: Well, it all started in 6th grade in a small school (7-12th grade) in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. Everyone was wearing Marithe+Francois Girbaud jeans and my mother protested the cost. Everyone tried to just have one pair and then secretly share. However, you had to have a pair to join the club. My mom tried and brought me home a pair of forest green Girbaud jeans she had found at goodwill…they were hideous! So, I shoved them in my closet and forgot about them. So now, that brings me spilling a 20 year old secret.
One random day I was at K-mart with my mother getting shampoo and conditioner; perusing, wasting time as teenagers do. We lived in the middle of nowhere.. Kmart was pretty much it. I came across a pair of Lee jeans that had a mistakenly similar wash as most of the Girbaud jeans everyone was wearing at school. I paused and grabbed them. Taking them over to my mother’s shopping cart I asked her if she would buy them for me; at $19.99 she was perplexed!
I ran in the door and collapse at my closet to dig out those ugly green jeans. I immediately took a seam ripper to them and began removing all the Girbaud tags and stitching them on to my new Lee jeans. I created a NEW pair of Girbaud jeans and threw the real ones in the garbage. My mom wasn’t surprised when I came down wearing my new creation the next morning. I smiled mischievously and went to school. EVERYONE LOVED THEM, in fact I didn’t put them back on that day after gymnastics practice. Instead, they went in to rotation. I never got my jeans back and ended up wearing the “real thing” all year while people fought over my Lee’s disguised at Girbaud.
That was when I realized how important branding was and how value was measure by consumer brand perception.
Through college I was expecting to start my own Lifestyle Branded Apparel Empire and take over the world. Now, I am more interested in helping other apparel retail and manufacturers tap into their brand potential and connect them with their consumer. I have spent years slingin’ jeans and proclaiming how great your butt looks. Honey, I’ll tell you if the jeans aren’t a good addition to your collection that’s my reputation behind you.
I am a collector, I LOVE denim, I love the washes, the shape, the stitching, the details, the history and the powerful source of confidence denim has given us.
When it comes to clothing I am a fit expert, I can find the “right” jean in the perfect size in about 15 seconds after looking at you. Need help- shoot me a photo- I’ll prove it!
Q: So, how was ButtTherapist.com born?
A: The Butt Therapist started as a whitty remark to the mondane “what do you do” question of typical introductions and strings of first dates. I have been a personal stylist for years with cards on file and ending up on a ridiculous amount of peoples speed dial. I’ve had my hands in Denim buying and developed a significant denim department for a prominent retailer. I couldn’t justify saying I worked in retail or merely saying I was a stylist. It was so much more than shopping. It is about building your clients confidence. developing their own personal style that is unique to them and educating consumers “why” they are laying down the Benjamin’s on denim.
Q: Why do you use the word “Therapist”?
Visually fitting denim seemed like a natural gift. I think I acquired it somewhere in between being a size 2 and a size 12. Being in apparel sales, a stylist, a wardrobe consultant, whatever you want to call it; you become a confidant to your clients. Instead of them looking in the mirror first they turn and stand in front of you. That is TRUST. It is not described as hard labor to be slinging jeans all day or playing dress up with amazing designer collections. It is the emotional energy that becomes the heavy lifting. The energy I spend every day attempting to inspire men and women to embrace their body shape and find the best fit for TODAY can sometimes leave me completely exhausted after 8 hours. Imagine working with teenagers…I became a big sister to a lot of younger clients as well. Hence,“Therapist”.
Q: Where does the “Butt” come in to play?
A: The first thing EVERYONE does when they put on NEW jeans is turn around and look at their toosh in the mirror…there is the “butt’ and together I became “The Butt Therapist” taking your classic retail therapy to a personal level. How it became a blog from my paintings makes no sequential sense but The Butt Therapist Blog was created from my artwork.
Q: You are an artist?
