Winter Denim: The French Essential

Today, denim might be synonymous with American fashion, particularly the blue-collar workers of the 20th century, but did you know that denim’s history dates back even further in France? The fabric itself came to fruition in the beautiful town of Nîmes in southern France, hence its name ‘Denim’ (de Nîmes!).

Now, denim is a staple in any French woman’s wardrobe. Parisians will tell you that nailing the “French Girl” formula is as easy as throwing on a perfect pair of straight-leg jeans and a white shirt to stroll through Saint-Germain-des-Prés to a local wine bar. We all know, however, that French nonchalance is never quite so easy, especially when styling denim for
the colder months. Ne vous inquiétez pas, we’ve created a winter Demin
guide tailored just for you!

Bengajean®

Much like the French laissez-faire attitude, here at Blue Illusion, we strongly believe that comfort is key to achieving that much-desired graceful elegance the French do so well. That’s why we created our iconic Bengajean®, to solve all life's problems and avoid any potential fashion mishaps. We’re all very much guilty of undoing a few jean buttons after a delicious meal and forgetting to do them up prior to standing up and delivering the dinner and a show that no one asked for!

The Bengajean’s® iconic pull-on style makes getting dressed just that extra bit easier, so you can put more thought into what to pair them with and let your creativity flow. Parisian women are quick to pair jeans with a crisp cotton t-shirt, but as the weather gets colder, you might want to consider the irresistible softness of a cashmere knit. The difference between wearing and styling is often in the accessories. Consider a pair of suede Moccasins or leather boots to finish off the look.

Finding the perfect pair of jeans isn’t always easy. We love playing around with different shapes: The distinctive horseshoe shape of our Dark Denim Barrel Leg Jeans creates an hourglass silhouette. Nipping in your waist and grazing your ankles creates an illusion of definition that a straight-leg jean could only dream of!

Our back by popular demand (yes – we heard you loud and clear!) Le Flare Jean is back. The stretch denim gives tummy control without compromising on comfort, while the flattering flare elongates your figure. This season, we’ve brought Le Flare back in black! The new colourway makes transitioning from day to night easy for a woman whose always on the go!

Denim has always been about reliability – but that doesn’t mean you should compromise on fun, eye-catching patterns. If you’re torn between deciding if you’re a dark or light wash kind of lady, the Sienna Laser print on our Wide Leg Jeans offers the best of both worlds. The floral pattern is a laser-etched motif that brings out a new level of denim dimension for you to play with. And for the days when you do want to look more relaxed, we still
have our Le Classique Wide Leg Jeans in the iconic Winter White and Mid Wash Blue.

Cord and Velvet Bengajean®

While Corduroy isn’t part of denim’s immediate family, it’s definitely its soft but luxurious older cousin. Our Bengajean® Cords come in plenty of styles, including Straight Leg and Skinny. The sheen to corduroy gives a luxury feel suited for comfortable occasion dressing.

When styling our cords, think about contrasts in texture. The vertical ridges work best when they're not competing with other textures, to keep the look modern, pair corduroy with smooth cotton and fine knits.

Similarly, our Velvet Bengajeans® add opulence to a Blue Illusion classic that is adored by so many of our loyal customers. Where velvet gets an extra point over denim is the vast collection of colours it comes in, compared to the limited blue wash of denim. We’ve got every shade to match your mood, from Scarlet and Plum to the more electric Cobalt and Prussian Blue.

Shirts

Now that you’ve nailed styling jeans for winter with a little help from your new BFF, the Bengajean®, you’re officially on your way to sporting a full Canadian Tuxedo. If you’ve ever been slightly intimidated by the thought of double denim, it’s our pleasure to help you overcome your fears.

Finding your favourite jeans’ counterpart is easy; you just need a little help from something you already have, your gorgeous figure! A belted denim shirt will accentuate your waist and create shape and definition amongst a sea of denim. Our 100% cotton Chambray Belted Shirt is a modern take on boxy denim jackets of the past, and while it’s not technically denim, it’s a close look-alike. The cinched waist and wide cuff sleeves give this shirt a bit of drama that can be toned down with a pair of white pants or turn heads with matching dark denim wash jeans to really make a statement.

Skirts

As you’ve probably noticed, denim maxi skirts are all the rage, which is great news for winter wardrobes that keep warmth in. Blue Illusion’s Stretch Denim Midi Skirt with button detailing is essential for anyone entering the world of denim, considering it pretty much goes with everything! For optimum Parisian chic, we’d recommend styling it with a statement blouse such as our Bow Detail Blouse, also from the Made With Love collection, or for a pop of colour, style our Panelled Raglan Shirt in the Sienna Floral Print. You could even do a French tuck for some added attention to detail.