the return of jeans

Welcome to clipboard, a weekly newsletter about fashion, hospo and Tāmaki Makaurau, by Reilly Hodson. This week: a non-denim-nerd wears jeans and likes them a lot. If you enjoy this newsletter, share it with your friends, and consider supporting an independent consumerist by subscribing (with money) below.

turns out, jeans are good

There is a certain type of menswear fan, more prevalent in the early ‘10s but still around today, that is completely insufferable about jeans. They don’t wash their jeans, they swim in them, wear them until they stand up, all that, in the service of a pair of jeans that is entirely unique, and nicely faded to show the way they wear them.

I am not that type of menswear fan. I own two pairs of jeans, neither of which are “raw,” or “selvage,” and I much prefer a uniform wash on them to permanent creases and fades. To be honest, most of them time I don’t wear jeans at all.

This week, I made a conscious effort to switch that up. I’d just bought a new pair of 501s from Paul at Doran and Doran, in preparation for a blazer I’ve bought that I’m still a little unsure how to style, so I decided to have a go at wearing them to the office. I then proceeded to wear jeans every single day this week, with a brief break when I graduated (I figured a suit was more appropriate for that particular occasion).

One of my favourite ever outfits is one Ralph Lauren wore once, a Tuxedo jacket with a bow tie on top, paired with stonewashed jeans and cowboy boots. It’s a singular look, one that takes the idea that jeans are a garment for every occasion to its most ridiculous endpoint. I love the look not because I would ever wear it, but because it prioritises personal style and function over adherence to a fusty dress code.

At their best, jeans are comfortable and appropriate for every occasion, which is what I’ve discovered as I’ve worn them in client meetings, to a family dinner, and down the road for coffee. You can pair them with a blazer (more on that when this new blazer shows up), sneakers, dress shoes, loafers (they look GREAT with loafers, if the fit is right), a crew neck or a graphic tee and they’ll look right at home. They can push the boundary a little, but they’re still just jeans, which excellent.

The most important thing when buying jeans, though, is the fit. I’ve come more and more to the knowledge that New Zealanders, and particularly men, are more or less blind to fit and silhouette. This article on Put This On opened my eyes to figuring out those topics. Whether something fits isn’t a yes or no question, it’s a question of what you’re looking for, and what works with your body.

Too often we focus on the fabric, make sure something isn’t too tight, and call it a day. The way something looks is just as important, particularly with trousers and jeans. For me, my fit of choice for jeans is in line with a 90s Levi’s 501. The two jeans I own are literally a Levi’s version of the 90s 501, and a Supreme version of the 90s 501. They won’t be for everyone, but what I love about those jeans is that they fit slim and straight, with a high enough rise that they look great with a tucked tee or collared shirt, with a hem that hits but doesn’t pool at my shoes.

Anyway, other people probably knew this already, but jeans are worthy of being taken seriously and thought about with a discerning eye. Whether that means finding a perfect blue wash to wear in the office, a rugged raw pair that conforms to your body, or the perfect vintage fit to pair with a band tee is up to you.

clips

• Monty’s, a Wellington-based store that does vintage (hand-me-down) clothes and locally made homewares, has opened an Auckland outpost on Durham Street East, featuring goods from Oscar Wool, Biddy Knits, Pearly Club and more!

• My favourite cafe, Daily Daily, has linked up with Checks Downtown for a very cool long sleeve tee, pick it up at the cafe.

• Metro Magazine has announced their Top 50 Restaurants list, and it is a really cool list filled with great restaurants that run the gamut from very chill to very fancy.

• New local fashion alert! Olivia Cashmore is a new brand that I know nothing about, except that they make cool clothes, made-to-order, in fun fabrics and colours.

• The House of Gucci movie looks extremely cool

That’s all for clipboard this week, thanks for reading! I’ll see you again next Sunday, same time, same place. In the meantime, share clipboard with your friends, and feel free to get in touch, I love getting reader emails. If you’d like to contribute to the Clipboard Annual Issue 1, due very soon, flick me an email or DM ASAP!