Updating Your Denim For All Shapes & Sizes

If you needed any more excuse to don denim on a casual Friday in the office, mark your calendars: Friday the 5^th of August is Jeans for Genes Day, our favourite annual fashion-focused charity event in support of the Children’s Medical Research Institute (register to get involved here). In light of supporting a good cause, why not give yourself a little feel good pat on the back with a wardrobe update while you’re at it? One good deed deserves another, as they say – read on for our round up the best of new season.

The Cropped Flare

Don’t diss her throwback as a mere flash in the pan – the flare is back on the scene in high rotation. Its latest iterations are slightly cropped, with a hint of ankle creeping through to streamline your silhouette (and perfect for the 5’5s among us who recoil at the thought of extra fabric below the knee).

Current/Elliot ‘The Kick’ cropped flare jeans, $342, net-a-porter.com

BlankNYC cropped flares, $84, revolveclothing.com.au

The High-Rise

Think less 80s Rollergirl, more 90s Calvin Klein – your denim should feel stiffer and slightly distressed, as opposed to lycra stretch. It’s all about that Levi’s 501 peachy, perky behind, perfectly shown off when paired back with a soft cashmere knit and boots.

Witchery ‘Girlfriend’ jeans, $129.95, witchery.com.au

Levi’s Wedgie Icon fit jeans, $139.95, levis.com.au

The Low-Rise Skinny

Britney’s infamous jean of choice is creeping back in sans diamantes this time around – yes, scoff all you might, but Olivia Palermo just resurrected our go-to early 2000s style complete with an off-the-shoulder top and smoking slipper so successfully we’re frighteningly into it. Minimal and clean in what you’re looking for here – think of it as a building block to suit your mood separates-wise.

Witchery coated biker jeans, $139.95, witchery.com.au

H&M skinny low-rise jeans, $29.95, hm.com/au

The Applique Denim

What goes around comes around, as they say – thanks to Gucci applique and embroidery is having a moment, in a more grown-up way than it’s previous incarnations. Dip your toe in with a little snippet on a pocket, or make a splash in a whole leg mural – just keep the rest of your look simple to let your art do the talking.

Gucci snake applique jeans, $1,236, matchesfashion.com

ASOS applique star jeans, $76, asos.com/au

The Euro Boyfriend

Slightly more fitted than her manlier counterpart, the Euro boyfriend has a certain je nai sais quoi – a little more peg-leg around the ankle as opposed to 100% slouch. Perfect with a black pump + red lip combo.

Jeanswest boyfriend jeans, $79.99, Jeanswest

Topshop Moto ‘Lucas’ boyfriend jeans, £42.00, topshop.com

The Short

It wouldn’t be a Jeans for Genes Day in Australia unless we covered a denim short, right? Yes, it’s technically winter, however if you’re still swimming there’s still room for a short in the mix. Big tick for the wider, slouchier styles coming through – no butt cheeks at the office, please.