Think this look is the exclusive preserve of cowboys—or Britney and Justin, circa 2001? Think again.
Also known as the Canadian tuxedo (so named because Bing Crosby was denied entrance to a Canadian hotel for wearing head-to-toe denim in 1951), double denim is everywhere these days; chances are you've seen someone wearing a denim jacket with jeans this month, if not this week. At Thread, it's a favourite combination of both stylist Tahmid and head of business development Terry Betts.
Is it the easiest look to pull off? Well, no. If you're a conservative dresser, stick to chinos when you're wearing your favourite denim jacket—or a bomber or Harrington if you're almost always found in jeans.
But if you're up for making a bit of a statement, our resident Canadian (and stylist) Luke McDonald is all for denim from top to toe. "At its heart it's a casual look," he says. "But when the denims are both similar shades, there can be something quite pulled-together and confident about the style."
Keen to give it a try?
Luke’s three-step plan.
Step 1: Wear a dark jacket with dark jeans
"Double denim thrives on consistency. It's the most basic thing to get right. Keep dark with dark, faded with faded, washed with washed. But really, stick to dark with dark, as light denim covering your entire body can look either superfashiony or not great. Wearing similar-toned denim makes the whole outfit look more considered, as if you’ve planned to wear two denim pieces."
Step 2: But don't completely match the jacket to the jeans
"There's a fine line between considered and too matchy-matchy—as if you really are wearing some sort of custom denim suit. Make sure there is some variation in the denim of your jacket and jeans."
Step 3. Keep your other clothes casual
"Thankfully, a tuxedo made entirely of denim doesn't actually exist. And the world is a better place for it. Remember that denim is originally a worker's fabric—hard-wearing, rugged and relaxed—so keep your shirt and shoes casual. A t-shirt and slim trainers work perfectly."
Too extreme? Try this subtle take
"Pairing black jeans with a chambray shirt is a much easier way to do double denim right. It nods to the same relaxed-but-confident vibe, but isn't as overt."
Author: Thread Staff