I’d give you a history lesson on jeans, but the truth is, they have been such an inherent part of our culture for so long, it’s hard to imagine a time when jeans weren’t a part of everyday fashion. From work vibes to dinner club attire, jeans can be the laidback staple as much as they can be the perfect glam essential. Kick it up in heels, booties, over-the-knee boots or sneakers, no matter how you style your jean look, it’s just such a basic there’s basically nothing new to say… or is there?

After the bell bottoms lost their appeal, we kind of went the complete other way with the skinny jean. We made our way back to the high-waisted look and thank goodness for that, because I think the fit just elongates my legs in a way that petite girls like me really need. But, recently, the girlfriend and boyfriend jeans have taken the fashion world by storm, and I thought it might not last, but when you find something that works, I guess it sticks around for a while. I’m super into Levi’s making a comeback, but there are a few other denim brands that have made a name for themselves in the last decade. Here are my favourite brands this season:

The Karolina High-Rise Skinny Jean

I snagged these light blue GRLFRND jeans at TNT, because whenever I want a great-fitting trendy, or classic, pair of jeans, they’ve got a stockpile to choose from. I love the style and fit of this pair, it hugs in all the right places and I feel it lends itself to a whole host of looks. I styled them here with a great pair of red pumps, a gold bomber, and a sleek tight white bodysuit. My favourite thing about this laidback look is that I didn’t even have to hem the length! I little cuff rolling and that’s all!

Olivia High-Rise Slim in Daybreak

Jeans have become an integral part of fashion and my daily attire. I stomp some serious pavement in my denim. From jean jackets and jean shirts to just about every colour and variation of jeans, I have my pick to choose from. When I first slipped into my Citizens of Humanity “Olivia” jeans, I felt like I slipped into heaven. They fit p.e.r.f.e.c.t.l.y. Hugging every part of my body like they were made for me, I couldn’t wait to bring them home and try them on with just about every single top and shoe I had. I’ve come up with a few looks, but this one from Wynwood was kind of a winner.

High-Rise Wedgie Fit in Black Desert

Everyone needs the perfect black jean and who knows perfect denim better than Levi’s. The tapered stretch jean in a high-rise fit works seamlessly with a bodysuit or collared shirt, I would even rock it with an over-sized sweater and lounge around the country house in these. They are super comfortable and honestly go with any look your wardrobe desires. I personally love the distressed look and ripped hem, it gives the black jean a lived-in look that only time can manufacture… oh the wonders of fashion! I’m excited for fall with these jeans, I know they’ll pair great with booties and kicks.

“Jules” High-Rise Straight Leg & “Heather” Button-Fly Jean In Overthrow

Billie Boutique has an insane collection of premium denim that would legit take you days to go through, but their salespeople are so on point, you could walk in and be sized up in a matter of minutes. There hasn’t been a pair of jeans I’ve tried on that I didn’t instantly fall in love with and these two Jbrand styles are perfect examples.

Both from the sustainable denim collection, the “Jules” is a rigid-denim technology that gives that authentic worn look along with that stretch that allows you to move around all day. The straight leg works great with my body type. The “Heather” is a style on its own: a throwback to the 90s with the exposed button fly, it’s managed to make a comeback with its washed-out, distressed black colour. Obviously, I’m a huge fan of the fact that these days everything is cut above the ankle, because that means my clothes actually fit without needing to tailor anything!

MVS Isabel Tapered Skinny

A nice light-wash denim can carry you through the summer season like perfect pair of sandals. Moussy Vintage jeans uses a premium Japanese fabric that has a hint of stretch. I grabbed these from TNT’s endless denim collection, and have been addicted to Moussy Vintage ever since. I love mixing a distressed, casual jean with a more feminine, fancy blouse. The contrast is bold but will never be questioned, because it just works.

We all have that one pair of jeans that basically lives on our bedroom floor… whether we throw them on the morning to grab a coffee before work or to sit in the car to drop the kids off at school, jeans are almost everyone’s go-to clothing essential. Multi-functional and super versatile, safe to say jeans have made their mark on fashion history.

Photography by Patricia Brochu