Denim On Denim

We all remember the painful fashion moment when Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears went out in matching bedazzled denim on denim outfits complete with cowboy hats. So it may come as a surprise that one of this year’s trends is, well, pairing denim on denim. Just not like this:

Photo courtesy of denimblog.com

Designers this year have been influenced by the economic news, many of them are taking their cues from classic American staples, such a denim jeans and button up shirts. So the long time fashion don’t of denim on denim is getting a boost.

Photos courtesy of style.com (L to R , Diesel Black Gold Fall 2010, Helmut Lang Resort 2011, William Rast Fall 2010)

I do want to give Justin Timberlake some credit here, the look on the far right is from his clothing line (William Rast), so he obviously learned something from his earlier denim on denim debacle. Of course, as with any trend, denim on denim can be worn a variety of ways. Celebrities, stylists, and bloggers have all embraced the denim on denim trend and have their own opinions on how it should be worn. But really there are just a few general rules to keep in mind to give the denim on denim a modern twist.

In order to pull off denim on denim:
1. The top and bottom should be two distinct pieces - you don’t want to match the color exactly (refer to the picture of Britney above to see why). For example, wear a light colored top over dark jeans or vice versa.
2. Mix up the textures - wear a soft chambray button up over stiff, dark wash denim with neutral accessories.
3. Break it up by wearing a belt that clearly separates one piece from another.
4. And finally - keep it simple! Choose solid or slightly distressed denim and leave it at that, no need for acid wash or tie dye when pairing denim on denim.

Denim on denim is a neat trend that easily updates your wardrobe without having to go too far out of your comfort zone. Have an opinion on denim on denim? Vote in our poll from our last denim on denim entry here!

posted by: Bonnie Coombs on August 26, 2010 at 9:19 am
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We all remember when Britney and Justin wore matching denim on denim ensembles back in the 90s, but this trend is still making its way through department stores and is no where near heading out the door. Even this February, Jessica Biel makes an appearance on the cover of Vogue wearing a denim jacket over a denim vest. The Wall Street Journal thinks that the return of denim on denim could be a product of our not so hot economy: “Part of the renewed interest in denim may have to do with the economy: hard-times chic in hard times.”

Whether it’s “hard-times chic” or a “canadian tuxedo”, whatever you call it, we want to know once and for all: Does denim on denim work? Take our poll below and let us know what you think!

posted by: deborah on February 2, 2010 at 8:07 pm
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TAGS: jeans trends, you voted entries, denim on denim

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