Jeans are the staple of any wardrobe. You can dress them up or dress them down. You can buy them with embellishments, or stick with the traditional five-pocket indigo variety. This season, waistlines are inching up a bit, but finishes and embellishments are very much in vogue.

Lightweight denim is emerging on the scene, often with skinny legs that scrunch up. Bell legs pair with aqua washes and slubbing to give jeans that lived-in look. Jeans that have multi-directional weaves give off an air of sophistication, while detailed back pockets on any pair of jeans brings attention to the wearer.

Vintage is also hot this season, and pairing vintage jeans with vintage boots is a showstopper.

Brands to watch this season: Antik Denim, Citizens of Humanity, True Religion, and Rock and Republic.

There are so many different finishes available in today's market that it's easy to tell your whiskers from your hipsters. Here's a guide to the latest denim finishes:

Acid wash - A light finish achieved by manufacturers' use of chlorine-soaked pumice stones to bring white highlights to denim.

Clean - Indigo denim jeans that retain their "like new" appearance even after many washings.

Creased - A finish that produces a white line down the front of the jeans, giving the appearance that they have been repeatedly ironed.

Dirty Wash - A jeans finish created by a dyeing process that produces the effect of staining or spilling.

Frayed - A finish that is developed from sanding the waistband and the hems of the jeans.

Indigo - The deep blue color of traditional jeans.

Overdyed - A second dying process performed after the jeans have been sewn, making the sewing thread the same color as the jeans.

Pre-Ripped - Jeans that have rips or tears but that are not repaired prior to sale.

Sandwash - A finish often used in conjunction with stonewash to produce area-specific wear, usually on the fronts of the thighs or the seat of the jeans.

Stonewash - A medium finish mimicking wear that is achieved by manufacturers' use of pumice stones, enzymes, and sand.

Tint - Jeans that have undergone a second dye process, often using a yellow khaki color, to give them a vintage appearance.

Whiskers - A jeans finish that produces white lines that look like wrinkles near the crotch and sometimes behind the knees.

Tear and Repair - A jeans finish that involves using a tool to create holes in jeans and then sewing the holes closed.