The "Dated" Denim Trend I Didn't See Coming

One perennial fact of fashion is that it's constantly drawing inspiration from the past. Nothing is ever wholly new (besides talent)—it's just been repackaged in a way that feels fresh. Once you recognize that fact, it's easy to comprehend when certain pieces, trends, or silhouettes manage to make a comeback. But even with this awareness, the revival of specific items can catch you off guard occasionally. Such was the case for me with the revival of denim accessories.
Denim is far from new, as we see designers take this tried-and-true textile each season and add a trendy twist. When it comes to the prevalence of this fabric, I shouldn't be surprised, yet here I am with my jaw fully agape. And while I'll admit I tend to be a little dramatic, anyone with an excellent memory can recall—and maybe cringe at—how denim reigned supreme in the aughts. It was a time when every It girl (from Beyoncé to Brittney Spears) was wearing a head-to-toe denim look almost to their detriment.
That period is a massive contradiction from the way we've seen this textile used in recent seasons in the form of jeans and maybe the occasional Canadian tuxedo. But with the release of spring/summer 2023 collections and even fall, it became apparent that this fabric has subtly crept off trousers and jackets into accessories. Now, before you opt out of this trend, you'll want to keep reading as I've broken down how it has reemerged on the runway and how the fashion set is styling it. Plus, I've shopped out the 39 best denim shoes, bags, belts, and even hats at every price point.
On the Runway:
Not to sound redundant, but as previously stated, you can always find denim on the runways. In more recent collections, we've not only seen designers use more extensive techniques to revitalize denim, but they've also taken to using the textile for accessories. For example, in Givenchy's spring/summer 2023 collection, Bella Hadid wore a denim bralette and a low-slung matching skirt while carrying an oversize denim hobo bag.
At Diesel, Creative Director Glenn Martens used techniques like distressing to add depth to his denim pieces and had everything from bags to shoes made from fabric. Then, at Sergio Hudson, a denim suit was styled with a matching denim trunk bag from Brandon Blackwood. But it's not just designers that have taken to this trend… so has the fashion set.
On the Fashion Set
Denim is a beloved staple among the fashion set, and we've seen many take this textile and embrace it in the form of accessories. Some have styled complete head-to-toe looks with more trend-forward separates (e.g., relaxed low-slung jeans or denim skirts with moto-inspired denim jackets). Others have used a denim bag, pair of shoes, or belt to break up a look. But no matter which route was taken, it's clear after looking at recent street style images that this formerly "dated" trend has gotten a daring upgrade in the minds of the fashion set. Now, if you're still not sold on this trend, you'll want to keep scrolling to see all the cute denim accessories you can shop online now.
Shop Denim Accessories
The studs on this bag are just subtle enough to give it that '00s feel without overdoing it.
Don't want to commit fully to denim shoes yet? The pairing of a denim strap and wooden heel on this sandal is a perfect balance.
Oh, she's pretty.
You can't round up the best denim accessories without including Diesel's D1 bag.
The raw hem stitching on these boots is sending me.
Another great denim belt!
Next: This Not-So-Subtle Shoe Trend Has Officially Gone Viral—25 Ways to Style It

Jasmine Fox-Suliaman is a freelance writer and editor living in New York City. What began as a pastime (blogging on Tumblr) transformed into a lifelong passion for unveiling the connection between fashion and culture on the internet and in real life. Over the last decade, she's melded her extensive edit and social background to various on-staff positions at Who What Wear, MyDomaine, and Byrdie. More recently, she’s become a freelance contributor to other publications including Vogue, Editorialist, and The Cut. Off the clock, you can find her clutching her cell phone as she's constantly scrolling through TikTok and The RealReal, in search of the next cool thing.
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