Denim in Distress: Ripped Jeans

Another hot warm weather trend for 2012 that is reminiscent of the ’80s and ’90s is the return of the ripped jean. The ’80s and ’90s were not my favorite fashion eras, but kitschy and corny as they can be, I am a fan of ripped jeans.

I love the look of distressed and ripped jeans, but only when it isn’t overdone, or at least doesn’t look overly deliberate, if that makes sense. One of my favorite ultra-casual “uniforms” is a threadbare pair of Levis with holes paired with a white button -down or white t-shirt, and I am a sucker for a guy who can rock this outfit without looking like he walked off the set of Jersey Whore, I mean Shore. If I am feeling like “dressing up,” I will add a pearl statement necklace or an overly feminine top or blouse.

From jeans to skirts to shorts, torn denim is also being embraced by certain members of the celebrity world, and that definitely heightens its fashion appeal. This time around, the ripped jeans for summer 2012 are a bit different from what we saw a few years back. In the ’80s and ’90s, ripped jeans were embraced by the younger folks who were rebelling and going for a very casual, almost grunge look: t-shirts, flannel button-downs, black turtlenecks, and sweaters were the usual top for both men and women.

Over the years, distressed and ripped jeans have gone glam. Models, celebrity fashionistas, and mere mortals are pairing ripped jeans with fabulous mile-high, embellished shoes, tons of faux and real jewelry, and wearing them after dark.

I am a fan of this trend. I practically live in jeans and I like to dress up and “over-accessorize,” so for me it’s a dream come true. This is one of my favorites, so I will be working this trend overtime no matter what the rest of you are doing.

I am a believer that at the end of the day everyone should wear what they like, no matter what, but I have some rules I follow when I sport this trend:

Do choose your holes wisely; there is a thin line between sexy and obscene.

Don’t over-expose. Sexy is definitely the look this time around for the ripped jean, but unless you’re a high fashion model or celebrity on a fashion shoot, keep it tasteful. Be creative, have fun, and use your imagination and be flirty instead of displaying your goods.