The Unlikely Denim Microtrend Huge Designers Are Revisiting

Gucci S/S 20 collection

Patchwork denim will always have a nostalgic charm to me. The splicing of fabrics and intentional scruffiness makes it feel like a project I'd have taken on in week five of summer holidays after watching one too many episodes of That '70s Show. However, this humble denim trend has, against all odds, been slowly making its way into luxury collections. In 2020, Celine brought us the patchwork button-front miniskirt, Gucci created an epic blazer pieced together with numerous swatches and, most recently, Victoria Beckham has brought us two-tone flared jeans.

All patchwork denim tends to have a '70s sensibility, playing with silhouettes such as flares and wide-leg jumpsuits, which were all popular in that decade. Thanks to the DIY element, this is a trend that really lends itself to upcycling and reusing fabrics, and Fanfare is one label that uses offcuts from designer rugs to add patches to jeans, stopping them from being sent to landfill. You can also send the brand a pair of your own jeans for it to customise and add patches onto.

Keep scrolling for ideas for wearing the patchwork denim trend and then our edit of the coolest pieces we could find. 

How to Wear Patchwork Denim

Style Notes: This patchwork maxi skirt looks amazing with this camel leather jacket. 

Style Notes: Here, double denim is taken to the max, with a patchwork denim shirt layered underneath a denim jacket. 

Style Notes: One of our favourite ways to wear this trend is jeans with patches of printed fabric sewn onto them. 

Style Notes: More proof that patchwork denim looks amazing paired with jeans. 

Style Notes: For a simple take on patchwork denim, this dark-wash jumpsuit with contrasting denim panels is beautiful. 

Shop Patchwork Denim

Next up, See our guide to the key denim trends for 2021.