Style Guide: Meet the Trends Our Denim Buyer Is Shopping this Season

Mastering your style starts with knowing how you want to feel. To help you discover your personal style, uncover modern wardrobe essentials and decipher this season’s trends, David Jones has enlisted the expert eyes of stylish industry insiders. Welcome to Style Guide.

As denim works its way into our winter rotation, David Jones’ Women’s Denim Buyer, Dani Santin, shares her 2023 autumn/winter denim trends and favourite jeans, plus her styling tips for every occasion.

“As we saw at the recent international fashion weeks, long-line denim skirts are having a major comeback,” says Dani. Her pick? Australian brand Nobody Denim’s light-wash skirt, styled with a long-sleeve Ena Pelly top and cosy teddy shacket for winter warmth.

Wide-leg jeans are also trending this season. Rolla’s is taking a more polished approach with sailor jeans, which Dani suggests styling with a bell-sleeve top. Paige’s high-waisted, bootcut jeans are another throwback style to try. Here, Dani has styled the jeans with a playful blouse, leather tote and chelsea boots to balance out the retro references. 

If you’re well-versed in blue denim, Dani suggests experimenting with an ecru pair and a matching denim trench. “You can dress up the look for dinner and drinks with friends by reaching for a collared top and tonal boots,” she says.

For casual denim, Dani suggests Levi’s, Calvin Klein, or Mother.

One pair of jeans that will never go out of style are the Levi’s 501s. “The classic, straight-leg cut and incredible variety of washes make 501s a staple in every wardrobe,” Dani says of the style, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary. For an effortlessly pulled-together look, try wearing a lived-in, mid-tone pair with an oversized shirt and navy trench.

Meanwhile at Calvin Klein, “the ’90s have been big in fashion for the past few seasons, and of course, you can’t talk about the ’90s without talking about the denim-on-denim trend,” says Dani. To lean into the ’90s grunge trend, try styling acid-wash jeans with a denim jacket, adding a logo tee and sneakers to break up the double denim.

Or for a day-to-day pair of jeans that works with boots, ballet flats and sneakers alike, try a raw-hem style from Mother. Here, Dani has paired the jeans with a relaxed knit from American Vintage and a chunky sneaker for on-the-go style.

Whether you’re dressing for casual Fridays or a relaxed office dress code, “these dark-wash jeans by French Connection are essential,” says Dani. The straight leg can be worn with a fine knit, blazer and boots for a work (and weather-proof) look. 

For a similar style with some stretch, Dani recommends Commonry’s slim-fit pair. This style is made with a little elastane, so the mid-rise, straight-leg jeans flatter your figure. When styled with a classic white button-down and a blazer, this combination is a smart alternative to break up your work wardrobe. 

Or if you can get away with a more relaxed office outfit, Rag & Bone’s jeans can be styled with a white shirt and knitted vest. Just layer on a pearl ring and bangle from Najo to finish off the polished, on-trend outfit.

Shop Dani’s wardrobe picks instore and online now.