Men’s denim is an effortless and casual style. Over the years, different trends have defined how consumers have worn denims, from the high-waisted flares of the 1970s to the baggy jeans of skaters to the heyday of skinny jeans and the wider, looser cuts that currently rule the denim world.
Given the timeless appeal of denim, this article will point out the trends in denim washes and finishes for the upcoming autumn/winter so that businesses can boost their catalog with the denim finishes that will be all the rage in this cooler season.
Table of Contents
The market for men’s denims
Five essential men’s denim washes and finishes
Wrapping up
The market for men’s denims
The market for men’s jeans was estimated to be worth around US $56 billion in 2020, and it is projected to hit US $88.1 billion by 2030, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% over this time period.
The rise in white-collar employment, shifting attitudes toward “executive clothing,” and the adoption of jeans as business casual attire are all factors driving the worldwide denim market, together with aspects like innovation in material design and style.
This means growing demand for men’s denims, and a great opportunity for businesses in the fashion retail sector to benefit from this growth.
Five essential men’s denim washes and finishes
Distressed textures
Distressed texture denim features crazy and ingenious styles like the full-on knee cut-outs, statement trouser legs, and the ladder effect.
Over the years, as ripped jeans and trousers have taken over the clothing industry, the denim variety in particular has been kicking things up a notch. Those who adore ripped jeans in all their glory can go for the ladder effect that features horizontal tears along the length of the trouser leg.
This denim style gives a casual, laissez-faire feel, and can be paired well with corduroy or woolen shirts in any solid color.
Another style here worth mentioning is the full-on knee cut-outs or the blown-out knee. These jeans intentionally disregard finesse and class, with the fabric ripped away at the knees, revealing the legs beneath.
As a bonus, they also come as oversized pants—to add that extra layer of rebellion. Men can easily pair these with thick sweaters and hoodies made from either wool or cotton, making them perfect for a winter outfit.
A dynamite blow to this category is the distressed style which looks fairly normal but can be toned up or down easily. It features regular denim, which may be ripped or not, and consumers can top it off with a linen or satin shirt. A silk shirt is also a good alternative, considering it is a lightweight material and complements the style.
Contrast wefts are also popular, and get their name from the monochrome and contemporary colors which make up the look. The ripped jeans are one color, maybe a deep dark blue, and the rips themselves appear to be a lighter shade of blue, allowing them to be more noticeable.
Customers could pair these with shirts or knitted sweaters of a similar color or block them with something unorthodox like purple or gray, depending on preference.
Calming colors
The beauty that comes with the calming color category cannot be overemphasized, with these robust and lighter colors set to be a popular option this fall and winter season.
Layered neutrals are also a great style. They feature several layers of clothing, including denim bottoms, a button-down shirt, and a jacket or top coat. Every layer reflects a different shade of color, allowing them to stand out and blend in simultaneously.
Since these have somewhat specific color combinations, men shouldn’t have a hard time going for an option that best reflects their own personal tastes. And they’re a great choice to be worn at a park, picnic, or for a casual outing with friends.
The acid wash style is another great style as its creative pigmentation and discoloration create a distinct look. These come as a two-piece attire with top and bottom, and can be paired with an undershirt or oversized top.
There’s also the more hip and pop style with this trend that features a weighty denim material in a dense clay brown. They can also come in other solid colors like orange, khaki green or yellow, and dull red.
These pants could be trousers or shirts, which pair well with contrasting colors for undershirts. For the clay browns, a purple shirt would be perfect. For dull red denim, dark blue or ash shirts may seem like the perfect way to go.
Ombres
This is a spectacular denim trend, featuring a stylish use of color gradients. From the dyed shearling to the ocean blue and the distorted dye, these gradients catch the attention of men who want something more eye-catching in the denim wear category.
The soft gradient is an easy style to pull off as it features two contrasting colors. The top fades at the midsection while the pants fade at the knees.
Complementary colors work well because the contrast between them makes the attire more aesthetically pleasing. Examples are red to white, blue to black, brown to orange, and green to a light blue or lilac color.
This distorted dye offers an unorthodox gradient style as it looks more like a tie-dye finish. While ocean blue gradient denim is another great choice, with a fade into a deep sea blue that is daring and beautiful for men who aren’t averse to more feminine colors and finishes.
Extreme embellishments
Denims with embellishments could feature new additions like embroideries and studs along the denim jacket’s sleeves, torso, and back. They could also feature stitched spiral seams in different patterns on the trousers.
The punk studs come in different styles, like incorporating shorts with oversized shirts and jackets to achieve the retro look. The jackets come with metal studs, and the entire outfit can be paired with long socks and dark-colored turtlenecks.
Digital Prints
Digitally printed denim is the closest thing to futuristic denim designs and prints on the market today. From floral to laser finishes, this trend brings a modern touch to the denim community.
Other prints are popular in this category too, like the photoreal. It features statement sleeves on a denim shirt or jacket in one color that match the pants, while the torso and back are different colors. Men can find these denim pants in solid colors like blue, green, lime, and red.
High-definition floral denim doesn’t quite resemble denim, making it unique in its style. They’re made from lightweight fabrics and are constructed to look like a pair of sweatpants or a tracksuit with beautiful floral designs. In the autumn and winter these can be paired with an undershirt or colored scarf to match the denim.
Finally, the laser finish is the definition of futuristic fashion. A crazy mix of fabrics and embroidery for these denims jeans results in stunning patterns that men simply can’t get tired of. The same can be incorporated into denim jackets, which pair well with an undershirt or knitted vest.
Wrapping up
Denim attire remains one of the top picks for autumn and winter fashion this year. Retailers can benefit from this by making sure their catalog is well stocked with the items that people will be looking out for this season.
Ombres are perfect for gatherings and buffets, and the distressed textures look great with layered undercoats.The extreme embellishments are great for less formal gatherings with friends and family, while digital prints are suitable for conferences and business meetings.
Knowing these trends will allow fashion retailers to be well placed to benefit from the growing demand for denims, and boost their sales over the fall and winter period this year.
