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Firm Advice for Those Looking for Rugged Style Guidance 

For practitioners of traditional menswear, there is no shortage of rules and tips. Style authorities like Alan Flusser and G. Bruce Boyer have published precise, laser-sharp guidelines that, over the decades, have guided the dressing habits of hundreds of thousands of style-conscious men.

In the world of heritage style and rugged menswear, though, such guidance is much harder to come by. There are excellent resources covering casual menswear (Simon Crompton understands the topic as well as anybody), but the advice found in books and online rarely touches on the high-octane world of heavy selvedge and rugged style.

Even in our own book, The Rebel’s Wardrobe, we focused almost entirely on the garments and their history—not on how they might be contained to create stylish and rugged looks.

We’ve been reluctant to offer firm style advice, and there are good reasons for this. Rugged style practitioners are, by and large, a wild and rebellious bunch who are more keen to break rules than to follow them. 

Still, some of us (myself included) like the kind of structure that rules can provide.

If, like me, you’ve been looking for (without finding) firm style guidance for the rugged gentleman, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve got some strong opinions on the subject, and I’ll be sharing them below. 

An important caveat: These rules are not intended to shame or cajole anybody into conforming to an arbitrary standard. They are opinions presented in the form of rules. If you don’t like them, cast my advice over your shoulder and carry on.

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Rugged Rule #1

Two-Collar Maximum

Collared shirts can absolutely be layered over top of each other or worn with collared jackets, but, if you are old enough to remember the layered polo craze of the , you probably remember what happened when layering similar collars was carried to extreme lengths.

No matter how they’re combined, anything more than two pointed collars will draw a ton of attention to your throat. The outfit can be brimming with well-selected, top-shelf pieces, but people won’t notice what you’re wearing so much as they’ll notice how much of it you’ve got on.

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Rugged Rule #2

70:30: The Golden Ratio

Eye-pleasing outfits tend to be a sonata of simplicity. Two colours (one primary, the other contrasting) in a 70:30 ratio. The primary colour provides the rhythm, the contrasting one the melody—simple, effective, and fool-proof. 

The ratio doesn’t need to be exact, but, as we drift in one direction or the other, either one colour begins to dominate the picture or none of them do.

If we want people to notice the details we care about, we can’t overwhelm them with layer upon layer of dark indigo. Give that beautiful selvedge something to play against by placing it next to a contrasting colour. 

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Rugged Rule #3

Know Your Layering Limits

Layering is a fine art—one practiced and celebrated in the rugged scene—but it has definite limits. You’ve crossed those limits when the shape you create with your layers is no longer recognizable as you own.

Yes, our clothes should flatter us, showcasing our best features and keeping some of the others out of sight, but our true shape should shine through our clothes. We dress ourselves to advantage; we don’t sculpt an entirely new version of ourselves, using our clothes as clay.

They say that, before leaving the house, we should remove one piece of clothing. If you have the layering sickness, perhaps you should take off two or three. 

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Rugged Rule #4

Mind the Gap

Sure, if you’re hanging for the monkey bars or working on the plumbing under the sink, it’s a given that you’re going to show a little flesh above the belt line. Otherwise, though, you should be able to reach for something on either the top or the bottom shelf without providing a peep show. 

It’s good practice, when trying on a shirt for the first time, to raise your arms above your shoulders. If the manoeuvre exposes any flesh above the belt line, the shirt is too short.

If you prefer lower-rise jeans, it’s good practice to look for longer tees and button-ups that will help you preserve a little modesty. Tee shirts should touch the top of your pockets, and the bottom button on button-up shirts should fasten across the waistband of your jeans. 

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Rugged Rule #5

Dress for Context

We love denim, but there are times when we need to lay this love to one side. Weddings, funerals, and other formal or semi-formal affairs deserve nothing less than appropriate attire. If you’re lucky enough to attend a western- or workwear-themed wedding, fill your boots. Otherwise, invest in a dark blue suit.

The same goes for offices that allow you some latitude in how you dress. You don’t want to be the guy who forces management to reconsider their lax dress code. You don’t have to change your stripes, but it does help to be able to be a bit of a chameleon depending on the social or professional setting you find yourself in.

It’s just as easy to over-dress as it is to under-dress. If you’re at a backyard BBQ and most of the guests are wearing shorts and flip-flops, horsehide and heavy selvedge might not be the best fit for the moment. Read the room.