A: I had just started showing my paintings publicly when I was introduced to a fellow local artist because of our similar techniques. After walking though his studio and having a long “chatty” lunch he gave me a book. “Crush it’ by Gary Vaynerchuck. I was having difficulty nailing down one true passion and he thought it might help me focus. At that time I was working on 9 full-time projects with a full-time job and feeling like I was going in too many directions to get anywhere! I read the book that night and there was one question that captured me “What one single thing can you write 50 topics about in the next 30 minutes without research”. DENIM! I live and breath denim but it was only part of my life; I almost thought it was merely circumstantial. Within 48 hours www.ButtTherapist.com was live and I started navigating though the social media maze, bending the corporate rules I was taught in college, begun experimenting with personal branding and writing about what I knew…JEANS. My experience, your experience and learning about what other people had to say about denim in their stores, in the news, the good, the bad, the really ugly, and most importantly about what loved denim is on their toosh.
In February 2011, Gary Vaynerchuck started following Butt Therapist on twitter and I take it as a huge hug. I don’t have a million followers but what I do have are passionate denim addicts keeping tabs on my days full of indigo.
QUOTE: Denim is my constant and I think in many ways it is its own language that needs no translation. We live our lives in our jeans and with that most of our memories happened or are going to happen in a pair of blue jeans! Don’t you think they deserve a little credit?
“The best description: Revolutionary and conservative, sexy and romantic, elegant and casual, chic and sporty. No other fabric has been better at interpreting all our contradictions.” -Elio Fiorucci
Up for a challenge? I am 48 5′ 7″ 190lbs in shape and depending on brand 32 to 34 inch waist. ( diesel probably a 36??). 32/30 levies 501 have been my staple but need to change things up. Any suggestions? I am not cheap or broke but not looking to spend over $ 200 on jeans
Thanks in advance
Mike
Thank you for your comment. I can no longer manage butttherapist.com, we are scaling our platform. Please visit http://www.luxlock.com and subscribe to receive VIP access. You will receive on-demand styling services live, online as soon as we launch. Sorry for the inconvenience, I am grateful for your support.
Casey
Bring it on; I can do better with a picture: http://butttherapist.com/wpbt/?p=1037
Hi there,
I need your kind advice please. i have been wearing Diesel Larkee for quite some time, and i actually like them very much. i wanna try some other brands like 7, TR and AG. What cut would you recommend? What other brands that you may recommend?
Best Regards,
Actually, you are a lucky one. The Diesel Larkee is a great jean and made well. I adore all my Diesel’s but a guy’s got to have some variety. I would skip all brands you mentioned and take you a different direction. I would suggest moving toward Hudson, RRL, and PRPS, maybe you’d like a killer pair of G-star? Also, If you want to try something new in the Diesel Collection, take a look at the Timmen.
Look at your washes and see where your collection is weak. Novelty, Dressy, Casual, True Blue..etc… try not to keep buying the same wash. Happy Denim Shopping. Let me know if you need any recommendations where to go.
Denim Love,
The Butt Therapist
Thank you for your comment. I can no longer manage butttherapist.com, we are scaling our platform. Please visit http://www.luxlock.com and subscribe to receive VIP access. You will receive on-demand styling services live, online as soon as we launch. Sorry for the inconvenience, I am grateful for your support.
Casey, The Butt Therapist
Hello,
I hate dad jeans!! But, I get weary after a while when trying on jeans. The details: I am 41 years old, 5’11 and 196 lbs. My weight is mostly distributed in my waist, unfortunately. My hips are a bit high, but my backyard is on the flatter side yet still bulky, if you picture that. Waist is 38″ to 40″, length is 32″. I live in NYC so a cooler look is much preferred over the ‘dad taking his kids to soccer on Saturday’ look. I am not a fan if boot cut as my legs are very skinny from the bottom of my thighs down. I would like to find something with a waist that doesnt reach over my navel. Think Harrison Ford, not Matt Lauer. If I could find a jean that really fit,
was flattering, cool and I loved, I would pay upwards to $200 for it.
After all that, what can you recommend as a next step?
John
[IMG]http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc297/jcastr01/45e70c36.jpg[/IMG]
Me in shorts. Note skinny legs but bulky trunk.
This is me is dress trousers standing next to my skinny shorter brother, for comparison.
[IMG]http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc297/jcastr01/cc8e0fce.jpg[/IMG]
Thanks John… I am on it; NO dad jeans for you! p.s can you email me photo links as these are not connecting. ButtTherapist@gmail.com
Thanks,
The Butt Therapist
Thank you for your comment. I can no longer manage butttherapist.com, we are scaling our platform. Please visit http://www.luxlock.com and subscribe to receive VIP access. You will receive on-demand styling services live, online as soon as we launch. Sorry for the inconvenience, I am grateful for your support.
