UNIQLO DENIM

Let’s talk about denim. We all know it well; it’s a tried and true staple material necessary in any gentleman’s wardrobe. It’s versatile, comfortable, durable, and almost a prerequisite for the modern man’s nonchalant style code. Even the faux-pas of double-denim has faded away from relevance to make way for head-to-toe tribute.

For February, fashion giant Uniqlo released a core range of distressed and damaged denim in jeans and shirts. It’s not just denim on a whim, though, with Uniqlo partnering with world famous textile house Kaihara to source reliable, quality denim, in a push back against the fast fashion trap of product inferiority. They looked to vintage signatures and subtle detailing of tears and fades. We can’t say we weren’t excited about it; denim is always on the list regardless of season or occasion, and when Uniqlo offer such an accessible price point, it’s hard to say no.

To me, denim is the fabric. It’s the denim chambray shirt that you throw on when you want to look good, but you don’t want to look like you’ve tried. It’s the blue jeans that you pair with a white t-shirt, and for the more advanced gentleman, it’s the deconstructed denim jacket for a look that is both tailored and impromptu. You’re safe in a garment that is both always on trend, and as a result, trendless. Uniqlo’s denim addresses this, offering a garment that is both contemporary and stylish, and functional in the sense that it can be worn in so many different ways. For Shaun, the denim dove between Uniqlo’s basic slim fit jean, worn easily with a sweater, and their lightweight denim shirt, which works on both a practical and aesthetic level in different wardrobes in all walks of life.

Denim jeans are easy – I won’t patronize by going into detail about how to wear the blue jean. Lightweight denim shirts however, can be exploited a little more playfully. Wear with a knit tie and cotton suit for casual tailoring, or pair with chinos with side-tabs (as opposed to belt loops) for an interesting twist on an otherwise formal trouser feature. Lightweight denim shirts are classic underneath a fisherman’s jumper as well, just avoid adding a sweater with a colour too close to the denim, and instead allow the two textures to stand out from one another. Denim shirts are also fantastic with white trousers, which are available at Uniqlo this season as well.

If you want to see more basics from Uniqlo, scroll down to the photos above. Check out more denim pieces, with style and colour options, at uniqlo.com/au.