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Rugged Rule #6

Hard Over Soft

Whenever layering pieces, the layers should get progressively lighter and softer as you get closer to the skin. Heavy denim shirts are wildcards in this equation. Once they’ve been worn and washed enough, they are soft enough to be worn as either a middle or inner layer, but when they’re raw and stiff, they look best when treated as a jacket.

The hard over soft rule becomes particularly important when dealing with sweaters or jackets (like the A-2, the varsity jacket, or the N-1) that have knit cuffs. These cuffs should be treated as a layer (i.e., they should only be worn over something softer than the cuff). Wear them over something hard and heavy and the cuff won’t function like it should.

Wear hard under soft and the combination will just never look or feel right. If you’re wearing anything with a knit cuff, stick with something soft like a well-worn chambray, a thin flannel, or a sweatshirt. 

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Rugged Rule #7

Only One Statement at a Time 

We can turn the volume up on our outfits with a bold statement piece, but we don’t want our statement pieces in a shouting match. If you’ve got a piece with bright colours or a bold pattern, place it in the middle of the spotlight by pairing it with subtler pieces that won’t steal its thunder.

Here’s the rub: Anything made from heavy selvedge denim is already a statement piece. For example, a denim jacket north of 20 oz. does far more than clear its throat. Its weight speaks volumes. It will shine brightest when paired with plain but well-made garments.

If you’ve got something bright and bold that you want to make a statement with, consider pairing it with some of the simplest pieces in your wardrobe. Allow it to hog the limelight and you’ll shine with it.

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Rugged Rule #8

Use ‘em or Lose ‘em

Empty belt loops draw the eye to the waist and keep it there. If we want the eye to linger anywhere, it’s probably almost anywhere but there. If your jeans have belt loops, fill them with an appropriate belt (the heavier the denim, the heavier the belt; the higher the rise, the thinner the belt should be).

This is doubly important if your waistband also includes suspender buttons. Either attach a pair of suspenders to them or cover the buttons with a belt (never do both). Though they’re harder to find, I prefer throwback pairs that feature suspender buttons without loops, like these Full Count 1373s.

I recommend a similarly austere approach to pockets. Chest pockets on tees are an unessential piece of detailing that make one of the simplest pieces in your wardrobe look a little fussy, and handwarmer pockets on Type III jackets mar the exceptionally clean design that made the jacket an instant classic. If you don’t need the pockets, lose them.

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Rugged Rule #9

Easy on the Accessories

Rugged accessories tend to be on the bold and heavy side, making them a perfect complement for heavy selvedge. When used relatively sparingly, necklaces, bracelets, wallet chains, and rings can add a lot of personalized punch to outfits, but it can be easy to get carried away. 

With rings on every finger, chains around both wrists and your throat and at your hip, the accessories begin to dominate the picture. The viewer loses sight of you and of the style you’re attempting to cultivate. They’re blinded by the bling.

Accessories are the accents in a great outfit, not the focus. My rule of thumb is to not double up on anything. One ring per hand, one chain, and one bandana (either around my neck or in my back pocket) at a time. Anything more than this, and I start to feel like I’m trying a little too hard.

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Rugged Rule #10

Be Authentic

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, it’s important to use style to say something authentic about yourself. You don’t have to be a construction worker to wear workwear, a rider or a cowboy to dress like one, or a veteran to wear military heritage pieces. We’re not here to play gatekeeper.

Still, when you cross that line separating personal style from cosplay, your look can end up feeling like more of a caricature than a respectful tribute. 

It’s better to blend pieces together to create a unique and coherent style that is, if not yours and yours alone, at least not definitely somebody else’s. Blur the line between inspiration and wholesale appropriation and you’ll likely end up striking a false note.

The post The Rugged Rules: 10 Guidelines for Stylish Heritage Looks appeared first on Denimhunters.

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Beyond Retro, a leading vintage retailer in the UK and Nordics, has unveiled a denim campaign that pays homage to the rich history of denim while championing sustainability. The campaign emphasizes the brand’s dedication to quality, durability, and circular fashion, positioning Beyond Retro as a premier destination for timeless vintage denim.

The campaign celebrates denim’s deep roots in blue-collar, industrial, and Western culture, infusing these classic elements with a modern twist. This approach not only honors the fabric’s heritage but also appeals to contemporary fashion enthusiasts seeking authentic and enduring styles.