Casey, The Butt Therapist
Thank you for your comment. I can no longer manage butttherapist.com, we are scaling our platform. Please visit http://www.luxlock.com and subscribe to receive VIP access. You will receive on-demand styling services live, online as soon as we launch. Sorry for the inconvenience, I am grateful for your support.
Casey, The Butt Therapist
which brand of denim is most environment friendly?
Is there organic denim?
For Christmas, my wife is looking for a pair or two of Marithe Francois Girbaud jeans, Ladies, size 12. I can’t find any on line in that size. Do you have a suggestion? Thank you.
Merry Christmas Mr. Marks,
Well, to my knowledge no one sells them in the USA right now… I wish they did… they are my favorite! Here is a pair on e-bay that are nearly vintage in a decent body style. You are also looking for a size 32 aka 12. I would suggest moving on to CLOSED!
My suggestion would be to check out the collection CLOSED this is Marithe Francois + Girbaud but a line that is sold in the US. Pretty much it is what Girbaud was 20 years ago when we all lost our heart to them. However, I don’t think the jeans are going to fit the way she wants them to. I would suggest her taking a look at Paige Premium Denim the Skyline. If she is just looking for that killer pair of everyday understated sexy then get her a pair of the AG Jeans Jessie or Ballad!
Thank you for posting and showing your #denim LOVE! Good luck and PLEASE hit me back with your finding!
p.s If you are in Europe- I can find them for you!
Love,
Your Butt Therapist
I am 55 and 6′ tall and recently lost 34lbs and can wear a size 32 jean. I thought I would try a pair of levi 514 but people at work said it looked like I was wearing my sons pants. They said something about the straight leg. I went out and bought a pair of lucky low rise boot cut but was wondering if the boot cut was out of style. I like the low rise but are they too young for me? I do not want out of date looking jeans… what do you suggest. Thank You
Rick, I would think the Lucky low-rise boot cut would look closer to your son’s jeans than ta pair of Levi 514. Boot-cut jeans aren’t dead; the flare is. Frankly, to even find a flare jeans these days is a difficult task; for good reason! Most denim designers have re-created thier boot-cut style to be more slim and leg lengthening, For you I would suggest Agave Denim. Jeff the owner and designer uses only the best fabric in the world and oversee’s them from fiber to shelves. Visit http://www.AgaveDenim.com and check out their options. One of my favorites is the Maverick in the 7 year selvage. BUY NOW on SALE:
DETAILS:
MAVERICK SLIM STRAIGHT SELVEDGE
Slim Fit, Straight Leg, Button Fly Jean – 10.25″ front rise, 17″ knee, 16″ bottom, 36″ inseam.
7 YEAR SELVAGE
Kurabo Denim Mill, Japan – 12oz Selvage denim, 100% cotton 3 X 1 right hand, beige tint, hand sanded, side seam brush, edge grinding, whiskers, chevrons & lightly stonewashed to a dark vintage shade. Woven on 29″ vintage American shuttle looms.
LIMITED EDITION
Each pair of jeans are signed and numbered.
HANDCRAFTED IN CALIFORNIA
Hi! I am 41 years old, 6’1″, 220lbs (fairly fit, but a little big in the stomach area) I have big thighs and calves and I absolutely hate shopping for jeans. I want to find a style and brand that says I’m till young enough to hang with younger crowd, but mature enough to not look like I’m in a mid life crisis. Please help.
hi,
i came to know about your website from antonio @mens style.
i reside in australia and would like your advice on good pair of denim[raw].aravind
Hello again – You blogged my request for information under “My Butt is Disappearing”. Well, what can you tell me about William Rast denim? I have a pair and I like the fit. By the way, I followed your instructions and purchased 1/2 of all the denim you suggested in your response to my disappearing butt inquiry.
Need help choosing. I’m 56, 36 inch waist and 30 inseam, small-ish butt. Prefer something with a little room, but straight leg, problem being most relaxed fit, with my waist, look too loose. I like softer fabrics and prefer dyeing that looks traditional and NOT fake, striated, painted, etc. Looking for suggestions in all price ranges and would like to know a store in my area (Westchester NY or Manhattan) where I could try as many of these on as possible. thanks in advance !!!
