Fashion’s unfading love affair with denim
Fashion loves denim. Season after season, it seems there is always something more to love about denim. This humble fabric has gone a long way. Originally meant as a work-wear fabric, denim has been constantly reworked to create new styles season after season.
This season is not any different. Denim featured in the spring/summer 2013 menswear of Balmain, Missoni, Hermès, Etro, Phillip Lim, Louis Vuitton, Acne, Burberry Prorsum, Dsquared2, Just Cavalli, Junya Watanabe, and womenswear of Chanel, Balmain, MiuMiu, Dsquared2, Isabelle Marant, DKNY, Just Cavalli, Phillip Lim and Proenza Schouler.
Denim comes in all washes and cuts this season. Be inspired to get that denim vibe. Denim has certainly become a perpetual staple.
Top brands went bold this season. Prints and patterns on denim is a major trend. Digital photo prints, engineered artworks, cityscapes, space-scapes, retro vacation themes, tropical palms and sunsets, abstract prints, painterly effects, tie-dye, blotched color, holographic effects, opulent wallpaper designs, arabesque and rococo artworks, paisley, jacquard patterns, summer stripes, and laser techniques adorn the latest denim.
Rustic herringbone and canvas give a well-worn vintage vibe to the summer denim styles. Engineered herringbone creates texture in denim. Accessories take the cue, too, from Swatch’s Irony Chrono Wild Ride, which has a beige bracelet with black stitching, to the Irony Big Cotton Target, which has a brown denim bracelet with yellow stitching.
Intentional destruction details appear in different runway collections. Stained or distressed denim is cool for movie date nights or lunch out with friends. Pair distressed denim with more fitted and tailored shapes to get in style for the season.
Denim also goes lightweight for summer. Fabrics are soft and easy. Color is also a key trend. Summer-ready denim comes in matte and chalky pastel tones — a soft palette of baby blue, mint peach and pink. Pearlescent and iridescent effects update denim. Super-shiny and glitter particles revamp the surface of denim. Metallic threads and a new coating in different finishes are the styles to wear for a night out. Vivid brights in primary shades are summer’s hottest denim. Choose from saturated brights to gemstone palettes. Just take a look at Swatch’s Mustardy Irony Diaphane Chrono in yellow denim with a yellow-stitched bracelet and anodized yellow aluminum bezel; and the Coleslaw Irony Diaphane Chrono in green, this time. It’s the perfect way to spice up your wardrobe. Summer explodes with quirky red, purple, green, orange, and yellow. Colored denim adds a fresh spin to the season’s looks. Having a bright pop of color is always fun.
Long and lean dark-wash jeans are a must in every boy and girl’s wardrobe. They’re versatile. They’re your go-to when you want a quick style fix. Dress them up or down with just a combination change. A casual tee or layered gilet with modern sneakers or brogues works well for both sexes during the day. While a tux shirt paired with brogues for him, or stilettos for her, dress them up at night. Accessories, too, go all indigo shades. Take your pick from Swatch’s New Gent White Washed Out, Irony Chrono Follow the Line, Irony Chrono Since 2013, and Swatch Irony Lady Lady Denim Girl. Wear the latest accessories anywhere and everywhere, from a summer getaway to a workday or a night about town.
Light blue to white denim is also a summer hit. Washed-out denim is a cool alternative to those dark styles like the Swatch Irony Big Jean’s Me.
For boys and girls, a simple tailored denim jacket goes a long way. Denim jackets will take you anywhere from the Saturday market to nights out. While a button-down denim shirt works with everything from a mini to tuxedo pants for her, and tailored pants or Bermudas for him. It’s a casual alternative to the classic white shirt.
To get a head start, every girl must have a wide leg and a slim cropped or cuffed pair in her closet. Clearly, jeans are America’s gift to menswear. Invest in a dark classic pair for a more formal look. Pair it with a sports jacket or a dress shirt and look sharp. A light and relaxed pair is perfect for casual days. They are definite wardrobe staples for both men and women. Denim has the distinct quality of combining style with function and comfort.
So take note on how to rock the denim looks this season. Denim is a fun way to change up your wardrobe. You can wear it for any occasion. Remember, denim also comes in accessories. It’s the quickest way to get a denim fix. You can spruce up your look in an instant by just strapping on a denim watch. Go all-out denim this summer.
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E-mail Joyce Oreña at jo@joyceorena.com or follow her on Twitter @joyceorena.
