Q. I love denim on other people and would like to wear it, but always feel as though I look like I haven't made an effort. How can I wear denim without looking too casual?
There is no doubt that denim reigns supreme this spring and no matter how you feel about it, you should start to embrace this dependable canvas.
Denim can be reinvented to tailor any woman’s preferred wardrobe - it's one of the most popular and versatile fabrics out there and due to its epic wearability and comfort, every woman has the potential to look elegant and stylish.
A new breed of denim-lover is currently digging deeper than your average indigo jean. Their philosophy is 'denim can never be boring because there are so many ways to style an outfit around it' - and they’re right. With a bit of imagination and clever styling you can radiate a sophisticated cool girl feel in even the most basic denim pieces. Most denim is casual and will look less lazy or slouchy when worn with clean and structured seperates to give a smarter impression.
The first step is discovering your own personal denim style. Find out what silhouettes suit you in classic pieces such as jeans, denim skirts, denim shorts, romper suits, dungarees & jackets - then you can focus on finding your perfect denim wardrobe staples.
The chambray shirt is a firm favourite in the easy to wear stakes. It is one of the most loved and worn items in my closet and every woman should have at least one. Layer them with other denim fabrics and combine with at least one sophisticated piece, such as a sequin easy jacket. Cuff the sleeves and tuck in at a high-waist for definition - this instantly creates a more polished and pulled together look.
Once one of the biggest fashion faux pas, double denim has successfully evolved from the 'Canadian Tuxedo' into a high fashion sartorial trend fit for any after dark engagement. Create a contemporary eclectic feel by introducing colour - nothing turns heads faster than a pop of neon and it’s a very stylish and contemporary contrast to any denim.
This season, wear denim with flashes of fashion-forward brilliance.
Look 1
Denim shirt dress by Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Lee collection, £189, available at Arkangel & Felon. Pink mini-dress with safety-belt by Christopher Kane, £555, available at Harvey Nichols Edinburgh. Leopard ring, £22, and tiger-hinged bangle, £22, both available at Fabulous Jewels. Vintage Faces tights stylists own. Buckingham sandals, £425, available at Belstaff Glasgow.
Look 2
Chambray denim shirt by Isabel Marant, £170, nude sequin easy jacket by Vivienne Westwood Gold Label £610, and sunglasses by Chanel, £236, all available at Harvey Nichols Edinburgh. Zip front canvas A-line skirt, £550, available at Belstaff Glasgow. Fluorescent pink knitted fingerless gloves by Sonia Rykiel, stylist's own. Fluorescent orange fishnet tights by Pamela Mann, £5, at mytights.com. Tan nubuck embellished boots by Stuart Weitzman, £315 ,at Russell & Bromley.
Look 3
Dark denim easy jacket, £264, and dark denim jeans, £106, both lined with the iconic ‘squiggle’ print by Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Lee collection, available at Arkangel & Felon. Neon yellow spandex body suit with zipper front, £26, at American Apparel. Donald Duck earrings by Butler & Wilson, £52, at Fabulous Jewels. Gold Voodoo ring by Lee Renee, £164, at Brazen. Purple ankle socks by Falke, £27, available at House of Fraser. Dream pink leather court shoes by KG, £140, at Kurt Geiger.
Styling: Lisa Ringrose
Photography: Jeff Mars
Hair: Isabella Watson for Toni & Guy Glasgow using Dry Shampoo, Resurrection Dust and Hairspray, all by Label M
Make Up: Caroline Hynes using NARS Cosmetics and Tom Ford Beauty
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