Trend Report: Light Denim
In the solar system of fashion trends, if hemlines and silhouettes act like Jupiter and Saturn, denim is more like Mercury. To explain our odd astronomy reference, we simply mean that while the former orbits around the sun—er, progresses—at a stately pace, jean styles move super swiftly. Happily, you don't have to understand Kepler's laws of planetary motion to appreciate the current light-wash denim craze. Just observe how famous stylesetters like Rihanna and Rachel Zoe are wearing these pale pairs and comprehension shall be yours!
Though fashionable celebrities are often responsible for directing denim fads (cough: boyfriend jeans), today's Trend Report has a great deal of runway support as well. Balmain created a few notoriously expensive options, which have received loads of press, but the light-wash pieces shown by brands like Diesel and William Rast are equally on-trend and not as silly-expensive. At the Diesel Black Gold show, a paint-on-denim pair was styled with sandals, a Muslin Tux Shirt ($350, 212.625.1555), and a simple gray Bonis Blazer ($400), while at William Rast, pale jeans appeared with a tucked-in chambray shirt and an equally bleached-out vest. Diesel created the aforementioned style solely for the runway collection, but try their Wenga Jeans ($300, 212.755.3555) for a similar effect. If you prefer the William Rast look, just pick up the brand's Sadie Jeans
($220) in Snowstorm and couple it with a Chambray Western Shirt ($113).
As for the light denim that's popular with paparazzi-favorites, we're happy to report that there's not a single shape or style dominating this trend thus far. Star stylist Rachel Zoe showed off one of the wider pairs when she stepped out in Los Angeles last month wearing 7 For All Mankind's Super Flare Jeans ($180) in Ibiza wash. Zoe expertly played with proportion in her outfit; we love how she layered a tunic-length tank and cropped Ralph Lauren jacket over her belled jeans. While her exact pair is from 7FAM's Spring 08 collection, Twenty8Twelve's Celine Flare Jeans
($290) or Mango's Birkin Jeans ($80) will give you a similar look. Or you could pick up 7 For All Mankind's classic Bell Bottoms ($125) in the California wash and fade them yourself!
In addition to wide-leg or bell-bottom options, some celebs, like Lindsay Lohan and Mischa Barton, opt for slim-and-shredded styles. Lohan was spotted in an ankle-zip pair of Balmain's Balmain Acid wash ripped jeans
($2165) with Givenchy's Open-Toe Elastic Cord Wedge Booties
($795) while en route to a meeting in LA last month. Meanwhile in London, Mischa Barton turned up at the launch of her new handbag line wearing ASOS' Iggy Full Ripped Skinny Jeans ($50) with an equally goth-gorgeous pair of shoes, specifically Alexander McQueen's Grommet Booties
($1249). J Brand's Acid Wash Ripped Jeans
($218) and Silence & Noise's Ripped Twig Jean ($68) approximate the look of Lohan's haute jeans, while Current/Elliott's The Skinny Jean ($224) offers a stateside variation on Barton's British pair.
Our final example for today's trend comes courtesy of Rihanna, who recently wore Vintage1's Skinny Jeans ($198) while out and about in Manhattan. The brand (previously known as Pratt's Motor Spirit) will hit Singer22.com shortly, so in the meantime you can contemplate what sort of accoutrement you want to wear with your moto-style jeans. Or if you're impatient, just check out Unknown Factory's Biker Skinny Jeans ($198). The detailing is subtler, but the shade is still super light. Either way, the look is out of this world…
Photos of Lindsay Lohan, Rachel Zoe, from x17; Photos of Mischa Barton and Rihanna, from Splash; Runway photos, from firstVIEW.
Though fashionable celebrities are often responsible for directing denim fads (cough: boyfriend jeans), today's Trend Report has a great deal of runway support as well. Balmain created a few notoriously expensive options, which have received loads of press, but the light-wash pieces shown by brands like Diesel and William Rast are equally on-trend and not as silly-expensive. At the Diesel Black Gold show, a paint-on-denim pair was styled with sandals, a Muslin Tux Shirt ($350, 212.625.1555), and a simple gray Bonis Blazer ($400), while at William Rast, pale jeans appeared with a tucked-in chambray shirt and an equally bleached-out vest. Diesel created the aforementioned style solely for the runway collection, but try their Wenga Jeans ($300, 212.755.3555) for a similar effect. If you prefer the William Rast look, just pick up the brand's Sadie Jeans
As for the light denim that's popular with paparazzi-favorites, we're happy to report that there's not a single shape or style dominating this trend thus far. Star stylist Rachel Zoe showed off one of the wider pairs when she stepped out in Los Angeles last month wearing 7 For All Mankind's Super Flare Jeans ($180) in Ibiza wash. Zoe expertly played with proportion in her outfit; we love how she layered a tunic-length tank and cropped Ralph Lauren jacket over her belled jeans. While her exact pair is from 7FAM's Spring 08 collection, Twenty8Twelve's Celine Flare Jeans
In addition to wide-leg or bell-bottom options, some celebs, like Lindsay Lohan and Mischa Barton, opt for slim-and-shredded styles. Lohan was spotted in an ankle-zip pair of Balmain's Balmain Acid wash ripped jeans
Our final example for today's trend comes courtesy of Rihanna, who recently wore Vintage1's Skinny Jeans ($198) while out and about in Manhattan. The brand (previously known as Pratt's Motor Spirit) will hit Singer22.com shortly, so in the meantime you can contemplate what sort of accoutrement you want to wear with your moto-style jeans. Or if you're impatient, just check out Unknown Factory's Biker Skinny Jeans
Photos of Lindsay Lohan, Rachel Zoe, from x17; Photos of Mischa Barton and Rihanna, from Splash; Runway photos, from firstVIEW.
