March 30, 2016March 30, 2016 by Beau H.

Online Shopping Picks: The Best Men’s Lightwash Denim for Spring

Editor’s note: For online shopping picks primed to get you ready for spring, head here.

Lightwash denim is an ideal spring style move -- if you're feeling adventurous, it can even work with a dark denim jacket. 484 Jeans by J. Crew. Denim jacket by American Apparel. Loafers by G.H. Bass Patterned NATO strap by The Knottery and watch by Timex. Photo credit: Khoa Nguyen.

Lightwash denim is an ideal spring style move — if you’re feeling adventurous, it can even work with a dark denim jacket. 484 Jeans by J. Crew. White henley by Target Merona. Denim jacket by American Apparel. Loafers by G.H. Bass Patterned NATO strap by The Knottery and watch by Timex. Photo credit: Khoa Nguyen.

Guess what, folks? Just like that, it’s almost April! That means that if you haven’t already, it’s high time to incorporate some spring style trends into your wardrobe. Recent #menswear shopping picks on this site have covered broader categories like great spring outerwear and stylish spring sweaters, but today’s post goes a bit more specific. If you read this blog, follow me on Instagram or have checked out some of my other writing work (thanks, by the way!), then you’ll know all too well that I love the styling power of dark, sturdy denim. But lightening up colors, textures and washes is a great way to switch up your wardrobe and get really into spring and summer — all the while wearing denim (trust me, it’s crucial if you find it odd to wear shorts a lot, like this fella). So the below shopping picks are going more relaxed, casual and spring-ready — it’s certainly tougher to dress up lightwash denim, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be a solid pick-up for weekends or more casual work or class days. Got all that down? Good. Got a credit card handy? Even better.

#1. Mott & Bow Slim Baxter Jean in Medium Blue — $108

Roll ’em, cuff ’em, wear ’em about any way you please.

If you’re a bit wary of shelving your chinos or dark denim, ease into it with a comfortable pair of denim that still retains more than enough dark color to satisfy the selvedge fans among us. These aren’t a classic, super light color, but they’ll do. The Baxter from Mott & Bow makes use of the brand’s 5-month wash, incorporates some comfortable stretch, and comes at a price that’s pretty darn agreeable compared to your typical pair of raw denim. Throw in that home try-on program and that’s an A-plus pair of spring denim for you.

#2. JackThreads Slim Denim in Light Wash — $59

Decidedly lighter and constructed with a slim fit.

Whereas pick no. 1 on this list goes for a darker color (and retails at a higher price point), option no. 2 leans decidedly lighter in wash and, one might say, decidedly more retro. This pair of JackThreads denim might be what you more commonly think of when reaching for a pair of lightwash jeans (see this post here, for example). But the way JT crafts its products, these should be an excellent value — perfect if you don’t feel like dropping $100-plus on a pair of jeans for your rotation.

#3. J. Crew 770 Jean in Leroy Wash — $125

Casual style potential and a more forgiving fit characterize the Leroy.

For those of us that would prefer to stick with a slightly better-known mainstay, J. Crew’s back at it this spring with the Leroy Jean in its 770 fit. That means, most importantly, that it’s cut with more room in the thigh and waist for those among us who don’t prefer (or can’t quite fit into) slimmer jeans. This writer’s a fan of the 484 fit from J. Crew, but the 770 has proven itself among the menswear contingent as a solid back-up option. As to the price, well… you could stick around for a sale, but know that the denim is coming from Japan.

#4. Bonobos The Jetsetter Jean — $168

A rough-and-tumble wash gives this denim a unique look.

Is it just me, or have Bonobos denim prices hopped up a bit in recent years? At any rate, this stretch denim features 2 percent elastane built in (like some pairs of Mott & Bow denim), and should fit as solidly as Bonobos’ famous chinos. The Medium Blue wash leans decidedly darker than some of its counterparts on this list, so it could more easily be paired with, say, a navy blazer and a white Oxford (although that would be a solid combination with any pair on this list). Rock these guys just as they’re shown on the brand’s Web site — with brown suede chukkas — and you’ve got a casual style combo ready for date nights or days at the office.