Central to Beyond Retro’s mission is sustainability. The brand actively collaborates within the industry and has developed its own label line to promote circular fashion, aiming to reduce waste and keep denim out of landfills. By highlighting these initiatives, Beyond Retro connects with consumers who prioritize responsible fashion choices.

“As a brand that values sustainability and authenticity, this campaign reflects our commitment to quality, durability, and environmental responsibility,” says Beyond Retro. “We want to inspire our customers to see vintage denim not just as a fashion choice, but as a thoughtful investment in timeless style and sustainability.”

Beyond Retro’s extensive collection features a diverse range of vintage denim pieces, including jeans, jackets, skirts, and dungarees. Each item is carefully selected to ensure it meets the brand’s high standards for quality and style, offering customers unique pieces that stand the test of time.

In addition to their online presence, Beyond Retro operates physical stores across the UK and Sweden, providing spaces where customers can explore and experience the curated selection firsthand. The brand’s commitment to sustainability extends to these retail locations, where they implement eco-friendly practices to minimize environmental impact.

By blending a deep appreciation for denim’s heritage with a forward-thinking approach to sustainability, Beyond Retro’s latest campaign invites consumers to make conscious fashion choices without compromising on style.

Know More : https://www.beyondretro.com/pages/vintage-denim

The post Reclaiming Denim’s Legacy: Beyond Retro’s Commitment To Circular Fashion appeared first on Denimandjeans | Global Trends, News and Reports | Worldwide.

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The Denimsandjeans Egypt 1st Edition, held on February 2-3, 2025, with the captivating theme of “Blue Desert”, was an unforgettable celebration of denim and innovation. Set against the stunning backdrop of Egypt’s timeless landscapes, the event brought together over 10 countries‘ finest 55 denim industry leaders, each showcasing cutting-edge products and forward-thinking solutions.

Attendees were immersed in a dynamic fusion of fashion, technology, and sustainability, as the show highlighted the exciting future of denim. The vibrant energy of exhibitors, coupled with the passionate participation of industry experts, created a truly electric atmosphere, sparking new connections and creative collaborations.

Special efforts were made to curate a diverse range of products, offering visitors a world of possibilities to explore. The event also featured interactive and thought-provoking seminars, where renowned speakers delved into emerging trends, the future of denim, and the power of circularity.

With “Blue Desert” as the guiding theme, Denimsandjeans Egypt succeeded in blending tradition with modernity, leaving attendees inspired and eager for the future of the denim industry.

The two-day event in Cairo captivated over 200 companies from around the world, attracting a dynamic crowd of 700+ exclusive visitors, mostly top-tier buyers. This curated gathering provided the perfect platform for exhibitors to showcase their latest innovations and for attendees to explore the cutting-edge trends defining the future of denim.

The event floor buzzed with energy as industry leaders unveiled products ranging from sustainable fabrics to advanced technologies, creating an immersive experience for all. Global brands and retailers, including Gap, Next , Guess , Hugo Boss , Collin’s, VF Corporation, Mango , URBN ,  Zara , BESTSELLER , Miroglio , Inditex and many others, were among the distinguished visitors, eager to forge new collaborations and explore fresh opportunities in the denim sector.

From groundbreaking designs to forward-thinking strategies, the event facilitated meaningful discussions and partnerships that will shape the denim landscape for years to come. It was a celebration of creativity, innovation, and the limitless potential of denim.

Event Theme

This year, we embraced the captivating theme “BLUE DESERT” The show seamlessly brought together the rugged allure of denim with the vast, untamed beauty of the desert. With “Blue Desert,” we explored the rich contrasts between traditional denim styles and innovative, sustainable solutions, setting the stage for future-forward fashion. The theme embodied the spirit of discovery and transformation, offering an exciting view into the evolving denim landscape, where craftsmanship meets sustainability and creativity.

Turkish Trend Area

The Turkish Trend Area captivated attendees with its forward-thinking, nature-inspired denim collections. The area featured four distinct categories, each reflecting the rich and evolving trend landscape of the Turkish denim industry: Camel Trek, Eco Dunes, Mineral Fade, and Sand Whisper.

