Denim Endures

I’ve been doing a little spring cleaning lately (even though it’s winter) and I thought that a fun project to tackle would be organizing and filing old photos. Sounds entertaining, right? Class pictures, family gatherings, bad haircuts and fashion tragedies. I skipped over the awkward junior high years – too humiliating! But, when I came across these two antiques (below), a smile stretched wide across my face as I remembered this time in my life so vividly and fondly. How groovy were my sister and I in our matching denim jumpsuits? The scarf is the perfect accessory (apart from the bows in the pigtails, of course!).

Me in a killer denim jumpsuit - 1976

At the time, I didn’t realize what a stylish kindergartener I was – I just thought it was cool that I dressed like my big sister. Looking at these pictures, I almost feel like we could send these vintage gems straight onto the runway today, but I don’t think they would fit even the most anorexic of models! They are very trend-right. I particularly appreciate the red topstitching on the collar and the exposed, red vislon zipper!

My sister Kim in her matching jumpsuit - 1976

Denim is always an important fabric, but some seasons it’s more of a staple than others. Spring 2010 proved to be a very “denim-friendly.” Designers such as Alexander McQueen and Helmut Lang used two-piece dressing in head to toe denim, resulting in a jumpsuit look. Jean Paul Gaultier showed elaborate overalls and corset-like jackets. Ralph Lauren and D&G’s collections were saturated with denim; in fact, I think D&G used the fabric in every look.


So, keep your old jean jackets if you haven’t tossed them already, hang on to your cut offs and mind your miniskirts. Accessorize properly and you should be able to wear all of the denim goodies in your arsenal!