‘Denim to the Max’: A New Approach to this Year’s Double Denim Trend

BY HUSNA DAWJEE
2 days ago
3 min read

Photo: Elie Saab SS25

Ditch your florals because we are going all in on denim – double denim. From ombres to rosette embroideries, fashion is seeing a revival of denim jackets and skirts. Double denim, experts believe, will take the 2025 season by storm but with a twist.

The spring/summer 2025 fashion shows reacquainted us with double denim, or denim-on-denim. In-house designers like Stella McCartney and Ralph Lauren did not hold back, experimenting with new ways to style and drape the sturdy fabric. Some designs felt novel, like Ralph Lauren’s three-piece denim suit, other’s felt exciting like Chanel’s diamante denim shirt-trouser set. But Elie Saab’s denim couture gowns were just extravagant, embellished with fringe beading and 3D florals.

Denims are staple pieces, the foundation of one’s closet. But every now and again, the trend shifts, leaving us wondering how to style it. The best way to style denim is by doubling it; matching a pair of denim jeans and a denim jacket with a crisp, white T-shirt. To add a personal touch, you could choose sneakers with a pop of colour or striking heels. A statement belt works just as well, or chunky jewellery. While some prefer the oversized, large-proportioned jackets, others gravitate towards the low-rise, skinny jeans. Either way, denim can be paired with almost anything!

In their ‘Save What you Love’ collection, Stella McCartney presented a range of organic shapes and soft tones. The spring/summer 2025 ready-to-wear line included a variety of denims and blues. A stand-out piece from the collection was the two-tone, denim coat and baggy trousers. The front of the coat and trousers was glittered in grey. Similarly, Chanel showcased their spring/summer 2025 collection with a series of feathers, tweeds and pastels. Although denim was not a reoccurring motif, a dark denim tuxedo was spotted, paired with a multi-coloured, chiffon cape. The denim, buttoned shirt and flared trousers underneath was studded in pastel diamantes.

Photo: Chanel, 2024 | Mccartney, 2024

With maximalism slowly making an appearance, when we combine the two, it makes for a whole new trend to obsess over – ‘denim to the max’.

‘Denim to the max’ is not just about pairing denim on denim. It is not even the return of the Canadian tuxedo. Rather it is the layering of denim fabrics and hues with contrasting patterns, accessories and styles. Styles like lace and ruffles, diamante and patterns like plaid.

Maximalism is about going all out, and denim is best suited for this experiment. In 2024, Blake Lively starred in the film adaptation of It Ends With Us as Lily Bloom, and it was the talk of the town. Lively was criticized for her unusual costume choices, grouping denim blues with plaid and patchwork. Although many, particularly BookTok fans, felt that Lively’s fashion choices diverged from the character’s original description, her outfits for Lily Bloom were stylish and pretty much on-trend with the current fashions.

Dating back to the 2000s, there are many celebrities who have expressively styled denim-on-denim. If you want to stay on trend this season, we suggest that you try double denim. But if you really want to up your fashion game, push it to the max. Below are 6 of our favourite denim-on-denim moments: