For many of us, jeans are a wardrobe staple all year round – they go with everything, they’re durable and easy to wear.
But for this very reason, maybe you’ve found yourself in a styling rut when it comes to denim, reaching for your old favourites time and again without trying new looks. This summer, denim is really having a moment, so why not explore the latest styles? Here are some ideas to get you started.
Jeans
As already mentioned, jeans are a must-have item. But there are so many silhouettes to choose from: skinny, straight leg, boyfriend, wide leg, barrel … and that’s before even thinking about colour or the length of the rise (basically, whether you want to show off your tummy or prefer full coverage to right up above your navel).
Although the skinny jean reigned supreme for years – decades, even – it can be tricky to style if you want to look current, as it’s been around for so long.
It’s perhaps best to think of skinny jeans in the same way as leggings and save them for running casual errands, teamed with a T-Shirt and sneakers or slides.
For laidback summer lunches or evenings, choose a more relaxed fit such as the classic boyfriend or wide leg jean, tuck in a shirt and add a belt to create some shape at the waist. Team with ballet flats, sneakers or strappy sandals.
For the height of summer, wider-leg jeans in white or ecru look fresh, particularly with the hems cropped and frayed. If you choose a barrel leg style, go for a cropped length and forgo socks – show off your bare ankles instead.
Shirt dress
If dresses are more your style, you’re in luck as there are plenty of denim designs around this season.
Among the more versatile is the button-through shirt dress in a midi length: leave the buttons open to the waist over a tank top and add flat sandals for a casual outing, or fasten all the way to the neck and team with jewellery, a belt, matching bag and heels for a dressier occasion. The shirt dress can also be worn as you would a light jacket or duster coat, thrown over jeans or shorts or even over another dress for a layered look. This hardworking garment is great in winter too, worn over a fitted knit, tights and boots.
Shacket
Not sure what a ‘shacket’ is? The term has been around for a few seasons and refers to that useful trans-seasonal garment that’s a hybrid of a shirt and a jacket. Shirt-like in appearance, but in a heavier weight that makes it an ideal layer for all but the frostiest of seasons, the shacket is a modern alternative to the classic fitted denim jacket.
Due to its longer length and roomier silhouette, it offers different styling options – wear it as a jacket, left open over a shirt and jeans in the same colour for a tonal effect; button it as you would a shirt and team with a skirt or pants for an easy yet pulled-together look in the cooler hours of the day; or wear a blue denim shacket with a tan belt over a white T-Shirt and white denim jeans for a casual yet chic go-anywhere outfit.
Vest
Vests and waistcoats have been hot property recently, worn on their own in place of a top. When it comes to denim, there is a choice of styles – try a fitted waistcoat type for a modern, feminine take on men’s tailoring, or for a casual vibe, go for one that is essentially a classic denim jacket without the sleeves.
The freshest way to wear them is on their own with jeans or jorts (see below) as double denim, but you can also layer a T-Shirt or tank underneath for an accent of colour. If you’re a fan of the puffer vest for casual winter dressing, why not substitute the denim version in during the warmer weather – it’s the perfect styling addition to sweatpants, sneakers and a T-Shirt for walks and laidback brunches.
Shorts (Jorts)
Sometimes it seems like one of the chief roles of the fashion press is to find new names for items that basically already exist. In this case, ‘jorts’ is the new name for jean shorts – not the tight, Daisy Duke hotpants variety, but rather the looser type that fall below the knee and have been the choice of attire for skateboarders since the 1990s. As with so many items, whether these will look right on you (or indeed, on anyone!) comes down to the styling. Worn with a too-big T-Shirt, baseball cap and sneakers, they’ll make you look like you’re headed to the local skate park, but with a fitted singlet or an oversized but tailored shirt tucked in and the waist belted, plus the addition of heels and jewellery, jorts suddenly become the chic option for practically any summer event. Plus, if you have old jeans, you can probably cut them off to make this new style rather than needing to buy brand new jorts. Experiment by fraying the hems for a lived-in look, or finish them neatly for a more tailored effect.
All the accessories
Can’t get enough of denim? There’s plenty of it around in the form of accessories. Why not wear a cute denim bucket hat with jorts, grab a crossbody bag to go with jeans or stow all your summer essentials in a tote that matches your shacket? Blue denim looks great with other blue denim, or pair black and charcoal denim with white and ecru shades for a modern take.
What’s your favourite item of denim clothing? Why not share your thoughts in the comments section below?
