Unlike diamonds, fashion trends aren’t forever.
After designers formulate and debut these trends on runways, they trickle down to large companies that mass-produce similar pieces. Thus, the trends becomes accessible and affordable for the average shopper.
Originally introduced in the 18th century, one trend has long since been a staple in North American wardrobes: denim.
“You can just rely on your denim, to grab it out of your closet and know that it looks good,” said Cheyenne Perry, sales associate at Urban Outfitters in Market Square and the brand’s university representative for UT.
For many students, denim is both reliable and versatile. Constructed in a variety of shapes and designs, it’s easily adaptable to a plethora of personal styles.
Freshman in chemical engineering Claire Koellhoffer cites her style as a “hodgepodge” of different influences, adding that her favorite denim pieces are vintage finds from her hometown, Cincinnati.
“I like different denim pieces, I’m not really into the mainstream skinny jeans,” she said. “Stuff like that isn’t very interesting.”
Koellhoffer reaches for denim when she wants to make a style statement. Her current favorite pair is a patterned, bell-bottom design.
“Denim is an easy thing to take to a different place outside of your normal style,” Koellhoffer said. “Instead of just wearing normal blue jeans, maybe wear a different color of jean or a different cut than you’d normally wear.”
Perry agreed, saying jeans and denim clothing pieces are easy to dress up or down, “depending on the wash, style and fit.”
“If you find denim that fits you really well,” Perry said, “you can rely on it to always fit you really well … ”
With its “classic, American college vibe,” Perry described denim as easily translatable across any year, major or involvement on campus.
Chloe Kidd, senior in communication studies, often wears colored statement jeans in her favorite skinny jean silhouette, per her “quirky” style. Although Kidd has always viewed denim as a widespread style choice, she gained a new perspective while studying abroad in Paris, France.
“I went to Europe and no one wears jeans,” Kidd said. “And if they do, they’re nicer.”
Parisian style, Kidd noticed, was often more formal than the basic American uniform of jeans and a T-shirt. Europeans wore jeans intentionally, rather than by default.
“For them, it was a part of what they thought they should really wear that day,” she said.
Sharing this sentiment, Koellhoffer said she wears denim in many forms to express herself. She isn’t keen on basic styles, but that’s the beauty of denim: it’s a basic style with so much potential.
“It’s pretty hard to look weird wearing jeans or jean shorts or any denim really,” she said. “They’re something that you can customize relatively simply.”
This season, Perry said Urban Outfitters is selling distressed denim, chambray shirts and denim shorts on the store floor.
For denim newbies, Perry encourages investing in a few classic styles before graduating to trendier versions, like boyfriend and distressed jeans.
“I would say get some basic pieces in your closet that are timeless and that you can build on,” Perry said, “and once you feel like you grasp the concept of that you can build upon and it and go a little more experimental with your style.”
She may be a sales associate at one of the nation’s trendiest stores, but even Perry couldn’t deny the textile’s lasting impression on style and fashion.
“It’s a good go-to staple that I really rely on,” she said.
Ultimately, convenience and ease are what makes solidifies denim as a staple in every young person’s wardrobe.
Still, that doesn’t mean sacrificing individuality, as Koellhoffer stresses.
“You take this basic,” she said, “and then what you do with it is how you show who you are.”
“It’s a way to show bits of your personality without being completely crazy and out there.”
