20. Some really nice denim from *unexpected places and how I've styled them.
There are seasons when I want to buy interesting and creative things but Autumn for me always feels like a good time to buy solid pieces. To think in a more grounded way about my wardrobe. To look at what I have, what I need, what will help me create more outfits I love and to buy strategically.
It’s kind of how I feel in the season itself. It is the season to cosy up, nurture, and rebuild for Spring. It’s also a lovely time to think about how we put the clothes we have, let’s face it, the ones that get the most wear, together.
Start by considering the pieces you own (or don’t) that really do feel solid to you. What do you have that feels really good to wear, style and play with over Winter? And what items would really help you dress much more easily? What is your wardrobe missing? What solid hardworking pieces do you need?
And so that’s what’s inspired this week’s post.
More specifically, Denim.
When it comes to denim, we know what we know. We default to certain brands that have served us well or maybe just we don’t know where else to go. I want this week to inspire those creative juices and bring you a couple of beautiful denim options that might be new to you or just open up where you can look. I also have included a brand that perhaps you had long forgotten about (Tommy Hilfiger Denim anyone?).
How can one well-chosen item like denim bring your wardrobe together and to life this Winter?….count the ways below….
If you haven’t already, have read of my post on why choosing great items for your bottom half is key to creating great outfits here.
Let’s dig in..
Click one any look on the styling boards below to bring you to the full look, where you will find all the items directly linked. Or once on any look, you will see a little ‘pages’ icon on the bottom right of the screen that says ‘14’, that’s the number of looks created and will show you all the looks in this week’s post.
The 5 x denim’s I have styled for you:
There are lots of lovely brands outside the usual high street offering doing great things with denim. Albaray is one. I’ve picked their Dark Wash Relaxed Jeans. They are a beautiful shape for curves, slightly cropped, with a lovely soft but also supportive 100% cotton denim. I’ve styled in a couple of looks here. I just love these denim. Tempted myself ;-)
Below we have the same Jeans from Albaray but taken in a different direction, which is the beauty of choosing great denim. It feels so much easier to play and have fun if you have the comfort of a great fit. In love with this Reiss Wool Coat :-)
The Final look (below) with these jeans is sort of preppy elevated direction. Not everyone will like the slightly more cropped denim with a boot like this but I love seeing more of the boot and still feeling like I am wearing a relaxed pair of denim. That high-low mix of relaxed and elevated works for me but it’s not for everyone.
These are the Agnes Denim from Hush. Hush is one of those online brands that can get bypassed but is probably doing the greatest things for the 40+ market away from the high street. In fact if you feel you no longer fit on the high street, Hush is a brand that should drop into your Little Black Book. The denim here is so soft yet a great way to experiment with this more relaxed style of Jean that’s overtaking the skinny’s (finally) but with a tempering here that feels manageable and not too wide!
OK, who can resist a beautiful Autumn blazer? This one from Reiss below is pricey but oh so gooodddd. If it feels really true to your style (I would say if you like preppy but still elevated) it will be a dream for your wardrobe. I’ve teamed here also with a fun coloured heel from Zara to bring in a little more creativity. I love how one item can take an outfit down a slightly different path, it’s magic to my little styling brain!
Tommy Jeans are a definite throwback to the year 2000?? (that was it wasn’t it??). Yet this really solid brand never really went anywhere, the market for denim just got real busy, choice ramped up and we forgot. These are their Wide Leg Faded Carpenter Jeans and are just great. The real trick, if you want to give a wide leg like this a go, is (sounds obvious) in the fit around the waist so the proportions of the leg feel modern and right for you and not baggy and shapeless. Had to choose a classic little Benneton Tee for this look. Bringing back the 2000’s!!
Playing with a little more colour below with this autumnal kimono style jacket from Massimo Dutti. A mix of warm tones, both lighter and darker with the jacket making it feel Autumnal. The joy it brings me to look at this same pair of denim and play with it so you can make it look exactly as you want it too look.
I am a big fan of vintage Levi’s and the pair I own and love cost me £30 in a vintage store so I urge you too look out! But not everyone is into the vintage, old thing and I get that. The key is to find the shape and style that is right for you as there are so many. Here I’ve picked their classic Ribcage Wide Leg in Black (a classic) and gone for the cool, edgy all-black look.
If you prefer more colour and are ready to embrace gorgeous Autumn tones, this one is for you. What I love about Levi’s is you can create a softer or harder look, more girlie, less girlie look and the jeans just follow what you put them with.
LK Bennett have been bringing out more everyday pieces for a while now, yet it kind of passes us by. But not me :-) and these Jeans are lush. They are the Melle Dark Indigo Turn-Up Jeans. They are selling out quick. I adore this beautiful top and even better if, like me you like a matchy matchy set, this top also has a skirt to match.
A more classic, preppy look but still bringing in a pop of colour in the burgundy handbag from Jigsaw. No matter what look you love, it is the core item that give the comfort and the little things you add that bring any outfit to life.
Everlane is a brand to definitely add to your radar. Their Baggy Jean in Black is the dream. So soft and easy to wear. Kind of like not denim but still denim! I have created two classic looks here with a mix of brands that work well - H&M, Arket and theeessse boots from Bobbies -beauties.
Finally, had to include this amazing Navy coat from Jigsaw. It’s hard to find a really nice navy coat, black is everywhere but navy is trickier. This beauty also comes in 4 other colour ways in addition to navy. Had a little fun with the pink here! These runners come in and out of stock so keep an eye or if you like the look, be brave and find a pair you like (other ideas here).
Hope you enjoyed this week’s post as much as I did styling it! Would love to know your thoughts on how you find my Styling Boards? Drop in the comments below with thoughts, questions on sizing on anything I’ve shared or anything else - happy to chat anytime.
I would also so appreciate if you wanted to share this post or my page in general with anyone you know who might enjoy it too!
Have fun styling this week!
