Fall fashion 2009 trend forecast: Denim

As the seasons change, one thing remains the same: Denim is a tried-and-true staple in our wardrobes. Classic as it may be, the denim looks do vary and this season we will see some distinct trends in the world of jeans!

“Look for denim leggings and Ponte pants (pictured, from 7 For All Mankind), top them off with a stylish boyfriend blazer or a trendy leather bomber, and you have a great look that transitions easily from work to evening,” says Galen Hardy, the clothing czar at Zappos.com.

And what about this season’s never-gone skinny jeans?  They’re still here, but: “Skinny jeans continue to make their impact, but the boot cut is coming back!  We are seeing lighter washes, but dark denim is still the most popular.  And new on the scene are denim leggings!” shares Laura McDowell, Style Expert for T.J. Maxx/Marshalls.

Picking the right denim

A lot of us know what we want from denim but have problems actually finding the look and fit that works best for our life and shape. Joe Palmieri, co-founder of Palmieri Jeans (www.palmierijeans.com), shares some tips. He said that in buying jeans, how it fits us should be the obvious first consideration. Then, and only then, do we look for:

• Style and comfort
• If you are on a tight budget, jeans should reflect the comfort of a dress pant, so they could be worn during the day and transition for social gatherings during the evening.
• Jeans embellished with Swarovski crystals, brass studs or hot embroidered stitching on the back pocket makes a great statement for the fashionista. The trend for the fall is the embellished back pocket.
• When going for the skinny, go for comfort. Otherwise, you won’t be sitting in them for long!

Denim trends

As big as skinny is – no pun intended – this is also the season for volume. New for fall are pegged pants that have pleats or fullness at the hip. The “boyfriend” silhouette continues for jeans, with straight legs, drop crotches and rolled hem. These can be ripped, stained or distressed for more vintage appeal, says Sharon Graubard, Senior Vice President of Trend Analysis at Stylesight.

Dark denim, the jean-like pencil leg and onyx skinny jeans are all variants of making one item of clothing work in many different ways. As the economy is still in flux, many of us don’t have the means to update our wardrobe! But a great pencil leg that can adapt to work or play, formal or casual, is an example of being a fabulous recessionista – and looking hot in the process!

Check out our Fall Fashion photo galleries:

Best of Fall Fashion 2009
Best of Fall Shoes 2009
Best of Fall Fashion 2009 Accessories
Best of Fall Fashion 2009 Outerwear