Would You Wear… Bleached Jeans?
Nicole Richie, Gwen Stefani, and Fergie wearing bleached jeans.
Here’s another trend of the moment for you guys to debate. Ultra-distressed, bleach-stained jeans have been a hit ever since they showed up in the Maison Martin Margiela Spring 2008 collection, and the trend remains just as hot as ever.
Plain old bleach-splattered jeans like the ones Nicole Richie is wearing above are a popular choice for spring, but the tie-dyed bleached jean is even trendier and more daring. Psychedelic denim is a look that we saw on the Balmain Spring 2009 runways, and celebs like Gwen Stefani are loving it right now. (Gwen’s jeans in the photo above are made by Current/Elliott, FYI.)
Personally, I think the jeans Gwen is pictured wearing are cute, and I definitely think they work with her outfit. They’re trashy and grungy looking in a good way, if that makes sense. Fergie’s look, however, isn’t doing it for me. For some reason the jeans just don’t work as part of that outfit. And I’m still not sure how bleached jeans would work on normal people… they might be a tough trend to pull off for some.
Now I want to get your take on this trend. So what do you think? Would you wear bleached jeans? What about tie-dyed bleached jeans? Do you think they can work in real life, or are they too much of an 80’s throwback for you? Leave a comment and discuss!
Posted on on April 13, 2009 / Filed Under: Would You Wear? / Tags: Bleached Jeans, Celebs, Denim, Gwen Stefani, Jeans, Nicole Richie, Trends, Would You Wear?
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Stylista Steals
I can honestly say that I would NOT wear bleached jeans. Even in the pics above, they are doing those ladies no justice.
Caroline
I’m all for going retro, but first jump suits, then harem pants and now bleached jeans? some fashion trends were meant to stay in the past. What are these people thinking? Bleached jeans look good on no one. Fergie looks huge.
Blaire
I’d wear the ones Nicole is wearing but the tye-dyed ones are just a bit…much on normal people. This seems like one of those trends that looks really cool on celebrities and super skinny models, but as soon as I slip them on, they’ll make me look huge. They’re not exactly flattering on Fergie…
Kayla
Definitely not. I am nowhere nearrrr as tall or slender as Ms. Stefani. So no haha.
Valeria
Absolutely not. I just saw a friend of mine wearing bleached jeans and I can’t figure how this trend would work on normal people. It’s just too messy looking for me.
Alycia
While I’m usually all about “recycling” trends… this is not one I’m ever going to try. I think both Fergie & Gwen Stefani look like cattle in their bleached jeans.
ciara
I would deff wear Nicole Richies. As Gwen Stafani and Fergie, not so much. I think it looks a little too out there, I mean they can pull it off, but i could never. So yeah, i agree normal people probably couldnt pull it off, but worth a try, never know
jen
I like the pair that Nicole Richie is wearing. They look paint splattered. And I appreciate that the biggest splatters are at the top and they trickle down to the bottom. I’d wear them. But yuck on the other ones! The dark with the light looks way too bold and chaotic and oddly intentional. Gwen looks like a space cadet. But she’s allowed to. And we praise her for it. But ugh..Fergie! I really wish she were wearing Nicole’s jeans instead. She would look so much more refined.
Elle
I like Nicole’s for the fact it is subtle and kinda interesting. Hate Gwen’s and Fergie’s though.. far too retro for my taste. I’m all for the revival of trends but those two just look like they came straight of that era’s closet. No modernization imo
Ali
Nooooo. Never, ever.
They look ridiculous on celebrities so i’m sure they look even MORE ridiculous on “normal people”.
PLEASE DONT WEAR THESE PEOPLE!
kat
http://www.fashiontoast.com/2009/03/sixoclock.html
rumi pulls them off. after seeing this, i bought a pair, and i’ve definitely worn them several times. They’re selling at wal-mart and target, so they’re obviously not so “high fashion” that normal people can’t wear them. I’m 5′8 and a size 4, most of my height is in my legs and i feel pretty confident wearing them.
however, i think the styling above is overall awful. i agree fergie def wore the wrong outfit with it, as for gwen it’s just too much. with a simple, thin tank top or t-shirt, paired with motorcycle boots, they look pretty killer.
Caitlin
Nicole’s are okay, but I HATE the tie-dye!
Mani
Now this trend is just one of the trends that I will never touch with a ten foot pole. It’s totally personal preference, but it’s really not for me. :/ I’m more into subtle acid-wash jeans than these…other than that though, it’s a define NO.
Allie
I actually think Nicole is rocking it – but the other two have too much a distinct contrast between the darker blues and bleached whites. plus they’re wearing heels with them whereas Nicole is in a pair of casual flats that matches the vibe of her pants a little better.
