Anti-Denim Week

Recently I ran an initiative through my Stevie Style twitter account to go a week without wearing jeans.

I felt it would really help me stretch my sartorial versatility, and I all too often, as so many men do, rely on the legwear stalwart.

The results we’re quite interesting and really helped lift my outfit, adding texture and interest to an area so often neglected, especially by men.

Here are some of the results of my experiment –

(It is also at this point I should point out I, very clearly, am not a photographer, and do need to get one! Any volunteers?)

Grey Pleated Engineered Trousers - Topman Limited, Black Hi-Tops - Converse

One of the more difficult things in breaking away from denim can be the fear of being too formal. However this brings two thing to my attention, firstly there are many great options of casual trousers, with some fine examples, one of which being these by Acne and secondly formality is not to be feared!

Navy Blue Chinos - Dr. Denim, Orange Socks - UniQlo, Deck Shoes - Sperry

I fear men dress in quite a slovenly way on all too often an occasion, we should take pride in the way we dress. This is a notion I have long thought, often erring on the side of formality myself, and one that has been raised by Patrick Grant, the head designer behind the fine Norton and Son and E. Tautz, and highlighted here by Style Salvage.

This is an issue I am going to delve into further in another post as I feel quite passionate about it and don’t want to veer to far from my Anti-Denim week.

Herringbone Trousers - Topman Design, Tan Brogues - Grenson

So back to it! I had some lovely remarks on alternatives and also some confusion from friends, (“Why are you wearing suit trousers?” Oh dear, such friends!) but I ploughed on regardless. I found not wearing denim made me think more about the top half options as well. It prevented me falling back on tried and tested outfits and really experiment. I toyed with some concepts I have been thinking about a lot recently, autumnal rich colours (again partly inspired by this beautiful story on Style Salvage), proportion, silhouette balance and alternative fabrics.

I also took pride in playing with the afore mentioned formality. Dressing casual trousers up, smart trousers down or following the formality of the trousers, be they smart or casual, through the whole outfit.

Unfortunately I didn’t get anyone to take full outfit photos (Ah the benefit of hindsight) but I really enjoyed having a twist on a week and stretching my sartorial horizons.

I have a good few ideas for more limitations that stretch our thoughts, so keep your eyes peeled and join me in the exploration of how we clothe ourselves!

If any of you took part in Anti-Denim week, I’d love to hear/see what you wore and how you found it? I will post your photos and findings! If you didn’t, why not try it yourself this week! Let me know here or you can email me on Stevie.Style09@googlemail.com.