Double denim is a win-win (and where to find the best denim shirts)
I’m always happy in denim. Double-up and the feel-good factor increases two-fold. And I am not alone. Earlier this year, Beyoncé sent Levi’s sales skyrocketing with her new, country album Act Two: Cowboy Carter; the hit single Levii’s Jeans refers to the eponymous brand and contains the lyrics ‘denim on denim on denim on denim’. Queen Bey is a woman after my own heart. And, that is my new favourite song.
Another long-term Double Denim Dame, Julianne Moore looked glorious at a press event in Alaïa barrel leg jeans and a panelled denim jacket (take a look HERE); and more relaxed on the streets of NYC, in an old shirt and jeans, in 2021, HERE. Recently, Ruth Wilson joined the team, appearing in JW Anderson at a Dover Street Market launch. And not forgetting the ultimate Denim Dame, Marilyn Monroe on the set of the 1961 film, The Misfits beautifully captured by Eve Arnold, in her Lee jeans, white shirt and denim jacket. Cool as.
My new ELV Denim shirt
Let’s talk about denim shirts and where to find the best of the indigo bunch. Whether that’s to pair with favourite jeans, slouchy cargo pants or dress-up slinky wide-leg trousers. Go blue or go home, as Beyoncé didn’t sing…
Introducing, my new shirt. Well, technically it’s an upcycled shirt made from two old shirts by ELV Denim, the London-based label (reduced in the sale at Liberty HERE). The close-up shows the two different pockets at the front, and the photos on the Liberty website show the centre back seam. ELV is short for East London Vintage, and the small sustainable brand has collaborated with the Outnet on a collection of upcycled garments from seasons past.
Other good places to find sustainable denim shirts are: Albaray, Aligne ( the shirts are now sold out but I like the collarless moto jacket), certified B-corp MUD Denim, (available from Gather & See in the UK, again the shirts are sold out). If you’re looking for dark denim, Citizens of Humanity has a cracking shirt made from Lyocell and recycled cotton, M&S also has a lovely Lyocell shirt, or try sustainable labels Baukjen and Frank & Eileen. And don’t forget the original and the Bey-est: Levi’s.
On That’s Not My Age, I often try a variety of outfits and loan items to demonstrate different ways to wear clothes; but kicking back in denim is when I’m happiest. STYLE TIP: if you’re going for the double, break things up with a belt.
PS When I posted this picture on Instagram, one of my friends said I look like I’m launching a ship! It’s actually the curvy architecture of the Aquatics Centre at the Olympic Park in London. Taken after I interviewed Claudine Rousseau at LCF.
Denim on denim…
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STYLE NOTES
All my own clothes. Upcycled denim shirt from ELV. Vintage Levi’s 501s. Tweed blazer from Weekend Max Mara (a few seasons ago); similar HERE and HERE. Canvas hi-tops are an old pair from Good News. The blue leather belt is an ancient J&M Davidson, sale bargain.
Discussion (14 Comments)
Debs C says:
Love a denim shirt and I have a couple, both of which are menswear shirts. They suit my body shape better and are of a heavier weight, alongside being cheaper than equivalent womenswear. I do wonder about the ‘pink tax’ and why we pay more for less complex clothing, made of lighter materials!
Robyn says:
I agree! I often look in the men’s or sometimes boys department for clothes. They are cheaper, better quality, and less prone to fads. The colors offered are better.
I love double denim and your combination looks great. On another blog it was a big controversy over double denim. It’s a regular for me and on really wild days I’ll do triple denim-I’ll add a jean jacket. Thank you for the inspiration.
Karen says:
You look great in your double denim. I’ve never been comfortable in it unless the washes are very different, even with a belt (which I always wear). I eventually donated my denim jacket because it just didn’t look right with my jeans. You make me want to try again. I have a dark denim shirt and a lighter chambray one. I wear the light one with jeans and the dark one with other bottoms, but maybe I’ll try again.
Boadicea says:
Oh, Alyson, this is your best post ever! Denim should be my middle name because while in my dreams I’m Dark Academia in the winter and Coastal (Great)Grandmother I the summer, in reality I am jeans and sweatshirt and t-shirt and shorts, usually cutoffs. You’ve curated an amazing selection of goodies for me to drool over when I’ve sent this so a huge thank you for making my Friday! Have a great weekend.
Christine Donne says:
Oh boy! how fabulous is you look today Alyson! I love reading this page. I’ve been a fan of double denim since the late 80s; (then in my late 40’s). During the day I wore business style trouser/skirt suits for work & ‘posh frocks’ for outings! – so denim was my first choice at weekends & I loved it and still do. Back in the 80’s we had a designer pre loved boutique in Sheffield & I picked up an indigo designer, knee length denim skirt & jacket suit priced at £33. I was told that new, it had cost over £300 and was an original. I wore it to death! Okay; it did have Dynasty style shoulders and fabulous embroidery. A bit OTT with hindsight – but, I didn’t care. I paired it with denim peep toe wedges, so even back then, (though I didn’t realise it) I was into triple denim! Even now, well into my eighties I wear various styles of denim jeans with either a teeshirt or chambray shirt & have several denim jackets in varying shades of blue. (If I knew how to attach a photo Ito this I have one taken about 1989 wearing said denim suit…)
Sounds fabulous, Christine. Like you I’m a lifelong denim fan. When I was a student in the 1980s I made a cropped denim jacket, it was an oversized shape, double-breasted with gold buttons and shoulder pads ( I think I was inspired by something I’d seen in Elle magazine) worn with leggings and Doc Martens! You could send the photo to [email protected]
Mrs Tonia says:
The remarks above of Christine Donne take me back to my denim outfits of 70s, 80s and 90s. I used to wear denim dresses, belted with tan cowboy boots and fake concho belts like one pictured here. I had denim jackets, black and a great blue one lined in a flowered fabric. I gave both of those to the young woman who helped look after my young children. She looked good in them and was appreciative I moved on to some other aesthetic. Fast forward to recent years in 21 st century. No denim
Shirts or jackets. Only dark indigo jeans or same as they fade. Black denim jeans on occasion. Recently I bought a super dark denim jacket from Uniqlo Ines de la Fressange collaboration. On sale. Perfect because it’s not classic shape and is a different shade to wear with jeans, over dresses to add a casual edge or with some denim culottes I have. Suits my style to mix these things up, break up the solid blue, add stripes or patterns.
It’s definitely a look which suits Alyson well.Thank you for your reply Alison. Your denim jacket sounds wonderful. I made most of my own clothes back in the 60’s 70’s & 80’s as the styles I preferred were way above my salary scale . But I struggled with sewing denim on my old Singer Sewing machine. Leggings were definitely a staple in my wardrobe though I never quite got round to wearing Doc Martens. I think maybe as I was in my late 40’s at the time it was a step too far; although I admired them on the younger women. I have sent a photo to [email protected]. Thank you again.
Thank you for sending the photos, Christine – you look fabulous (now & then)!
Karisma says:
LOVE me some double denim and this is a super look on you! Adore denim’s timelessness and durability but I do worry about the impact the production of denim has on the environment and communities. I know of a few brands here in New Zealand who make their denim ethically and will do repairs on their clothes like Kowtow but any other brands you know – I’d love to hear about them!
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Double denim is very hard to get my head around. Not really sure why? Maybe indoctrination that it was such a no-no? Wasn’t it known as the Californian (?) tuxedo or some such? However, totally not disputing that you look fab ( tall, very slim….) as does Julianne Moore in the barrel leg jeans (my favourite shape). Will try but not sure I could pull it off. Have a nice weekend.