Chelsey
I like Nicole’s, but it is something I could never pull off. Gwen is one of those people who could rock this look (as she does so well in the pic), Rihanna could too….but I definitely think this trend is not for the average Jane
Leia
I agree with most of the other commenters – I don’t think this is a trend for me.
Linda
Does anyone know what jeans Nicole is wearing ?
Stacey
its way too much of an 80’s throwback. That being said though I’m not a fan of any sort of heavily distressed denim
Lyd
Nicole’s jeans are nice… but the other 2 = no no. i wouldn’t wear it.. looks like white paint spilled over jeans lol
piggy
those are ugly, im not a big fan of jeans that are very ripped or bleached up. lol but they likely wont look ugly on the average good looking model.
Lauren
I really love the jeans that Nicole Richie is wearing. I think that they look grudgy and they make her outfit. I dnt like Gwen or Fergie’s jeans b/c in my opinion they look to 80’s for my style. I would wear bleached jeans if i found a pair that looked good and fit right <3
Zephyr
Kat – I totally agree that Rumi pulls them off, but I think she could get away with ANYTHING! Gotta say, she kind of made me want to get a pair too.
Linda – Nicole’s jeans are Jet New Wave Light Splatter Jeans in Stone/Bleach.
Amanda D.
I MIGHT wear the bleached jeans – if they weren’t heavily bleached. But never the tie-dyed. People in the “real world” don’t actually wear this kinda stuff… and when they do it’s one in a million and they stand out (which is probably why they wear them) It’s like those little high-heeled bootie shoes that came out – who wears them? NO ONE!
Sherin
Hmmm, its an interesting trend. The ones on Nicole Richie look cute, and I wouldn’t mind wearing them. They’re more subtle and, I guess, more casual. Gwens’s and Fergies are a bit too much for me.
kirsten
This is one trend I really don’t like. I think you need a lot of confidence to pull this off, and I can honestly say that the whole time I would be like dammit I look like I fed up my laundry!
Zephyr
Amanda – But what’s so bad about standing out? Isn’t that sort of what fashion is all about?
Kirsten – Yes, you definitely need the confidence. But if you love ‘em and know you look fab, the confidence will be there!
Missaa
I Love Nicole Richie’s jeans… but for Gwen and Fergie… I guess I’ll have to get used to it!
Lupe
I`d wear a pair like Nichole Richies but, the ones that fergie have on look really tacky, so yes i would wear some bleached jeans.
Maria
tie-dye, no way. nicole’s is cute though. but when i see bleached jeans… it kind of reminds me of cows (the spots here and there). lol.
Arielle
Jeez, I love how everyone on that site was making such a HUGE deal that those were walmart jeans. It’s not that big of a deal…walmart actually keeps uo to date with current trends you know…
Anyway, no i would never wear those jeans. They just look trashy to me.
Valeria
Nichole looks really amazing, but that’s because she’s like REALLY thin, so the jeans help her to draw some curves.
But, since Fergie already has curves, she looks short and chubby.
So I think this trend only works for really, really thin girls =/
Amanda D.
Yes, but when most girls stand out in what their wearing – it’s typically not a good standing out. It’s generally tacky – atleast from what I’ve seen. Sometimes I see a unique/different top and it looks nice – but usually it’s something ridiculious and not flattering at all.
Evan
I can kind of dig it, but then I get this unshakable feeling with Steffani’s that it looks like the pathwork you’d find on a cow. I guess it’s a fine line to walk.
Elise
Love nichole’s I’m totally going to wear these, I like them really casual, not dressy!
Lauren M
I think they look trashy… not a fan.
anthea
I think Nicole Richie did it best! She can wear anything and look fabulous! Gwen Stefani too but Fergie, I agree, not so good! I tried a pair on the other day but they didn’t fit! If I could find a pair, I would probably give them a go! Great post!
Linda
Thanks Zephyr !
Andi
When they’re very casual, kind of “oops, I splattered bleach on my favorite jeans, but ive had them for so long/they fit so well, I will wear them anyway.”, really in a relaxed fit, low slung. But when they scream “I JUST GOT BACK FROM VAN HALEN, THEIR 1984 TOUR ROCKS!” with horrible eighties flashbacks, just say no, kids. To van halen and acid wash.
Arielle
I completely agree with Andi
la petite fashionista
I used to have a pair of these in 6th grade haha I never thought they’d come back into fashion or that I’d like them again, but i do! I think if paired with something more polished on top (a blazer?) it’s a really fun look.
Peggy
Never! I like my jeans messed up as a result of mistakes I’ve made, not pre-ruined. Destroys the cool authenticity of it. No, I’d rather save my $350 and bleach my own jeans.
