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Stuck in a denim rut? You might want to give turn-up jeans a try. These easy-breezy cuffed styles are having something of a moment right now, giving an even more relaxed feel to the baggy styles that have been trending recently – but turn-up jeans are more versatile than you might first think, I'll have you know.
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Turn-up jeans actually date back to the late 1800s, would you believe it, when denim wasn't pre-shrunk before being made into jeans (as it is now). Many wearers would buy their jeans too big, to pre-empt them shrinking when washed – but until then, they would turn up the cuffs to the optimum length. By the 1950s, turn-up jeans became a signature of Hollywood stars James Dean and Marlon Brando – and a symbol of rebellion cool at the time.
Today, the likes of Kendall Jenner and various other fashion insiders have proven that turn-up jeans are the staple you can rely on to add that ‘just thrown on’ cool to any outfit – but cuffed jeans can also look tailored and chic when paired with straighter silhouettes, FYI.
And for the upcoming warmer weather (hoorah!), these classic roll-ups make an ideal companion to tees, tanks and thong sandals. Essentially, turn-up jeans are the spring update your denim wardrobe's been waiting for.
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Of course, you can easily add cuffs to any pair of jeans by turning them up yourself (with varying results, depending on the silhouette and weight of denim). Having tried to DIY the trend myself, I'd recommend ironing and stitching your turn-ups in place or taking your jeans to a sewist for a professional finish – though their original shape and inner seams will affect the final look. Barrel or slightly tapered jeans, for example, will give a more ‘bunched’ finish.
On the other hand, there are also plenty of already-hemmed denim options to shop right now, from baggy to boyfriend and everything in between. But how to wear turn-up jeans, you ask? Ahead, five outfit formulas to inform your next denim purchase…
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How to wear turn-up jeans
Baby tee + ballet flats
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Turn-up jeans can add interest to even the most simple of outfits, as Kendall Jenner so perfectly demonstrates here. For an off-duty look, choose baggy or barrel-shaped denim and add a fitted tee to balance the silhouette.
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Bomber jacket + boots
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A slightly straighter pair of turn-up jeans will look great with the added volume of a cropped bomber jacket, which makes for a handy layering option in the spring. Add a pair of pointed-toe boots to round out the look and just peek out of the turn-up cuffs, which should ideally graze the floor in this instance.
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Because for some of us, skinny jeans are a step too far.
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Vest top + tassel jacket
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The laidback essence of turn-up jeans means they lend themselves perfectly to vintage or statement pieces. Here, a tasselled leather jacket is the main event, while the simplicity of the dark wash jeans and vest top ground the outfit.
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Biker jacket + pointed heels
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Another day, another baggy jeans outfit – but by adding turn-up cuffs, you can show off a pair of sweet slingback heels to balance the look. This is a great example of how volume-on-volume can really work by adding an oversized biker jacket, while the baseball cap keeps the outfit feeling firmly daytime.
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Double denim + nipped-in blazer
Balloon jeans work great with turn-ups too, particularly when you pair them with a slim ankle boot to bring the look together (and, you guessed it – balance that volume). A tailored blazer also adds nipped-in shape.
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