This Dark-Denim Trend Is Making a Comeback This Autumn—5 Ways Elite Dressers are Wearing It Now

Few wardrobe pieces prove to be a real touchstone of the trends, cultural mood and taste levels of a particular moment in time quite like denim does.

Denim, and in turn, jeans, have long been the backbone of many people's wardrobes, and have evolved from a workwear necessity to a full-blown fashion status symbol. Successfully navigating microtrends, fads and changing fashion landscapes over the years, jeans have become the staple item that we all rely on, on an almost daily basis, for weekends, workdays, evening looks and everything in between.

We are all well-accustomed to classic light-blue denim, and its soft, sometimes washed-out and whiskered hue. White denim is also popular, but best saved for days when you won't be anywhere near public transport, children or a cup of coffee. Likewise, black jeans are a tried-and-tested option, and are a favourite of monochromatic dressers and those who want to add a bit of practicality to their after-dark 'fits.

There is a gap here, however, and it's where I've seen indigo jeans emerge as a reinvigorated breakout trend, dipping into the quiet-luxury mood of fashion today, with a pared-back, assured simplicity that evokes a chic and wealth-whispering allure.

Indigo jeans, in addition to dark-blue and navy styles, first became popular in the '90s. Heritage denim labels such as Levi's, Evisu, True Religion, Guess, Diesel and Calvin Klein were the denim brands at the time, aided by a dizzy mix of celebrity influence, streetwear trends, musical tastes and teen culture, and many of them championed indigo, selvedge and dark-denim styles. Like many '90s influences (see slip dresses, baby tees and barely-there strappy kitten heels), indigo jeans have come back around once more, but are now being viewed through a more contemporary lens.

I asked stylist and denim expert Kelly Harrington which brands are doing them best today. "Nudie Jeans are not only sustainable but excel in dark indigo, particularly the Clean Eileen in Classic Blue, which is dark but rinsed for comfort," she tells me. "I also love COS's dark denim barrel shape, Aligne's Rigid Barrel and Weekday's Blue Rinse Astro Loose. For a lifetime investment piece, Blackhorse Lane Ateliers creates handmade jeans in the UK."

These brands are now scratching the itch of cool, classic and modern denim, which harks back to the washes, fits and silhouettes of fashion's favourite decade.

Denim expert Kelly Harrington wears an indigo double-denim outfit.

A great alternative to classic blue and black styles, indigo jeans are on the rise for good reason this autumn. "Dark-indigo denim is a timeless classic that's both smart and casual, making it perfect for day-to-night wear," notes Harrington. "Indigo is incredibly versatile; these jeans are often unwashed, allowing you to create personalised fades and whiskers that reflect your unique wear patterns." The more you wear indigo jeans, the more they'll fit your shape and develop a well-loved patina.

What about how to wear them? "I style them in several ways," says Harrington. "With a matching denim jacket for a coordinated look, or paired with dressier tops for elevated casual wear. I personally love pairing my dark denim with a classic shirt and a pair of flats or kitten heels."

Scroll on now to see how the fashion set is bringing this trend back from the archives, and our pick of the best indigo jeans to shop now.

1. Sweatshirt + Indigo Jeans + Suede Bag

Style Notes: Wide-leg jeans and a tee will always be a reliable combo. Now that the temperature has dipped, you may need to add a sweatshirt out of necessity. A deep shade of blue denim grounds autumnal tones like caramel, mocha, olive and chocolate, so take notes from Monikh Dale (pictured above) and play with colours seen in nature. A suede bag and elevated flip-flops on a surprise warm early-autumn day (or loafers, which are probably more realistic) give this look a casual finish, which is spot on for relaxed weekends.

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2. Striped T-shirt + Indigo Jeans + Loafers

Style Notes: Go perfectly Parisienne with a dark-wash, straight-leg pair of jeans with a Breton tee, loafers and a bucket bag. This simple look has stood the test of time (thank you, Jane Birkin!) and is still extremely chic. Indigo denim works with this look as it eschews trends in favour of a classic feel, which Abisola Omole models here marvellously.

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3. Blazer + Indigo Jeans + Leather Accessories

Style Notes: Proving indigo denim can work for the office too, Alexis Foreman pairs hers with a blazer, blouse and pointed-toe heeled boots for a look that means business. The jeans bring an otherwise stuffy look into the here and now. Add pared-back black accessories for a minimalist feel.

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4. Denim Jacket + Indigo Jeans + Mesh Flats

Style Notes: If in doubt, go double denim. What's key about Marianne Smyth's look here is that the jacket and jeans are in the exact same wash. This gives the look real intention and direction, as well as room for you to play with accessories in a fun way, if you wish. So many brands do cool and wearable denim co-ords these days, so keep your eyes peeled for matching separates if you want to achieve something similar. I love a one-and-done look like this; it's great for days when you can't decide what to wear, but still want to feel polished and cool.

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5. Long Coat + Indigo Jeans + Heeled Boots

Style Notes: Indigo denim also pairs well with cool tones, as Div Ravindran demonstrates here. Navy, charcoal grey and icy blue make for a chic colour palette to toy with, and for something to throw it off, a burgundy leather boot helps draw the eye down. Go long with the jeans so they puddle in that super-chic just-enough way around the ankles.

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