I love dark jeans for the same reasons you state above. But I am also tired of the dark smudges on my shoes and purses especially, so I might consider a lighter wash for the summer, even though they look too casual. Although I think bright colored chinos are a better solution for me personally.

Danja, you bring up two interesting points:

o How much smarter are a pair of chinos compared to a pair of jeans? Granted that chinos and jeans are not created equal and there are smart versions and casual versions of both. It’s still an interesting question.

o Can casual jeans like these look smart casual if the rest of the elements are dressy?

Nice to know that hanging onto a wellfitting but fading pair of jeans is an option, and could be a nice mom-on-the-go item.

I have actually acquired a couple pairs of medium wash denim this season. They are not quite as faded as the ones shown here but I like them for darker tops, especially black. I’m wearing them as smart casual. The other inconvenience about dark wash denim is they show all the dust from park/outside days. I’ll be watching for what you come up with, Angie.

Thinking about these jeans I’ve decided that I will forgo adding them to my wardrobe unless you show us a way to make them work as smart casual. I’ll look more polished in cream or white jeans as a change from dark denim.
IMHO, I can’t think of any woman who looks good in chinos who wouldn’t look much better in a jean cut pant. They have been banned from my closet for many years.

I am excited to try a more faded pair of jeans like this for spring and summer – just for the sake of something new, if nothing else. I am not sure if they can be smart casual, and I’ll be looking to Angie to find out, but for sure I’ll try them with Cons/fashion sneakers for casual days.

Angie, your opinion that the clothing industry gives us distressed jeans in empathy with the distressed economy is a rather too benevolent interpretation IMHO. The clothing industry always proclaim a “new” kind of jean, be it dark-wash, faded, distressed, drainpipe, bootcut, acid-wash (The horror! The horror!), to be in simply to get us to buy more.

I think I will stick to my dark wash jeans for now. These jeans remind me of the clothes I used to wear in college. Now that I’m working, I need to look more professional and this style of jean doesn’t really work with my lifestyle any more. Angie, I’m looking forward to seeing the outfits you put together with these jeans.

I have a pair of jeans that started out as a dark rinse but the color has faded (though not nearly so much as the ones in the photos). I think I will just keep on wearing them rather than buying deliberately distressed jeans. What I don’t like about most distressed jeans is that the color is too uneven–some parts (usually the thighs and behind) are very faded while the rest is quite dark by comparison. The faded parts are what people notice first because the light color makes them stand out and thighs/behind are definitely not my best attributes! So I’m sticking to my uniformly faded old jeans.

I am intrigued by these. I would actually really like to have a pair of lighter/medium wash jeans, for warm weather and for dark tops. But I would like the wash to be uniform, without any of these bleaching and distressing, and I haven’t seen such a pair yet.

Angie, I think you are dead-on about the manufacturers figuring that faded jeans reflect the economic mood. However, I do think it’s ironic that they are trying to entice consumers to buy faded jeans – instead of just wearing their old jeans until they fade!!

While I never say never, I doubt I will be buying into this trend anytime soon. I always feel like faded and lightwash jeans add pounds to my frame. It also doesn’t help that since I’m petite but need a regular jean for the rise, the fading can often fall in the wrong place and look goofy.

I really love GG’s new faded clams though. If anything, I would look for clams that could be worn kicking around on a weekend for after boating and beach days and such.

Given the economic times, I think it’s MORE important to always look your best, and dress to impress. Especially if you are unemployed or your job is at risk – you never know when the next job opportunity could fall into your lap. I understand wanting to look humble and not excessive (overdoing it with the glitzy expensive labels) but dark wash jeans are going to always look more smart than light wash ones.

P.s. I must be lucky because I’ve yet to encounter the problem with jeans rubbing off on me.

I think it’s a direct reflection upon the fashion industry to come up with something tired and old because they don’t have a new idea. The rehash of the retro torn/faded jeans is not flattering to many butts.

I still see women in faded jeans, and these folks aren’t following trend. The trend just came right back around again.

Not good.

That and tapered trousers. Few women over size 10 can carry the look off, we were chained to it for ages. Horrible!

