World of Denim

By: Aria Irizarry

If you’re an active member in today’s society, it’s very likely you own something made of denim. Invented in 1873 by Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis, this cotton-made fabric can now be found everywhere, from small-town boutiques to high-end department stores. Whether it be a pair of jeans, a hand-me-down jean jacket, or a backpack constructed from recycled pants: the range of items created with denim continues to expand. As such a staple item in anyone’s wardrobe, the fascination with denim in recent popular culture and fashion innovation has in fact proven we live in a World of Denim.

Celebrities like Rihanna and Gigi Hadid have taken the “denim on denim” trend to the next level, wearing different variations of layering and colors of denim. Gigi wears a frayed denim skirt over a pair of distressed light-wash jeans, topped with a jean jacket and white tank. Rihanna styles her longline denim dress with a pair of straight leg jeans and finishes the look with lace-up denim sock boots. Denim well done, if you ask me.

Boutiques in New Orleans have picked up on this influx of denim appreciation and have filled their stores accordingly. Revamped denim jackets are popping up in stores like Marigny House Boutique (1011 Lowerline St.), with a denim cargo jacket, and LF (5408 Magazine St.), with a black jean jacket and rose embroidery.

Time repeats itself with the denim trend of the 70’s - wide leg jeans. Blink (5414 Magazine St.) has hip-hugging bell bottoms that will spice up any outfit. The Revival Outpost (234 Chartres St.) has a changing collection of new and vintage clothes, with items like button-up dark denim tops and studded mom jeans.

A particular favorite of the moment is color blocked denim, mixing multiple shades of denim like the ones found at Pacsun in Lakeside Shopping Center. To complete the look, pair them with a cropped black denim jacket and Vans sneakers. Denim is the new black, and the possibilities are endless!