What happened to denim these days? Nothing excites me anymore…
I don’t know if it’s just me, but I’m not overly enthusiastic about new jeans anymore. Whenever I am scrolling through the new in section for the latest denim, I’m rarely excited by what I see. I just scroll past usually as nothing jumps out at me. I would say on average, if I scroll through about 100 pairs of new jeans, maybe 5 might be something I’d consider, but those are just usually a really pretty wash on a high rise skinny fit, not anything that I have to have…
I remember when I was a lot younger and all the new jeans used to be so exciting! All the styles coming out were innovative, things we hadn’t seen before, the boundaries were being pushed with fabric technology and going as skinny as possible, and there were even movements like the J Brand Houlihan or Zombie and Thrasher jeans, as well as the Current/Elliott boyfriend jeans etc. There was excitement and must haves when it came to jeans and that was what got everyone going.
Forums were a huge thing back then, it’s how I got into the denim industry as you know. We’d have sections to discuss the latest arrivals from 7 For All Mankind, Diesel, Rock & Republic, True Religion etc and people would spend hours on there chatting to everyone else about their denim. Over time, this gradually lessened and people got less interested (myself included), but I was still very much into denim and intrigued by what the brands were bringing out. I remember when Jogg Jeans were released from Diesel and I thought they were awesome.
There was just excitement every season and going to the press days to see the latest jeans was fantastic as there was always something new that pushed the envelope. I’d see the leopard prints from Current/Elliott, J Brand would release florals to die for, PAIGE did some amazing bright colours, Rag & Bone were on top form, and Hudson? They had city prints and everything you could imagine! Things were fun and new, they were fresh and innovative…
This leads me to now. I’m bored by most of the styles that come out because I’ve always seen it before and it’s not new anymore. But, where do you go when everything has been done? You can’t just do bold colours or prints anymore, they aren’t interesting, so brands now have to think outside the box and this is where things are going wrong. I’ve shared with you numerous times the jeans I call disasters that are on the market right now. I’m talking about the ones that you would look at and say ‘what were you thinking?’ or the pairs which are just not wearable in everyday life.
Then there’s the 100% cotton rigid skinny jeans as everyone has gone back to the vintage and good old days because there’s nowhere left to go with the new. I spoke about how I don’t like these either because they are so painful and uncomfortable, but I understand why everyone has drifted backwards because the now is so lackluster. Where can brands possibly go now and make it wearable?
It’s all been done, so now there’s crazy fits, double jeans, flamenco style Spanish inspired flares… None of which I think are cool or you could wear on a daily basis. I did like the two tone denim and the embroidery trend, but those were the only things and they were hit and miss. The bold styles now work for a one time event or if you’re a fashion blogger just doing a shoot, but in real life, it’s pretty hard to pull that off without drawing attention to yourself.
I thought I would throw this out there because I absolutely adore denim and have loved it since I was little, but I’m feeling myself being left disappointed on a daily basis now. I only get excited when I see a pair of jeans like this or this now, and they’re just a beautifully washed skinny. Nothing new that makes waves in the industry, but artistry done right, and that’s hard to come across now too. What’s your take on denim these days? Do you find it boring and not what it used to be? I know some of you do as we’ve had discussions on social media.
I know the guys might find it a bit more interesting as super skinny spray on jeans are huge at the moment, so there’s still a good movement going on for you, but for us women, I have no idea what’s next and I’m quite concerned about that. Is it going to make people lose interest in jeans and not have a desire or passion for them anymore? I know denim brands read The Jeans Blog, so what would you like to see from them? What should they do for new and cool styles? Comment below!
Image Credit: Pinterest
This post seriously makes me sad. I hope something in the denim world comes out down the pike that gets you excited again. 🙂
Author
I know, I’m just not feeling any of the new stuff at all. It’s such a shame. Have you seen anything innovative and new or that you thought was really cool and got excited about? 🙂
I haven’t really seen anything innovative in a good while either. However, I have been really excited about the vintage trend that’s been going on for the past while. That was what rekindled my love for jeans.
Author
As long as they get the right fits for vintage, I’m all for it! I don’t know how I feel about taking an amazing vintage jean all apart and sewing it in different ways and stuff, I’m not sure if it’s ruining something amazing or creating something unique lol.
Haha I agree with you completely on that one! Sometimes they tend to go overboard by sewing the jeans in different ways, to the point the jeans are ruined for me. I like the vintage jeans to be in as normal condition as possible.
Here’s how I feel, stuck with what you like. I was never interested in jeans, because I thought only the “good ole boys” wore them, and that they were too tight, and very uncomfortable, but as I grew older, and more open, and as clothing technology changed, I found the denim of today’s world, extremely comfortable, and fashionable. I guess I’ve always had a thing for fashion that sticks out. Example: now that winter is here I het to break out the leather pants, and whole leather wear, and furs. The only problem here in the states, there are too many self-proclaimed fashion police, who are just to lost in the sauce.
