Skinny or loose? The denim debate

Feb 9 2012 Advertisement Feature

If you’re looking to expand your denim wardrobe, it can be difficult to decide which style, fit or brand of jeans best suits you. Of all the denim cuts, though, many of us are leaning closer and closer towards what were once considered alternative styles; particularly the skinnier and looser fits.

Despite becoming commonplace nowadays, these opposing styles are still among the most intimidating to try out for the first time. They’re unusual and audacious – but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give them a try. Skinny jeans, in particular, are a daring choice that look fab if worn the right way. They’re modern and edgy – and show no signs of falling out of fashion any time soon.

You don’t have to be particularly tall to pull them off either; in fact, skinny jeans – as the name suggests – can be incredibly slimming. The most slimming denim colours are the dark washes like indigo, black, navy and dark grey. Pair these with a light coloured top for a bit of contrast and a stylish statement.

Loose fit jeans can vary in style from worker jeans to drop-crotch, but are generally more widely associated with comfort and flexibility, while skinny jeans can be notoriously constricting and tricky to remove.
So, once you’ve decided to take the drainpipe plunge or settle for the comfort of a looser fit, the tricky part can be deciding on your brand. Price, denim quality and durability can vary tremendously from brand to brand, so it’s important that you find the best brand for your requirements.

If quality is your number one criteria, Firetrap jeans have recently been named by GQ Magazine as the best jeans money can buy. Firetrap is a premium brand that offers exceptional materials and durability, as well as a stylish look. Levis jeans are another dynamic premium brand that offer outstanding quality and unbeatable style.

If pricing is an issue, however, other brands may suit your needs more. Voi jeans are sharp and fashionable, and slightly more affordable than other premium brands. They also specialise in loose fitting denim, so if skinny isn’t your thing, you may be on to a winner.