It was 18 years ago when the pop world’s favourite couple, Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake, stepped onto the red carpet at the 2001 American Music Awards in their all-over denim get-up. Both popstars were literally clad from head to toe in denim, from Timberlake’s denim cowboy hat to Spears’ small denim purse.
To their credit, they probably thought they were being ahead of the fashion game, which in a way, is kind of true seeing as how denim-on-denim looks can now be seen all over the streets during Fashion Week. And if the fashionable crowd has gotten over Spears and Timberlake’s major fashion faux pas, who are we to say otherwise?
For regular individuals like you and I, wearing denim from head to toe can be extremely intimidating. So many things can go wrong if this high-risk outfit is not styled properly. But, that does not mean you should steer away from this look altogether. If you are keen on a style adventure, read on to find out how you can pull of a foolproof denim-on-denim look.
Pair Different Colours of Denim
Unless you are in the mood to be extremely bold and brave in your outfit of the day, stay away from doing a double denim with the same shade of blue. Pulling this look off is not for beginners, so if you are just starting out on your denim-on-denim fashion journey, we suggest playing it safe by pairing different colours of denim together.
If you are wearing a pair of blue jeans, opt for a white denim jacket. Or match your black jeans with a light blue denim shirt. Combining different colours of denim rather than sticking to just one shade from head to toe is an easy way for you to experiment with a double-denim ensemble. The different colours will lighten up the entire outfit, so you do not look overly decked out in denim.
Mix in Simple Separates
Wearing denim from head to toe can look one-dimensional and boring (yes, even a double denim look can be boring). So, to add some interest to your outfit, throw on something simple into the mix such as a white shirt or striped tee. Layer a denim jacket over your top and put on a pair of casual footwear such as sneakers or flats for a touch of femininity. Adding separates will also help break up the heavy look of your denim on denim and steer the attention towards your separates instead.
Go Bold
The solid block of colour of denim can seem a bit too stark by itself, and especially so when you are pulling a double denim look. To tone down the harsh denim look, add pops of colour to your outfit through other pieces of garment in your outfit. If you are wearing a denim jacket, wear a bright-coloured top underneath to break up the monotony of the head to toe denim look.
If bright colours are not really your thing, how about going for prints and patterns instead? Throw on a striped t-shirt for a casual look or a floral shirt to add a more feminine vibe. For a minimal look, opt for graphic prints in neutral colours.
Opt for Distressed Jeans
Distressed jeans are the easiest pieces of garment to throw on if you wish to add a bit of an edgy vibe to your outfit. Simply pair them with your denim top and top off your look with a pair of ankle boots if you want to keep the cool street appearance of your outfit without going too casual. For a super casual and chill look, opt for a pair of sneakers — low-tops are the way to go for a more relaxed appearance while high-tops are great if you want to dress up the casual look just a little.
Besides keeping your outfit edgy, distressed jeans are also a great item to put on if you want to balance masculine and feminine vibes in your look. Wear a denim jacket with a frilly or floral top underneath and complete the look with a pair of oxford shoes to keep your outfit less casual.
Avoid Denim Accessories
Don’t pull a Britney and Justin by completing your double denim outfit with more denim accessories. No matter how cute that denim purse is or how great you will look in that denim hat, keep denim to just your actual clothes and avoid accessorising your outfit in the same material.
Instead, opt for simple accessories to tone down the all-over denim look. To keep things really minimal, go for a pair of pearl ear studs for a touch of added elegance and tie your hair back into a low chignon. Or decorate your fingers with gold or silver rings in minimal designs. If you want to add chunky jewellery, limit it to just one such as a pair of dangly earrings or a stack of bangles.