While it's often credited to the 90s, it was actually the 70s and 80s which saw a rise in the double denim trend. This style period was known for its sequins and glamour, and the iconic 1980s double denim look was often seen on celebs such as Blondie front-woman Debbie Harry and the Charlie's Angels.
Denim on Denim
Another denim trend, this look was extremely popular for men growing up in the '80s. Whether it was a denim jacket over jeans or a denim Oxford shirt tucked into your acid wash jeans, the double denim look epitomized cool at the time.
Double denim has been around long before the fabled and oft-criticised 90s. Precisely because of its long history, pairing denim with denim is fraught with danger. Putting a modern twist on this risky classic is simple when we learn from the mistakes of those bygone eras.
In the 80s, the baggy, high-waisted jeans we know as mom jeans were just called jeans. They were worn by everyone from models to pop stars. But as they went out of style in the 90s, the baggy, blue, and belted high-rise jeans had become a staple in the wardrobe of suburban moms instead.
A fashion phenomenon associated with the 70s and 80s, as seen on Blondie front-woman Debbie Harry and sported by Charlie's Angels, the origins of double denim root back to the 1950s.
The '90s denim jeans had the focus on wide-leg style and long inseam with a puddle at the ankle to make that little girl look tall. For more dramatic fits, darker wash and longer seams did the trick. The bell-bottom flare is now shaped in different ways including patches and extra wide flares.
The era, characterized by rebellion and individuality, found its creative outlet in fashion, and white denim set the stage for new beginnings, offering a clean slate. Since then, the style has evolved beyond its humble hippie beginnings, becoming a fashion staple in the '80s and '90s.
90's fashions often emphasized casual chic and simple comfort, letting 90's trends easily translate to a modern wardrobe. You'll find flannels, babydoll and floral dresses, over-sized tee shirts, Baja pull-overs, trench coats, 1960's hippie- and mod-inspired items, denim jackets, hip-hop inspired garments and more.
Slip dresses, bomber jackets, scrunchies and plaid flannel shirts were all the rage during the '90s — and many of these fashion trends are working their way back into vogue (although some of these pieces may have never left your closet).
The '90s was a golden era of pop culture and music. Characterized by casual outfits, bright colors, crop tops, baggy pants, graphic tees, slip dresses, and denim overalls, many '90s fashion trends are still stylish today. Athleisure and streetwear (popularized globally in the '90s) are as popular as ever.
“The early 2000s were an interesting time in fashion and there's no denying that double double (quintuple?) denim look will go down in history as one of the most iconic looks in red carpet history.
Denim Jackets: Oversized denim jackets adorned with patches and pins were a staple in 90s wardrobes. Today, they are a go-to outerwear piece for adding a touch of nostalgia to any outfit.
By the 1980s, double denim had become a full-blown fashion trend, with designers and brands like Calvin Klein and Levi's releasing collections featuring the style. However, the trend eventually fell out of favour in the 1990s, as grunge and minimalist fashion took over.
A "Canadian tuxedo" (also known as "double denim") is a colloquial term for wearing a jean shirt or denim jacket with jeans. The term reportedly originated in 1951 after Bing Crosby was refused entry to a hotel in Vancouver, British Columbia, because he was wearing a denim top and denim bottoms.
Bleached and ripped jeans or black leather pants will bring back all those '80s vibes! To complete your outfit, throw on a tight t-shirt with ripped-off sleeves or a spandex tank top - then accessorize with a long-haired wig for that iconic hair metal style.
But the '90s style of bandana-wearing was actually first popularized in the 1970s, donned by self-proclaimed hippie women and the likes of Dolly Parton. The style was also worn in the '80s by Guns N' Roses singer Axl Rose, though that is an entirely different story.
Velour, velvet, and polyester were popular fabrics used in clothes, especially button-up and v shirts. Looser pants remained popular during this time, being fairly wide but straight, and tighter shirts were especially popular, sometimes in a cropped athletic style.
Many women wore denim button-down Western shirts, colored jeans in medium and dark green, red, and purple, metallic Spandex leggings, halterneck crop tops, drainpipe jeans, colored tights, bike shorts, black leather jackets with shoulder pads, high waisted ankle length jeans (aka mom jeans) and pants both styled plain ...
Neon colors evoke the '90s because they symbolize a time when things felt simpler and more carefree. The culture back then leaned into fun, exaggerated visuals — especially in anything geared toward kids and teens. These visual markers become cultural shorthand for a moment in time. Neon = '90s.
While it's often credited to the 90s, it was actually the 70s and 80s which saw a rise in the double denim trend. This style period was known for its sequins and glamour, and the iconic 1980s double denim look was often seen on celebs such as Blondie front-woman Debbie Harry and the Charlie's Angels.
Some popular denim brands of the decade were Pepe Jeans, Levi's, Guess, Marithé + François Girbaud, Versace, Moschino and Jean Paul Gaultier. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of vintage jeans.