VP
I think this only works out in La-La land, land of the trendy. Pairs with nonchalant splatters are find, but the ones Fergie and Gwen wear are a little over the top for me.
missmaggie
Not in a million years!
myvogue
I like Gwen Stefani outfit, but I won’t put those jeans on…never…. Doesn’t like them at all.
Jalisa lanise
I have some with holes in them but it’s that much.
Cindy
Chances are No. I my wardrobe doesn’t have much that matches with that, prolly only the tshirts (._.)
Cissy
I think the problem with Fergie’s is that she’s wearing them with a blazer, and the juxtaposition of formal with grunge just doesn’t work. That and they don’t exactly do much for her figure, either.
Sabiha
it looks somthing your builder would wear, paint splattered jeans
it just does not work for me, waay to much bleach. in my opion they look out of place. the only person they look good on is Nicole Richie, probably cause they are not too bleached
Suri
I just think its another fad. I personally would not wear bleached jeans…i think they look gross. Although, celebrities like gwen stefani and fergie where them – they can pull it off.
Also I like to keep my stuff neutral and normal and nothing too crazy
Benny Mitchell
Sure I’d wear them. I like them better than the ones that are torn.
Nina
They definitely work in somewhere like L.A. or London (I live in L.A. currently and used to live in London) with a cool shirt but I think in places such as Atlanta (where I have family) and other places not so trend-friendly I would probably get disapproving stares and the “wtf is she wearing” glance. So, I think it depends on where one lives as VP stated.
Amelia
Totally! They look really great with a tye dyed shirt!
Lo
EWW! those dont look good on anyone
Aarron
Well I am a guy and I must say I actually do like the bleached jeans look. With that being said the only pair I can say I’d actually put on my body would be the pair Nicole Richie is wearing. I live in Washington DC and despite the conservative stuck up attitude that is taken on by everyone here I am praised for my difference in fashion sense and creativity and I can fit into a girl’s size 6! LMFAO! Anyway… I do like the pair Gwen is wearing, but I think it would only look good on her because SHE’S GWEN STEFANI! As for Fergie I’m not feeling them too much. One thing I have noticed is that jeans that are light in color to begin with tend to look better with the bleached effect. Darker colored jeans don’t seem to look as nice. Also, I don’t like the whole tie die look (e.g Fergie) it looks a lot better when it is paint splattered or sprayed(e.g Nicole Richie). It’s all in the way it is designed and of course your body type. Everything doesn’t work for everybody and everyone won’t like everything. Either way it’s a look that only certain people can pull off. It can be a hit or could be a miss!
Miley
Yeah I think they’re super cute and add to the whole “not trying too hard” look
Neri
Can I jus say I love ur column/blog things Ive just come across it today so im makin my way back and reading them all…
Bleached jeans tho? for me thats a NO NO!!
Yeah celebs wore them… but they probably only wore them once and got them free anyway so had to advertise..
I wouldnt spend 50 £ on a pair of jeans that Im not goin to wear…
U really only see these girls mainly in plain or ripped jeans!
I never even heard about these bleached jeans bak in the time u rote this so it obviously didnt make an impact (not ur ritin the fashion)
xx
prada
I don’t understand why people r making such a big deal out of this maybe its because the style you guys r use to wearing is more ” I like to fit in with everyone else style ” I bleached my own jeans and I think I look pretty darn good in them I got plenty of compliments and some confused negative stares so I agree that u need to have somewhat of confidence I say if u like them wear them I mean who wants to be like everyone else . And also I would like to touch on the sub where everyone saying oh not for ” normal people ” wth they are normal people just famous but most of them were like us too. Well anyways if you know how to wear them plus confidence = a lot of envi stares and who knows maybe if there not a big trend in your town it could become one and you’ll get a whole lot of credit :)
vicki
I’m not a fan of bleached jeans . . . they’re really unnatural, and I think it definitely makes people look like they’re trying too hard, especially the patterned ones.
If I had to wear them, I wouldn’t go any more extreme than the jeans that Nicole Ritchie is wearing in that picture. As for Gwen and Fergie . . . maybe they like them, but to me they look like chemical puke.
Grace
I like the kind that Nicole Richie is wearing. I would definitely wear that type
cam
as soon as i went online and looked at the ones wetseal has on there website for bleach jeans i thought i had to automatically buy them. they were different and had a cool bleacked x-ray design to them but as soon as i got them i was suddenly stuck.how cud i match these attention grabbing jeans with a shirt that blended perfectly with them. to this day im still expermenting with outfits with them. but im very close to finding the answer to this mystery
#1SaintsFan
Personally I am totally in love with them and to prove it I purchased a pair at Lane Bryant last night. I read alot of comments about how they will make you look fat but if you already have curves they will accent them. I am planning to wear them with a solid shirt and some really cute shoes.
sidenote******** Black & Gold to the Super Bowl, were yelling who dat who dat who dat say they going beat them saints