Everything
Denim is a staple in everyone’s kit, but there is more to a wash than classic blue or dark colours. While a quality jean is an essential for your trans-seasonal kit, the options for extending your repertoire range from double denim to the dad jean trend. Here, we’ve rounded up the biggest denim trends of 2018 for your consideration.
Double Denim
One of the most spotted trends on the street is surprisingly hard to pull off – or at least style correctly. If you’re wearing similar washes, try and break it up with a different coloured shirt.
“If there’s ever a time to go all out with denim, it’s now,” says Farfetch menswear editor Tony Cook. “Tackle the tricky trend by matching a [blue] denim jacket with dark, straight-cut jeans for a sophisticated approach, or contrast black skinny jeans with a blue denim shirt for a more casual take.”
Calvin Klein Jean Classic Denim Shirt / $145 AUD SHOP NOW
Tommy Hilfiger Back Patch Denim Jacket / $289 AUD SHOP NOW
Levi’s: Made and Crafted Slim Fit Jeans / $227 AUD SHOP NOW
Nineties Denim
This year menswear has been inspired by the ’80s and ’90s and denim has been included in the movement – more specifically grey wash.
“Classic grey wash jeans are back across a range of fits,” says Topman buying director Rachel Morgans, who recently oversaw a relaunch of the retailer’s denim range. “The [wash] lends these designs an authentic, vintage feel.”
When grabbing a pair of the throwback threads think about what you have in your daily kit. Nineties denim looks best with colour blocking, particularly in darker colours to weigh down the lightness of the jeans.
Denham Straight Leg Jeans / $179 AUD SHOP NOW
Dsquared2 Slim Jeans / $1,005 AUD SHOP NOW
White Denim
“White denim is something men tend to stay away from because they can’t imagine how it would fit in their wardrobe,” says stylist Nas Abraham, who has worked with the likes of Barbour and Gap. “In fact, it goes surprisingly well with other pieces.”
The fit is hugely important in finding the right pair of white jeans. Look for a slim pair that are not too tight and try a slightly off-white shade to avoid unsavoury fading.
Calvin Klein Jeans Straight Tapered Jeans / $143 AUD SHOP NOW
Jacob Cohen Regular Jeans / $570 AUD SHOP NOW
Denim with Turn-ups
Rolling up your hems creates a new look and shape to the standard straight leg, allowing for customisable hem length. “By turning up the hem of your jeans, you add a completely different shape to your overall look,” says Abraham. “Because the hem of most jeans never usually sits perfectly above your ankle, a turn-up stops them bunching up above the shoe and exposes a bit of ankle, giving more of a tapered look.”
Turn-ups look and work best on rigid denim to ensure they stay in place. Wear with chelsea boots in the cold weather and a pair of sneakers when you can handle cold ankles.
Dsquared2 Regular Clement Jeans / $955 AUD SHOP NOW
Neuw Skinny Denim Jeans / $226 AUD SHOP NOW
Dad Denim
Women have the ‘mum jean’ which has risen in popularity recently, so it only makes sense that the dad jean is the mens equivalent. Styling the dad jean is the easiest by far and its hard to go that wrong.
“The resurgence of dad denim is one that’s been championed by high-end designers – it’s all about an unfussy, unpretentious look, even if the price tag suggests otherwise,” says Reiss brand stylist Paul Higgins – however these days high-street produce similar designs which are much more affordable.
TJM 90s Dad Jean / $202 AUD SHOP NOW
Dolce & Gabbana Tapered Jeans / $1,100 AUD SHOP NOW
Distressed Denim
Distressed denim has been around for years and over time the style has been widely accepted as appropriate dress for smart-casual wear – even if you become the centre of bad jokes, “yes, they are brand new..”
“This season’s distressed denim comes in all forms of ripped, bleached and raw edging,” says Hayley Bushell from the River Island Style Studio. The only word of advice we have is to not wear all forms at once.
Monkey Time Distressed Jeans / $365 AUD SHOP NOW
Dondup Washed Distressed Jeans / $399 AUD SHOP NOW
Cover image: Instagram @terrencesambo
