Once the little black dress ruled the 90s, but now it’s denim’s turn. It’s no surprise that denim has officially levelled up to the status of an overwhelming luxury item in our wardrobe. There are more ways to wear it, more ways to make it yours, so own up: how many pairs are already in your closet?
We’ve all become denim connoisseurs at this point, schooled in the art of perfecting everything from curated chill weekend looks to post-party shenanigans. With a dizzying range of options available today, from high-street steals to designer dreams, we still find ourselves in the never ending quest for the perfect pair of jeans and that elusive denim shirt.
While I adore the denim co-ords, skirts, vests, and shorts, for this feature I’m sticking with the ultimate classic, double denim. The iconic American combo of the perfect jean and denim shirt.
Mastering the double-denim look comes to one key detail: contrast. Pairing your jeans with a denim shirt that’s just a shade lighter or darker keeps the vibe effortlessly cool. Also, don’t shy away from playing with proportions, sizing up or down your denim shirt opens up endless layering potential. Throw it over a tee come spring, or pair it with a sleek roll-neck in autumn for that cool, lived in look.
So with no further ado (and with just a hint of retail therapy from these top female-owned brands), here are my six favourite American designers (all of them are keepers, no re-sales here) to nail the look.
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JAMIE HALLER
The Crease Jean In Flat Crease
B-SIDES JEANS
Relaxed Cuffed Lasso Jean Vista Blue
ULLA JOHNSON
The Asher Jean Danube
APIECE APART
Meridian Jean
NILI LOTAN
Collins Denim Shirt
TWP
Rancher’s Daughter in Hemp Denim
Jamie Haller
JAMIE HALLER | The Crease Jean In Flat Crease
The Crease Jean is your throwback dream. That cool, vintage-inspired fit that never goes out of style. It’s your go-to for looking long, lean and timeless. Designed by a native Californian, so it doesn’t get more authentic than this collection of denim by Jamie Haller.
B-Sides
B-SIDES JEANS | Relaxed Cuffed Lasso Jean Vista Blue
Crafted to master even the trickiest of fits, B-Sides jeans don’t just wear, they evolve. The kind of jeans that get better with every step, fade and year. Just like real denim should!
Ulla Johnson
ULLA JOHNSON | The Asher Jean Danube
I’ve been a fan from the start. Ulla’s clothes are what you would wear bare foot on a cliffside in Portugal or dressed up for a chic city dinner, and the jeans are the kind of pieces that feel directional without trying too hard in true NYC style.
Apiece Apart
APIECE APART | Meridian Jean
Another NYC favourite with a design philosophy rooted in real life: “Can she wear it at least once a week?” Their denim line up? A go-to wardrobe hero, season after season.
Nili Lotan
NILI LOTAN | Collins Denim Shirt
One of my favourite denim shirts. Nostalgia is the heart of Nili Lotan’s woman. When I see her collections and how she wears them it’s clear why so many women are drawn in. It’s a feeling, a mood, a memory made modern.
TWP
TWP | Rancher’s Daughter in Hemp Denim
Since its 2021 debut, TWP has captured my imagination. With refined silhouettes that nod to classic American workwear, strike a stunning balance between elegance and utility. Looking put together without feeling precious, that’s the sweet spot today!
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