How can you not love denim? It is the most amazing fabric —it is durable, so wearable, versatile and has so many variations, both in style and color. Furthermore, it is timeless, being permanently on trend, and as a result, it has been responsible for some iconic style moments. One the red carpet, on the big screen, in print, or just in personal style, there have been some denim styling that will forever be remembered. Here are some of our favorites.
Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake
How could we mention iconic denim looks, without mentioning Britney and Justin. The young sweethearts were seen on many red carpets together during their romance. But, it was their appearance at the 2001 American Music Awards that will forever be iconic. With Britney in her strapless denim ballgown (and complementary purse) and Justin in his matching denim suit (complete with Fedora), they took double denim to the next level. Whether you loved or hated their denim overload, you have to admit that it was iconic.
James Dean
Although he was taken from the world far too soon, James Dean has a style that is truly eternal. The uber cool actor may have died over 60 years ago, but his slick and effortless denim style, will never be anything but iconic. His denim Levi’s 501s, white tee, and leather jacket is probably one of the most stylish menswear looks of all time. It will look just as good today, as it did 60 years ago.
Thelma and Louise
The tragic gal pals, played Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis demonstrated everything that was great about nineties denim in the 1991 movie. Over-sized tanks and men’s tees, tucked into high-waisted and shrink washed jeans, made for some serious denim envy that has lasted over 25 years. Stone washed denim has never looked so good, and that’s what makes Thelma and Louise, denim icons. A quiet recognition should be given to Brad Pitt for his appearance in the same movie. He made denim look pretty good too.
The Original Canadian Tux
Legendary crooner Bing Crosby, pretty much invented the double denim trend and wore the original Canadian Tux. He had long been a fan of denim, before he was turned away from checking into a Canadian hotel for wearing the rugged attire. You see, back in the 1950s, some close-minded individuals believed that denim had a sketchy reputation, thanks to famous bad boy wearers, James Dean and Marlon Brando. When legendary denim brand Levi’s heard about Bing’s refusal at the hotel, they custom tailored a denim tuxedo for him, which quickly became iconic, and rightly so.
Marky Mark and Kate Moss
There have been many amazing uses of denim in print ads, particularly over the last 40 years. There was the amazing 1980 Calvin Klein Jeans ad featuring a 15 year old Brooke Shields, and the early 90s campaigns for Guess Jeans featuring Claudia Schiffer. But, the most iconic print ad featuring denim, has to be the 1992 Calvin Klein Underwear Ads featuring Kate Moss and Marky Mark. It is a pop culture moment that is unrivaled; that ad made the world want to wear Calvin Klein underwear, and low slung jeans.
These are just our favorite iconic denim moments, there are many others we could mention. Such as, the Daisy Duke cut off shorts; 60s and 70s style icon and Hermes muse, Jane Birkin’s jeans; The Cindy Crawford advert for Pepsi, and the cover of Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the USA album. So which are your favorite iconic denim looks?
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