Fashion Trend Guide

Everybody has a favourite pair of jeans. Some people have several. Why not? They are the most versatile wardrobe staples in your closet. Denim is having a major moment in fashion right now. This spring, take a look at your collection and switch up your go-to blues for some of-themoment denim trends.

Before we start talking about colours, prints, fades and washes, the most important thing in a great pair of jeans is the fit. If you have ever had to lie down on your bed and hold your breath in order to zip up your skinny jeans, you know where I'm going with this. In order to be comfy and flattering (which is what jeans are for), they have to fit you right. One thing I know I'm guilty of is hanging on too long to jeans that don't fit and won't fit again. Accepting you have a problem is the first step. Realizing that just because your pant size has increased doesn't mean you can't look fab in your jeans is the ultimate goal. You will look slimmer 100 per cent of the time if you are wearing the right size than if you try to squeeze yourself into too-tight jeans. Lucky for us, relaxed fit and “boyfriend” styles are surging in popularity this spring.

Once you've made sure that you know the best size and style to flatter your body type, you can experiment with denim trends happening this season. Coloured denim is an easy way to brighten up your look. Trade in your trusty dark wash denim for a purple, pink or mint green pair. The colour palette for spring has a lot of pastels. In most cases, these light colours will function as neutrals in an outfit, so that makes dressing even easier, as you can wear any top you like.

A twist on the coloured denim trend is the printed denim trend. This look is a little bit trickier to pull off, because you have to be more conscious when choosing your top. It's always a good idea to go with a basic top in a plain colour when working with printed pants. Popular prints include florals, polka dots, stripes and stars. Printed jeans are a funky way to jazz up your casual look and instantly up your cute-factor.

That being said, a good ol' pair of baby blues is never out of fashion. If you want to go for a beachy, downtown cool vibe this summer, look no further than deconstructed, vintagelooking denim. These babies are worn in all the right places, carefully ripped to make it look accidental, and fit you like a glove. Whether they're full-length, cropped to the ankle or shorts, it is this writer's opinion that it's always best to go with a more relaxed fit when choosing deconstructed denim. Let's just say that when your thigh is popping out of the holes in your super-skinny jeans, it is a less than desirable effect. Not that I've had that experience...

Now that you have a whole new wardrobe of jeans to buy, you can consider other ways to bring some denim into your life. The ever-popular jean jacket, which has stood the test of time from James Dean to Madonna to Kurt Cobain to Alexa Chung, is a must-have. Update the style for this season by looking for “moto” inspired versions. Another way to work denim into your look is through the denim shirt. Once reserved for cowboys and manual labourers, button-down denim tops are a cool and casual way to top off your look.