Thank you for your comment. I can no longer manage butttherapist.com, we are scaling our platform. Please visit http://www.luxlock.com and subscribe to receive VIP access. You will receive on-demand styling services live, online as soon as we launch. Sorry for the inconvenience, I am grateful for your support.
Casey, The Butt Therapist
Hi,
I am a 65-year-old man competing against 30 somethings in dance events. The dance is called West Coast Swing (google Jordan Frisbee and Tatiana Mollman or Sarah Van Drake and Kyle Redd to see the finest) and obviously most of the best events and dancers are on the west coast. I need a pair or several pairs of very dark (better leg lines) jeans that fit well (I have no butt) and are hip since I am dancing against kids. I am 5 feet 10 inches tall and weigh 160 lbs. I would consider myself extremely fit. I typically wear 33 inch waist and 34 inch inseam. I need jeans that will be comfortable on a 4 hour flight from Atlanta to LA and then be able to dance in them that night and the weekend.
Any help would be much appreciated. I’ll throw in free dance lessons if that helps 🙂 Thanks so much.
Dan
It’s only impossible if you stop to think about it.
What do you think of the Agrave Denim?
Thanks!
sorry,what i said before is wrong.The denim brand i mean is Agave denim.
I love the company, the founder and the product is second to none. I am confident you will be happy with your purchase. Send me an email and I can give you a recomendation on style, fit and size. Thanks for leaving a comment Gerry.
-Casey
I am 44 5’11” 185ibs I always had Levis. I am starting a business and want to improve my image. Can you analyze me ?
Thank you for your comment. I can no longer manage butttherapist.com, we are scaling our platform. Please visit http://www.luxlock.com and subscribe to receive VIP access. You will receive on-demand styling services live, online as soon as we launch. Sorry for the inconvenience, I am grateful for your support.
Casey, The Butt Therapist
Hi I’m 27 yrs old, I’m usually a 38×30, but my David bitton buffalo six I can fit in 36×30, my height is 5’9 and weight is around 220ish, I used to play football so my butt sticks out little bit and my thighs and calf are on the thick side, any suggestions of jeans that works for me?
I’ll need a picture of you in your David Bitton denim but I am likely going to suggest something that Hudson makes because of the great denim feel butyou’ll feel the stretch when you need it. Shoot me an Pete.
Do you have an opinion about Mott and Bow jeans? Especially for the over 30 crowd?
I love the company and they need support form some #denim loving people. The’ve got mine but I think they can earn yours.
STRAIGHT – BEDFORD – MEDIUM/DARK BLUE
FIT
Our Straight fit; the original straight leg.
DENIM
Our ‘Bedford’ denim fabric
100% Cotton
11.65 oz denim from Orta Anadolu in Turkey.
WASH
2 Month. Smallest amount of distress applied. Immersed in resin. Pre-curated and curated in oven. Hand Scraped. Tied. Wet process one. Dried. Sprayed. Wet process two. Dried.
FIT DETAILS
Mid-rise
Zipper fly
Straight through hip to thigh
Straight from knee to leg opening
17” leg opening (measurement comes from 32” waist size)
Feel free to shoot me an email with a picture in your favorite jeans an I can send you a recommended style and size recommendation. They will give as you wear them and soften up quite a bit.
Best,
The BUtt Therapist
I am looking for a good pair of jeans for my son. He is 22 yrs and his size is 28″ waist and a 30″ leg length. We just spent a couple of hours in the mall looking everywhere with no success. All of the jeans have a low rise ( slim fit) and his crotch is strangled. He is looking for a loose fit in the crotch but has a small frame. Since he lives in one pair of jeans I am willing to pay $300 for a good pair if necessary. This is a gift as he is a student with a frugal mindset. His taste lean towards quality and craftsmanship. Please let me know if you can suggest a jean. Thanks, Wendy. You have a terrific website.
Here’s great options for him, Buckley Denim is 50% off right now, Bluer offers free 2 week try on and STAR by John Varvados is NOT low rise but a great fit and product!
