Gucci S/S 20 collection
Patchwork denim will always have a nostalgic charm to me. The splicing of fabrics and intentional scruffiness makes it feel like a project I'd have taken on in week five of summer holidays after watching one too many episodes of That '70s Show. However, this humble denim trend has, against all odds, been slowly making its way into luxury collections. In 2020, Celine brought us the patchwork button-front miniskirt, Gucci created an epic blazer pieced together with numerous swatches and, most recently, Victoria Beckham has brought us two-tone flared jeans.
All patchwork denim tends to have a '70s sensibility, playing with silhouettes such as flares and wide-leg jumpsuits, which were all popular in that decade. Thanks to the DIY element, this is a trend that really lends itself to upcycling and reusing fabrics, and Fanfare is one label that uses offcuts from designer rugs to add patches to jeans, stopping them from being sent to landfill. You can also send the brand a pair of your own jeans for it to customise and add patches onto.
Keep scrolling for ideas for wearing the patchwork denim trend and then our edit of the coolest pieces we could find.
How to Wear Patchwork Denim
Style Notes: This patchwork maxi skirt looks amazing with this camel leather jacket.
Style Notes: Here, double denim is taken to the max, with a patchwork denim shirt layered underneath a denim jacket.
Style Notes: One of our favourite ways to wear this trend is jeans with patches of printed fabric sewn onto them.
Style Notes: More proof that patchwork denim looks amazing paired with jeans.
Style Notes: For a simple take on patchwork denim, this dark-wash jumpsuit with contrasting denim panels is beautiful.
Shop Patchwork Denim
Next up, See our guide to the key denim trends for 2021.
-
My Mom Is in Her 50s and Asked Me for Fashion Advice—8 ChicReplica Store Outfits I Put Together for Her Under $425Outdated prints and "ugly" shoes included.
-
No, Really—This Denim Color Is Easier to Style Than Blue *and* Black JeansAnd everyone with taste is wearing it with loafers for fall.
-
From Sweden to London: The Surprising Jeans Color European Fashion People Are Reaching for This FallHere's how to pull it off.
-
It's Controversial (I Know), But Frequent Fashion Flyers Swear By This Jeans Outfit for Long FlightsIt involves an elegant leather coat and chic luggage.
-
If You Pair Your Flared Jeans With One of These 6 Things, I Like Your Personal StyleThe key to winning me over.
-
Fashionable People Would Like These Fall Trends From Amazon's October Prime DaySee the affordable yet chic finds.
-
Just so You Know, These Are the Cult-Favorite Hailey Bieber Approved Jeans Every Celeb Is WearingSpotted on Kendall Jenner and Dakota Johnson, too.
-
If You Plan to Cuff Your Jeans This Fall, Only Do It With *This* Specific Denim Wash and *These* ShoesEveryone with good taste is wearing cuffed denim this way.
