Fashion: Denim sings the blues

There’s something about blue denim, especially when it’s aged and beautifully faded, having been washed over and over and become worn in all the right places, so that it has achieved that level of comfortable laundered fineness that means you tend to reach for your jeans first, whenever you can.

Black denim is all very well, and pretty much accepted now as an alternative for those men who cannot bear to wear uniform-style tailored suit trousers (and who can blame them? As if women would put up with having to choose from a fairly unremarkable collection of black and grey trousers, season after season, such as we find on the High Street labelled men’s workwear), but still, there is something about blue.

There has been an explosion of blue denim for this spring and summer, in all its hues from the palest washed blue to the deepest, richest navy. In terms of jeans, it’s a great time to invest in new pairs and to experiment with new styles.

The Seventies continues to hold sway on fashion, so wide legs are a definite option. If you don’t like the idea of all that denim flapping about your ankles, try a pair of fitted, high-waist, ankle crop jeans. They can be surprisingly flattering, and they are going to be a great summer look, with sandals and perhaps just a simple white shirt, or a denim shirt, if you want to do double denim (still perfectly acceptable, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise).

If you prefer skinny jeans, this season’s look is high waist again, and distressed, although not too much – one little razor tear about the knee area is enough. It’s quite a ‘90s feel, if you remember Bros.

The boyfriend jean is a favourite for many women, thanks to a slightly looser and more forgiving cut, although here again, the look is higher waisted and distressed, with some taking on a slightly pegged and cropped fit, tres Paris.

A great deal of thought and expertise has gone into the creation of denim blue tones for this season, and the results have been some quite exquisite shades, especially on the pale and faded palette. Universally perfect for all skin tones, and with a serenity that can only be achieved on denim, it’s worth investing in a denim shirt to maximise the benefits of the colour.

When it comes to denim dresses, there is a real variety on the High Street to consider, from tailored looks in stiff and smart dark denim to weekend-ready, lighter, unstructured styles. Denim shirt dresses continue from last season, and the La Redoute one featured here in dark denim is a perfect summer work dress, but look out also for looser, faded, chambray styles and team with a brown leather belt. There are also plenty of tunic and shift dresses, and pinafore and dungaree dresses to wear with tees and vest tops.

Denim button-through skirts, meanwhile, are making a summer of it, in all lengths from mini to maxi, so just choose to suit. Team with an off-the-shoulder print top or white tailored shirt.

Raw edges are sought after, so make your own or buy ready administered. Floral embroidered and embellished denim jeans and jackets are also a key denim look for the season, and great for those who like to bling it up. For a utility look, team denim with khaki and olive green shirts and jackets

Topshop has just launched a capsule collection in support of Fashion Targets Breast Cancer’s 20th anniversary, with sportswear inspired jersey pieces, lingerie and denim styles including the Mom jeans, £40, available in a limited edition wash. The designs incorporate the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer logo and 30 per cent of all product sales go to support Breast Cancer Now’s lifesaving research.

Twitter: @yorkshirefashQ