Whatever the catwalks say dark denim is always a great investment

Dark denim has been a hit among street style stars all year and there’s plenty of it in stores whatever your budget. It’s an investment you won’t regret.

There are two sides to every catwalk story, and while there was a strong denim narrative throughout the SS19 collections, it could be divided neatly into two very separate tales. You’ve probably heard far more about stonewashed, 1980s-inspired jeans this season than you have about the trend for darkly rich denim in refined silhouettes. Designers’ retro vision of denim caught everyone’s imagination; who doesn’t enjoy a bolt of nostalgia now and again? But it’s a tough look to pull off. Acid-washed denim can so easily look cheap, while the rocket man shoulders and voluminous sleeves typical of the 1980s that appeared at Balmain and Lemaire can be a tricky sartorial tightrope to tread.

Dark tailored denim, however, will do you nothing but favours – it slims, it elongates and it’s suitable for the office as much as for an evening out. It won’t look dated next year when designers decide that 1980s retro is out and something else equally challenging is in. Apart from all that, Victoria Beckham wears it. That’s all I need to know. Toga and Alexa Chung served up deliciously deep tones of indigo denim this season, Chung adding crisp white visible stitching for a smart point of difference.

In terms of designer brands, I’ve always loved the indigo washes from J Brand and have found they’ve washed beautifully over several years, only fading evenly and gently over time. Overleaf are the high street stores with the best dark washes right now, available in a variety of styles. Do remember that tailored doesn’t – and more often than not, shouldn’t – mean tight. I like to feel I can breathe in my jeans, so I’m leaning towards an inky hued pair of denims with a loosely fitted silhouette. The slightly more louche fit looks chic and feels a little more contemporary. I’ll pair them with white boots for now.