8 Denim Washes That Will Never Be Washed Up

A model (does anybody else see Barb from Netflix’s Stranger Things?) rocks painted denim on the Gucci Fall 2016 runway; Image: Imaxtree

Fashion’s punk-loving, trend-bending wild children Alessandro Michele and Marc Jacobs have even managed to make so-bad-it’s-good 80s-reminiscent acid wash a thing again (for the time being).

Tastefully acidic looks from the Gucci Cruise 2017 runway (left) and the Marc Jacobs Resort 2017 show (right); Images: Courtesy of Gucci, Marc Jacobs

When updating our seasonal denim selection, however, we’re more concerned with investing in hues with some staying power — and we’re not talking detergent-resistant (we see you and we feel you, proponents of the Church of Denim Washing Abstention). While we totally get it if you spent your last paycheck on a pair of Demna Gvasalia’s frayed, deconstructed straight-leg style or a Matthew Adams Dolan pinstriped jean jacket that will one day have the value of John Galliano’s Dior, every denim wardrobe requires a few color-coded staples.

Click through the slideshow below to immerse yourself in eight essential denim washes to wear now and forever.

Favorite Denim Hues

True Blue

Creative Directors Humberto Leon and Carol Lim showed their appreciation for the now-ubiquitous mom jean on the Opening Ceremony Fall 2016 runway. Those striking 90s blues go with anything from an Aaliyah-esque crop to a chunky, figure-swallowing sweater.

Image: Imaxtree
True Blue

Tommy Jeans For UO '90s Mid-Rise Mom Jean, $139 at Urban Outfitters
True Blue

Re/Done Relaxed Straight Jeans, $265 at Barneys
Brown-y Points

We're aware this Courrèges Fall 2016 look is borderline Euro-tacky and that's what we love about it. In boyfriend cuts, more basic brown styles exude a flashy yet utilitarian vibe (pair with a tailored, easily tucked feminine topper), while casual milk or cream toppers complement bodycon styles.

Image: Imaxtree
Brown-y Points

MM6 Maison Margiela Cropped Denim Pants, $295 at Opening Ceremony
Brown-y Points

Liquor n Poker Slim Mom Jeans, $57 at ASOS
White Out

White denim is the ultimate power move. It shows daring. It's a blank canvas that can be made into anything the wearer wants. As it doesn't vary in tone and therefore doesn't give your leg any added dimension, be sure to choose a pair that complements your shape. We recommend going cropped and pairing with a snappy white tee (a la Bianca Jagger or Andrew W.K., depending on your cultural touchstone). As an alternative, skip the figure-flattering search party and opt for a white denim topper, like the one seen on Julien David's Fall 2016 runway. Team with a metallic bottom, natch.

Image: Imaxtree
White Out

Madewell Cropped High-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans, $130 at Net-a-Porter
White Out

Zara High Waist Skinny Trousers, $49.90 at Zara
Way Indigo

Lady Gaga and Rihanna have more than made the case for deep indigo dusters and oversized jackets, respectively. Supersaturated, streamlined pieces are the new must-haves. Reference these Kenzo coordinates and wear yours as a Canadian tux — and we don’t say those words lightly.

Image: Imaxtree
Way Indigo

The Fifth Label Fact and Fiction Pant, $90 at Need Supply Co.
Way Indigo

Levi's Vintage 701 Jean, $198 at La Garçonne
Red Zone

Bold, tomato-red jeans have surprising staying power. Each year they come out in on-trend shapes and each year we, ready to shake our denim blues, introduce some complementary color into our jean repertoire. As with white jeans, you'll encounter the whole one-color, one-dimensional appearance issue, so opt for pairs that sit high on your waist and finish off your look with a leg-lengthening heel. Last year's LVMH Prize winners Marta Marques and Paulo Almeida favored a monochrome look on their Fall 2015 runway, but we like ours with a preppy cable-knit sweater or printed vintage tee or both.

Image: Imaxtree
Red Zone

Sonia Rykiel High-Rise Flared Jeans, $460 at Net-a-Porter
Red Zone

Citizens of Humanity Liya High Rise Jeans, $154.80 at Nasty Gal
Urban Cowboy

A classic blue with a lived-in feel is a staple of any wardrobe and unlike its decidedly distressed cousins, doesn't have a flavor-of-the-week feel. Style pairs like these whiskered and artfully zippered Off-Whites with a fluid and equally familiar oversized, stripy button-down.

Image: Imaxtree
Urban Cowboy

AG Jeans The Legging, $220 at AG Jeans
Urban Cowboy

Alexander Wang Wang 001 Slim Fit, $159 at Alexander Wang
That 70s Blue

Seventies-style denim with its vibrant stitching and cobalt to cerulean undertones will never go out of style. Play up the retro-inspired hue (seen here on the Paul & Joe Fall 2016 runway) with playful prints or an apropos turtleneck.

Image: Imaxtree
That 70s Blue

Marc Jacobs Bowie High-Waisted Flared Jeans, $437 at Matches Fashion
That 70s Blue

Stella McCartney Skinny Jeans, $325 at Farfetch
Minty Fresh

Super cool mint tones look effortlessly chic with bold graphics and dark tones. Plus, with this bleached hue, there are no Labor Day-contingent fashion rules to follow. Here, See by Chloe supports our denim theory.

Image: Courtesy of See by Chloe
Minty Fresh

Acne Studios Boy Bleach Jeans, $290 at Acne Studios
Minty Fresh

Wåven Karin Boyfriend Denim Jacket, $105 at ASOS