The Ten Commandments of Denim Style

The Ten Commandments of Denim Style

Originally Published 1/19/2010

BEHOLD HIS MIGHTY PANTS – We’re offering these suggestions because Moses was in an obvious Robe Rut.  Pics are of jeans you SHOULD consider buying*

I. Thou Shalt not buy pre-destroyed Jeans

Would you buy a shirt that’s pre-ripped?  No?  What makes the lower half of your body any different?  Same goes for baseball caps.  Wear and tear should be genuine, not fake.

II. Thou Shalt wash only once a week, inside out.

Jeans are meant to be tough.  Unless you’ve got a problem with your thighs sweating uncontrollably, you should be fine with a once a week wash.  Denim fades with washing, so to keep them dark, wash them once a week.  Inside out.

III. Thou Shalt Keep it simple

Easy on the Embellishments, the fading, the whiskers.  Leave that crazy stuff to the ladies and the Jersey Shore.

IV. Thou Shalt Keep It Dark

Black is a risk.  White is worse.  Keep it medium to dark blue.  It’s more versatile and you’ll avoid the Dad Jeans look.  That and it’s just more visually appealing.

V. Thou Shalt Not Wear Carpenter Jeans

Unless you’re a carpenter.  Then you’re fine.  Or need to carry a hammer with you for some unknown reason.  Lose the loop.

VI. Thou Shalt Not purchase tapered or baggy fits

One of the foundations of having a sense of style is avoiding looking substantially older or younger than you actually are.  Those two sorry excuses for “fits” do just that.  Keep it to straight or (brace yourselves) boot cut if they don’t flare too much.

VII. Thou Shalt Not purchase skinny Jeans

Are you nineteen years old, Emo, and standing outside of a coffee shop smoking a cigarette?  No?  Okay.  They’re a fad.  Steer clear.

VIII. Thou Shalt Not be afraid to wear a tie with Jeans

It can be a really good look.  Keep the denim dark, your tie thin, wear a blazer.

IX.  Thou Shalt Embrace Low Rise

They feel better, they look better.  Make the switch and then try to tell me regular rise doesn’t feel like you’re wearing waders.

X. Thou Shalt not wear Jeans and a Jean Jacket

Some say you can pull it off as long as the washes are drastically different.  We say you look like a hoser.  Unless you’re Clint Eastwood.  Then you look like a bad ass no one would ever want to mess with.  Especially over his choice of pants.

*The Jeans Pictured are…  starting at the top: Gap Straight Fit Dark Blue Jeans – $54.50,  Levi’s 527 Low Rise Boot Cut – $32.99, Banana Republic Dark Wash Jean – $79.50, Calvin Klein Low Rise Straight Leg – $39.99