How to rock the Canadian tuxedo: 5 Style Panel tips for wearing all over denim
Ah, the Canadian tuxedo. Some love it and wear it well, others live in constant fear of looking like Britney and Justin when doing an all-demin look. Well, this week the Style Panel is all about converting any Canadian tuxedo naysayers into advocates for the look. The number one tip for trying all-denim is to make sure there’s some colour mixing going on. If you’re wearing dark jeans, pair it with a light-wash chambray shirt. And should you think this is a weekend-only look, think again: sharp tailoring and modern silhouettes can make all over denim a welcome mid-week style.
Question 99: How do you wear all over denim? Read the answers now! »
BECKY KUNG, CALGARY | JILL LANSKY, VANCOUVER | KAYLA SHORT, HALIFAX | ELODIE PARTHENAY, MONTREAL | LEONIE MARKHORST, VANCOUVER |
Elodie Parthenay, 26
Montreal | Hello Elo
I live and breathe denim, so a little denim-on-denim action is basically Tuesday for me. When it comes to the Canadian tuxedo, the biggest challenge is avoiding looking like an extra from Beverly Hills, 90210 (yes, the original one): don’t pair two light blues, and go for modern cuts – think skinny jeans, or a fitted jacket. Bonus tip: a pair of heels in a colorful pattern will add a nice pop!
Elodie’s wearing: Diane Von Furstenberg platform sandals, DIY Levi’s denim jacket, DIY Second Denim jeans, Vintage Harley Davidson T-shirt, Necklaces from nOir Jewelery and ARMED
Leonie Markhorst, 26
Vancouver, BC | The Signature Bow
Denim is definitely a staple in my wardrobe – I practically wear jeans every single day throughout each season. To me, denim is not necessarily a casual wardrobe item, it can easily be dressed up or down with the right details. The same goes for a Canadian tuxedo. You may think of a denim jacket paired with some bootcut jeans in the same light wash – not an easy look to pull off for everyone (and personally not my favourite play on this country’s tuxedo).
Instead, I like to swap the denim jacket for a chambray shirt, and wear it with a pair of tailored jeans in a slightly darker wash (or even pick grey denim!). It is a fresh take on the traditional Canadian tuxedo and a lot more versatile when styled with the right accessories.
Leonie’s wearing: Old Navy chambray shirt, & Other Stories jeans, Shoemint heels, Zara chain bag, Michael Kors watch
Jill Lansky, 26
Vancouver | The August Diaries
Like any good Canadian girl, I love the Canadian tuxedo. I actually think it’s become a classic and one that never goes out of style, as long as it’s updated appropriately. My best tip for this look is to be sure your denim on denim looks intentional. By this I mean, the shades of denim should be different enough that it doesn’t look like you tried to match them and failed miserably. Also, play around with the neckline: button it up all the way for a more conservative or hipster look or undo the buttons low for a sexier feel.
Jill’s wearing: H&M top, Zara jeans, Aldo shoes, Gap bag
Kayla Short, 26
Halifax | Short Presents
Every now and then a girls just gotta bust out the Canadian tuxedo, but it can be overwhelming to sport anything from head to toe. My suggestion for pulling it off is to make sure to sport different shades of denim. I like pairing dark and light colors together to create a great contrast between the pieces. Here I’m sporting a very causal look with some boyfriend jeans, and an actual mens shirt from H&M. I make sure to make the hair super playful, as to not look too masculine, and of course I can’t not wear my new blue mirrored sunnies. I’m obsessed.
Kayla’s wearing: Jeans, Gap. Shirt, H&M (Men’s). Jacket, Jacob. Sunnies, c/o Joe Fresh. Bag, Forever 21. Shoes, Rockport
Becky Kung, 30
Calgary | Velvet & Vino
Denim on denim is one of my favourite style trends, simply because it’s interesting and easy. My first tip for rocking this trend is to pair two different shades of denim together, a lighter denim with a darker denim to give contrast. My second tip is to accessorize the outfit. My accessories for this particular pairing is the blue sneakers and a faux-fur vest, all perfect for the cooler spring weather.
Becky’s wearing:
Top: Thread & Supply, Jeans: Rag & Bone, Vest: Bershka, Sneakers: L.A. Fashion District, Wallet Clutch: Valentino
: don't pair two light blues, and go for modern cuts - think skinny jeans, or a fitted jacket. Bonus tip: a pair of heels in a colorful pattern will add a nice pop!
Elodie's wearing: Diane Von Furstenberg platform sandals, DIY Levi's denim jacket, DIY Second Denim jeans, Vintage Harley Davidson T-shirt, Necklaces from nOir Jewelery and ARMED
Leonie Markhorst, 26
Vancouver, BC | The Signature Bow
Denim is definitely a staple in my wardrobe - I practically wear jeans every single day throughout each season. To me, denim is not necessarily a casual wardrobe item, it can easily be dressed up or down with the right details. The same goes for a Canadian tuxedo. You may think of a denim jacket paired with some bootcut jeans in the same light wash - not an easy look to pull off for everyone (and personally not my favourite play on this country's tuxedo).
Instead, I like to swap the denim jacket for a chambray shirt, and wear it with a pair of tailored jeans in a slightly darker wash (or even pick grey denim!). It is a fresh take on the traditional Canadian tuxedo and a lot more versatile when styled with the right accessories.
Leonie's wearing: Old Navy chambray shirt, & Other Stories jeans, Shoemint heels, Zara chain bag, Michael Kors watch
Jill Lansky, 26
Vancouver | The August Diaries
Like any good Canadian girl, I love the Canadian tuxedo. I actually think it's become a classic and one that never goes out of style, as long as it's updated appropriately. My best tip for this look is to be sure your denim on denim looks intentional. By this I mean, the shades of denim should be different enough that it doesn't look like you tried to match them and failed miserably. Also, play around with the neckline: button it up all the way for a more conservative or hipster look or undo the buttons low for a sexier feel.
Jill's wearing: H&M top, Zara jeans, Aldo shoes, Gap bag
Kayla Short, 26
Halifax | Short Presents
Every now and then a girls just gotta bust out the Canadian tuxedo, but it can be overwhelming to sport anything from head to toe. My suggestion for pulling it off is to make sure to sport different shades of denim. I like pairing dark and light colors together to create a great contrast between the pieces. Here I'm sporting a very causal look with some boyfriend jeans, and an actual mens shirt from H&M. I make sure to make the hair super playful, as to not look too masculine, and of course I can't not wear my new blue mirrored sunnies. I'm obsessed.
Kayla's wearing: Jeans, Gap. Shirt, H&M (Men's). Jacket, Jacob. Sunnies, c/o Joe Fresh. Bag, Forever 21. Shoes, Rockport
Becky Kung, 30
Calgary | Velvet & Vino
Denim on denim is one of my favourite style trends, simply because it's interesting and easy. My first tip for rocking this trend is to pair two different shades of denim together, a lighter denim with a darker denim to give contrast. My second tip is to accessorize the outfit. My accessories for this particular pairing is the blue sneakers and a faux-fur vest, all perfect for the cooler spring weather.
Becky's wearing:
Top: Thread & Supply, Jeans: Rag & Bone, Vest: Bershka, Sneakers: L.A. Fashion District, Wallet Clutch: Valentino){kind=link}