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
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
Zoë Kravitz wears Saint Laurent jeans at the brand's Fall/Winter 2020 Paris Fashion Week.
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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
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
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
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.
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