We never take the time to think about the fabrics that our clothing is made of. Cotton, silk, chiffon, wool — these are never words we say to describe what we are going to wear. Denim has been around for centuries and it is worn by people of all ages. It really is a universal material. It’s especially noticeable here at Biola. People wear denim everyday in different ways to add another texture to their outfits. As college students we have been wearing denim our entire lives, so it’s understandable that we would want to switch it up. So how do we make something so common our own? Here are some simple tips to help you reinvent your own denim while still sticking true to your own style.

1. Denim with other fabrics A lot of designers are reinventing denim by pairing it with other fabrics such as lace or leather. The most recent trend is denim and leather, although last summer it was denim and a lace or crochet pattern. Paneled leather — which is when a denim pant has a panel of leather going down either the front or side of the pant — is really big right now. Some denim jackets are now switching it up by using leather as the sleeves and denim as the fabric for the body of the jacket.

2. Printed/Patterned denim Another easy to way to spice up your current denim collection is to buy jeans that are printed or patterned. Whether it’s a floral print, stripes or a tribal print-patterned denim, it’s an easy way to add individuality to any outfit.

3. Cuffing your denim Cuffing denim is a cool way to change the appearance of the length of your legs and make your denim look a little different. If you have a pair of straight leg skinny jeans you can cuff them once so they hit right at the ankle, or a little above, to add a more spring/summer feeling to your outfit. This also adds a little length to your legs.

4. Destroyed/distressed denim Although it can be expensive to buy denim that has already been distressed or destroyed, it is an easy way to add some grunge to your outfit. Although this is a trend that was started years ago, it was very relevant on the runways for the past couple of seasons.  If you do not want to spend the money on a pair of destroyed designer jeans, it’s just as easy to create the same look with an old pair of jeans at home.

5. Jeggings For a more comfortable feeling to your denim, you can purchase jeggings. Jeggings are a combination of leggings and jeans. When they first arrived on the scene they were a bit pricey, but now there are cheaper alternatives to help with this. I mean, what is better than the style of denim and the comfort of a legging? Looking for denim in a form that is different from your typical pant, like a jegging, is always great to keep an eye out for.

6. Colored Whether it is a brightly colored denim or a more neutral colored denim it is by far the easiest way to transition your pants from season to season. In early spring you can look for pastel colored jeans. Near the end of spring/beginning of summer start looking for bolder more vibrant colors. Some colors to look out for this spring are light blue, blush, and mint green. Always wear your brighter denims in the spring and summer and your darker, more neutral colored denim in the fall and winter. Don’t be afraid to be bold with color!

7. DIY (DO IT YOURSELF) Whether its dip-dyeing your denim into bleach or colored dye or simply cutting an old pair of jeans into a pair of shorts, DIY is the most enjoyable way to reinvent the denim you already have. There are plenty of tutorials online that teach you how to tie-dye denim or sew a piece of lace on a pocket. It’s a cheap way to have your own one-of-a-kind pair of denim pants or even a denim jacket!

These are all different ways to reinvent the denim that you already have, but the number one rule is to incorporate your own style and be bold! Anybody could adopt a fashion trend into their wardrobe, but not very many people can develop their own sense of style. Use denim as an opportunity to not only revamp your look, but to showcase your style creativity.