• Camel Trek showcased a warm, earthy palette, offering robust fabrics with a sense of adventure.
• Eco Dunes emphasized sustainability, with eco-friendly materials and finishes that blend nature with fashion.
• Mineral Fade brought a soft, weathered look to life, with unique washes that mimicked the natural fading of minerals in the desert.
• Sand Whisper evoked the gentle beauty of the desert’s winds, offering soft hues and light washes.

The Turkish Trend Area was a captivating journey through the innovative and sustainable designs that are shaping the future of denim, with each category offering a glimpse into the creative direction of the Turkish denim industry.

DnJ Trend Area:

The Trend Area at this year’s show captivated attendees with a visual feast that explored the latest in denim innovation, bringing together some of the world’s leading denim brands. Under the shimmering theme of Blue Desert, the area became a dynamic canvas where the boundaries of fashion, sustainability, and design blurred to create something truly extraordinary.

The space was divided into four distinct trend categories, each telling its own unique story. Camel Trek evoked a sense of wanderlust and rugged adventure, presenting earthy tones and textures that conjured up visions of the desert’s vastness. Eco Dunes, on the other hand, embraced the call for sustainability, highlighting eco-conscious fabrics and processes that are shaping the future of denim. In Mineral Fade, the beauty of nature’s weathered surfaces came to life with washes and finishes that felt like a tribute to the raw, mineral-rich landscapes of the desert. Meanwhile, Sand Whisper gently captured the delicate elegance of desert winds, with soft hues and airy textures, offering a serene escape from the everyday.

Across these categories, an impressive range of companies, from Artistic Milliners to Master Textile Mills and Wiser Globe, showcased their most forward-thinking creations. The pieces on display were more than just garments – they were a testament to the creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation happening at the intersection of tradition and modernity.

As attendees walked through the Trend Area, they were immersed in a world where denim was reimagined – where the fabric of the future was both bold and sustainable, adventurous yet refined. Each display was carefully curated to inspire, challenge, and push the limits of what denim can be. The Trend Area not only reflected the industry’s latest movements but also offered a glimpse into what’s to come, with trends that are set to define the next generation of denim.

Seminars

The Seminars at the event were a key component, drawing in a diverse audience eager to engage with industry leaders and gain insights into the latest trends and innovations. These sessions offered a deep dive into the future of denim, covering a wide range of topics from sustainability to production strategies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOO-ysCuhfQ

Tune in for 2026!

Website: https://egypt.denimsandjeans.com

The post Denimsandjeans Egypt | Post Show Report | Feb 2-3, 2025 appeared first on Denimandjeans | Global Trends, News and Reports | Worldwide.

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Rock and Republic USA is a premium denim brand that offers stylish, high-quality jeans and apparel with a focus on fashion, comfort, and exceptional craftsmanship. Founded in 2002, the brand is known for its trendy designs, attention to detail, and celebrity followi

The pie chart shows the percentage of ROCK AND REPUBLIC women’s jeans styles on discount for the month of JANUARY 2025.

The accompanying graph illustrates the average price trajectory of ROCK AND REPUBLIC , USA women’s jeans in JANUARY 2025, highlighting the impact of discounts on pricing.

The graph highlights the maximum and minimum prices for ROCK AND REPUBLIC women’s jeans in the month of JANUARY 2025.

The fabric compositions of ROCK AND REPUBLIC USA Women’s Jeans demonstrate that the brand maintains the traditional denim aesthetic while integrating modern fabric blends for enhanced comfort, durability, and flexibility.

The most commonly used fabric composition is 87% Cotton, 12% Polyester, and 1% Elastane, accounting for 27.6% of styles. This blend reflects a balance between cotton’s breathability and polyester’s durability, with elastane providing slight stretch for improved fit and movement.

Other notable compositions include 85% Cotton, 12% T-400, and 3% Lycra (13.8%), emphasizing stretch and shape retention, catering to consumers who prefer a more flexible fit. Similarly, 98% Cotton and 2% Elastane (10.3%) offers a near-authentic denim feel while allowing for slight elasticity.

Blends incorporating Rayon and Elasterell, such as 55% Cotton, 36% Rayon, 7% Elasterell, and 2% Elastane (10.3%), suggest a move towards softer and more fluid denim options. Rayon enhances the fabric’s softness, making it a preferred choice for those seeking a more comfortable and drapey feel in their jeans.

