Denim die-hards, we get it – summer can be a rough time for you. As much as a baggy boyfriend jean and layered chambray shirt/jacket combo ticks all the style boxes, at this time of year you’re most likely looking at a cringe-worthy sweat moustache as the cherry on top of that Canadian tuxedo.
Time to let your skin breathe a little, right? If you’re not exactly enthused by the idea of teeny tiny denim shorts as an alternative, here’s the new summer denim silhouettes you need to cool it down a notch.
1. The Denim Top.
Give long sleeves the chop – only ¾ sleeves and less need apply in these temperatures. If things are really heating up in your wardrobe and a full commitment to denim seems cumbersome, take the paneling route – all the finesse with added airflow. Genius.
Dion Lee poplin and denim top, $365.09, net-a-porter.com; Sibling distressed denim top, $336.23, net-a-porter.com;
Therapy denim shell top, approx. $28.41, houseoffraser.co.uk; Vince collarless denim top, $276, matchesfashion.com
2. The Denim Short.
Take cues from the boys and amp up the slouch. Look for styles roomy in the thigh as opposed to the cling-wrap styles of summer’s past – your buzzword here is ‘relaxed’ (and not a camel toe in sight). Try giving them the Isabel Marant treatment with a slouchy tee, blazer and strappy sandals or suede pointy-toe pumps – so frenchy, so chic.
Paige Grant shorts, $279 from davidjones.com.au; Alexa Chung for AG Fifi denim shorts, $295 from mytheresa.com;
Country Road seam detail chambray shorts, $79.95 from countryroad.com.au; Seed BF denim shorts, $44.96 from seedheritage.com.au
3. The Denim Skirt.
After a little hiatus, the denim skirt is back – and she’s all grown up. Skip past the thigh-high minis of old and drop the hemlines – if Jane Birkin wouldn’t approve, then leave it on the rack. A-line and relaxed pencil silhouettes are all for channelling a ‘60s/’70s Riviera vibe – think stripy separates and an espadrille (yacht optional).
Topshop MOTO indigo clean-cut denim skirt, approx. $49.25 from topshop.com; Stella McCartney denim A-line mini skirt, $471 from matchesfashion.com;
CURRENT/ELLIOT distressed denim skirt, $309 from stylebop.com; H&M denim skirt, $29.95 from hm.com/au
4. The Denim Dress.
Say hello to your wardrobe’s new MVP – this season’s offerings are ready and willing to be worn 100 different ways. For example: structured silhouettes to the office? Tick. Chambray to the beach? Tick. I have two minutes to get ready and don’t know what to wear? Tick, tick, tick. Stick to neutral toned accessories and you’re out the door.
H&M denim dress, $29.95 from Hm.com/au; Topshop MOTO indigo wash t-shirt dress, approx. $71.98 from Topshop.com;
Victoria Beckham Denim denim dress, $526 from Stylebop.com; Stella McCartney cut-out denim mini dress, $700.61 from Net-a-porter.com
5. The Denim Onesie.
If the thought of an all-in-one that is not of the Snuggie variety has you running for the hills, denim is an easy foray into wearing this silhouette outside of your lounge room. The key here is to balance your silhouette between slouchy and tailored – we still want to see a figure under there somewhere, so don’t swamp yourself in oversized cuts. Give it a slightly sporty treatment with a white tee and fresh white lace-up sneakers.
Alexa Chung for AG Jeans Tennessee denim overalls, $454.56 from net-a-porter.com; Topshop MOTO Tencel Sporty Playsuit, approx. $68.20 from topshop.com; Paige Sierra denim dungarees, $585 from mytheresa.com; CURRENT/ELLIOT denim jumpsuit, approx. $426.22 from stylebop.com; sass & bide The Drum Roll loose fit jumpsuit, $350