My Repeat Buy: Marianne Smyth On Denim
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@SMYTHSISTERS
With denim, your wardrobe choices are endless. I’m that girl who wears jeans to the airport. For me, they just work for every occasion – and it’s so easy to dress denim up or down. When I feel like wearing a smarter outfit, I opt for a darker wash and a straight-leg cut – usually cropped at the ankle – and if it’s an off-duty day, it’s a light wash with a bit of distressing.
My first jeans were the Levi 501 Skinny in ‘Indigo’. They’re about ten years old now but I still have them. I have long legs and a short torso, so they’re the perfect shape for me. The rise comes up to my belly button and the back gives my bum a nice lift – plus, the pocket placement gives it such a good shape.
Denim is always something I can justify buying. I can hand on heart say I wear all my jeans on repeat. If I notice I haven’t worn a pair in a while or have another pair similar, I’ll pass them on to my sister. Each pair serves their own purpose and they’re all different – a slight change in tone, length and fit can completely transform a look. I also have a few pairs that just work with everything and these tend to be the pairs I spend a little more money on.
I’ll buy new jeans if the colour or style is different and appeals to me. If you discover a fit that really works for you, it’s worth buying it in a few colours. I don’t often shop in store – the only time I’ll do that is if I’m in London. I prefer to order online and try them on with pieces I already have in my wardrobe. That way I can judge how much wear I’ll get from them to see if they’re worth keeping.
@SMYTHSISTERS
Denim is one of the hardest items to get right. That said, once you do find the right pair, it’s the best feeling. I also love that my denim fits better the longer I own it – sometimes, when you’re buying new, denim needs a little bit of breaking in to fit you perfectly. A few times I've found the almost-perfect pair, but the back is just a little gape-y – simply throw them in the washing machine and you’ll find it moulds to your body perfectly.
@SMYTHSISTERS
There are a few brands I think do brilliant denim. The first is RE/DONE. I go for the 90s style, mid-wash or the stove pipe. Both seem to fit me like a glove – snug around the bottom and with the perfect loose, but not too loose, straight fit. Next is Agolde. I own so many Agolde jeans, I’d never be able to choose a favourite. Finally, my most cherished denim is from Levi’s. For the price, they just tick all the boxes. The quality also means they’ll last you a lifetime.
I’ve had two denim brand obsessions in the past year. The first is Khaite. I bought my first pair last year – the Danielle style in a cropped dark wash and I love them for winter. They’re one of those pairs that gets better with age. I’m after the same style in a full length and a different colourway this season. Another recent addition came from TOVE. The brand has launched a sustainable denim collection and my pick is the mid-rise Sofie – the perfect relaxed, straight-leg jean.
I prefer tougher, thicker rigid denim. When a pair don’t contain elastin, they hold their shape and look better for longer. My favourite wash is a mid-denim, just a great all-rounder that works in all weathers. In terms of fit, I need my jeans to reach my ankles, especially in autumn. I don’t like anything too cropped in the colder months. I’m also not a fan of distressed denim at this time of year – I save those pairs for spring/summer.
If I had to choose my all-time favourite pair of jeans, it would be my RE/DONE 90s Crop. They’re a mid-denim wash, the perfect length and just look good with everything. I’ve worn them for dressy occasions, the school run and packed them for holidays – if you’re looking to invest, you can’t go wrong with a pair of these jeans.
Follow @SmythSisters on Instagram.
@SMYTHSISTERS
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