A broader category of fabric blends, ranging from 70-94% Cotton, 5-28% Polyester, and 1-2% Elastane (17.2%), highlights ROCK AND REPUBLIC’s strategy of diversifying its fabric compositions to offer a variety of stretch, durability, and comfort levels.

Notably, the inclusion of polyester in multiple compositions, such as 68% Cotton, 21% Polyester,
9% Rayon, and 2% Elastane (3.4%), indicates a trend toward enhancing fabric strength and longevity while still maintaining the softness and stretch demanded by modern consumers.

Overall, ROCK AND REPUBLIC USA Women’s Jeans presents a well-balanced mix of traditional
cotton-heavy compositions and modern fiber blends, ensuring durability, comfort, and flexibility. The brand’s approach suggests a focus on both classic denim aesthetics and innovative performance fabrics to meet evolving consumer preferences.

The ROCK AND REPUBLIC USA Women’s Jeans collection for JANUARY 2025 shows a strong emphasis on boot cut styles, with 45% of the offerings dedicated to this classic silhouette. This preference aligns with the ongoing popularity of boot cut jeans, which offer a versatile and flattering look that pairs well with various footwear choices, making them a staple in modern wardrobes.

The Straight Fit category, comprising 23% of the collection, reflects a balanced approach to fit, with consumers continuing to seek clean, structured denim options. This timeless fit remains a popular choice for those who favor a more streamlined and classic look.

An analysis of the rises in women’s jeans styles offered by ROCK AND REPUBLIC , USA in JANUARY 2025 reveals that Mid Rise is the dominant trend, aligning with the latest denim market preferences.

This section presents the distribution of broad fit orientations for women’s jeans at ROCK AND REPUBLIC , USA, based on 22 Styles, offering a snapshot of consumer preferences in styles.

The pie chart illustrates the percentage distribution of women’s jeans by fabric stretch
(Rigid and Stretch) for ROCK AND REPUBLIC , USA in JANUARY 2025

In the ROCK AND REPUBLIC USA Women’s Jeans collection for JANUARY 2025, 51.7% of the styles incorporate polyester, while 48.3% are polyester-free. This near-equal distribution underscores the brand’s commitment to blending traditional and modern materials.

In the ROCK AND REPUBLIC USA Women’s Jeans collection for JANUARY 2025, 7.2% polyester content speaks to a growing trend toward enhancing the performance and longevity of the jeans. Polyester contributes to increased durability, shape retention, and wrinkle resistance, making the denim easier to maintain and offering a longer lifespan for the garments. This is an important feature for consumers seeking both comfort and functionality. The presence of rayon (4.1%) and elasterell (1.4%) suggests an effort to incorporate softer, more fluid fabric characteristics into the denim. Rayon provides a silky feel, while elasterell adds to the stretch and comfort, improving fit and movement. This aligns with the growing demand for jeans that offer a combination of flexibility and softness without compromising on style.

Download PDF:

https://denimsandjeans.in/pdf/freereports/ROCK%20AND%20REPUBLIC%20USA%20WOMEN%20JEANS%20-%20JAN%202025.pdf

This report was available complimentary to our subscribers, and Denimsandjeans publishes a of reports every month. To access all of these reports, please visit our website:

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All reports are available through subscription. If you’re interested in subscribing to our special reports section, please contact us at mktg3@denimsandjeans.com. Our team will be happy to assist you with the subscription process.

The post Rock And Republic, USA Women Jeans – Jan 2025 ( Free Report ) appeared first on Denimandjeans | Global Trends, News and Reports | Worldwide.

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Six Denim Trends Pointing in the Same Direction

In 1987, an orca living in the salmon-rich waters of the Pacific Northwest started a trend in her pod. She began wearing a dead salmon on her head. Other members of her pod were soon mimicking her behaviour. 

The “salmon hat” craze spread to other nearby pods and lasted nearly two months before the behaviour disappeared as quickly as it had emerged. Now, there’s some evidence that the fashionable fishy chapeaus are making a comeback in Puget Sound.

Just as, nearly four decades ago, researchers suggested that the killer whales’ adoption of the salmon hat was evidence of a kind of fashion-conscious behaviour, the re-emergence of the trend suggests that, even in the animal kingdom, fashion moves in cycles.

