Haute Living’s RAC Shopping Guide: Designer Denim

It should come as no surprise that all things denim is a focus this season, as the classic-meets-cool wardrobe staple has proved to be a timeless piece in anyone’s closet since 1873. Levi Strauss, founder of today’s most iconic brand—Levi’s, first emigrated to New York in 1846 to run a wholesale dry goods business with his brothers. Fast forward to May 20, 1873, and the patent for blue jeans (specifically the process of putting rivets in men’s work pants) was granted to Strauss and partner Jacob Davis. Before the birth of blue jeans, denim was a material traditionally used for work wear.

Since then, the fashion industry’s most celebrated silhouette has encouraged designers like Valentino, Natasha Zinko, Fendi and Jimmy Choo to show their reinterpretations of denim by enhancing the material with interesting details like patchwork stitching and embellishments. This season, denim is reimagined far beyond jeans with denim jackets, shirts, dresses, shoes, skirts and the elevated version of overalls— which happens to be one of the biggest trends to reemerge this year. Styled with suede, leather, a knit turtleneck or lightweight sweater for Fall, the current array of designer denim is one that adds an inspired level of sophistication to a fabric this was otherwise considered basic. And the denim featured here is anything but basic.

In this week’s RAC shopping guide, we’ve included a selection of stylish, desired denim pieces including the Dreya Denim D’Orsay espadrilles by Jimmy Choo, a blue denim patchwork top by 3.1 Phillip Lim and expertly-tailored overalls by Natasha Zinko. Happy shopping!

1) Natasha Zinko
Denim overalls
$1,175
Available at modaoperandi.com

2) 3.1 Phillip Lim
Blue Denim Patchwork Boxy Top
$350
Available at avenue32.com

3) Sonia Rykiel
High-waisted flared jeans
$670
Available at farfetch.com

4) Sonia by Sonia Rykiel
Embellished denim dress
$650
Available at farfetch.com

5) Valentino
Denim Wide-Leg Gaucho Pants
$990
Available at barneys.com

6) Lanvin
Lizard-effect leather trainers
$580
Available at matchesfashion.com

7) Valentino
Two-tone denim blazer
$1,590
Available at farfetch.com

8) Fendi
Mid-rise straight-leg jeans
$430
Available at matchesfashion.com

9) Jimmy Choo
Dreya Denim D’Orsay Espadrilles
$375
Available at Saks