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In terms of experience, Christopher Kane is a design whippersnapper, but what he says goes. It isn't as if he chooses easy trends either - you can blame him for last summer's neon virus. And now he gives us pale denim. Thank you very much, I don't think. A trend that possesses the cruel ability to expand indiscriminately the look of one's thighs is one that we never thought we'd want to explore. But we should think about ways to make it work, because worn against tanned skin and sparkles, pale denim is surprisingly becoming.
The pale tiered ruffle skirt, an early Madonna mainstay, has been given the Kane treatment. It is now almost demure, lengthwise, and the heavy ruffles look sumptuous. If you can't afford the £575 price tag (it does seem a lot for washed cotton), Topshop and Warehouse have very good copies. Wear the skirt with a loose T-shirt and interesting heels for maximum East London street cred.
There are four ways to wear pale denim and if Agyness Deyn is not your style benchmark, go glam. Jeans or a pale denim jacket aren't obvious starting points for looking luxurious, but worn with the right pieces they give eveningwear a fresh look. Spring is the perfect time to start the mixing process. If you're dying to wear that silky little number in the back of your wardrobe but can't bear to show too much flesh, whack on the denim jacket. Wear it tight, a bit cropped and with the collar turned up.
The minimal trend has been quietly gaining strength over the past two seasons and pale denim is a good way to keep the ball rolling. The aim is to look slightly futuristic and effortless. Sinha Stanic's turquoise jacket has the right credentials: a heavy zip (a minimalist's dream fastening), a simple boxy shape and just the right amount of unusual detailing to work with the contemporary pale denim wash. This look is probably the hardest to pull off because of its inherently simple aesthetic, but done right, it has a cool, sharp edge that is hard to beat.
Loose denim of the pale variety does have an association with the pop group Bros. This is not a good thing, and should be borne in mind if you go down the baggy route. That said, a thin, loose-fitting twill in a light wash can feel perfectly summery, so don't discount it completely. Look out for comfy shirts, roomy skirts and the odd tunic dress. This permutation works well with worn-in leather belts and gladiator sandals. French Connection has the most perfect jumpsuit in loose pale denim. Wear it over a bikini for a modern take on the kaftan. Just no humming along to When Will I be Famous, OK?
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