Fashion insider with gail r fe

Denim. What do you know about it? Few fabrics can claim to have such a storied history as denim. It’s a true fashion rags to riches tale that began in 17th century France, and moved to San Francisco in the 1850’s where Levi Strauss created the now ubiquitous jeans as the working uniform for cowboys, miners, railroad and farm workers. Then thanks to a couple of Hollywood actors, James Dean and Marlon Brando, it shrugged off its humble beginnings and became a symbol of youthful rebellion, which then kickstarted the unconditional love affair with this rugged, utilitarian fabric. While that may ebb and flow, it has hallowed status to this day. With its cool meets classic aesthetic, denim transcends age, gender and class. And the fact that it is affordable to all is a win-win for everyone.

But today I am not writing about jeans. Instead, it is the fast-moving way that denim “the fabric” is evolving and transforming. So, if you are not a lover of jeans, this may be a way to add denim to your wardrobe. What to look out for: tailored jackets, trend-led floor-sweeping maxi skirts, waistcoats, trench coats, blouses, and dresses in myriad styles from mini to maxi. Any of these may become a perennial style to wear on repeat. This has never been, nor ever will be, a prissy delicate fabric. It’s hard wearing, durable, and with modern technology adding stretch it can be tailored or cut like any other fabric. Wear it day and night, all year round. Treat it like your new best friend. In all shapes and forms denim offers perfect minimum effort, maximum impact. It can be dressed up with jewels or kept simple. The styling method is yours to choose.

You may find that denim is the one wardrobe hero you can always turn to.

The ivory denim shirt

Classic with a twist. Rather than a predictable blue denim shirt, this outfit centres on an ivory version with a striking topstitching detail. It’s less predictable than a white co