Maybe it's the rise of classic Sade, all gold, chambray and stonewash, as fashion's throwback Thursday of choice, or its popularity among modern A-listers Rihanna, Beyoncé and Kim K, but the Canadian tuxedo (aka double denim) is experiencing a bit of a renaissance.
But wearing an outfit of head to toe denim can be tricky, in that there's a fine line between looking effortlessly cool and overly coordinated. Here is the new way to master it.
MIX THE WEIGHT
Fashion loves contrast, and this is no exception. Try mixing a thicker, heavier denim with a lighter fabric to add a nice, unexpected sense of texture. It stops the look from being one big block of denim.
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PLAY WITH SHAPES
Similarly, opposing silhouettes work best here. Rather than wearing skinny on top and the bottom, try a slim jacket worn with a wide-leg bottom.
GO TONAL
Mix varying shades of blue — a deep dark wash with a slightly lighter indigo and a lighter pastel blue, for example — for a softer, more modern take on the Canadian tuxedo. You can use this same approach with shades of black denim or grey.
CHOOSE PASTELS, OVER BRIGHT
Saturated brights had their moment, but paler pinks and peach in looser silhouettes look and feel the most fresh right now.
ADD ONE NON-DENIM PIECE
Use a trench, cotton shirt or cotton jacket as a layering piece to break up the double or triple denim. It makes for an unexpected focal point.
If you want to know about the 5 denim styles that we think will be big trends for 2017 click here, and if you want to hear from a fashion insider about the best ways to shop for denim, click here.
Read more from our denim special in the April issue of ELLE UK.
Kenya Hunt is the Editor-in-Chief of ELLE UK. Her career spans working for some of the world's most influential women’s titles on both sides of the Atlantic from her post-graduate days as an Assistant Editor at the seminal magazine, Jane, to her time as Deputy Editor of Grazia UK and ELLE UK. As the founder of R.O.O.M. Mentoring, she advocates for greater diversity within the fashion industry by providing a supportive network for some of the many talented aspiring designers, journalists and image makers of colour London has to offer. In 2021, she was recognised by The British Fashion Council for her work and given a Global Leader Of Change Award at its annual Fashion Awards. An American based in London, she lives south of the river with her husband and two sons. Her critically-acclaimed book, Girl: Essays on Black Womanhood (HarperCollins/HQ), is out now.
