Baggy and wide-leg jeans have had their moment this summer, but as we head into fall and winter, no one wants damp, soggy hems. It's time to rethink denim and consider more practical options for the approaching new season.
The beauty of denim is that it can be dyed and bleached, and switching up your old jeans with a DIY job can give them a new lease of life. We've chosen five denim trends that stood out on the runways—use them as inspiration to restyle pieces you already own or invest in a new-season pair you'll wear forever.
Raw Denim
Raw denim, in its purest form, is a versatile choice. It feels more rigid and fits tighter, but it should mold to your body and soften over time. The dark wash of raw denim jeans is perfect for an evening look, as the dark indigo color gives a more clean and polished finish. For Winters, look for that dark indigo denim in a cool wash with silver embellishments, while Springs, should look for dark denim with gold hardware. If you have Dramatic in your clothing personality, lean into your edgy, daring, and striking side of raw denim. Dress up dark denim with a sheer or silk top and kitten heels, giving a new lease of life to 'jeans and a nice top.'
Double Denim
Double denim has come a long way from the 2001 Britney and Justin era. When done right, it can look incredibly stylish and modern. The key this season is to wear separate pieces in contrasting shades to create a more tonal look. Influencer @chelseaasoflate showed us exactly how to work this trend as she appeared at a recent festival wearing a washed denim top with a pair of darker denim cargo jeans - perfect for Winters who are looking for contrast in their clothing choices with a light, a bright, and a dark. Both Alexander McQueen and Valentino paired denim shorts with blazers as part of their recent ready-to-wear collections – recreate this transitional look before the temperature drops. Valentino embraced Natural Classic vibes in this approachable, casually classic, high-quality denim blazer and shorts.
'Interesting' Jeans
Beaded, dip-dyed, cuffed or pleated – we like our denim with a bit of detail this season. Natural Dramatics are striking and bold yet approachable. Their personality and style convey power, strength, and ease, making them relatable and cool... edgy but not intimidating. Natural Dramatics love incorporating texture and details like asymmetry and drape into their outfits to honor their Yin. Chloé showed patchwork jeans, while Diesel showcased the trend with distressed denim looks that included midi skirts and cropped jackets. McQueen used ankle-tie details on their bootcut jeans and paired them with pointed heels for a result heavily influenced by the early 2000s. Play with colors, cut-outs and textures; the key to this trend is to have fun, keep the rest of your look pared back and let your denim take center stage.
Cropped Denim
This summer gave us the return of capri pants (eek!); whether this struck you with fear or nostalgia, it's safe to say the trend was divisive. The evolution of this ankle-bearing movement for the season is cropped denim, which seems infinitely less scary than its skin-tight Lycra predecessor. Chanel and Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood showed cropped jeans on their autumn/winter runways – demonstrating how to make them work in the colder months with knitwear, coats and boots. If you are interested in this trend, use your clothing personality adjectives to pair cropped jeans with your best-length coats, jackets and boots. During your style consultation, your stylist advised you on shoe styles and the best shaft height for boots. A pair of straight-leg crops with heeled boots and an appropriate top in your clothing personality is a fail-safe outfit formula you can return to time and time again.
Skinny Jeans
Skinny jeans might be returning (cue a collective cheer from Millennials and sighs from everyone else). Miu Miu sent TWO pairs of low-rise, mid-wash, ankle-grazing skinny jeans down their runway, so we will take this as a sign to blow the cobwebs off our favorite skinnies and enjoy the colder season like it's 2014. Dramatic Gamines are contemporary, fashion-forward, edgy, and clever. They are not afraid to push the envelope or break a rule! Pair well-fitting silhouettes (like skinny jeans) with one large-scale, unexpected element, such as a surprising mixed print or bold color blocking. They look fabulous in structured clothing that honors their body shape! Let's face it: skinny jeans can instantly make an outfit look more elevated while still offering the casualness of denim…and you don't need to worry about soaking up puddles, which is a definite bonus.
If you've had a House of Colour analysis, a personalized color analysis that helps you discover the most flattering colors for your clothes, and know your season, keep in mind that dark denim washes look great in Winters and Springs; Summers can opt for light blue washes, while warm rinses will complement Autumns.
Want to find out which denim styles and washes work best for you? Book a style and color analysis with your local stylist. You'll receive personalized advice on the best colors and styles for your unique features and personality, helping you make the most of your denim wardrobe!