#5. Ace Rivington Italian Comfort Denim in Medium Vintage Wash — $239

A more classic fit and medium vintage wash tie right into the quality one expects from an American-made brand.

While this pair of denim isn’t as light in color as its counterparts here, it’s the way to go if you want an incredibly sturdy (and pricey) pair of washed denim. Ace Rivington takes the quality and construction of its garments as seriously as its unique backstory, and that’s resulted here in a quality pair of more classic-leaning denim. They feature a slim, tapered fit (it won’t be overly skinny) and a medium rise. Note that this pair comes with a 34-inch inseam — so these might need to be rolled, or they can simply be cuffed to your liking. Either way, you’re getting a middle-of-the-road that’s another nice way to ease into lightwash denim.

If you still find yourself scouring the far corners of the Internet for a great pair of lightwash denim, know that there were a few brands that didn’t make the cut here. Specifically, classic retailers like Old Navy are producing lightwash jeans with a hint of stretch, and you can even snap up slim-fit jeans in a lighter wash from Target’s Mossimo line for an excellent price. When picking up your pair and styling them, pair them with the same style staples as you might a slim pair of dark denim — think rugged short-sleeve henleys, a printed short-sleeve shirt or a classic white Oxford to start. Don’t worry — there’s plenty of time to grab your pair and get on the lightwash denim (which is totally a thing, trust me).

Did I miss any picks? Let me know on Twitter!

April 6, 2014 by Beau H.

Spring Style Suggestion: The Denim Jacket

Denim on denim. Floral short-sleeve shirt by Express. Jacket by American Apparel. Loafers by Bass. Jeans by J. Crew (484 fit).

Spring is one of the more difficult times of the year to find the right balance between what to wear outside and inside. There aren’t necessarily any one-size-fits-all solutions, particularly in terms of outerwear. In the winter, that navy peacoat can pull duty nearly every day of the week, similar to how a lighter-weight military jacket could work on top of other layers in the chill of fall. In the spring though, you might see a slight chill in one part of the day, and then the heat of the sun in the afternoon, for example. A standard Harrington jacket could work tremendously of course in the rain, but the denim jacket is a particularly underrated style accessory, in that it works outside and inside in multiple types of weather.

It’s gotten more play over time in the #menswear community, especially in recent years, and rightfully so. Some don’t particularly like the look, but It’s definitely got a sort of rugged appeal to it that brings to mind modern-day style icons like Daniel Craig and Ryan Gosling. Of course, no mention of the denim jacket is complete with bringing up this stylish singer here. A big debate comes into play, however, on the feasibility of rocking double denim. The most important thing to keep in mind is texture and wash — keep those washes separate if you dive into this look, like the photos seen here (dark jacket, light jeans and vice versa).

Rocking double denim. Jeans by J. Crew (484 fit). Jacket by American Apparel. Henley by Mossimo. Loafers by Bass.

And although Daniel Craig rocks a lightwash number, the most versatile denim jacket is just like your favorite pair of blue jeans — dark blue with a modern, slimmer fit. It should hit above the waist (or about at the waist), with slimmer sleeves and a more fitted body (like this American Apparel jacket).

In addition to a slim cut, the denim jacket (like the one seen from American Apparel) is a great transitional outerwear piece because it’s heavy enough to wear over a plain henley in a slight chill, yet could also work when worn over something like a collared shirt. And it works with chinos or trousers — as well as denim — because it’s a dark, clean slate from which to build in other colors or textures.

Glasses by Burberry. Watch by Timex, strap by The Knottery. Belt by Mossimo.

It’s the rugged man’s answer to the navy blazer in these modern times — because (ideally) the jacket is dark blue and fitted, it can function just like the blazer while lending more functionality in terms of an outer layer. Unlike the navy blazer however, it can definitely take a beating, and it doesn’t need to be treated with the same sort of reserve as a blazer. It can stand up to a slight rain and some chill, which actually might give it more character. And a medium or lightwash number is yet another piece to consider adding when you need to mix and match types of outerwear.

