A Fresh Take on Denim-on-Denim Style

We’ve mentioned the Canadian tuxedo before, and after spring previews hinted towards a comeback of the denim-on-denim ensemble, it’s safe to say that the first half of 2011 has been dedicated the resurgence of denim in mass amounts. However, if you’re ready to couple a cropped jacket with a pair of destroyed jeans circa 2005, think again. This year, designers have paid homage to a fresh take on the fabric, and thanks to the likes of Stella McCartney and Derek Lam, denim just got a lot more interesting.

Wash

For the past couple years, spring seemed synonymous with destroyed as surfer girl aesthetics filtered down through the mainstream shops and attempted “ once again “ to justify a super lowrise cut. However, 2011’s washes have seen something entirely different: darker, clean-looking denim that boasts crisp, clean tones seemingly straight out of the 1970s. Thus, unlike the pairing of a faded coat with a pair of tired pants, this season’s polished and refreshing take on the fabric allows you to pair a denim tank with a pair of wide-legged jeans, or base a suit around denim, that you can anchor with a white button-up or black t-shirt.

Cuts

Jeans have earned a reputation for looking a certain way as seasons pass, and while the high-rise skinny cut has earned its place among pant staples, designers have capitalized on the 1970s trend by re-introducing the wide-leg, midrise cut that offers a modern take on the 2008 trend. (Remember that?) However, the cleanliness of this season’s jeans isn’t limited to pants: high-rise A-line skirts and boyfriend shorts have also channeled Lam’s signature look, and worn with a sweeping denim trench or a structured blazer, any casual connotations have been “ and will be “ cast aside.

Dresses

As high-end collections inspire more accessible chains, Europe’s Mango has already made the denim-supreme trend highly achievable. With A-line tubes and button-down long sleeve dresses (cinched at the waist, so you won’t look like you’re wearing an oversize denim shirt), you can pair with it a blazer or even a well-tailored denim button-up. Or if you’re willing to channel Celine and Stella McCartney’s boat-neck dresses, you can infuse a denim bag and brown wedges into your outfit to capitalize on the (yes, again) 1970s resurgence.

Experimentation

Denim’s earned a reputation for being classic, but as proven by Mango’s cropped tube shirt (not to be attempted by everyone “ including this writer) and Akris’ pairing of a sheered top with a denim suit, there’s room to play around and combine fabrics, textures and styles. Designers like Ellie Tahari paired lighter, faded jeans (though far from distressed) with a button-down blouse worn open over a gold tank, and by experimenting with various washes, styles and pieces, you can keep denim-on-denim interesting and far from stereotypical.