The New Vision of Denim

by Samantha Steinberg

The fashion industry is always thinking of out of the box trends for each upcoming season. Denim started trending in the summer months of 2016 and are still trending this fall. Designers are changing the buyer’s view of denim from heavily distressing jeans to colorful patches that are stitched into the material. The trending styles are jackets, different types of jean pants, and even chokers.

Kim Kardashian West was seen late this summer wearing a choker made out of denim which started a new trend. Some people saw this as an opportunity to make a “do it yourself” (DIY) denim choker. This is done by taking an old pair of jeans and cutting off the end of the pant leg. Then, they would tie it around their neck completing their own homemade denim choker.

Distressed denim is one of the simple styles that will change the look of any outfit. AYR, a clothing brand, has a style of ripped jeans called “The Form” that is selling for $275. Alyssa Coscarelli, an author at Refinery29, talks about “The Form” saying it “racked up a 600-person wait list within hours of being available for preorder.” Distressed denim has become a popular item by celebrities and influencers wearing denim in new and different ways.

 Distressed jackets are another accessory that falls into the trend of denim. Gigi Hadid, who is a supermodel, was seen during Milan Fashion Week wearing an all distressed denim outfit. She had on a ripped skirt over ripped jeans topped with a distressed jacket. Denim jackets are sold at almost any outlet, and are available in women and men departments. Coscarelli notes “everyone knows that fashion trends repeat themselves — they come, they go, and then they come back again a few years later. The denim jacket, however, is one of the few wardrobe items that’s stuck around through decades.” Denim jackets have become a bigger trend recently because people have distressed their own jackets and have spiced it up with extra accessories.

Many brands such as Urban Outfitters, Forever 21, Zara, and more have designed denim jackets with patches sewed into them. The patches could include symbols, brand names, or anything that interests you. Patches have also been included on pairs of jeans. Kerri Pieri, who writes for Harper’s Bazaar says, “It’s all about patchwork, remixed looks and interesting shapes” These patches on the denim help to express the person’s personality and hobbies.

Many people wear denim jackets and denim pants separately, but lately denim-on-denim has become a very popular trend. “The denim-on-denim look is a classic,” remarks Ana Colon, who is a journalist at Refinery29. During Fashion Week, Vera Wang showcased her work and presented many styles that included this trend. This style is comfortable and chic making it a sophisticated look for people of all ages.

Denim trends have changed extremely from decade to decade, but this season fashion has changed denim as a whole by expanding the material into all different looks and including everybody’s style.