Another denim-on-denim shot. Mix up the casual nature of that jacket by pairing it with a printed shirt.

Like so much of American style nowadays, it also brings to mind Western and workwear-inspired vibes (a personal style favorite). And over time, a denim jacket can break in like your favorite jeans, telling a uniquely personal story that reflects who you are and the way you dress — a lot of mileage out of one jacket, right?

March 8, 2014 by Beau H.

Spring Style Suggestion: Bass ‘Weejun’ Loafers

There are certain pairs of shoes out there that are timeless classics, avoiding the cycles of fashion and pairing with numerous outfits no matter the year. These types of shoes are near-legendary in most #menswear circles — they’re ubiquitous but never seem to reach a peak oversaturation point. Think Clarks desert boots in beeswax, or a sturdy pair of Wolverine 1K boots or a slick, sharp pair of captoe dress shoes in black or brown. Heck, even L.L. Bean’s slightly polarizing (but wildly effective) Duck boots have gained a cult following of sorts. That’s not to mention things like the Sperry Top-sider boat shoe or a low-cut pair of Jack Purcells or Chuck Taylors in the sneaker market. As if they weren’t already on that list, don’t overlook the inimitable, one-of-a-kind Weejun Loafers from G.H. Bass.

The Bass Weejun Loafers — Spring Style

Bass loafers worn in a spring casual outfit. Jeans by J. Crew. Blazer by Gap. Watch by Invicta. Glasses by Burberry.

Bass loafers worn in a spring sharp-casual outfit. Jeans by J. Crew. Blazer by Gap. Watch by Invicta. Glasses by Burberry. Shirt by CPO Provisions – Urban Outfitters.

Introduced to the world as an updated, fun take on a Norwegian farm shoe in the late 1930’s, the Weejun has since become a style staple across the country for combining that perfect mix of casual and prep. Also known as the “penny loafer”, it certainly has its fair share of sharp (and not-so-sharp) East Coast-type style attached to it. But it’s surprisingly versatile and wearable in a number of situations. And, the company now offers shoe care products, Oxford dress shoes in a pleasantly light array of colors and driving loafers and moccasins, among others.

On a personal note, I’d always found loafers a tough shoe to pull off. They required the right setting, the right outfit and most importantly, the right weather. Given a recent trip to Florida and the oncoming signs of spring, the timing was just right to try out a pair for the first time. The shoes are well-made and the quality doesn’t drop even when on-sale from a Bass outlet. The leather feels relatively sturdy and smooth, and when paired with a brown leather care product, it seems as if these shoes could last a long time. A size 10 1/2 (a 1/2 size up than normal) isn’t terribly loose, either. More importantly, like any other great pair of brown shoes, they seem to have loads of versatility. And they exist in the perfect realm between a canvas sneaker (better than running kicks, but too casual) and flip-flops (which should ideally only be worn for guys by the water or at the pool).

Given spring’s approaching weather, taking a sharp brown loafer out for a spin with a pair of lightwash denim, as shown above, is a more unique style move than sticking with dark denim or chinos, although both of these certainly could be done as well. The slick leather offsets the more casual, relaxed nature of both the light and the dark denim, so those combos could work interchangeably. The washed khaki chino blazer from Gap (picked up in an outlet store) as pictured is relatively slim off-the-rack, unstructured and easily wearable with a simple printed button-down (something like this Urban Outfitters number could do the trick).

Keeping vacation time this spring with Bass Weejun loafers. Pocket square by J. Crew.

Of course, the right pair of slim chinos (feel free to work in some color here, too) would work outstanding here, as well. On the top half of your outfit with these loafers, the possibilities are pretty endless. Because lightwash or dark denim provides a sort of hi-lo contrast with a leather loafer, everything from a white henley to that patterned shirt and khaki blazer combo would work (as seen above). Polos (and perhaps a popover as an alternative) are surefire bets as well — work in some color too! And, as many of us have surely seen, the Weejun loafer doesn’t look one bit out of a place dressed up with shorts. As with any of these outfits though, when it gets noticeably warm, outside, be sure to ditch those socks. Some are partial to wearing a loafer with socks in the colder months, but that combo seems counterproductive when it’s snowing heavily. When going barefoot in the warmer months, if you prefer alternatives other than foot powder, no-show sock alternatives are discussed in great detail here by Barron at Effortless Gent).

