In 1873, Levi's 501 jeans, the first-everdenimstyle, started as humble workwear trousers. Almost 150 years later,denimhas expanded its reach with a revolving door of statement-makingdenim trends—from edgy raw hems to '70s-inspiredhigh-waistedandwide-legsilhouettes to earthy neutral tones.
The following women-leddenim brandfounders and experts will agree; denim, once a modest workman's uniform, is today anything but simple. A cultural symbol, worn in the Wild West and on the silver screen, and a beloved closet staple worn worldwide, denim can be personal and emotional. "Investing in the right pair of jeanscan make a woman look and feel incredible," explainsTara Rudes Dann, Fashion Director and Partner at New York City-based denim brand, L'Agence. "Sometimes all you need is that perfect pair for everything else in your wardrobe to make sense," agreesBrigette Deshais, AYR's Vice President of Women's Design.
Investing in a great pair of jeanswill ensure they last you a lifetime, explainsAimi Sahara, founder of denim brand Tu Es Mon Tresor.Sonia Mosseri,Creative Director and Co-Founder of denim brand Still Here, agrees. Ahead, we've broken down six of the most-covetable denim trends of 2022, all with our denim insiders' seals of approval.
High-Rise, Wide-Leg Denim
"High-rise, wide-leg denim styles bring together the best of comfort and sophistication," saysAimi Sahara, founder of denim brand Tu Es Mon Tresor. This type of jeans provides coverage for colder months but offers breathability for the warmer weather. Sahara suggests styling your high-rise, wide-leg jeans with a shorter top or a V-neck tee to juxtapose the elongated hemline.
(Image credit: Van Mossevelde)
Denim Maxi Skirts
Still Here's Sonia Mosseri loves pairing the season's maxi skirts—which have vintage '90s appeal—with a simple tank or cropped white tee. Playing with different silhouettes, like skirting and incorporating embellishments, appliqué, and embroideries, offer a novel take on staples denim pieces. "Denim is a great investment because it's a fabric people can wear every day," Mosseri explains.
(Image credit: Van Mossevelde )
Carpenter Jeans
Vintage and retro-leaning styles, like carpenter jeans, were historically constructed with function in mind—built with pockets and hammer loops to store tools. Today, they've been re-upped as a fashion statement on the runways of designers like Valentino, Balenciaga, and Bottega Veneta. "It's a person's instinct and personal style that makes an older style relevant again," explains Sahara of Tu Es Mon Tresor.
(Image credit: Van Mossevelde)
Neutral Tone Denim
"Natural sandstone and off-white denim pieces are the grown-up versions of my '90s jeans," explainsBrigette Deshais, AYR's Vice President of Women's Design. While you might like the appealing look of rigid jeans, Deshais notes the importance of feeling great in your denim of choice. "Opt for something with stretch— nobody wants to be in heavy denim jeans that aren't breathable and pinch in all the wrong places. A good pair of denim jeans instantly makes all your other clothing feel fresh again," she says.
(Image credit: Van Mossevelde)
Relaxed Denim Jackets
Swap your casual blazers for a slightly oversized denim jacket. It's even better if it achieves a "coveted worn-in look," explains Sahara— an aesthetic achieved through sustainably-minded recycling and upcycling practices. Color-blocking and vintage sourced patches can also add a unique twist to your relaxed denim styles, saysTara Rudes Dann, Fashion Director and Partner at New York City-based denim brand, L'Agence.
(Image credit: Van Mossevelde)
Raw Hem Jeans
Jeans with raw or exposed hemlines are also some of Dann's favorite all-time denim varieties. She recommends pairing raw hem jeans with polished staples like a cardigan, blazer, classic belt, and mules. "When you love a style, it's seasonless," says Dunn.
(Image credit: Van Mossevelde)
I am an enthusiast deeply immersed in the world of denim fashion, with a profound understanding of its history, evolution, and current trends. My expertise is grounded in a comprehensive knowledge of denim styles, fabrics, and the cultural significance that denim holds. My awareness extends from the inception of denim as workwear in the 19th century to its contemporary status as a global fashion staple.
Now, let's delve into the concepts used in the provided article:
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Levi's 501 Jeans (1873):
- Levi's 501 jeans are highlighted as the first-ever denim style, originating in 1873.
- They began as humble workwear trousers and have since become iconic.
-
Denim Evolution:
- Denim started as workman's uniform but has evolved into a versatile fabric with various trends.
- It has transformed from humble workwear to a cultural symbol worn in the Wild West and on the silver screen.
-
Denim Trends:
- The article mentions a variety of denim trends in 2022, including high-rise, wide-leg denim, denim maxi skirts, carpenter jeans, neutral tone denim, and relaxed denim jackets.
-
High-Rise, Wide-Leg Denim:
- Aimi Sahara, founder of Tu Es Mon Tresor, emphasizes the comfort and sophistication of high-rise, wide-leg denim styles.
- These jeans offer coverage for colder months and breathability for warmer weather.
- Styling tips include pairing them with shorter tops or V-neck tees to juxtapose the elongated hemline.
-
Denim Maxi Skirts:
- Sonia Mosseri of Still Here recommends pairing denim maxi skirts with simple tanks or cropped white tees.
- Playing with different silhouettes and incorporating embellishments offers a fresh take on denim pieces.
-
Carpenter Jeans:
- Vintage and retro-leaning styles like carpenter jeans are mentioned, historically designed with function in mind.
- They've been revived as a fashion statement on runways, emphasizing personal style.
-
Neutral Tone Denim:
- Brigette Deshais, AYR's Vice President of Women's Design, discusses the appeal of natural sandstone and off-white denim pieces.
- She advises opting for denim with stretch for comfort and breathability.
-
Relaxed Denim Jackets:
- Tara Rudes Dann of L'Agence suggests swapping casual blazers for slightly oversized denim jackets.
- Achieving a "coveted worn-in look" is recommended through sustainably-minded recycling and upcycling practices.
-
Raw Hem Jeans:
- Jeans with raw or exposed hemlines are highlighted as a favorite style.
- Tara Rudes Dann recommends pairing raw hem jeans with polished staples like cardigans, blazers, classic belts, and mules.
The article provides insights from denim brand founders and experts, offering a comprehensive guide to the most covetable denim trends of 2022.