These jeans made it into my weekend wardrobe as I love the calming color and relaxed look. Less rigid then my dark wash jeans, more fun compared to khakis and more sleek compared to sweat pants. I wear it while I bring my son to the playground, to get a cup of java at the neighborhood cafe, etc. I don’t see myself wearing it to work even though I have colleagues who look like they are in their pajamas. The wash doesn’t look professional to me. I might feel different on the laundry day, LOL!

I wear jeans alot and have both dark and faded versions. No matter what I pair the faded with, however, they still bring an edgier look to an outfit, so I save those for my trendier rock and roll days:):) I am curious what you come up with Ang.

I really like the first pair. It’s more gray than blue and something about it looks hardcore to me. It’s definitely not as sophisticated as a dark wash, but I can see it looking great with a black top, in place of dark wash jeans that just make the whole outfit look very dark.

If they really wanted to reflect distressed times, they could lower the price of their jeans! $200 for jeans that already look worn in is against my personal morals. I haven’t had any problems with dye rubbing off so far, but I can attest to the fact that Angie has. There is some dark dye on my yellow swap bag (no I don’t mind at all)

Any body type rules on who can wear these? I’m guessing pears should refrain.

I would like to get a pair – faded, but not distressed and certainly not sandblasted. What we wear on top will be key – it generally might have to be a notch up from what works with darker jeans in order to still have a smart-casual look. I look forward to wearing them with my darker blazers/little jackets. Sometimes my dark blue jeans/black little jacket combos feel a little dark, so this is something the new jeans colors remedy. I envision faded blue jeans, black little jacket, white button down, and then some funky accessories, maybe a bright scarf. How can that not look smart-casual? Let’s experiment and do some show-and-tell.

18 months ago I purchased a dark blue denim, they are now pretty close to the pictures Angie posted.

This beautiful organic fading comes from wearing them a ton – they are my go-to mommy jeans, and not washing them a whole lot. I know I’m mean but I do request that my children not touch me with dirty hands. I laugh as I write that.

The more faded and distressed the denim the trendier the look. I have white and an all-over light blue which function similar to an updated chino, as Joy mentions.

Has anyone worn Burberry Jeans?

Patience, I also have medium wash jeans that are not as faded as these and I get away with wearing them smart casually if I am polished to the extreme. My Roxanne 7’s are faded and I wore them to the YLF Boston Tea Party last year and I felt every bit smart casual. Those of you who were at the YLF Boston Tea Party, let me know if you agree with my assessment.

Joy, I love your humble opinion and I too believe that a women looks much better in a fabulous pair of dark wash jeans than a pair of chinos. So much more current.

Shiny, here here on the irony of it all! I often thought of that whilst writing this post.

At the end of the day, there is no getting away from the fact that dark wash jeans look smarter and more sophisticated, are age appropriate and make one feel svelte. Don’t get me wrong, the only reason I am entertaining a vintage wash is because I have a wardrobe full of dark wash jeans. To Laura’s point, I’m intrigued because I get to try something new. I do not own hectically faded jeans whereas it sounds like some of you do. My oldest pair of jeans is 6 years old and they have barely faded. How do you get your jeans to fade?

I’ll definitely give them a try – I’ll try anything. I have an idea that they won’t be super for me, but it doesn’t hurt to try!

Well, I for one do wear a mid faded jean.
I have worn them less since adding some dark wash to my pile. Especially now that I have learned to get over the ‘Giddy Yap‘(Tarzy) idea ,and I am loving my Mia skinny jeans with high boots.

So it is a good thing I kept my boot cut Calvin’s.
They do not have that weird wash from the hem up to the knee that I see on so many jeans. I do not get that. A ploy to make your legs look longer? I must be missing something here.

I do think you can dress up a mid wash jean. But it leans towards Muffy land which I can fall into way too easily.
The old dark blazer, school tie belt, converse sneakers(I will not do the tasseled loafer-I draw the line there).
I think I will work on expanding on this. I think the shoes will make it or break it in this arena.
Lots of pearls is one way to go. Jewelry is important. Something unexpected.
I am happy for the “change”. This topic has me thinking as to how I can expand the look for me.
How can I add some femininity to it all without relying on hiking the heels?

