Blue Denim on Denim: Yay or Nay

Blue denim is having a fashion moment. And wearing blue denim separates on both top and bottom is on-trend. It could be a pair of blue jeans, pair of denim shorts or denim skirt with a blue denim shirt, blouse, bustier, coat or jacket. 

In many instances, the washes of the blue denim separates are the same or similar. Sometimes the washes are different, or one of the items is embellished to break up the expanse of denim. If a layering top is added, it’s in a quiet neutral solid to allow the denim to shine. Most of the combinations are casual, but the denim suits and even dark wash separates look dressier. Here are some examples.

Zara
Z1975 Flare Fit Jeans
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COS
Structured Denim Shirt
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2
Mango
Pocket Cargo Jeans
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6
Shopbop
Khaite Combly Jacket
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2
Mango
Strass Denim Jacket
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2
Mango
Pocketed Denim Jacket
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Zara
Zw The Denim Skirt
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Shopbop
AGOLDE Parker Jeans
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I enjoy wearing blue denim on denim, and have been doing it for years. I wear blue denim shirts and jackets with blue jeans or a denim skirt. I like all the combinations shown in the collection above, so I’m a YAY. I think of it as a Dutch thing because I see many people sport denim on denim in the Netherlands, and they look fabulous! Sometimes I wear similar blue washes together, and sometimes the washes are different. The washes range from very dark to light blue. My white pearls, white shoes, colourful specs and contrast bag break up the column of blue denim. I feel great in the vibe. I wear denim dresses too.

Over to you. What do you think of the blue denim on denim trend, and will you wear it? Wearing a blue denim jumpsuit, romper, or denim dress counts as sporting the trend.

J.Crew Point Sur Sailor Patch-pocket Jean

Trend: Cargo Pants

Cargo pants (or utility pants) are a timeless, iconic classic that we see every season. And in 2023, as ‘90s fashion continues to trend strongly, they are having a fashion moment. Unlike the flat pockets of the mainstream version, fashion-forward cargo pants have exaggerated three-dimensional cargo pockets that make a dramatic statement. Some are located in unexpected areas on the leg, like by the ankles. Parachute pants are a type of super wide cargo pant that balloon out on the leg, but taper at the ankle with drawstrings.

The assortment of cargo pants this season is extensive with a lot of variety in fabrics, colours, and silhouettes. Colours, in particular, run the gamut. From the usual olives, tans, toffees, browns, blacks and greys to all sorts of whites, pastels, and a smattering of brights. Silhouettes range from straight legs and joggers, to baggy boyfriends and wide legs. Rises range from low to mid and high. Fabrics are varied, too. Some are stiff and rigid, and others soft and drapey. Some have stretch. There are the usual suspects in cottons, cotton blends, linen, and twills. There are dressier fabrics like satin, tencel, viscose, rayon, and crepes too. And wools, corduroys, velveteens, fleece, and woolly blends for colder weather.

Esprit
Katoenen cargobroek
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Zara
Parachute Pants
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Zara
Parachute Pants
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6
Eloquii
Wide Leg Cargo
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3
Aritzia
EB Denim cargo jean
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H&M
Straight Cargo Pants
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H&M
Twill Utility Pants
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4
H&M
Twill Utility Pants
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H&M
Cargo Pants
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H&M
Cargo Pants
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H&M
Twill Utility Pants
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H&M
Canvas Cargo Pants
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Shopbop
AMO Maya Cargo Pants
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Cargo pants can look super casual, smart casual, or quite dressy depending on the fit, fabric, and support act. You can create fun juxtapositions by wearing casual cargo pants with dressy heeled shoes, or dressier cargos with casual flat shoes. As the product photos show, almost any type of footwear can be worn with cargo and utility pants. From dressy boots, strappy heeled sandals, wedges, slingbacks, loafers, oxfords, and high-heeled pumps, to platforms, flatforms, western boots, combat boots, lug soles, ballet flats, mules, gladiators, slides, Birkenstocks, fashion sneakers, and athletic sneakers. Take your pick.

Utility pants with streamlined pockets and tapered hems are very popular with my clientele. Almost everyone has a pair in a shade of olive, tan, grey or toffee. Some have silky cargo joggers that are well loved because they are extremely comfy dressier pants. I’m unsure how the trendier, more sculptural, wider and maximal cargo pocket pants will go down, but no doubt some will find their fans. The crepe and silky versions too.

I wore casual cotton cargo pants in the late ‘90s. Baggy, tan, wide, extra long hems, and I remember NOT feeling great in the look. They were baggy on the midsection, and I didn’t like the black belt I wore them with. For footwear, I chose very heavy black and white platform sneakers that absolutely killed my feet. Worst shoes I’ve ever owned. The experience put me off, and for decades I refused to wear cargo pants. My resistance softened one year when hubs Greg bought a great pair of olive utility pants for me. I wore them with very comfortable shoes, pretty blouses, and my faith in cargo pants was restored.