Buckley Denim: Classic fit, selvege denim Made in America: https://www.johnvarvatos.com/jeans/
BluerDenim Classic fit, selvege denim Made in America: http://www.bluerdenim.com
STAR by John Varvados:The bowery fit: selvege denim Made in America: https://www.johnvarvatos.com/jeans/#view-all/jv-star-collection-clothing-pantsandjeans-jeans
Baldwin Denim: https://baldwin.co
I am a 46 yr old man. I do ironman races so I have a runners build with bikers legs according to the brooks brothers clerk. He measured me at a 31.5 waist. What jeans will work for me. I have your AG protege with a 30″waist in my closet. The waist is too big and the inseam is too tight. I feel like I almost have to jump into the legs. Do you have any suggestions besides old Levi’s. I was hoping to find a nice pair that I could wear to work on a Friday or weekends. Do you have any suggestions or should I just stick with dress pants and poorly fitting jeans. FYI I have spent 3 hrs at nordstroms and would prefer not to do that again.
NEVER: stick with dress pants and poorly fitting jeans. I could do a better job if I had a picture of you in your favorite jeans. But here’s shooting from the hip. https://www.johnvarvatos.com/jeans/ is a great go to for all 5 pocket pants in the Bowery Fit, also Hudson jeans have a nice stretch and typically work great if you have a high runner’s butt. Agave denim does 5 pocket twill pants better than almost anyone. Let me know your thoughts here.. but shoot me a picture and I can be more specific.
Antonio Centeno suggested I email you, Casey.
I am desperate for a pair of jeans that fits. I have levi’s 550 40 by 34 but they cut me off (super tight) in the waist and the same around the knee and upper thigh. I went to the levi’s store and they said 569 is best, low riding and wide leg. I prefer light blue like/similar to the carry on. but I am flexible on color.
I have been to several web sites. For the past 2 months I have been to levi’s and pennys web site every day and they -never- have that size in 569. sometimes 40 by 32 but never 40 by 34
1) is there a web site anywhere that will have levi’s 569 in my size?
2) is there some other brand that has the same thing? I am ready to give up on levi’s. fat *and* tall, both, men like me exist.
Thanks,
Mike
Give up on Levi’s there are better jeans out there that fit great. http://store.zegna.com/us/men/denim do not buy the Z Zegna, you want the collection jeans.
The “Waterman” fits great, feels great and hands down more American Made then Levi’s: http://www.agavedenim.com/custompages/agavedenim/WATERMAN-Agave-Denim-CID849.aspx
Thank you for your comment. I can no longer manage butttherapist.com, we are scaling our platform. Please visit http://www.luxlock.com and subscribe to receive VIP access. You will receive on-demand styling services live, online as soon as we launch. Sorry for the inconvenience, I am grateful for your support.
Casey
Hope you can help…I’m a 64 year old guy…looking for a dark blue (indigo) pair of jeans with Lycra or Spandex with a straight leg. I like the look that shows some fabric, like Agave’s Pragmatist jeans.
I have a pair of jeans that fits well with a 43″ waist, with a 32″ inseam, a 28″ thigh, 13″ front rise, 19″back rise, 52″ seat, 18″ hem line. My personal measurements are 43″ waist, 27.5″ thigh, 32″ inseam, 12″ front rise, 18″ knee, 10.5″ hem line, and 47″seat.
The problem is that it seems things get tough once you get past 42″ in the waist…and I’m just not that size. I work out a lot…and I’m pretty sure the 42″ waist is just not coming back.
Your help would be very appreciated. I learned about your site from Antonio Centeno…
Bob
I completely understand your frustration. However, is your waist 42 inchec my measuring or are you a size 42 in jeans? They are 2 very diffent measurements. For your jean size typically measure around your neck and double it (give or take an inch). If you are a jen size 42, here is your go to jeans! http://store.zegna.com/us/men/denim
62 years old, 5″7″ 160 lbs with a 32- 33 inch waist. Not much of a butt but enjoy wearing jeans. I have had ag’s and worn them out and want a pair that helps my butt. Any suggestions?
Thank you for your comment. I can no longer manage butttherapist.com, we are scaling our platform. Please visit http://www.luxlock.com and subscribe to receive VIP access. You will receive on-demand styling services live, online as soon as we launch. Sorry for the inconvenience, I am grateful for your support.
Casey