THE JOURNAL

Ripped, frayed or weathered – how to wear the jeans trend well.
Feeling distressed? You’re not alone. That is, if you happen to be a pair of jeans this season. Yes, though the idea of pre-aged denim has come and gone in fashion ever since the likes of Dolce & Gabbana started doing it in the late 1980s, it seems particularly relevant at the moment. This is thanks in part to buzz-brand Vetements which, with its famous (and eye-wateringly priced) deconstructed-reconstructed jeans, has made frayed hems something of an essential among the style set. But it’s also testimony to the growing interest of various designers (particularly in Japan) in how to make casual pieces that little bit more artisanal. (LA’s AMIRI is, perhaps the one to take this to extremes, hand-distressing and even shooting its artfully destroyed denim pieces). All this is easy to appreciate, but how to wear it? Scroll down for some pointers, via our favourite (and most appealingly dishevelled) new arrivals from today’s upload.
THE JEANS
Chimala is among several brands from Japan that prize vintage authenticity above all else. Its products take their inspiration directly from mid-century workwear and industrial clothing, and are painstakingly aged to give the impression that they’ve been around for decades. These selvedge denim jeans, which come in a pleasingly nostalgic, straight-leg fit, are a case in point, with their natural faded wash, distressing on the knee and pockets, and frayed, turn-up cuffs. Wear them with an oversized, 1970s-inspired graphic T-shirt from Dolce & Gabbana and imagine you’re in an episode of Freaks and Geeks, just about to steal off for the summer to see the Dead on tour.
THE SHIRT
Parisian brand Balmain is far from new to the distressing game – its ripped biker jeans were themselves something of a phenomenon in the late 2000s. But under the creative direction of Mr Olivier Rousteing, who has been with the brand since 2011, its washed and destroyed garments have taken on a more worldly, nomadic feel, as exemplified by this denim shirt, which features safari-esque patch pockets and a rustic grandad collar. Play to its slightly bohemian feel by pairing it with some trousers from Gucci, which have been embroidered with a motif of a UFO and a koi carp. Because, why not?
THE JACKET
As mentioned above, LA-based brand AMIRI have turned distressing into an art form, as is plain to see in this artfully shredded denim jacket. But what’s particularly nice about it is it’s reversible so, presumably, if you’re feeling a bit too scruffy, you can quickly adopt a different look. (Here is where we try to imagine a situation where you would quickly need to change from distressed denim to green satin with distressed denim trim, and fail, but, you know, it could happen). AMIRI’s thing is very much the LA rocker look, of which skinny black denim jeans are a staple, so this is the way to go when opting for this particular destroyed piece. And when it comes to skinny black denim jeans, you can’t go wrong with Saint Laurent. Hey, it rhymes!
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