Grey jeans come from the era when denim was finished instead of left raw, and the Fashion Institute of Technology says stonewashing and acid washing became standard across the industry in the 1980s. FIT links stonewashing to the French duo Marithé and François Girbaud, and notes Guess as another key brand of the decade. Here is how to choose grey jeans that look modern and not faded for the sake of it.
Grey Jeans: Stonewash, Acid Wash and the Faded 1980s
The finish that made them possible
Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis received a patent for riveted denim work pants on May 20, 1873, which Levi's counts as the first blue jean. The Fashion Institute of Technology says that during the 1980s the practice of finishing denim with techniques such as stonewashing and acid washing became standard across the industry, and links the innovation of stonewashing to the French duo Marithé and François Girbaud, with Guess as another important brand of the decade. Grey jeans live in that tradition of treated denim, where the color is as designed as the cut.
Which grey
Grey jeans come in many tones. Charcoal is deep and almost like black. A mid grey looks soft and modern. A light silver grey is bright and a little retro. A washed grey with a hint of blue feels casual. Hold the jeans next to your face in daylight. A cool grey suits cool undertones, and a warm, putty grey flatters warmer skin.
Fit and fabric
A straight leg is easy to wear and looks clean. A wide leg looks relaxed, and a slim leg looks sharp. Look for denim with a little stretch so they keep their shape. Picture her in mid grey straight jeans, a white tee and a black leather jacket, waiting for a late train. Grey jeans suit boots, loafers and sneakers alike.
How to style them
Grey denim is a neutral. Wear it with white, black, navy, cream and camel. Tonal looks in grey and charcoal feel modern. For color, try a dusty pink or a cobalt sweater. Wash grey jeans inside out and cold, since the color can fade toward blue.
What I would skip
I would skip grey jeans with a harsh, bleached fade and a stiff, papery feel. A good grey should look soft and even, and it should still look like denim.
