Saba Qamar makes denim on denim look cool

Actor channels the season’s trend in a fancy photoshoot

I’ve always had a bit of a thing against double denim. Honestly, who can blame me? The haunting memory of Britney and Justin’s early-2000s denim disaster still makes me shudder. You know the one—those cringe-inducing outfits that looked like they raided a cowboy-themed thrift store. It’s ironic how something so basic can make such a loud statement. You slip on your favourite jeans with a denim jacket instead of the usual tee, and suddenly it’s like you’ve got neon signs pointing at you. That’s some serious power for what’s basically farmer gear.

Yet, as we move into a new fashion season, guess what’s clawing its way back into the spotlight? That’s right, the dreaded double denim. So, how do we wear this trend without looking like we’ve just stepped out of a barn? Enter Saba Qamar. In a Gatsby-esque photoshoot, the Pakistani actor flaunts an oversized cropped denim shirt paired with a matching denim maxi skirt. Toss in a chunky silver-toned choker and the trendy wet hair look, and you’ve got a new style icon to look up to. Surrounding her, precariously balanced glasses add a touch of “look at me, I’m fancy.” This one look might actually make me rethink my denim double-dip disdain.

According to Who What Wear, there are countless ways to rock this new-season twin set. The go-to? A denim jacket with wide-leg jeans. It’s like giving a rough-around-the-edges look a sharp, stylish twist. A fitted jacket brings some much-needed structure, while wide-leg jeans do the magic trick of elongating your body. It’s a chic look that says, “I’m stylish without even trying.” Plus, we’re not confined to the traditional blue anymore. Think white, grey, pink, lilac, green—pretty much the whole rainbow. If the monochromatic denim-on-denim look screams too loud for you, mix up the colours for a more subtle yet equally denim ensemble.

Though the trusty denim jacket and jeans combo will never let you down, I’ve got a soft spot for the denim skirt trend. Pair it with a denim vest or shirt, and suddenly you’re the trendiest person on the block. Finish the look with kitten heels or trainers, and you’re channeling a very 2024 vibe. The beauty of this trend is that you probably already have the pieces in your closet. So why not play fashion designer and mix-and-match your denim duds?

Let’s not forget the iconic denim-on-denim moments of the past. Sure, Britney and Justin’s getup is burned into our retinas, but what about Bella Hadid’s 2019 corset and oversized shirt combo? Or Rihanna’s 2016 knee-length top and cropped wide trousers, complete with denim boots for the ultimate all-denim look? Even Robert Redford was rocking double denim before it was a trend, back in 1976 with his colour-block jacket and flared jeans. If celebs can shamelessly don their double denim for a quick grocery run, why can’t we? It’s not like paparazzi are stalking us at the local supermarket.

In the end, double denim isn’t the villain we’ve made it out to be. It’s like the superhero of casual wear—mild-mannered in isolation, but together, a force to be reckoned with. So go ahead, raid your closet and give that double denim a whirl. Who knows? You might just find yourself feeling a bit like a fashion icon, even if you’re just headed to buy milk.