Indulge in denims: How you can pair the timeless fabric this winter

Don't we all love wearing denims? When in doubt, it is the one piece of clothing that always comes to the rescue because they can be worn any time of the year. It would be rare to find someone who doesn't wear denim jeans, shorts, jackets or even skirts every other day. The fact that denim is timeless, says Sushmit Shubham, denim designer with Spykar, means that they are always trendy. "However, the cuts and shapes of denim change every season or at least every year. Despite all the fanciful and cutting-edge materials that are currently in the market, denim still represents uber-coolness and is acknowledged as the most versatile, fun, and long-lasting fabric available."

Usually seen in blue, black, white and grey, they are also worn in a variety of other colours, especially during this time of the year as the temperature dips because people get a chance to turn fashionable. The fact that Mumbai is experiencing some of its best winters yet means that most of us get the luxury of experimenting with our clothes. With the fullness of winter, experts suggest adding a pop of colour or simply change your style with denim this season. Shubham shares, "Winter is a tricky time for fashion, as you want to stay warm, but also keep up with the latest trends. Denims are a great way of layering your fits, especially in winters as they give an edgy look to your attire. A pair of denims are certainly ideal for chilly winter morning errands and evening soup dates."

Ramprasad Sridharan, CEO and MD at United Colors of Benetton begs to differ because he feels denim doesn't have to be limited to a particular season but sees opportunity. He explains, "Denims are generally a season-agnostic product, but yes, there are options of different fabric compositions and weights defined as per the season. Moreover, denim is low-maintenance and needn't be washed as often as other garments in winters, when drying clothes is often a challenge." It is also the reason why the clothing brand recently used brushed denim fabric for their specific winter collection.

Denims to up your fashion game
Yes, sporting denim has never been easier because of the season. However, it may often become a challenge when other people also wear denim. So, how do you stand out? Shubham swears by the rock-solid denim jeans, shirt and sneakers combination. He adds, "Denim is one such diverse piece of apparel that it can elevate your basic black and blue combination. It is a fashion statement with just a few layers and a pair of fitted long boots."

Very often we also consider it as a garment that we put on when we can't think of what to wear. However, Sridharan believes it has the potential to be a lot more. He explains, "Denims can be made in different fits and can be paired up with every kind of topwear across genders and age groups." The fact that denims fade down and turn into any shade of blue or black, the CEO says, means that it will eventually have a worn out look that doesn't look similar to what it was when worn years ago.

Denims have come a long way from when they were famously worn by miners to turn into a style statement. It has also conveniently evolved from the 1960s, one aspect that Spykar's Pratishtha Gohain, emphasises on is how they got fitting, embellished, and flared, as jeans remained boxy and cuffed in the early 1960s but over time got informal, fitting and ornamented while also losing their Western influences. Gohain, the other brain behind denim design at Spykar, explains, "We now see an array of options from mom jeans to boot cut and even comfy boyfriend fit. Glitter pants have their set of fanbase, the pop culture audience is obsessed with such a funky yet comfy look." All of which are commonly seen on the streets of Mumbai on a daily basis but it is the ability to turn them into a whole new look that people want to experiment with.

Wearing denims in Mumbai
When one talks about Mumbai, it is impossible to ignore the fact that most people do not have the luxury of private transport and instead have to use the local trains to commute to work or anywhere in the city. With denims being the most comfortable casual wear, one may opt to wear it to work on more than one occasion but may often face difficulty because of the crowd. Given the hustle culture we have adapted to, Gohain says one must always wear a comfortable pair of denim to look confident and avoid fashion faux pas. "Pick your denim according to your body type and pair it with a classy top/shirt for a semi-formal look. The humidity in the air may irritate the skin so ensure you choose a branded denim to get good quality suggestions," she suggests.

On the other hand, Sridharan says wearing breathable fabric is absolutely necessary while travelling by the Mumbai trains. It can simply be solved by wearing jeans. "A common misconception about denims, especially during summers, is that their fabric isn't breathable. On the contrary, the fabric comprises cotton, and is breathable, ideal for moisture and sweat management," he affirms.

Ramprasad Sridharan suggests tips to wear denims:
1. Wear denim on denim with white sneakers.

2. Pair dark denims with a polo T-shirt and canvas sneakers.

3. Wear dark denims with a solid shirt, tucked in, and pair it with leather shoes.

4. Pair mid-shade denims with a check or solid shirt, sans tucking, with suede shoes.

5. Wear anti-fit denims to go with a boxy round-neck T-shirt, and a trucker jacket with multi-colour sneakers.

Sushmit Shubham and Pratistha Gohain suggest three ways to pair your denims

Pair white jeans with a knitted vest and loafers
If you've already stored your white jeans because you thought they'd be a summer staple, pull them out right away. They can serve as the foundation for a fantastic monochrome ensemble. Layer the hero knitted vest over a shirt, jumper, or T-shirt to make them winter-ready.

Pair light-wash jeans with a bright coat and printed shoes
A bright coat can brighten up any pair of jeans, regardless of the weather. Matching in the bag department, and the look-at-me outfit is topped off with leopard-print heels.

Invest in dual-toned denims
The more the merrier clearly fits here. The fashion world went ga-ga with the introduction of two-toned denims that made a fashion statement at so many events.

Also Read: An expert's guide to winter hair care