rihanna's jacket*** does any1 know where i can get it??
Posted by: Tiffany | 2009-10-06 16:08:15
Where can i get that jacket!!! iv been goin crazy for months trying 2 find itt!!!
Posted by: Tiffany | 2009-10-06 16:05:56
I love light wash denim, especially for day, its so 70's inspired, which is my favorite! Check out http://www.bettyconfidential.com/ for more tips and tales for the ladies!
Posted by: Laroux26 | 2009-05-17 13:57:27
light wash denim jeans look excellent with pastel colours, i think! have a look at my blog please, i've just started out! http://delicatessenofstyle.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Delicatessen! | 2009-05-17 08:25:04
Nicole - it's one thing for people to use the comments board to promote their own fashion blogs but it's really lame you're using this site to promote your dating website! We're all here for fashion! Stop being lame.
Posted by: loola | 2009-05-14 19:37:12
i love light denim!!! i always manage to get dirty but i love it!
Posted by: tofuscloset.blo | 2009-05-14 13:58:03
I love light denim been a devoted fan for years.Never really liked dark denim but anyway great post ! Xoxo Beautyandthestreet.blogspot.com
Posted by: Amber | 2009-05-13 23:38:50
Mischa's outfit is NOT flattering on her. Girlfriend can do WAAY better! Rihanna looks dumb with the fur & dowdy sweater. I dont think her style should really be admired simply because she follows every trend & wears whatever her STYLIST picks out for her. Anyway, Loco Lohan looks dope! LOVE the shoes, jeans, & jacket!
Posted by: Britni | 2009-05-13 20:31:26
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Posted by: Nicole | 2009-05-13 12:36:07
love it! xo http://yvetteyeau.com
Posted by: Yvette | 2009-05-13 11:09:45
I know everyone is loving Mischa the most , but i have to give this one to my girl Rihanna. The whole outfit is awesome, they should do a who wear what on her outfit because i love the sweater. And not to be mean but Zoe or Lindsay steal doesn't do much for me. But I have to agree I like Mischa jeans to but all the stuff on top has to go.
Posted by: O-Livin | 2009-05-13 11:05:09
loving all these light-denim looks. mischa barton looks classic and amazing, so does rachel zoe (who is kindly giving out fashion advice on twitter these days http://www.twitter.com/rzrachelzoe).
Posted by: lovesgemma | 2009-05-13 10:44:39
I'm loving the whitewashed denim. I bought a pair of high waisted shorts from upc boutique last week 18th ammendment and I haven't taken them off. i've paired them with a sonia Rykiel racer back tank and a silk velour ruffled button up shirt. I definetly have my look for the summer. upcboutique.wordpress.com
Posted by: Nathalie | 2009-05-13 09:39:46
Mischa looks great! Loving her hair.
Posted by: Lauren | 2009-05-13 09:31:49
Loves it. My blog: http://millesimeetperles.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Nat | 2009-05-13 09:01:27
never mind, it's in the post!
Posted by: lisa | 2009-05-13 08:19:23
does any one know who mischa's shoes are by?
Posted by: lisa | 2009-05-13 08:17:41
I am loving my distressed light-wash skinnies right now. Thanks!
Posted by: MEP | 2009-05-13 08:09:55
I really like the most inexpensive of the bunch: Silence+Noise skinny jeans. Why pay $$$$ for a pair of destroyed, bleached, too-trendy jeans? http://thatsjustmybag.onsugar.com/
Posted by: Eva | 2009-05-13 07:33:16
oddly i like mischa the most. but definitely love this for the sprinnggg, especially with neutrals and pastels x egotrippingatthegates.blogspot.com
Posted by: D | 2009-05-13 02:32:46