A stiff wash of fabric, hugging at the waist and elongating the limbs – few trends are as enduring as a pair of denim jeans. It’s hard to imagine a wardrobe complete without the item, only second in timelessness to the basic white T-shirt. Over the decades, denim has undergone a versatile transformation: from bell-bottoms to slick skinny then returning once more to spacious, wide-legged flares. However styled or stripped down, the garment remains universally appealing. Unconvinced? Take the denim looks of fashion’s ultimate style mavens. While the supermodels may share a day job, their ethos of styling denim could not be any more different. From the off-duty looks of Kaia Gerber, Kendall Jenner, Adut Akech and Hailey Bieber here are all the ways to take your denim look to international supermodel level.
Rock a totem print
![](https://www.voguehk.com/media/2021/08/GettyImages-1205401553-1200x1800-853x1280.jpeg)
Bella Hadid wears Leo's blue printed jeans at New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2020.
Photo: Getty Images
Bella Hadid steps out for a night in New York after NYFW wearing Blue Denim Hera Pants from Leo. Paired with an Amiri leather jacket, white Staud bag, and of course Nike x Off-White Trainers, the sneakerhead-supermodel doesn’t shy away from a bold print and flashing colour.
Low-key disco
![](https://www.voguehk.com/media/2021/08/GettyImages-1208656297-1200x1800-853x1280.jpeg)
Zoë Kravitz wears Saint Laurent jeans at the brand's Fall/Winter 2020 Paris Fashion Week.
Photo: Getty Images
If anyone knows how to rock a pair of denim, it’s Zoë Kravitz with a slinky, 80’s appropriate chainmail top covered in crystals along with simple, strappy sandals. While hardly a groundbreaking style, dressing up classic denim with a well-fitted, eye-catching top strikes a perfect balance.
When in doubt, pull it together with an oversized blazer
Adut Akech wears jeans at Chanel Spring/Summer 2020 Haute Couture Fashion Week.
Photo: Getty Images
September Issue cover star Adut Akech wows us with more than a smile. The model’s simple pairing of a navy blazer, straight-cut jeans, a snake-skin purse, and Melody Ehsani’s Jordan 1’s are more than stylish enough to bring us into a new beginning.
Tuck it in…
Kendall Jenner wear Levi's and Re/Done jeans.
Photo: Getty Images
Asides from the expert primer on layering – Kardashian-Jenner clan model Kendall Jenner cozies up in a turtleneck top and dark blazer – the Éstee Lauder ambassador also sports the latest trouser trend of tucking rigid, straight leg jeans into a pair of mid-calf boots.
…or pull it up!
Emily Ratajkowski wears Re/Done jeans.
Photo: Getty Images
And from stylishly edgy we promptly turn to athletic chic. EmRata hits the town with her canine pal, pulling up her socks and donning a pair of well-worn Air Force 1s. If this doesn’t scream off-duty, we don’t know what will!
Dress as the boys do
Hailey Bieber wearing Natasha Zinko straight-cut jeans.
Photo: Getty Images
Hailey Baldwin Bieber pairs perfectly oversized denim jeans by Natasha Zinko with a cosy nude-coloured sweater and we would be remiss if we didn’t call out the major style inspo of this look – the model’s boyfriend of course.
A sophisticated twist on ripped denim
![](https://www.voguehk.com/media/2021/08/GettyImages-1205824295-1242x1800-883x1280.jpeg)
Gigi Hadid wears a pair of black high-waisted Re/Done pants at Marc Jacobs Fall/Winter 2020 New York Fashion Week.
Photo: Getty Images
When can you go wrong with ripped jeans? New mom Gigi Hadid chose to pair them with spiked boots and a suit to add a smart modern feminine touch.
Dare to double denim
Emily Ratajkowski wears a Re/Done denim jacket and trousers.
Photo: Getty Images
The double denim debate with always be subjected to contestation but here Emily Ratajkowski (and Colombo, her Husky-German Shephard mix!) are looking effortlessly mode in denim on denim.
It’s a tie…dye!
Kendall Jenner wears Ottolinger tie-dye jeans.
Photo: Getty Images
Give your jeans a new lease on life! Here, Kendall Jenner rocks an edgy leather jacket with bleach-dyed jeans.
You can never go wrong with acid-wash
Bella Hadid wears Vivienne Westwood at Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2020.
Photo: Getty Images
Bella Hadid is undoubtedly an avant-garde denim fanatic, and this two-tone pair of jeans by Vivienne Westwood manages to stand out from the crowd at Fashion Week.
Don the dad look
![](https://www.voguehk.com/media/2021/08/GettyImages-1207095473-1350x1800-960x1280.jpeg)
Kaia Gerber in Re/Done straight leg jeans at Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2020.
Photo: Getty Images
Favoring the minimal aesthetics and paired back looks, Kaia Gerber keeps her outfit crisp and simple with a pair of straight-leg indigo jeans and New Balances dad sneakers for maximal comfortability.
Embrace earth tones
![](https://www.voguehk.com/media/2021/08/GettyImages-1207152081-1029x1800-732x1280.jpeg)
Bella Hadid wears a pair of Eytys wide-legged jeans at the 2020 All British Music Awards after party.
Photo: Getty Images
Ever the fan of a 90’s fit, the younger Hadid sister mixes in grunge and gender-neutral appeal with a subdued outfit. Bella wears Eytys, pairing the Jose vest with wide-legged jeans. This is hardly the first time she’s sported the Scandi brand, the supermodel has also worn Eytys leather boots and sneakers.
Read Next
HBO Max’s Gossip Girl Reimagines Costume Design For Its Gen-Z Audience
Editor
Katherine Ho & Rachelle MaCredit
Lead image: Getty Image