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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Peter Bevan

I'm a stylist who lives in double denim — here's how to nail the look

Double denim is one of my favourite outfits to wear around this time of year. My Levi’s set is a staple in my wardrobe right now. The only thing that stops me from reaching for it every day is the shame of wearing the same outfit on repeat (especially as a stylist who literally works in menswear).

A double denim co-ord is a great investment. It’s effortless and it’s versatile — you can wear it with a t-shirt in autumn, and amp up the heat with some knitwear underneath when the cold sets in (which will also add a nice pop of colour). No matter how you style it, you can feel confident that you’re in a strong look from head to toe.

But the question is, how to choose the right two-piece in the first place? Let’s begin with the cut.

As with most menswear classics, denim tends to look best when it’s a little relaxed — a fitted set can start to look a little like you’re cosplaying as Starsky (or was it Hutch?). And if you go for something roomier, there’s plenty of leeway to fit in thicker layers when the chill descends.

Next, you’ve the option of adding a jacket or a shirt to your top half. The former is easier to get right and is a better investment when we’re entering winter. The latter would be a touch more DIY. While there are plenty of jacket sets on the market today, there aren’t as many shirt options, so it would be simpler to head to a thrift store and choose a couple of denim pieces that work together.

Which leads us nicely onto the next question — do the top and bottom have to match? IMHO, they don’t have to be a perfect fit or colour-match, but they should be in the same world: mixing light blue with indigo or two entirely different colours together is a no-no. If they’re fairly close in wash but not an exact match, it should generally work just fine.

The good news is that you can take out all of that dithering out of the equation by buying a set from a brand known for denim. From Agolde with its premium collections to a high street pick from Topman — and, of course, it wouldn’t be a denim round-up without Levi’s — I’ve covered all of the style and price point bases.

Find the best denim co-ords for men below.

Shop now

Levi’s Twist Trucker Jacket & Twisted Baggy Wide Jeans

Twisted trousers for guys are on the up — just look at the most recent collections at cult labels Lemaire and Studio Nicholson for proof. It’s a little detail that gives a wide leg a touch more shape and structure. Luckily, denim expert Levi’s is on the hype too — and they have the trucker jacket (£140) to match.

Buy now £100.00, Levi’s

Topman Relaxed Denim Jacket & Rigid Baggy Jean in Raw

Topman’s collections are going from strength to strength. This denim set is a prime example of what the brand does best — menswear staples in modern silhouettes using textiles which are well worth the price point.

It’s made from a tough, non-stretch denim in dark blue, so perfect for the chilly season. The silhouette’s super relaxed and feels like it would be perfect for anything from a pint at the pub to date night — just dress it up with loafers and some jewellery for the latter.

Jacket, £50 and jeans, £45.

Buy now £50.00, Topman

Agolde Corwin Shirt & Fusion Jeans In Rinse

For premium jeans, LA-based Agolde is your best bet. It’s a celeb and fashion bro favourite — and whenever I use them for a photoshoot, they’re the jeans that always have people asking where they’re from. From the fit to the fabric, they just feel luxe.

My favourite wash right now is ‘rinse’ — and it comes in the Fusion Jean as well as the Corwin Shirt. The sizing runs a little large, though, so if you’re between sizes, I’d recommend sizing down.

Jacket, £380 and jeans, £320.

Buy now £320.00, Agolde

ASOS DESIGN loose straight co-ord in black

ASOS is always a safe bet for contemporary menswear for a great price. This black two-piece is cut to a modern boxy fit using a sturdy non-stretch denim. An easy go-to when you have no idea what to wear. My advice? Lean into the monochrome vibe by pairing it with a black t-shirt.

Shirt, £31.50, and jeans, £35

Buy now £66.50, ASOS

Axel Arigato West Denim Shirt & Twill Relaxed Jeans

Axel Arigato may be best known for sneakers, but the Swedish footwear expert has a strong men’s casualwear collection, too. Take this denim two-piece, for instance.

It’s made using a luxurious heavyweight denim. It has elevated design details like the logo embroidery on the chest pocket and jeans back pocket as well as the subtle topstitching on the buttonholes — and the relaxed silhouette is exactly the right fit for a double denim set.

Jacket, £205, and jeans, £205.

Buy now £205.00, Axel Arigato

Studio Nicholson District Denim Jacket & Seb Denim Pant

Studio Nicholson is one of London’s hypiest cult labels right now. It’s fashion insider catnip because it’s the type of brand which you could wear from head to toe and just look like you get fashion. The fabrics. The silhouettes. The craftsmanship. Everything just works.

This set is a prime example, cut from a 13oz Japanese denim that has been washed to give it a softer texture. The jacket (£425) has a button-up high collar and patch pockets, while the Seb jeans (£350) have a straight leg and a dropped crotch — and both feature the same topstitching detail to tie everything together.

Buy now £775.00, Studio Nicholson

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