Trend Alert: Faded Denim Is About to Take Over

Winter demands dark denim. There’s just something about its dreary, often snow-filled days that has us reaching for those saturated dark blue, gray or black jeans. Which makes what we’re about to propose all the more radical. How about we skip the darker washes this year in favor of the faded variety?

It seems like good sense to get a jump on the trend that was all over the Spring 2019 runways. Missoni was pushing hard for bleached denim in both jacket and pants. The guys at Proenza Schouler went the acid-wash route, sending out everything from blazers to dresses to skirts to Western-style shirts. While we were treated to pops of pastels at Alberta Ferretti, most of the denim was so faded, they were almost white.

Once again the street style crowd proved to be sartorial mind readers, already sporting faded denim pieces while attending the Spring 2019 shows. From a light-colored jean jacket combined with black jeans to faded jeans paired with a Fair Isle cropped cardigan to an open button-down balanced out by darker paper-bag waist jeans, they seem to have no problem styling the often tricky wash.

Follow their lead and opt for faded denim this season. We’ve handpicked 20 light-wash pieces for you to choose from. You’ll definitely stand out from the dark denim pack, but by spring, everyone else will come around.

[ Next: 29 Ways to Keep Wearing Your Summer Faves Through Winter ]