Wearing the Wash

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If you’re going from day to night or cubicle to cocktail hour, dark denim is definitely the way to go.

— Jill Martin, TV personality

The Dark Age

Ask almost any style expert or denim designer, and she’ll say dark denim is an absolute must. Raw, super-dark and deep indigo washes are the most popular wash and may be worn with almost any outfit on any occasion, said Brandon Svarc, designer and founder of Naked & Famous Denim, a Montreal-based jeans brand.

Not only is it the most versatile wash, but it’s also a classy look that will make you appear instantly slimmer, said Jill Martin, a “Today” show fashion contributor and co-author of “I Have Nothing to Wear: A Painless 12-Step Program to Declutter Your Life So You Never Have to Say This Again!”

“If you’re going from day to night or cubicle to cocktail hour, dark denim is definitely the way to go,” Martin said.

For a date night, pair your best dark wash (try a pencil leg) with a simple white tee, a black blazer and some killer black pumps, advised Bryan Boone, creative director at David Kahn Jeans.

At the office, dark is the only way to go, said Francine Rabinovich, founder of Denim Therapy, an all-things-denim blog. “If you have an impromptu client meeting or if you need to meet up with your boss and you need to make sure you’re always looking great, you should always go for a dark wash.”

Most styles pass the test for office-worthy denim looks, Rabinovich said, whether it’s a skinny jean or a pair of flared trousers, but she suggests pairing your choice with a pretty blouse or dressy tank top and adding a classy touch with some nice jewelry.

Enlightened

Some occasions call for a lighter, more casual look. If you’re shopping downtown, staying in for a lazy weekend or just want to give off a laidback vibe, a light wash — like a faded and destroyed stone or an almost-white acid wash — is the way to go. Try it in a boyfriend style or opt for the “jock pant,” a mix between denim and sweat pants making an appearance through brands like Diesel.

“It’s a lazy-day, going-to-a-game, going-to-your-boyfriend’s-house wash,” said Martin. She recommended adding a pair of hot heels to take this look from day to night.

A lighter wash is also a great way to round out your body if you have a thin or boyish figure. Paler washes reveal more and don’t lengthen your legs quite as much, creating the illusion of curves, Rabinovich said.

But shy away from this casual style at your 9-to-5 job, Martin said. “If you’re wearing jeans to work to begin with, lucky you,” she said. “Just don’t take it too far.”

Modernity

If you want to turn heads with just one piece of clothing, novelty denim is the way to go. Perfect for a night out on the town, novelty denim washes — like an electric blue or shocking yellow jean or a skintight leather-like pair – give you a chance to play with your style. “It’s the time for you to experiment and just rock the look that you’ve always wanted to wear,” Rabinovich said.

Colored washes were one of the hottest trends on the market in 2011, appearing in almost every denim collection, and they go along perfectly with the current color-blocking craze.

And don’t forget: Black is a color, too! Black jeans are great when you’re looking to add some versatility to your outfit, and they can now be worn on more formal occasions. “Your black jeans can replace your black pants,” Rabinovich said, so you can wear black jeans on a date, out to the movies and even at the office.

Avoid overstyling when it comes to colored and other daring denim, Boone advised. “If you’re going to wear a novelty pant, you don’t want to do novelty tops and novelty shoes and novelty everything. You want to keep everything mid-toned and monochromatic, so as not to be overly crazy.”

Channel Fergie, who wore a simple black tank and cardigan with a pair of David Kahn Goldrush pants in February. When you temper your bold look with a minimal cardigan and classic shoes, you can even take it to the office.

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