One pair of jeans, five outfits: How FJ’ s Assistant Editor styles denim

Is this the only pair of jeans you’ll ever need?

Fashion is inherently cyclical, meaning what goes around comes all the way back around – often changing shape a few times along the way. Even the most unexpected of pieces seem to weasel their way back into the trend cycle, and denim jeans may be the most chameleonic of them all.

Name another item of clothing that links circa-2001 Britney and Justin, dads of all eras, Steve Jobs, Brokeback Mountain and The Row. You can’t – because denim jeans are truly ubiquitous, and for good reason. There’s a style for everyone, a high-quality pair will last you forever and they only look better with age.

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With an all-but-confirmed recession hurtling towards us, a functional wardrobe is more important than ever. So when I saw Melbourne denim label Flowers (housed under the much-loved Sister brand) released a pair of ‘Only Jeans’, I decided to put their versatility to the test.

Granted, it’s not the most difficult of styling challenges, but it’s a realistic one. And right now, that feels important. Read on to see my week in jeans and when you can, make conscious wardrobe choices.

Monday

When I’m feeling uninspired, I tend to fall back on an easy, formulaic outfit: jeans, button-down, leather jacket, white socks and black shoes. I love the darker wash and lack of distressing on these jeans, it just makes everything feel more put together. This is technically a work week I’m documenting, after all (not that the FJ office is particularly corporate).

Here, I’ve styled the Only Jeans with a silk shirt from my grandma’s closet, an oversized leather jacket from the Amazing Mill Markets in Daylesford and a pair of jazz shoes (lol) from an online dance supply store.

Tuesday

Debuting a haircut on Tuesday (an important note, for continuity’s sake) along with a casual outfit on a warm winter day. I truly never thought I’d be wearing Adidas Superstars again after absolutely thrashing my white pair in 2013, but here we are.

The high-waisted cut of these jeans is so flattering and works perfectly with the array of cropped garments I have in my wardrobe. This asymmetrical blue cardigan is from Sister, and I’ve layered a white Blanca Studios singlet underneath.

Wednesday

This is my ideal version of a date-night look. It’s not overtly sexy, but I feel comfortable and very much myself (though this was a work day, and there’s a cardigan and leather jacket just out of frame).

I was initially going to get the hem taken up on these jeans and I’m so glad I didn’t – the slight overhang of denim on a good pair of shoes feels so right. This top is With Jéan, the glasses are Oscar Wylee and the jeans are feeling über-soft on the third day of wear.

Thursday

Here I’m wearing the same jazz shoes as Monday because I’m always prepared to break into an interpretive dance solo at a moment’s notice. I honestly could in these jeans, they’re ridiculously comfortable.

Friday

For a rare out-of-office ensemble, I’m reverting to shades of black. It’s too easy in winter, and this evening is particularly frosty. I’m wearing a long-sleeved bodysuit – as frustrating as fiddling with the snaps is, an all-in-one always gives the sleekest lines. The jeans went through the wash and the Japanese denim is feeling snug in the best possible way.

Is this the only pair of jeans you’ll ever need? Well, they’re the best contender I’ve found yet. Unless, of course, you want to turn your jeans into a cowboy hat and matching blazer. You might need an extra pair for that.

Shop Flowers Denim here.