Experimenting with Weejun loafers and shorts. Navy polo by J. Crew. Shorts by J. Crew Stanton. Belt by Target Merona. Glasses by Burberry.

Note that the proper pair of shorts should hit above the knee and lean slim, not baggy (ditch those cargo shorts at home, preferably). And the right pair of shorts in the spring and summer ideally have a pop of color (note the red in the photo). Tremendous above-the-knee, well-fitting shorts can be found at nice prices by the bunches over at Land’s End Canvas (look for something with a 7-9″ inseam, perhaps the Comer Chino or Chambray options). J. Crew’s Stanton short is well-deserving of praise, (as pictured above). And it seems like even Old Navy is offering a slim-fit short in a variety of colors with an inseam just past 9″. Because the brown loafers are relatively minimal, they provide lots of room for experimentation with colors. And if you feel so inclined, that polo or popover shirt could certainly be tucked in (based on how it fits and feels — that look is too preppy for some; not that there’s anything wrong with that!).

Even in warmer weather, one pair of shoes can take you a lot of different places when combined with more unique items like lightwash denim or a spring or summer blazer. Of course, a staple as classic as Weejuns (which have barely changed across the decades) pairs perfectly with other timeless essentials, like polos, slim shorts and slim jeans in a variety of washes. When the weather does warm up in your neck of the woods, Weejuns could (and should) become a go-to spring and summer shoe.

March 1, 2014March 2, 2014 by Beau H.

Spring Style Suggestion: Lightwash Denim

Now that it’s officially March on our collective #menswear calendars, it’s high time to at least start thinking about spring (if you haven’t already been following trends and early pieces of collections). While runway looks can, of course, get a little dicey to follow at times, there are some pretty simple spring-ready looks the rest of us can take on to freshen up our wardrobes and inject a sense of warmer-weather style into outfits.

A Trip to Florida — Spring Style

Lightwash denim in the Florida sun. Jeans by J. Crew (484 fit). Henley by Mossimo. Desert boots by Steve Madden. Sunglasses by Ralph Lauren.

Case in point — this can be done fairly easily below the waist. Although classic, slim dark denim gets a lot of play on this site and many others (here’s an Effortless Gent post on the topic by yours truly), warmer months call for a change (most of the time) in what we wear on our legs. That’s not to say that a pair of crisp blue denim won’t work across all seasons — because it certainly will — but spring and summer can be an ideal time to shake up the denim spectrum. This can be done in a few different ways, but reaching for a slimmer pair of lightwash jeans is a great way to get the ball rolling. The key here, as with all denim, is to look for a pair that fits well, not baggy (on a personal note, J. Crew’s 484 jean as pictured above fits almost exactly like a slim-straight jean from Levi’s). And keep in mind these aren’t the stonewashed varieties of years past — with a lower rise and slimmer, edgier fit, they’re entirely modern.

Lightwash jeans work perfectly in the sunnier months of the year simply because their color, fit and feel are light, airy and relaxed — all the ideal trends and feelings of the warmer parts of the year. Whereas inky black denim and a sharp pair of black boots could become standard uniform in the severe cold of Michigan, a nicer pair of lighter-wash jeans practically scream spring and summer fun once it warms up.

On vacation time. Watch by Invicta Pro Diver.

