Denim, now in its 144th (ish) year of existence, is one of the most popular fabrics on Earth. The evidence lies all around you. (If you’re searching for concrete examples, allow us to direct your attention to Kendall Jenner’s derrière.)
Of course, as with anything we use to decorate our bodies, denim is not immune to the ebb and flow of trends. In 2014, for the first time ever, sales of jeans in the U.S. (the land of denim devotees like James Dean, Calvin Klein and Rihanna) fell. Had jeans lost their appeal, their aura of stylish insouciance? The Fall 2016 runways said “perhaps, but denim itself hasn’t.” Alexander Wang, Demna Gvasalia, Miuccia Prada and more gave the material new life, shaping it into head-turning parkas, shirtdresses, dusters and suiting.
Sadly, it appears denim’s struggles aren’t over. The Fall 2017 runways were noticeably light on the blue stuff. Famously denim-centric brands like Ellery, Marques ’ Almeida and Acne Studios ditched the material in favor of a more grown-up (read: suiting-heavy) aesthetic. We blame athleisure/fashionable streetwear fatigue. That said, the fabric didn’t completely disappear from the catwalks (nor will it ever). Denim faithfuls like A.P.C., Isabel Marant, Diesel Black Gold and Faustine Steinmetz offered fresh new takes on the Italian-born, American-bred material.
Which leads us to the question of the hour: how will the fashion set be styling its denim come fall? Click through the slideshow above for 64 compelling theories, care of the Fall 2017 runways. (Spoiler alert: Canadian tuxes, superfluous detailing, mom jeans and fun but highly impractical jackets will reign.)
[ Next: Serious Question: Are Skinny Jeans Over? ]
Best Denim Looks for Fall
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Isabel Marant Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Isabel Marant Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Isabel Marant Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Isabel Marant Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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See by Chloe Fall 2017
Image: Courtesy
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See by Chloe Fall 2017
Image: Courtesy
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See by Chloe Fall 2017
Image: Courtesy
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Emilia Wickstead Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Emilia Wickstead Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Paul & Joe Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Paul & Joe Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Paul & Joe Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Toga Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Vanessa Seward Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Diesel Black Gold Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Diesel Black Gold Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Diesel Black Gold Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Diesel Black Gold Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Creatures of Comfort Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Dondup Fall 2017
Image: Courtesy
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Dondup Fall 2017
Image: Courtesy
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A.P.C. Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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A.P.C. Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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A.P.C. Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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A.P.C. Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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A.P.C. Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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A.P.C. Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Off-White Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Off-White Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Off-White Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Matthew Adams Dolan Fall 2017
Image: Courtesy of Shawn Brackbill
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Area Fall 2017
Image: Courtesy of Umberto Fratini
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Area Fall 2017
Image: Courtesy of Umberto Fratini
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Brock Collection Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Courrèges Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Courrèges Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Courrèges Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Faustine Steinmetz Fall 2017
Image: Courtesy
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Unravel Fall 2017
Image: Courtesy
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Unravel Fall 2017
Image: Courtesy
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Adam Selman Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Adam Selman Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Adam Selman Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Adam Selman Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Calvin Klein Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Alexander Wang Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Coach 1941 Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Esteban Cortazar Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Christian Dior Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Christian Dior Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Stella McCartney Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Sacai Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Rachel Comey Fall 2017
Image: Courtesy of Indigital.tv / Alessandro Garofalo
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Rachel Comey Fall 2017
Image: Courtesy of Indigital.tv / Alessandro Garofalo
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The Row Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Tibi Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Linder Fall 2017
Image: Courtesy of Umberto Fratini / indigital.tv
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Dries Van Noten Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Dries Van Noten Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Y/Project Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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House of Holland Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Maison Margiela Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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MSGM Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
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Saint Laurent Fall 2017
Image: Imaxtree
