By Julie Davis
Fold your favorite dark wash jeans and stack them away for another season. This spring, denim is taking a colorful turn, in shades of green, red, purple, cobalt and turquoise, as well as an assortment of neon and soft pastels.
“Color in general is a huge trend for spring, and colored denim provides an easy and widely accessible way to achieve the look,” says Monique DeLorenzo, assistant merchant for Nirvana, a popular clothing and accessories boutique with locations in Red Bank and Pier Village, and arguably the local authority on denim. The trend, she adds, is extremely universal too, with an extensive variety of color options appealing to women of all ages.
“Our older clients get the look by trying subtle colors that don’t venture too far from regular denim. Royal purple and forest green are excellent choices for the woman who wants to dabble in the trend,” notes DeLorenzo. “Bright hues, like pink, orange and cobalt are best suited for the younger-set or for the confident woman who doesn’t mind calling attention to herself.”
Stepping out in bright denim will certainly turn heads, which makes fit and color selection all the more essential. “Darker denim is definitely more flattering, but the most important thing to pay attention to is the fit when wearing colored jeans,” says DeLorenzo. She suggests women with wide hips or a slight tummy opt for a pair with a thicker waistband to prevent bumps. Embellished pockets are a plus for women who want to accentuate their backside; be sure the pockets don’t sit too low or you’ll highlight the wrong area of the body. Boot cut and flare are traditionally the most slimming styles because they make the body appear more proportionate.
As for shade selection: Regardless of cut or style, dark denim is more forgiving and helps to disguise any less-than-perfect areas. Plum, brick red, hunter green and even cobalt create the illusion of a longer, leaner silhouette. Lighter shades, like light blue, soft pink or peach, tend to accentuate and highlight the lower body, especially if the jean is fitted.
No matter what color you slip into, DeLorenzo says to treat colored jeans much like you would your everyday dark wash denim. Pair them with whatever is in your closet—a blazer for an effortless look by day or a black blouse and heels for a night out. She also recommends tone-on-tone color blocking. “Pair a red pant with a pink top, or blue with green. It may sound crazy but it works and looks great,” she says.
