THE NEW JEANS TO BUY NOW
MOM JEANS Characterised by its high waist, tapered leg, ankle crop and thick denim, the
Mom jean borrows from the trends of the Eighties and Nineties. ‘I always have a pair of men’s Levi’s 501s on the go, in high-waisted indigo selvedge,’ says Harriet Walker, Deputy Fashion Editor at The Times. ‘I’ve been wearing them with a black Petit Bateau long-sleeved bodysuit in homage to the Nineties supermodels.’
CROPPED KICK-FLARE This new denim style takes the snugness of skinny jeans in the upper leg but has a Nineties boot-cut flare or a Seventies bell-bottom, cropped to an ankle-hovering length. The Frugality blogger Alexandra Stedman is currently in love with M.i.h’s ‘Lou’ style (‘They’re a real mid-blue, so really Seventies’), while Caroline Issa, Fashion Director of TANK Magazine is favouring J Brand’s ‘Selena’ cut in white (‘I pair them with a white T-shirt or a simple blouse’).
CUSTOMISED ‘The ultimate in statement denim is the return to customisation,’ says Lisa Aiken, Net-a-Porter’s Fashion Director. ‘It plays into the maximalist mood that is dominating right now.’ Gucci has led the charge with colourful faunathemed embroidery all over its various jean styles, while Levi’s now offers personalisation options where you can add pins, studs, patches, monogramming, embroidery or custom distressing. Similarly, Topshop has made a popup customisation service with Hand & Lock a permanent concession in its Oxford Circus flagship store, due to its unprecedented popularity.
BOYFRIEND Typified by a true straight leg, loose fit and often turn-ups, the boyfriend jean is the antithesis of the skinny jean. ‘About 18 months ago I noticed I was actually wearing my boyfriend jeans more than my skinnies,’ says Harriet. ‘I wanted a pair that were smarter, less worn-in and cropped, and got really into M.i.h’s “Phoebe” style.’ Donna Ida Thornton, Founder of denim boutique Donna Ida, sees them as a year-round classic. ‘Current/Elliott makes the best boyfriend jeans with mid-weight denim, which is designed to wash and wear for years to come,’ she says.
DECONSTRUCTED VINTAGE The new wave of denim has seen something quite remarkable – the creation of a ‘cult’ jean. When Vêtements decided to take two pairs of vintage Levi’s, deconstruct them and sew them back together to form unique quirks like double-back pockets and uneven hems, it produced a phenomenon. Parisian street-style muse Camille Charrière was wooed by their charms and bought a pair when they first hit stores. ‘Vêtements brought back a classic shape – that old-school Mom style – but with a real edge, which makes it feel so current. Jeans can feel off-duty, but when I wear these I feel like I’m still high-fashion.’ Though she experienced some initial buyer’s remorse, the cost-per-wear has made them worth it. ‘There is something to be said about the shape – they give an arc to your legs that you’d never find with a pair of basic jeans.’ LA-based Re/Done has a similar approach, taking vintage Levi’s apart at the seams and repurposing the fabric to create one-of-a-kind jeans that are made all the better by the worn denim. Meanwhile, FRAME has created its very own sellout version of the trend, the Le Mix style. If you want a gentler introduction, seek out Mother’s Insider Crop Step Fray, a great middle ground between a skinny and a deconstructed style.