I like the skinnies, I’m sticking with them as long as they stretch, their comfortable for somebody built like me. Small framed, but rather muscular.
Author
Yeah you guys have it going on at the moment with the super tight skinny jeans, I’m glad that’s happening for you all as it’s something refreshing. I just have no idea where denim for women can go now as it’s been done over and over again.
Hi Lorna,
Don’t be despondent. This is just part of the fickleness of fashion. Keep up what you are doing. I mentioned some time ago on this blog that I would rue the day when skinnies and tight jeans would go out of fashion and people would start wearing curtains again. I plan to continue with skin tight jeans for as long as possible.
Author
Hopefully that doesn’t happen! Can you even imagine if skinny jeans were gone? Terrifying!
Not only terrifying but a crime against humanity.
Author
Ha ha!
As a guy totally in love with Levi’s 501s, it’s not what designers put out that excite me. It’s seeing how people wear them and fit them in their whole look. I’m not looking for the next new thing in a store. I’m looking at the next new thing on the streets. Hundreds of ways and places to distress, and so many combinations with tops and shoes. Especially with the popularity of double denim now. I don’t feel despondent about denim at all these days.
Author
Well that’s good you feel excited by it! Thanks for sharing!
I’ve noticed the same!! Recently I’ve enjoyed searching for gems from denim’s past on eBay again…haha
It’s tough as markets become more saturated and it seems everything that could be done has been done, but one of the reasons we love denim is because of all the amazing things that can come out of such a seemingly simple item of clothing, right? I guess we’ll just have to be patient to see what’s next…
xo Lana
http://www.decadentdissonance.com
Author
I did wonder if you felt the same as we’re so similar and in the same industry! I’m glad it’s not just me. I guess we do just sit tight and watch our bank balance grow instead, lol!
Yeah the last type of jeans I liked were the skinnies with the wax coat treatment. I’m gonna keep wearing my skinny jeans regardless.
Author
I love the waxed ones!
I agree that the pace at which new noteworthy styles are introduced isn’t what it once was. Hopefully it’s just the calm before a storm of new ideas and trends. If one looks to fabrics however, innovation continues to take place. For example, Levi’s has introduced “warm super skinny jeans” for winter wear. This was accomplished by weaving Thermolite into the denim. See the following link: http://www.levi.com/US/en_US/levi/p/177780188.
Author
Oh that is cool! I like that idea as that’s so helpful since denim usually makes your legs cold!
I so relate to your post ! I have an enormous amount of premium denim but lately I find I just don’t really want or need to spend my money on it anymore…..I’ve been finding nice jeans from places like Gap, Abercrombie..Zara…Levi’s of course etc….lots of brands that have come a long way in developing their fabrics and washes..and fits too. No need to spend $200+ anymore unless they are really special. I only have my eye on one pair of j brands to treat myself for the holidays…which is kind of great because I am saving more loo
Author
What pair of J Brand are you after? I totally feel you in that respect though!
https://www.shopbop.com/high-rise-alana-crop-jeans/vp/v=1/1568201224.htm?folderID=1597&fm=other-shopbysize-viewall&os=false&colorId=67706
I have been eyeing them forever!! ????
Author
Oh yeah those are cute! And Black Friday is coming up!
I’m just getting into the denim game and this article, and fashion in general, is fascinating. Especially when it comes to denim, it seems like a lot of the fashion trends and styles have a lot in common with appropriation art. I’m really into the history of how various people (miners, cowboys, actors, musicians, etc.) have used jeans over the years, and it’s interesting how fashion appropriates these people’s authenticity and re-creates on the runway for mass consumption.
Anyway, maybe going back to the roots of denim and wearing what you have to create your own story will reignite your interest. Just my 2 cents.
Author
It does sound similar 🙂 I’m actually quite familiar with raw denim, I own a few pairs, wearing them a lot to break them in and create my own fades etc, but I found it hard to stick to it due to having to wear so many different outfits as a fashion blogger and the fact that the jeans were always so restrictive and uncomfortable, and leaking dye lol. Maybe some point again it might be possible, who knows! 🙂
I like the denim now. I used to wear a lot of skinny jeans. Now I’m past them. Really tired of them. I like the straight took now. I like especially the look of the straight from 3X1. I also love the “slm” cut. Kind of a loose skinny. Citizens is big on that cut. That’s my favorite. I like the “clean” look jeans are coming out with. Never a fan of deistressed, though I do have several pairs. I still like the strech, perferably the 1% Elastane. Still not a fan of 100% cotton. I don’t want to struggle with jeans. Oh, I’ve been surprised at least twice by ordering jeans thinking it would be a zipper. Instead I got the button fly. My fault. Should have been more careful online in ordering jeans. They’re OK. I ended up keeping them.
Love this blog……