Denim dilemma solved

Patched to sophistication 

Out with the old, in with the bold! 

Fashionistas have bid adieu to ripped jeans, torn hems and messy patches. Today we wear denim that is sophisticatedly ripped, and patched with different shades of jeans with clean hemlines. So you still have your diversity, but with cleaner, primmer lines, that give you an overall polished look. These couple well with grungy tee-shirts, and solid colour counterparts. 

Denim on Denim

In the past, the Fashion Police would have issued a warrant against you, had you dared to commit the sin of wearing denim on denim. But fellas, we are living in 2017, when rules have been sent on a hiatus and you can make almost anything look right.

It doesn't mean that you will go on about wearing any shade, any colour, and any type of denim with denim. That would skyrocket you into the next big internet troll in no time. Yes, of course, you can bend the rules, but you must do it in the right manner to look dapper in what you wear.

There are many ways in which you can create a contrast in your look, the simplest being with colours. The idea is to wear colours such that they are of a different shade and wash. This way, you can tell your shirt apart from your jeans. The easiest combination which people go for is a light coloured shirt and a dark coloured pair of jeans. 

Using this simple tip of creating contrast with colours, you can also pull off triple denim. For instance, wear dark jeans and a light coloured shirt and then top it off by wearing a colour of denim jacket which is in between that of your jeans and shirt. Voila! You just managed to successfully pull off denim on denim on denim.

Work Jeans 

The denim look practically takes five minutes to put together and looks effortlessly chic nonetheless. Although denim is not widely accepted as office wear, it can be manipulated here and there to give it that formal look. You can always pair a light wash denim shirt with any formal pant of choice, or a sleek streamlined denim skirt with a white button down or any old formal top which gives the attire a nice breezy feel, perfect for summer. 

The easiest way is to simply switch up your office shirt for a nice denim one, maybe add on a blazer or long coat to add to the formality. Put on a dark denim shirt with striking red high-waisted pants to create a power suit you would want to wear on special days. In case of men, switch up the red pants for something subtler like beige pants or simply, black formals. Always choose accessories carefully when dressing for work. Go with strong outlined bags, block heels, stilettos or loafers.

Oh! So Casual 

For most of us, casual equals denim, but even casual can be done in so many ways. If you are up for the tomboy grunge look, go with a pair of boyfriend jeans. Take one a little looser than your average size, fold it up at the bottom. Not only will it be comfortable, but it will add just the right amount of masculine touch. You can pair it with any old shirt or top, but cropped tee shirts and colourful tops look best with loose pants. 

You could also go with a motorcycle jacket with studs on, motorcycle pants with zipper works done on the thighs, or full out with both. Again adding in feminine colours such as pastels and whites with the rough outfit will give it a nice balance. 

The classic white tee

If you ever wondered how French women look so effortless and yet so gorgeous all the time, it is mostly because of their details. They pay attention to small things especially the right fit that makes even the simplest of attires look chic. 

Denim is an everyday staple, and can be worn a million ways, but a classic white tee shirt never fails. They can be graphic, or can have your favourite quote on top, but will look amazing with any and every pair of denim pant in the world. 

The best pairs are made when you put on cropped light-wash mom jeans with plain white tees and add on some fun white sneakers to complete the look. But at the end of the day the right fit is what is going to give you that je ne sais quoi. 

Designer denim

We all love luxe elements in our attire at one time or another, but not all of us want to splurge on a pair of pants that are worth a fortune. To get that designer look and personal detailing done to give your denim a one of a kind look all you need is some clever tailoring. Simple things like white lace on denim jackets give it a nice flair, while a black outline on hemlines create a proper silhouette. You could also get your denim embroidered or embellished to make it stand out.

You do not need a horde of pants to get a new look every day. Rotate the same old denim pieces by mixing it up or coupling them with unexpected pieces. Either way, our favorite wardrobe staple never disappoints.

Things to remember

Ruffled jeans are a little '80s, but they still work well with full sleeves and long coats, a must have for winter. Block heels and sandals work best with cropped denim pants, they elevate you further and add more height. To add a feminine touch to any denim jacket or jeans, add some slits on the side. 

White denim does not need to be any different than regular denim. Coupling it like you would do with any other jeans is what makes it look best. 

High-waisted pants are never out of fashion, they are the one style that looks flattering on every kind of body and can be worn on all occasions. 

Dark denim is the most versatile of all as it can be worn with pretty much everything, and is one of the safest options if you want to avoid a fashion disaster, not to mention it makes us all look slimmer and more toned. 

Pay attention to details and tailoring, especially the back, which is often ignored. Slouching pockets and unfitted waistlines can ruin a great outfit. 

By Anisha Hassan and Ali Sakhi Khan

Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed

Model: Abdullah Al Mahfuz, Zaib, Rabbi

Wardrobe: Personal

Styling: Sonia Yeasmin Isha