Like the ocean, denim ebbs and flows in the world of fashion. But, like the ocean, it’s always there. In the world of casual style, jeans have the same kind of staying power as the suit does in the world of traditional menswear. It’s not a matter of if people are wearing jeans or suits; it’s just a matter of how they’re cut and styled.

Each year, style forecasters tell us which way the denim winds seem to be blowing. Since denim trends are expressed across a nearly impossibly broad world of cultures and subcultures, there’s never a single dominant trend. Streetwear might be pulling denim in one direction, while the smart casual crowd might be pulling it in the opposite direction.

Some of these here-today-gone-tomorrow denim trends dip a toe into the world of raw denim, introducing newcomers to selvedge brands and retailers in the process. While most trends skip over our little slow-moving eddy of the denim world, occasionally, trends align, bringing a dramatic spike in attention to the world of selvedge denim.

The last time this happened was in the first decade of our new century, when a New York-led cadre of hipsters kickstarted a kind of authenticity revolution, which placed artisans, slow, ethical manufacturing, and a kind of lumber-centric style and hirsute masculinity into the spotlight.

As the urban lumberjacks (aka lumbersexuals) pulled stakes and spread the gospel of well-made and heritage goods across North America and Europe, Japanese denim brands benefited from the renewed interest in the kind of rugged American style they’d already been perfecting for decades.

Selvedge has not been hot in the same way since then. It returned to its comfortable niche, with enthusiasts and a small but steady stream of newcomers keeping the passion for well-made denim alive.

But now, the stars seem to be aligning. This year’s denim trends, in aggregate, point to a tremendous opportunity for selvedge brands and retailers—one we hope they’ll seize with both hands.

For each of the 2025 denim trends below, we’ll look at what the trend is, but also, how it might help bring style-conscious consumers into the selvedge fold. These are not forecasts for where the market is headed—only our understanding of where we seem to be at the moment, and what this might mean for selvedge brands and retailers. 

We’ll leave the forecasting to the style prognosticators who have their finger on the ever-changing pulse of fashion. Based on what we’re seeing, though, this year could be a bumper crop for selvedge denim brands and retailers.

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Trend #1: Darker Washes

The Staying Power of Dark Denim

For both men and women, the preference for dark washes continues into 2025. Uniformly dark pairs lend themselves equally well to smart or dressed-down looks. The dark fabric not only hides stains (a key feature for its workwear adherents); it also allows designers to bring focus to silhouette and carefully considered details.  

While fully washed-down denim is enjoying a moment in the sun (think Kendrick Lamar at the Grammys and the Super Bowl), dark denim’s foothold in the world of fashion and style remains as strong as ever. 

While selvedge is prized for how it fades, it is also appreciated for how it looks when it’s fresh off the rack. When crisp and raw, it speaks volumes about its quality and careful manufacturing, and its weight and visual texture make it stand out from the ocean of uninteresting denim on the market.

Those looking for exceptionally dark and characterful denims will find themselves spoiled for choice if/when they discover the world of selvedge. The style cognoscenti at British Vogue seem to be pointing their readers in the right direction. They’re recommending selvedge brands like Nudie and Edwin to their (largely female) readers who want to stay ahead of the curve with their denim choices in 2025.

Of course, Nudie and Edwin are only the tip of the iceberg. To see our more extensive list of selvedge brands we recommend, featuring a mixture of Japanese, American, and European brands, check our Selvedge Masterlist. 

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Trend #2: Vintage Denim

Blue Gold: Vintage Hounds Cash In

If you have even a passing interest in vintage pieces, you’ve probably noticed that vintage bargains are getting harder and harder to come by. The most desirable and on-trend vintage pieces are selling for four or even five figures. 

The true grail pieces of the denim collecting world (wearable pieces from the 19th century) are now trading hands for north of six figures. For all but the most serious and deep-pocketed collectors, highly desirable vintage pieces are essentially unattainable.

Japan experienced something similar in the ‘70s and ‘80s when rabid Japanese fans of vintage Levi’s 501s caused the price of vintage pairs to skyrocket. Japanese brands like Evisu and Denime responded by making more-affordable stitch-perfect reproductions of American classics. In time, these reproductions became better than the originals they were copied from.

With vintage clothing becoming such a sellers’ market, interested consumers might find themselves falling into the arms of heritage brands that traffic in nostalgia. If you’ve ever said, “They don’t make them like they used to”, you might be surprised to learn that yes, they do.