Unexpectedly, last year Ralph Lauren Polo came out with a Dutch orange pair of utility pants made of a cotton tencel with white top stitching. They are wide, higher in the rise, flattering, drape like a dream, have flat pockets, and are a little cropped. They blew me away, and couldn’t be more perfect. I absolutely love them. They are Spring and Summer casual pants for me, so I wear them with white cotton sweaters, a white hoodie, a navy and white striped polo shirt, a white lace polo shirt, blue and white denim jackets, or blue denim shirts. For footwear I choose white sneakers and hi-tops, blush hi-tops, oxfords, or white loafers. For bags I choose white, orange, light blue, blush, or citron. The exact items from my wardrobe are shown in the collection below.

I might go for another pair of utility pants, one with exaggerated cargo pockets, or a dressy silky pair. In white, a bright, or in one of my pastels. I’m not sure yet. In the meantime, I will continue to enjoy my orange pants

Over to you. What’s your take on the cargo pants trend?

Eloquii Ankle Tie Cargo Pants

Outfit Formula: Hint of Spring

Here are some crisp, simple outfits that might help with the Winter blues. Each has a bright element or two, but also has neutrals in the mix. I wear solid bright coats, knitwear, pants, scarves, hats, and bags throughout the cold-weather season, so I look like Spring in the middle of Winter. Brights and whites energize me, and fight the doldrums that can fester as we patiently wait for Spring. 

1. Bright Top and Topper

This is a combination I wear frequently, but with a sweater instead of a tee. I combine a pair of on-trend blue jeans with a bright pullover. I add boots or hi-tops in a shade of white. I top the lot off with a dressy bright coat in another bright. I add a scarf, bag and beanie in a third bright, or leave them Winter white to match my shoes.

Bright Top and Topper

2. Light Neutrals and a Bright

Combine a pair of olive or tan utility pants with a bright cotton sweater like this yellow hoodie. Finish off the look with white sneakers and a white denim jacket to create a matching effect that pulls the look together. Choose a colour other than yellow if that’s not your cup of tea.

Light Neutrals and a Bright

3. Columned and Colour Blocked

Create a bright column of colour with a dress or matching separates. Add neutral shoes. Here black shoes bookend the model’s hair and look great with the cobalt sweater dress. Add a bright and contrasting handbag to create a colour-blocked effect. Orange is great with blue! I see a black coat over the lot for extra insulation.

Columned and Colour Blocked

4. Bright, Neutral, and a Stripe

I LOVE wearing solid bright pants and have amassed a fab-for-me collection. I wear them with solid sweaters in clashing yet complementary brights, the same colour, navy, or white and cream. I’d wear a navy striped sweater too. Here, a navy and white ribbed and fitted sweater is combined with tomato red pants. White sneakers match the white in the top. A toffee trench coat graces the top, and perfectly matches the model’s hair. I’d throw in a white or red bag, and my pearls. Now that my hair is a dark honey blonde, I can see adding a trench coat in a similar colour to my coat capsule. You can send the outfit to me please.

Bright Neutral and a Stripe

Roundups

Simpler Items

This week's list of top picks list is about basic pieces.

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Assorted Items

Items for Summer, both in and out of air conditioning.

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Casual Summer Vibes

This week's top picks are good for a casual Summer vibe.

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Summery Earth Tones

These items are for those who like to wear casual earth tones in warm and hot weather.

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Hints of Spring

Some tried-and-tested winning items to refresh your style for Spring.

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Dressier Items

An assortment of dressier top picks might be just what the doctor ordered.

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Link Love: Closet Treasures

I’ve been enjoying looking through other people’s wardrobes via the Closet series on Coveteur. Designer Hanh Merriman has an amazing collection of fashion objets d’art. You’ll find headbands galore in the closet of body positivity queen Katie Sturino. Neutrals, 70’s vintage, and Western regalia reign supreme in designer Nili Lotan’s wardrobe

Fab Links from Our Members

Runcarla thought this slide show of iconic shoe moments in film was an educational retrospective — and fun too.

Irina wanted to share this article on layering; a skill that she says she is struggling to learn.

Stagiaire Fash wants to know if you can relate to this reel?

After watching this video with Spring/Summer 2023 trends, Mary Beth commented: “I can work with shine/shimmer, denim, leather, asymmetrical, and sheer. But why do pockets only get to be a trend? Can we pleeeeeeeeeease have pockets be a classic?”

Vildy had to chuckle about this take on the random fashion outfit generator.

Jenn found this article on the greenhouse gas emissions caused by fashion sobering. 

Suntiger enjoyed this video in which Trinny shows 10 ways to style black trousers.

Kyle loved this article about Ginger Zee, the chief meteorologist for ABC News, who took the “No New Clothes” challenge, and never stopped. She appears on national TV daily and only wears what she already has or what she buys preowned.

The Link Between Confidence and Style

A personal style that’s comfortable, makes you happy, and is an honest expression of who you are, will make you feel more confident when you present yourself to the world. That confidence, in turn, will make you look and feel more attractive. 

Style is Confident

Find colours that project an energized calm in the mirror. Choose silhouettes and outfit proportions that follow your figure-flattering proportions. Consider the weather and your internal thermostat. Consider appropriateness for the setting.

Create a manageable daily grooming regimen that makes you feel good about your skin, facial features, hands, feet and hair. Play to your strengths. Follow your feelings. Trust your instincts. You know best what will make you feel most confident.