Chicer Than Skinny Jeans—Every Guy With Cool Style Is Wearing These 5 Fall Denim Styles Instead
Holt Renfrew's fashion director shows us exactly how to style denim this season.
Joseph Tang is a Who What Wear editor in residence and the fashion director of Canadian department store Holt Renfrew, where he oversees the fashion and style direction for both the women's and men's businesses.
I’m thrilled to say hello to everyone who’s reading this and to share with you a glimpse into some of the insights I’ve gained through my 15-year career in fashion. I’m a Canadian-born fashion enthusiast and style expert, currently working for luxury retailer Holt Renfrew, which, for those who know, is Canada’s fashion mecca! I’m excited to share with you some exciting stories from my travels and my personal styling tips that I apply to all aspects of my life.
September is one of those months that signals a shift into a new way of dressing. As we hang up our summer staples, we start to think about what we need to buy for the fall season. For me, fall fashion is my favorite time of year. As someone who’s always on the go, I can’t live without a trusty pair of jeans. I don’t think I’m ready to step into the skinny denim trend once again, but I recently tried on five different fits that will carry me through the next couple of months. I like to have fun with my style while simultaneously looking clean and put together.
Below, I’ve shared some of my favorite denim styles out there right now that achieve just that. In addition to my perfectly curated collection of fall denim, I’ve also shared how I am styling each pair. The hope is that these looks will serve as your cheat sheet to easy and stylish fall dressing all season long.
Clean and Sophisticated
Perfect for: Buying appointments
These are Frame’s L’Homme Slim jeans. I love a charcoal wash. I’ve styled these back to a crisp blue striped shirt from The Row and a wool overcoat from Our Legacy.
Casual But On Trend
Perfect for: Being on set with talent and creatives
I love fall sweaters. If I’m on set, I like to be comfortable but look put together. Typically, studios are heavily air-conditioned, so I’ll be in cozy, thick sweaters, and I always love a pop of color.
Jet-Black Jeans That Go With Everything
Perfect for: Visiting our stores
It’s surprisingly hard to find a perfect jet-black pair of jeans. These are the DL1961 Russel Slim Jeans. I love a slim-straight fit because it’s perfect for work. I love monochromatic layering, so I’ve styled two mint pieces from The Row together.
A Classic Selvedge Jean
Perfect for: Offsite client meetings
Rag & Bone has really been hitting the nail on the head these days. I love jeans that give you the classic selvedge look without sacrificing comfort. These are in a more athletic fit, so you get a looser feel to the look. I love pairing dress shirts with jeans as well, as it gives the perfect business casual look.
Dark-Wash Jeans for the Win
Perfect for: A visit to our men’s brands and clients
I love mixing denim into more sartorial looks. AG’s Tellis Fit offers a saturated indigo wash that pairs perfectly with shades of brown. I’d wear this to meet with our menswear brands or clients.

In his current role as fashion director of Holt Renfrew, Joseph Tang oversees the fashion and style direction for both the women's and men's businesses. Tang works with the brands at Holt Renfrew to develop new product concepts and initiatives while keeping his eye on the next big names in fashion. When he's not in the showrooms of New York, Milan, and Paris searching for new and emerging designers, he focuses on translating the major themes and ideas of the runway into tangible and embraceable market messaging for Holt Renfrew's stores in Canada.
A fervent believer in inspiring others to develop and own their fashion decisions, Tang is always quick to highlight that confidence in one's own style is always on-trend.
-
Fashion and Mental Load: How I Declutter My Closet and My HeadAn honest look at what getting dressed really demands when you’re a woman.
-
Not Skinny Jeans, Not Leggings—Everyone With Good Taste Is Wearing Boots With This Fall Staple InsteadThe chicest outfit formula of the season.
-
The Diary of a Miu Miu Boy: 5 Outfits That Guarantee the Famous Nerdy-But-Chic AestheticBrace yourself for the ultimate wish list.
-
Chicer Than Jeans and a T-Shirt—Everyone With Rich Taste Will Wear These Denim Outfits This FallYour new uniform to elevate your style.
-
7 Elegant Outfits Well-Dressed People Are Wearing With Sneakers Instead of BootsMore comfortable but just as chic.
-
Thanks, It's Madewell—32 Fall Finds I Almost Gatekept Just for MyselfA shopper's paradise.
-
The Elegant Basic French Women Wear More Than Tees *and* Button-Down ShirtsThis Parisian staple is redefining fall elegance.
-
Fashionable People Would Like These Fall Trends From Shopbop's Surprise SaleSuede! Jeans! Sneakers!

