Blue blazes

Beloved, well-worn and perennially relevant, Vogue editors select the blue-chip denim items that will never leave their wardrobes.

1. DENIM JACKET

“Denim jackets can be tricky. I used to live in one when I was four years old, but didn’t go near one again until recently. It took a worn-out vintage denim jacket hanging in my wardrobe that I was given 10 years ago. Every once in a while I would pull it out and try it on, but then back it would go, until on a whim one day it didn’t. Now I can’t imagine a wardrobe without such an essential piece – jeans, trousers, dresses: it works with everything and goes with me everywhere.” DIJANA SAVOR, SENIOR DESIGNER

2. OVERALLS

“My love of overalls is two-fold. There’s the utility factor of a well-built pair of dungarees. Like a heavy-duty romper, my favourite pair – black, Alexa Chung for AG – has survived weekends away, birthday dinners and moving days. There’s also comfort (a pair of pants without a waistline!) and more than Levi’s five pockets (one in the front up top!). The second element is their ability to slip a childhood sense of fun into a workaday wardrobe. (I have the luxury of working in an office that celebrates clothing.) Carel patent Mary-Janes, a white blouse and a mini bag is my favourite Friday sign-off.” ALICE BIRRELL, SENIOR FASHION FEATURES EDITOR

3. RELAXED JEANS

“I was an avid skinny-jeans wearer of the painted-on and high-waisted variety. Topshop’s demi-stretch cuts worked for my shape, hitting right on the waist. I wanted to wear straight jeans, but could never find a pair that wouldn’t gape at the waistband. Then I tried a pair of vintage Guess relaxed-style jeans. Looser but polished, they lengthened my legs with a slight taper and slotted into day and night looks – think Barbara Martelo’s classic approach. Ksubi, Levi’s and Re/Done became go-tos and now I’m searching for that black pair to build on with a camel coat, knits and boots for winter.” MONIQUE SANTOS, MARKET EDITOR

4. DENIM SKIRT

“To observe the denim skirt fall in and out of favour says much about the erratic state of fashion. But my most recent denim skirt purchase bears more than a passing resemblance to the one I wore in high school – the changing tides move slower with the skirt version of the beloved denim jeans. Instead, it’s all about what’s on top. Pairing a denim skirt with a slinky ‘going-out’ spaghetti top reads fashion circa 2000; while today a Victoriana-sleeved blouse speaks more to our times.” ZARA WONG, FASHION FEATURES AND CONTENT STRATEGY DIRECTOR