Shapeless Ambiguity

Shapeless tops in denim work as well for guys as for girls - they present a fashion opportunity away from the traditional jeans family.  High rise baggy fits for girls are a welcome relief from the super shaping,  breath restricting skinny cuts.  Denim fabric development away from the traditional 3x1 twill into matellasse and double faced fabrics enables us to create differentiated shapes pitching denim into other end uses.

L-R: ©Lucio Vanotti, ©Worn 2, ©Pringle of Scotland

Is it a dress?  Is it a shirt?  Is it a jacket?  We are in exciting times in the World of denim.  Due to new technology in the make and finish of the fabric plus adding new fibres and playing with differentiated weights and constructions we are now able to create any style and shape all of which can now be washed without the risk of shrinking!   Life in denim is wonderful!     Denim has no boundaries.

L: ©Worn 2, ©Kenzo

Military

Uniforms are truly genderless.  Once made from cotton drill and heavy functional flannel they are now made in lighter weights, khaki cotton twills and denims.   It is mainly the styling details and the insignia that lend military attitude. Badges for fun that lend a message.

©Worn 2

It is the style details which dominate creating military overtones to the garment - giant patch pockets; buttoned pocket flaps; drawstring pull on jackets; the flying suit - and of course the military leather jacket as the essential accessory.

©Worn 2

The contrast between two simple military garments couldn't be more marked. One is simple, structured and tailored with strict red piping and military buttons the other is unadorned indigo denim simple sailors jacket from Nimes.  Yet they are both indigo denim demonstrating two sides of the same style question.

Men in Skirts

Denim skirts are not just for girls alone.  for guys they can be edgy accessories to a classic jeans and jacket combo.  Backside out denim in split front style;  frayed edges in multi panels work with frayed edges of an oversized jacket; a swooping long layered skirt in deepest indigo.  The skirt is a style statement in denim- off beat for guys and main stream for girls always a bolder statement in non basic denim in non basic shades.

L: ©Angelos Frentzos C: ©Miharayasuhiro R:©Marcelo Burlon County of Milan

The skirt here demonstrates how genderless denim is becoming.  More interesting when paired with heavily masculine other denim items. Guys denim skirts offer an opportunity to add a bit of fun and fashion to a classic denim jeans and jacket team.   Then there is the "kilt" - a man's garment from the outset now looking fresh and interesting in denim for guys.

L-R: ©Dsquared2, © ©Dsquared2, ©Dsquared2

The Tailored class - tailoring leads to gender neutrality

The Dark overdyed indigo denim in this trucker jacket with bold overstitched style details easily morphs into the classic blazer for genderless tailored denims.   Likewise the loose cut lightweight denim for easy shaped tops works for both genders.

Left: ©Prada 

Oversized shapeless jackets, baggy cut pants bereft of any embellishment are true "denims without gender or class".  Likewise the overstyled slick city trucker.

Left: Agnes B Right: Claudia Li

Simple and clean with emphasis on shape and detail make these jackets seem almost architectural in their genderless statement.

Left: ©Julian David

Trend Alert: Gender Neutrality

Boys will be girls, Girls will be boys

Back in the day when girls first wore jeans they wore men's jeans from the local general store as there were no jeans for women.   What a different story it is today!    In fact the denim market dedicated to women's jeans represents at least 50% of all jeans sold.   There are myriad shapes, fits, fabrics, finishes and shades - all for girls.  But jeans life doesn't stand still.  The boundaries between girls and guys fits are now blurred.  Girls now buy mens jeans for their creative washing, easy baggy comfort and added attitude whilst guys buy girls skinnies for their leg hug, clean saturated colour and urban message.  The traditional jeans trucker jackets have always predominantly been gender neutral with size variation to cater for the girls. Follow us in our look at this growing trend for reasons and inspiration.

Trucker jackets teamed with straight cut baggies appeal to both genders in dark or light denims. They are easy, genderless and without class.  Denim is a great leveller in all ways.

Left: ©Angelos Frentzos Centre: ©Bethnals

Comfort, downtime, weekend vibe - genderless clothing fits our easy lifestyle.  The development of lighter weight and fluid denims in differentiated soft fibres as well as cotton with lycra enables us to create styles that work for all needs.  The denim no longer has to be indigo blue to be regarded as "jeans".    As well as the ubiquitous Indigo, black , ecru and grey have all become essentials in the denim arena.

Left: ©Mother Top right: ©I AND ME Bottom Right: ©Guess