15 Dope Ways to Rock Denim Right Now

Image via Complex Original

Bomber by Levi’s Vintage Clothing, $330, available at levi.com

Hat by Stampd LA, $140, available at stampd.com

Instead of the usual nylon, this 1950s-inspired MA-1 bomber jacket is made in 2x1 lightweight sky blue denim with cotton/wool rib cuffs and collar. So while it's not as historically accurate as its predecessors, at least it looks pretty cool. Its classic short fit is great for layering longer tees under, while vintage details like a Talon zipper will appease even the most discriminating repro nerds.

Shirt by Longjourney, $495, available at barneys.com

Jeans by Natural Selection, $200, available at naturalselectionlondon.com

Hand-pieced in Los Angeles by re-purposing vintage fabrics and deconstructed clothing, Longjourney creates garments that are truly one-of-a-kind. And we mean that in the "literally, no two pieces are alike" kind of way. This shirt is crafted of mixed-weave patchwork in various shades of blue, and the unique nature of each shirt ensures your homies won't break the G-code if they cop the same piece.

Workman Jacket by Nudie Jeans, $299, available at mrporter.com

Pants by Saturdays NYC, $118, available at saturdaysnyc.com

Sneakers by Vans, $70, available at vans.com

Inspired by a classic 20th century French worker jacket, the chore coat is a workwear staple rocked by Paul Newman and Bill Cunningham alike. The Swedish denimheads at Nudie produced this jacket in a 100% organic Turkish denim with beautiful greencast indigo shade with a wash that gives it a bright blue hue. It makes a statement without screaming "look at me!" Though, you may want to avoid wearing a crisp white tee underneath, unless you feel like getting indigo on it.

Jeans by Paige Denim, $189, available at paige.com 

Sweater by Bonobos, $118, available at bonobos.com

Shoes by Joe Fresh, $39, available at joefresh.com

These ain't your run-of-the-mill black jeans. Paige takes innovation to the next level with Heat Reflect Denim. These jeans feature unique fibers that wick away moisture and a patented top coating that blocks heat. So much for that thing about black absorbing all heat. Take that, science.

Painted Jeans by Ralph Lauren Denim & Supply, $198, available at denimandsupply.com

Shirt by Lucio Castro, $220, available at ronherman.com

Shoes by Joe Fresh, $39, available at joefresh.com

Carpenter jeans got a bad rap thanks to the '90s. Leave it to Ralph Lauren Denim & Supply to channel the best parts of the hardy pants and a finish that looks like Jackson Pollock meets Sid Vicious. You don't need to know an oil paint from a watercolor to make these look good, just keep everything else in your kit simple.

White Jeans by H&M, $50, available at hm.com

Shirt by H&M, $35, available at hm.com

Sneakers by Common Projects, $420, available at thecorner.com

All white isn't just for when you're feeling godly, the tonal look is much easier to wear than you think. Don't go for an exact match, it's all about colors that complement each other. Unlike trying to put together a suit from a jacket and pants that are almost-but-not-quite the same, you want a bit of contrast between your layers. It's actually tackier to go for the head-to-toe Pantone match—it makes you look like a Backstreet Boy.

Moto Jeans by True Religion, $328, available at truereligon.com

Jacket by Club Monaco, $178, available at clubmonaco.com

T-shirt by The White Briefs, $56, available at thewhitebriefs.com

Under the helm of campaign creative director Russell Westbrook, True Religion's got a few solid swishes under its belt lately. Case in point? These slim-fitting moto jeans with a lived-in gray wash and subtle branding. Pair them with a leather jacket and dark T-shirt for a foolproof look that works just about anywhere. 

Gap, $60, available at gap.com

Beef up your boring chambray with a patterned denim shirt. This one from Gap features an allover raindrop print that draws attention to details like the white buttons and crisp buttondown collar. Rock this buttoned all the way up with a pair of raw denim—untucked, duh.

Shoes by Jimmy Choo, $725, available at jimmychoo.com

Sweater by Club Monaco, $180, available at clubmonaco.com

Jeans by Cocurata, $240, available at cocurata.com

Believe it or not, Jimmy Choo also offers some fire handmade kicks for dudes, too. The Prescott is an Italian-made oxford shoe with a denim upper. Sort of like the plain dress shoes you'd wear with jeans anyway, but made of a washed denim material.

Hat by Saturdays NYC, $45, available at saturdaysnyc.com

Shirt by Saturdays NYC, $108, available at saturdaysnyc.com 

Washed denim caps and warm weather style go hand-in-hand, and this one from Saturdays NYC mixes '90s style with a bit of modern streetwear tastes, like the luxe leather strapback and the contrast brim.

Topman, $75, available at topman.com

Cardigan by Lucio Castro, $460, available at luciocastro.com

T-shirt by Welcome Stranger, $42, available at welcomestranger.com

Sneakers by Common Projects, $420, available at thecorner.com

If it's warm outside and you don't have at least one pair of almost-destroyed denim in your closet, you're bricking it. Thankfully, Topman went ahead and did most of the work for you in this pair that lets you get your grunge steez on, and the best thing? They're under a hundred bucks. Rock them with a chunky cardigan, loose-fitting tee, and subtle kicks to channel the GOAT, Kurt Cobain.

Jacket by Won Hundred, $330, available at eastdane.com

Jeans by Won Hundred, $265, available at wonhundred.com

Shoes by Gap, $40, available at gap.com

Won Hundred takes the trucker jacket and takes it to a whole new level of blue, coating it so it molds to your skin and breaks in over time, resulting in a jacket that's 100% your own.

Jeans by Junya Watanabe, $1,735, available on mr.porter.com

Shirt by Lucio Castro, $220, available on luciocastro.com

Levi's and Junya Watanabe are no strangers to collaboration, and this iteration of their partnership references the Japanese art of "boro," aka fabric collaging. The resulting patchwork denim gets its beauty from the wabi-sabi nature of it all—perfection in imperfection, etc. But at the end of the day: It just looks really cool.

Jeans by 7 For All Mankind, $198, available at 7forallmankind.com

Trench Coat by COS, $175, available at cosstores.com

Shirt by COS, $99, available at cosstores.com

Ever break in a pair of denim to the perfect fade, only to have it be ruined several washes later? First off—don't wash your jeans so often. Second, try 7FAM's triple blue No Fade Denim. Processed with a unique rinse that helps these jeans retain their shade, they're then coated to make sure they stay that way.

Trechcoat by Burberry Prorsum, $2,095, available at burberry.com

Shirt by Lucio Castro, $220, available at americanrag.com

Jeans by Gap, $70, available at gap.com

Burberry Prorsum is the British trench maker's forward-thinking fashion collection. It takes the label's storied coats and breathes new life into them by mixing around materials, fits, and fabrics. That's how you end up with things like this amazing Japanese selvedge denim trench coat. Double-breasted with a belted waist and contrast stitching, it may not keep the rain at bay, but at least it'll keep your steez intact.