August 2023
From high-waisted flares to patchwork dresses, here are a few of the iconic denim looks celebrities have worn over the years.
From a denim jacket to straight-leg jeans, denim is considered a staple of almost everyone's wardrobe. Although denim trends come and go - and eventually return - each decade is defined by a particular style. The 1970s were the height of flared jeans and bellbottoms, while the 1990s saw an influx of baggy jeans and denim overalls. And who can forget the controversial low-waisted jeans of the early 1980s?
Read on for a look back at some other iconic denim looks worn by celebrities over the years.
James Dean's 1955 white T-shirt and jeans
photo.. john kobal foundation/hulton archive/getty
James Dean starred in only three films before his untimely death, but 1955's Rebel Without A Cause cemented his status as a cultural icon. His costume in the film - a white round-neck T-shirt, Lee jeans, a red bomber jacket and black boots - is one of his most famous looks and made him the style symbol of teenage rebellion in the 1950s.
Jane Birkin's frayed flares from 1973
photo.. hulton archive/getty
Jane Birkin was known in the 1970s for her chic and bohemian style. The singer and actress defined the timeless vacation ensemble with her love of vintage denim and basket bags. In 1973, Birkin posed on a boat in trendy flared jeans with unfinished hems. She styled the effortlessly relaxed look with a ruffled tank top, slingback heels, a black belt and layered necklaces.
Bruce Springsteen's 1984 double denim
photo.. brooks kraft llc/corbis via getty
The cover of Bruce Springsteen's 1984 album Born in the U.S.A. is one of the most iconic in history. The image, photographed by Annie Leibovitz, shows the singer in Levi's 501 jeans with a red bandana hanging out of his back pocket. During this time, he often wore the famous jeans on stage. When Springsteen posed backstage for a concert in Philadelphia, he wore straight-leg jeans, a denim button-up shirt and a white tank top. He completed the look with his favorite accessories of the time.. a red bandana and black sunglasses.
Princess Diana's 1988 blazer and jeans
photo.. tim graham photo library via getty
Princess Diana's "revenge dress" has gone down in history as one of her most iconic looks, but her casual streetwear confirmed her status as a style icon. Her take on athleisure was relaxed yet chic, with lots of high-waisted denim and oversized sweatshirts. One of Diana's most popular ensembles is the acid-wash high-waisted jeans and graphic sweatshirt she wore at the Guards Polo Club in Windsor in 1988. She styled the casual cool look with brown cowboy boots, a black blazer and a blue baseball cap.
Goldie Hawn's 1990 jeans and pearls
photo.. garcia/pat/gamma-rapho via getty
Actress Goldie Hawn has an effortless style that was dominated by acid-wash jeans and colorful bodysuits in the 1980s. She attended the Deauville Film Festival in 1990 to promote her film Bird on a Wire in her favorite outfit.. high-waisted acid-wash jeans and a black bodysuit that she pulled off her shoulder. Despite the casual look, Hawn added a touch of elegance to the ensemble by pairing it with a pearl necklace, a silver watch and black boots.
Janet Jackson's 1992 headline and paperbag jeans
photo.. ron galella/getty
Janet Jackson is undoubtedly a fashion icon who has constantly adapted her style from era to era. In 1993, she starred in the film Poetic Justice with Tupac Shakur and Regina King, which informed her signature look at the time. During the press tour for the film, the actress and singer attended the IFP/West Independent Spirit Awards wearing a long-sleeved black top with light-colored paperbag jeans. She completed her casual cool look with her buckled belt, black boots and a cap with a headline.
Christina Aguilera's micro mini skirt from 2002
photo.. mark mainz/getty
Christina Aguilera was one of the pop "it" girls of the early 2000s, causing a stir with her bold style during her Stripped era. During the 2002 VMAs, the singer made a bold fashion statement in a low-waisted mini denim skirt with a chain belt. She ingeniously paired the bold garment with a scarf that had been transformed into a top, black lace-up boots and a white cap. Although the look has become iconic, it was a controversial choice at the time. "I have to say that the more trouble I got into because I wore it, the more fun I had wearing it," she said.
Rihanna's 2016 denim boots and shorts
photo.. josiah kamau/buzzfoto via getty
Rihanna is no stranger to taking fashion risks, and she made a big statement in these denim chap boots during her steps in New York City in 2016. The thigh-high boots were part of her collaboration with Manolo Blahnik, which also included five other limited-edition denim shoes. The striking look also included short denim shorts, a biker jacket, a Princess Diana graphic tee and Miu Miu sunglasses. Her bold fashion choice was clearly a trend, as Taraji P. Henson and Lopez were also spotted wearing the unique shoes in 2017.
Julianne Hough's 2023 ombré jeans and shirt
photo.. gotham/gc images
Julianne Hough sparkled during New York Fashion Week in 2023 wearing a unique denim number for the Brandon Maxwell fashion show. Her ombré denim pants came from the designer's collection and consisted of wide-leg jeans and a denim shirt with a collar, which she left open for a more daring look. The Dancing with the Stars presenter accessorized her '70s-inspired look with nude pumps, a leather Gucci bag and brown sunglasses.
Dakota Johnson's 2023 denim red carpet look
photo.. michael loccisano/getty
In another sultry take on denim, Dakota Johnson attended the Sundance Film Festival's opening night celebration in a retro ensemble by Magda Butrym. The three-piece denim look included a bustier top, wide-leg pants and a trench coat with gold buttons. With such a striking outfit, the actress chose to keep her accessories simple. She paired the denim with black boots with pointed toes and a Jessica McCormack diamond necklace.