The deal with denim is that it’ll never go out of style. The trusty sartorial staple is one that has not only found its way back onto the streets but has also made its unbridled return to the runway—see Blumarine’s spring 2022 collection for the ultimate throwback to the noughties. Whilst the Y2K bug was a definite harbinger for the revival of certain denim codes, it’s indisputable that the scene of the jean fabric has always been capable of landing its own headlining moment through the social media feeds of our favourite celebrities who constantly put their own spin to the wardrobe mainstay.
And as the summer heat bathes in its final lap and wardrobes prepare for a shift into fall season, there’s no question that it remains to be a surefire staple for the ‘Gram’s most fashion-forward in recent weeks. The Canadian tuxedo is constantly reinterpreted in eclectic styles—from preppy chic to mismatched shades of washed denim in louche, baggy silhouettes as if borrowed from the boys.
But for some, adding a vigour of spice via skin-baring details makes the denim uniform all the more appealing: think Kylie Jenner’s decorated bandage dress that accentuated all her curves courtesy of French label Marine Serre. Denim has also been sensually reinterpreted for the stage, as the coolest It-girls bust out their best denim two-piece ensembles for their appearances at concerts and music festivals. Spy Rina Sawayama’s Coachella 2022 fit or Dua Lipa’s backstage moment in Milano as they adapt the micro trend for the jean fabric.
So as we ride the new wave of denim style options that we can adopt into our own off-duty wardrobe, it’s only natural that we’re looking to these celebs for more outfit inspo. From comfort modes of double denim to elevated two-piece ensembles, see the best of the denim trend and shop the revived sartorial staple, all below.
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Double denim: Jessica Jung
The timeless trend continues to garner its fair share of die-hard wearers—for doubling on the denim is one code that somehow always works wonders when done right. Be it the classic rendition of a denim shirt worn solo à la Katie Holmes or thrown over as a layer to elevate the T-shirt and jeans look, it seems like the Canadian tuxedo will find its will to live on through fashion mavens.
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Double denim: Katie Holmes
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Double denim: Code Kunst
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Double denim: Yoona from Girls' Generation
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Oversize your denim: Lee Jae Wook
Borrowed from the boys: the oversized denim shirt works wonders for a laidback, casual effect. For a youthful twist? Opt for a shirt dress that can be worn on its own with knee high boots as worn by K-pop girl group member Hyein.
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Oversize your denim: Hyein from New Jeans
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Oversize your denim: Joshua from Seventeen
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Bare your skin edition: Seulgi from Red Velvet
The brief? A small, bare-it-all top. Be it the Y2K-inspired butterfly top as per Seulgi’s party girl look or the corset version Bella Hadid is sporting to the diner, it’s all about a form-fitting, skin-baring moment up top—best to beat the summer heat.
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Bare-your-skin edition: Bella Hadid
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Bare-your-skin edition: Jihoon Kim
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Bare-your-skin edition: Sunmi
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Patchwork dresses: Kylie Jenner
Kylie Jenner proves to us the denim dress is more worthy of a fashion moment than we think—as she stuns the Internet in her quirky Marine Serre bandage dress made of strips of denim and decorated with unexpected metal trinkets such as keys and belt buckles.
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Patchwork dresses: Lee Hi
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Mismatched shades: Emily Ratajkowski
Mismatching your shades of denim is the less ventured version of the double denim look, but it makes a load of difference when it’s layered with the right underpinnings. As per Emily Ratajkowsi, go for a similar shade beneath your jacket, or take your style cues from Jennie and J-Hope and add splashes of colour via embroidery or graphic accessories.
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Mismatched shades: J-Hope from BTS
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Mismatched shades: Jennie from Blackpink
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Slouchy shapes: Gigi Hadid
The ultimate essential for a casual day out and about: relaxed, loose-fitting jeans. Pair with a cropped top and sneakers for the cool girl look—spy Gigi Hadid captured on the streets—or go with the chic mum aesthetic via a stylistic pairing of elevated sandals, a sling-on bag and some sunnies like Tracee Ellis Ross embodies for her afternoon in the sun.
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Slouchy shapes: Hailey Bieber
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Slouchy shapes: Tracee Ellis Ross
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Micro combo: Rina Sawayama
The shorter, the better. The tip is to keep it micro—from top to bottom—and most especially on the length of your shorts or skirt. For an elevated, eye-catching look like the one Rina Sawayama busts out on stage? Throw on a mini jacket or form-fitting blazer over your bralette to complete the full combo.
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Micro combo: Irene Kim
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Micro combo: Dua Lipa
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