LET’S TALK DENIM!
I LOVE DENIM. Ever since I discovered it…Jordache Jeans circa 1980…
And since then, it’s been a ride.
Low-rise trauma (whale tale). Jeggings (woof). Mysterious rhinestone back pockets (why?). Tiny vests (my underarm squeezed out). The era when every denim skirt looked like it was headed to Coachella.
Denim has had many lives.
But the good stuff always comes back.
Denim dressed up. Denim layered over swim. Denim with knits, boots, soft tees, pretty tops. Denim that moves from summer into fall without requiring a full closet exorcism.
Growing up denim lived in a very specific lane. It was meant for super casual weekends, gardening, utility… she was pretty basic, stayed home a lot.
The new way to wear denim is not about inventing some wildly complicated outfit. It’s about paying attention to proportion, texture, and the tiny styling moves that make clothes look like they meant to be together.
Wherever you live, however you live, denim is most likely in your rotation on the weekley if not the daily. Our denim is kinda magic because it’s so damn soft and contains the perfect amount of stretch and structure. We run the gamut of styles that flow from weekend casual to evening chic.
The Farrah - new this fall, works best with something that shows the shape at the waist: a fitted tank, a slim tee, a tucked button-down, a cropped sweater. Let the pant be the volume. Do not make every piece in the outfit compete for attention. That is how you end up looking like your clothes are having an argument.
The same goes for a barrel shape like our Dana. Barrel pants already bring the silhouette, so the rest of the outfit can calm down. A rib tank. A tissue tee. A button-down tucked in. A soft sweater that hits at the waist. Add a clog, a boot, or a sneaker with a little weight to it. The pant has a point of view. The shoe should not completely disappear.
If the top has volume, give the waist a little definition. The Marin denim shirt looks best when it has a small styling move: buttoned up and tucked into the Atlas skirt, worn over a tank with the Carson, or half-tucked into the Dana so the outfit does not turn into one big denim cloud.
Also, roll the sleeves.
Always roll the sleeves.
A denim shirt with untouched sleeves can look a little too “I am here to inspect the property line, ma’am.” A rolled sleeve says you know what you’re doing, even if you are mostly just trying to find your sunglasses.
Denim-on-denim is also a thing…
You don’t need a perfect match; a little contrast often makes it better. The Marin with a darker denim bottom. The Claire shirt tucked into the Audrey. A white tank peeking through to break it up. Add a belt if the outfit needs punctuation.
The trick is to make it look like a decision. Denim-on-denim only gets weird when it looks accidental, so commit to the bit. Roll the sleeve. Pick the shoe. Leave the house before you start negotiating with the mirror.
Our Atlas skirt is also easy peasy, wear her over a swim when you want to look like you packed well, even if your suitcase is mostly snacks and three incompatible chargers. She makes you feel in control when maybe you’re not.
Then there is Franny. She’s amazing. She allows you to not think. She lets you dress with ease but look like a million bucks. Soft, easy, packable, dresses up and down, shapes your bod. She’s a one hit wonder.
Wear the Franny on its own and let the dress do the work.
Then, when the weather starts changing, add the layers.
A tissue tee under the Franny. A cropped sweater over the Atlas. Boots with the Dana. A soft knit with the Farah. The Claire worn like a lightweight jacket.
Denim is one of those rare fabrics that can move through seasons without making a big announcement about it. It just changes who it hangs out with.
And when you want denim to feel less casual
Swap the flip-flop for a clog. Swap the sweatshirt for a soft sweater. Swap the canvas tote for a smaller bag. Add earrings. Tuck the shirt. Put on a belt. Choose one thing that sharpens the outfit.
The Farah with a pretty top can go to dinner. The Dana with a tucked button-down can go to work, or whatever version of work involves looking pulled together on camera. The Marin with the Atlas feels polished without getting stiff. The Franny can handle a sandal, a boot, a jacket, a sweater, a belt, and probably your entire day.
Denim isn’t precious. In fact, don’t let it. The whole reason denim works is because it keeps a little ease, a little grit, a little “yes, I can sit on the curb if necessary” vibe.