Kellee I’m dying to know what you mean when you say “But it leans towards Muffy land”.
Angie, I think these jeans are refreshing to look at after all the darkness. While reading the post I thought about the fashion forecast of sparkle/glitter for daytime wear. These jeans would dress down the sparkle and make a good contrast. I have a sweater with a shiney thread running through it which I felt was too much for daytime but with these jeans I think I would like the look.

P.S. Love the look of the Urban Outfitters model on the right with her swimsuit top all ruched.

I also have not had problems with dye from my dark wash rubbing off. I like faded jeans…just not too light.

I live in FL and wearing nothing but dark wash seems unnatural to me. It doesn’t go with the bright sunny environment here.

I have all sorts of premium denim in all washes and styles. I have skinnies and bootleg just purchased last year in light, dark and black. At 200 to300 dollars I am not about to put a light…or dark wash aside after one season .
There is a place in my wardrobe for all. I love my light wash skinnies in the summer with a white blazer and strappy sandals. I think it looks fresh and summery. I like the dark wash at night for a dressier look.

I think it is fun to collect denim in all washes and styles….Do they really go out of style.? I didn’t know that light washes were supposed to be out since I bought a pair of True Religion and Hudson’s last spring in a very light ,slightly distressed wash, as well as some darker skinnies…I see them out for sale all year. Do I shop somewhere else than the rest?….light denim never was out where I live.

I’m with Antje and Kellee on this one I guess. I enjoy the lighter wash as well. I think it has it’s place. I do agree that the darker rinse is a smarter look & with taking things up a notch if you have the lighter wash. As kh eluded to there’s something more relaxed & summery about the feel. I too have a pair of Calvin’s that I love the fit on and they are lighter wash. I don’t think I could give them up so this is an interesting post for me to watch. Curious on your smart casual formula with these Angie! There are some denim styles that I hope I’m not drawn to again – the weird washes mainly. I think you make an important point Shiny – it will really depend on body style and cut on how comfortable someone might feel in the 2. I do feel that the darker rinse typically has a more slimming affect as well. Great subject!

I feel too dressy in perfect, uniform dark washes when I’m doing very casual activities on the weekends so I have lighter rinses in my closet and wear frequently for casual attire. But they are darker than the ones pictured. I am interested in the idea of wearing these lighter faded washes with tops with a sparkle as was suggested. I have some sparkly tops that I always feel over-dressed in.

I think the pictures chosen represent classic denim shades. As long as shape is flattering (and hopefully foregoing any odd embelishments) then the faded shade will always be in style as far as I am concerned.
Of course I am in California where all varieties of denim seem to be the norm lol.

It’s interesting to see this wash again, especially on YouLookFab.

If you want to choose a high quality brand, with several different choices of vintage washes at an affordable price – check out Hydraulics. I’ve been rocking faded vintage jeans for a while, and they have the most flexible and soft denim out of all of the brands I tried. Cosjeans is also another fabulous brand, also affordable. Different texture of denim, more light, similar to linen?

I think it’s just the latest fashion to differentiate itself from the recent dark denim fashion, nothing more!

Interesting that you have such issues with dye coming off, it’s not something I’ve ever experience with my dark indigo jeans.

They don’t impress me, but I am a late adopter. I remember how shocked I was at seeing dark jeans for the first time in 91 (and they weren’t as dark as the the recent dark ones)
Under the tuiton of YLF I bought 3 pairs of jeans last year (straight, bootcut and skinny) as opposed to, I think 2 pairs (of normal size and blue) in the previous 10 years. They were all dark and I think that is enough to be going on with for me!

I have a great pair of medium wash jeans and love them. Usually, I wear them very casually, but sometimes I will go smart casual with them, especially for contrast with a darker top. Someday I want white jeans, but I’ve yet to find a pair that fits me. I also have some faded clams that I love in the summer. Interestingly enough, I’ve never had a problem with my dark wash jeans fading on things, and I buy mine from Express where they have a warning label about the dye fading.

Where can i find Cos Jeans???