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What’s in the windows of John Lewis that would make you look twice? I can tell you, because this month’s exhibit made me stop and gasp.
Nine mannequins, nine outfits, each one very different from the other (some elegant, some summery, some ready for work) and each one of them… denim.
I could go on and on about denim being the new staple that can be worn 24 hours a day, both dressed down and dressed down. I could tell you that there were matching denim skirts and jackets on the Dior runway. I could wax lyrical about Loewe’s pleated denim shirt, or Miu Miu’s suede-trimmed jeans, or Max Mara’s tailored denim pantsuit.
But nothing will convince you more that denim has completely shed its casual image than seeing all the options, from High Street brands, displayed in the window of a mid-market British institution.
It’s official: you can wear denim at any age, and there are at least nine ways to wear it, five of which are of genuine interest to women past the dungarees and studded jackets stage…
1. New A-line jeans
I call them A-line, some call them wide leg or palazzo style, either way they fall similarly to a slim A-line maxi skirt allowing you to wear them in a cocktail context.
Wide leg: Anne Hathaway looks chic in these light blue jeans and snakeskin print boots
Cropped: Katie Holmes Wears a Pair of Cropped Wide-Leg Jeans
My favorite look from John Lewis was a pair of these (£75 and/or, johnlewis.com) with a white button-down tuxedo jacket over a slim white top – your new spring tuxedo. They also look good with a shirt tucked under a jacket or, for a more casual look, with a fitted sweater or tank top.
I’m still wearing the Me+Em baggy jeans from last summer (£195, meandem.com) with a sharp-shouldered velvet jacket over a cream satin shirt and almond-toed boots.
Note: Denim should not be too loose to maintain the silhouette.
2. The denim shirt
Once western style with enamelled snap buttons, it is now a fitted shirt made of soft denim and worn with suit pants. Or, pair a plain blue denim shirt with slightly darker straight or baggy jeans.
Double denim, especially if you layer a smart blazer over it and add a belt and block heel, is the epitome of smart casual style. Try fashion front row favourite, WNU, (£130, sinnadadebajo.com) or the Whistles version (£89, whistles.com).
3. The denim skirt
There are over 50 on the John Lewis website; 28 at the latest count on the Marks & Spencer site, but even so, finding the right denim skirt is as much of a challenge as finding the perfect jeans.
I’m still tempted by the ones with panels that look like the first denim skirt I ever owned, made from old cut-off jeans, but unless you have a small waist and hips, that style feels too bulky.
The important thing about the modern denim skirt (the one we are wearing) is that it is below the knee (any shorter seems out of fashion), probably midi (there are many that graze the ankles, but they are much more difficult to wear), not Too tight and you need a mid front split. Too high an opening and you won’t use it; too short and you will feel lame.
The M&S Collection denim skirt ticks all the boxes above (£29.50, brandsandspencer.com) and John Lewis’ own brand skirt also fits the bill (£55, johnlewis.com). Wyse has a stylish dark wash A-line midi skirt on sale (£115.50, www.wyselondon.com) that you can wear to work with a short jacket over a T-shirt or polo, or with a long-sleeved blouse tucked in.
4. The denim jacket
Forget the classic four pockets. Avoid oversized trucker style (we’ll look like we’re carrying our husband’s remains).
The best option is a smart Alexander McQueen-style denim jacket with peak lapels (£65, riverisland.com) or try Karen Millen’s (on sale for £139.20, karenmillen.com) and wear it over black (now it looks good with a polo shirt with pants), or cream or white when summer arrives.
5. The cowboy monkey
You either love a jumpsuit or you don’t, and if you’re a lover, then a denim jumpsuit (for casual wear with sneakers or booties) is a no-brainer.
The key is to make sure the denim is lightweight and soft, not bulky. Try the sky blue belted style from Marks & Spencer (£49.50) or the fantastic new relaxed style from Me+Em (£250). If only everything were that simple.