I am now regretting selling my dark blue denim Versace jacket on eBay last year. I hadn’t worn the thing for years and I thought it was starting to look dated. After all, denim jackets had fallen out of favour and it seemed like time to move on. The world of fashion had certainly moved on, or so I thought. Actually it had moved backwards and now double denim is all the rage. In case this trend has passed you but it is the wearing of denim with, well, denim!

Different Shades

To make matters worse most fashionistas are suggesting that the best way to do double denim is to choose different shades of denim to pair up. That damn jacket would have ticked all the boxes. Some lucky sod got a real bargain there. I can’t remember exactly how much I got for it but it wasn’t much. I also sold a pair of red Versace jeans that I had bought in 1999 and never worn. They might have been worth hanging on to as well. Oh well, too late now.

Patterns and Bling

The question is, would I want to do double denim again? Actually I probably would but not by teaming up plain blue with plain blue.  I think there are more interesting ways of wearing this look. I believe double denim would be much more interesting with the inclusion of patterned pieces. Funky patterned jeans teamed up with a plain denim jacket or plain jeans with a blinged up jacket is more my style.

If you like the idea of patterned or embellished denim then you don’t have to spend a fortune or embark on a lengthy search for something quirky or different. You can engage in a bit of DIY instead and pimp your denim.

Pimping Denim

By adding patches, beads, studs and sparkles you can turn jeans and jackets into unique styles. You don’t need much sewing skill and you can choose embellishments in colours that suit the rest of your wardrobe or your personal style. You can go bold or create a more subtle look. If you have any jeans or jackets that you are tired of then work on those. If not then buy inexpensive garments and create bespoke designer pieces that will stand out from the crowd. If I had held on to the aforementioned jacket I could have made something out of that.

Double denim doesn’t have to be boring nor does it have to be purely a story of the blues. The great thing about jeans and denim in general is that there are so many options. You can experiment with different pieces to create different looks until you find combinations that really work for you. If patterns and bling don’t ring your bell then try accessorizing with bold colours instead. Even top to toe blue denim can be brought to live with contrasting belts, shoes, scarves and hats. Finding a great denim outfit is just a matter of spending some time in front of the mirror!

 

Article by Sally Stacey