And just because dark denim is practically the king of versatility among anything outside a suit doesn’t mean lightwash denim can’t be worn in just as many ways. Eschewing many of the top-heavy layers of winter, however, is the first step to making these jeans work for you. Several stores sell nice variations on the piece, from J. Crew (as pictured above) to a slightly slouchier fit by Gap to a straight-fit lighter wash by Old Navy. Another place that’s certainly worth checking out both for price point and versatility of looks is 20jeans. An addition to the market earlier last year, the company has jeans available in slim, skinny and straight fits. They’re also offering about three or four skinny and slim washes of light denim for $35, definitely a great price point for most us. Without personal experience, it’s tough to note quality, but others have told me very good things. As always, be sure to peruse the digital (or brick-and-mortar) shelves of Levi’s for a nice pair of 511’s or 513’s at a nice, low price if you’re so inclined.

Putting together outfits with light denim is inherently less complicated than dressing for the fall and winter, too. That’s because the first step (starting with a base denim) isn’t followed with piling on four different top layers to brave the Midwestern chill. Because lightwash jeans exude a more casual, lived-in vibe, simple things like a white henley (as seen above) or a crewneck t-shirt can work for running errands or even hopping down the hallway to a class. A mean-cut pair of desert boots (like the Steve Madden boots shown above) anchor the outfit in a more rugged way than a simple pair of sneakers might — however, some slim canvas kicks work well too, as we also see below.

It’s important to note, too, that accessories will go a long way in making the outfit summer-appropriate. Siblings With Style will have more on sunglasses later, but in the interim, look for a crisp, classic, relatively inexpensive pair of aviators (like the ones above from Ralph Lauren) or some Wayfarers (another relatively fail-safe classic that’s also decidedly on-trend). Because of the casual nature of many of these outfits, many types of watches will work, everything from a canvas Timex Weekender to a sleeker, decently priced dive watch.

A slightly more unique take on light denim. Floral shirt by Express. Jeans by J. Crew. (484 fit). Canvas sneakers by Urban Outfitters.

And when the situation calls for something slightly more dressier, lightwash jeans work just as well with a collared shirt while leaving wiggle-room for experimentation Some are against short-sleeve shirts, but there are a few keys to follow. These short sleeve shirts (a variation of which is worn above) aren’t the ill-fitting Hawaiian prints of days gone by. Short sleeve shirts now have leaner, meaner fits and more eye-catching patterns (the brand The Critical Slide Society sells some eye-catching short-sleeve shirts with patterns through online retailer ASOS). In the outfit pictured above, a less obvious version of hi-lo styling comes into play with the canvas sneakers and slightly cuffed jeans. Another alternative revolves around the popover shirt, a retro classic that’s making another well-deserved turn (in both short-sleeve and long-sleeve variations) in the spotlight. The best seem to be sold at J. Crew right now in a variety of soft washes and stripes for summer. Consider it a more eye-catching update to the polo, and don’t think twice about wearing it with lightwash jeans.

Now, dressing up lightwash denim is a little more difficult, especially since it’s worn primarily casually to begin with, but it can be done (look at the photo under the ‘Adopt A Personal Uniform’ section for how to do up some distressed denim here) The key with trying to spruce up lightwash jeans would be to start with smaller pieces in combos (like a lighter-weight striped sweater or long-sleeve shirt over an OCBD) and then move on to bigger pieces like v-neck sweaters in appropriate colors.

Use a dive watch and floral shirt to contrast with the more casual nature of the lightwash jeans and sneakers. Sunglasses by Ralph Lauren.

Footwear is the cap on any outfit, especially one with lightwash denim. A slick pair of desert boots could work with a more casual henley or crewneck tee, whereas a slim, low-profile pair of canvas kicks could create a hi-lo vibe between a popover or collared short-sleeve shirt. The same follows vice versa, too. This pair of sneakers from Urban Outfitters, while inexpensive, could be perfect for kicking around town with a pair of slightly cuffed lightwash jeans. And because it’s going to be spring (followed by summer), leave the darker denim, heavier layers and socks at home, at least for a while. One pair of good lightwash jeans could work wonders for injecting some fresh spring and summer style into your wardrobe.

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Tag / lightwash denim

Online Shopping Picks: The Best Men’s Lightwash Denim for Spring

Spring Style Suggestion: The Denim Jacket

Spring Style Suggestion: Bass ‘Weejun’ Loafers

Spring Style Suggestion: Lightwash Denim