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Trend #3: Higher Rises

Navel Explorers: A Rising Tide Lifts All Waistbands

Thanks to a resurgence of interest in properly tailored menswear, more men are getting the message that the combination of low-slung, slim-fitting trousers and tucked-in shirts is not doing anybody any favours–particularly not those who have any padding around the middle.

The world of traditional menswear is bleeding into heritage menswear

If you prefer untucked looks, low- and medium-rise pairs will remain an excellent option, but if you’re looking for stylish versatility, join the growing number of people looking at higher-rise pairs.

In the golden age of workwear (the first half of the twentieth century), higher rises were the norm. Selvedge brands are very comfortable in this territory, and those looking for the best of higher-rise jeans might find themselves tumbling down the heritage selvedge rabbit hole.

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Trend #4: Wider Cuts

Baggy and Its Inevitable Breaking Point

This is one of those areas where the runway and street fashion are in near-perfect alignment. Designers are responding to baggy jeans being worn at street level that either hang straight down from the hips or balloon out to nearly comic proportions.

The last time we saw jeans this baggy was in the ‘90s when hip-hop and rave culture combined to give us jeans so laughably large (anybody remembers JNCOs?) that we needed a nearly three-decade reprieve before they were ready to return.

When we find designers pushing into extreme territory, this usually signals that the end is near. We’re nearing that point now—some are saying that we’ve already crossed that line and that baggy jeans have come to the end of the line.

Heritage brands that offer generous cuts (again, inspired by vintage waist overalls, which were meant to be worn over ‘proper’ trousers) haven’t fallen into the trap. Their handsome wider-legged cuts might catch consumers who are seeking a more reasonable middle ground between tight and baggy.

Selvedge brands like Full Count and Japan Blue have leaned into the trend with wider-legged fits, but they’ve done so without pushing it to extremes. Pairs like these might catch the eye of consumers who want to participate in the trend without looking ridiculous.

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Trend #5: Turned Up Cuffs

A Selvedge Signifier Cruises into the Mainstream

I haven’t seen any trend forecasters talking about this, but I’ve noticed the trend every time I’m in capital cities in Europe. Young and old, people are turning up the cuffs of their jeans more than ever before.

Not too long ago, upturned cuffs were nearly the exclusive domain of selvedge enthusiasts. Whenever you saw that flash of cuff, it was virtually guaranteed, you’d find that selvedge outseam with it. The practice began drifting into the mainstream years ago, and it’s now everywhere I look (and I’m always looking at cuffs).

What those flipping their overlocked outseams might fail to realise is that they’re showing off the least attractive parts of their jeans. The selvedge ID is a hallmark of quality; its absence speaks just as loudly as its presence. We can only hope that those rolling their cuffs have their attention drawn to the cuffs of those who do have a selvedge ID.

This might lead them to ask why our selvedge cuffs look so clean while their non-selvedge cuffs look so ragged. I’ve been going out of my way to explain the difference to folks on the street—even if they don’t ask.

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Trend #6: Western Wear

Western Style is Right on Time 

In their excellent book on western style, How the West Was Worn, Holly George-Warren and Michelle Freedman say that western style moves through the mainstream on a seven-year cycle. Seven years ago, Yellowstone debuted, leading to a western style goldsrush that gave a substantial lift to brands like Wrangler and Pendleton. 

Now, seven years later, western style is back, like clockwork, for another slow waltz around the dancefloor. With a little help from Queen Bey and her collaboration with Levi’s, western classics like embroidered shirts, big hats, and cowboy boots are fashionable once again—and, of course, they’ve brought along cowboy cut jeans for the ride.

Even if you don’t have a horse to ride, you’ll need to grab a pair of jeans that will help you look as though you were born in the saddle. Legacy western brands like Wrangler, Levi’s, and Lee will all do the trick, but if you want a more elevated western cut, brands like Brave Star and Freenote Cloth cater to cowboys who want a little more steak on their plate.

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Set Your Own Trends

We always encourage our readers to go their own way. Still, if you’re looking for advice on what to wear or how to wear it, we’ve got plenty of advice to offer. You can find our Selvedge Style FAQ here and our buying guides here. 

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The post Why 2025 Could Be a Massive Year for Selvedge Denim appeared first on Denimhunters.

DENIM and PATCHES sourced this post originally published on this site