Deal with Denim

For decades, denim has been a must-have item for both men and women, invading the closets and turning into a fashion uniform, especially among youngsters.

Denim has also been going through a series of “evolutions” in terms of fabrics, washing and fading techniques and cuts. The team of Levi Strauss Indonesia shared some clues on the hottest looks on denim and how to wear it.

• Trend alert

Slim and skinny silhouettes are still going strong this year.

“Men’s jeans still revolve around straight, but this year’s trend is more into progressive modern with skinny tapered and slim tapered, which go slimmer as the leg goes down, said Ranthy Rahajeng, the team’s senior buyer.

Those who dare to be different might opt for the skinny form-fitting style, while men who are not too comfy in super tight pants may go for the slim version.

For women, the skinny style comes up to a new level in the form of ankle skinny jeans, inspired by crop pants which were popular during 1960s, said senior buyer Anna Maria Widiastuti.

In the international scene, the trend of jeans has shifted a couple of times in the past year, from skinny to boot-cut and flare. In Indonesia, skinny remains the most favorite.

“Here, skinny [jeans] is forever and ever. Jeggings are still also the most sought after items around,” said Anna.

The color palette does not only center on bluish, but also bright yet colorful hues such as peach and creamy, which fit casual occasions.

So, what body shape is suitable for this look? Skinny jeans, Anna says, generally look great on slender and skinny people, while boot-cut suit those with a medium or large body shape. “But it all depends on one’s personality. There is no rule about it. Wear jeans that make you comfy and boost your confidence,” Anna suggested.

• How to wear

Would it be OK wearing jeans to office? “It’s a yes and no. It depends very much on your company’s policy,” said Anna.

People who work in the creative industry usually tend to have more leeway in choosing their outfits, compared with those who are in the banking industry, for instance. But many companies have allowed their employees to wear jeans on Fridays.

For a touch of formality, choose boot-cut dark-colored jeans and pair them with a baby-doll top, long cardigan or jacket. For a more “polite” look, you can wear a tunic.

Match your look with a pair of high-heeled shoes like stilettos or wedges to give a feminine yet sexy touch.

“It’s all about the styling. One thing, avoid wearing shredded jeans and camisoles in the office. Keep those two for casual occasions only,” Anna says.

Men can go for dark-colored straight jeans and pair them with shirts, jacket and blazer or a v-neck sweater for a preppy look.

• Washing jeans

Many people have no idea how to take good care of jeans. Here are some tips:

Read the care label inside your jeans to get hints on how you should treat the jeans.

If you want to wash your jeans, separate them from other clothes to avoid fabric dye transfer. Turn your jeans inside out.

If you use a washing machine, set the machine to the “gentle cycle” mode.

Avoid hot water as it may fade the jeans.

Dry jeans by hanging them along the waist line.

Color blotching may happen once you wash your jeans for the first time.

It is not recommended to wash jeans too often as this might ruin the color.

Shredded jeans should be taken to the laundry for extra care.

Find stains on your denim? Clean them gently with a toothbrush.

— Triwik Kurniasari