Before we fully embrace fall in all its glory, we wanted to bring you one more post tinged with summer sunshine. It’s a well established fact that we all love our denim. It’s truly become one of life’s staples. Our Editorial Intern Victor, who has style for days, had a bit of a denim epiphany this summer. I’m excited to share his story – and gorgeous styling – with you today! — Erin

Before the summer I easily had only two pairs of jeans. They were in constant rotation — being lived in, gathering dirt, cycling through the washing machine {no anti-washing-denim-enthusiast here!}, and getting folded back into my closet. They weren’t anything special — just basics I needed to support my daily outfits. But this summer changed everything. And though I can’t quite pinpoint where or when the pivotal moment happened, as summer came to an end, I noticed that my closet was RAIDED by denim.

Apt34-Victor-3shop these items: J.Crew Denim Jacket // Anthropologie Envelope Journal // A Denim Story

They came slowly, one by one, without any obvious warning. I should have realized I had a “problem” when I found myself buying the same pair of jeans in two different sizes {in case I wanted a slouchier fit come Friday}. But no. Where did this obsession come from? At such an unlikely time of year at that — when men are ditching jeans for khaki shorts and girls are skirting around in flirty little dresses. And then it hit me, no matter how high the temperatures reached this summer, I always felt cooler in my denim {in more ways than one!}. And now the only thing I think of when a pair of Levi’s crosses my path are the different shades of the ocean. If you stare long enough, even the rips and tears on that distressed pair of jeans begin to look like waves crashing on the shore.

There is no doubt that denim jeans are the most iconic piece in American fashion. Evolving over the years from the reliant work pant of California’s Gold Rush and the perfect place to rest a gun holster in the wild west, denim has successfully maintained its relevancy. It’s become the symbol of so many prevalent subcultures — the unforgettable bellbottom, the rockstar ripped and teared and hip-hop brought the urban baggy jean — they’re all moments in fashion that we’ll never forget, even if we wanted to!

Apt34-Victor-1shop these items: Gap Indigo Henley // Madewell Hepcat Shades // EOS Lip Balm in Sweet Mint // L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream // Make Up For Ever Eye Cleanser // Essie Nail Polish in Bikini So Teeny

America’s love of denim doesn’t stop with the jean. The denim shirt is the new can’t-live-without piece for any closet. Whether it’s layered or worn on its own, chambray is easily going to give your favorite pair of jeans a run for their money. Like any piece of denim, really, the chambray shirt went from being a day off classic to an all day, e’ryday day office staple. You can even leave the blazer at home and layer a denim jacket {like this one!} over a crisp button up and it gets more than the job done!

Apt34-Victor-2 2

That’s the thing about jeans, or denim in general, it’s practical and adaptable to virtually every occasion or lifestyle. Amy Astley, Editor-in-Chief of Teen Vogue, recently spoke highly of denim in this when asked what’s been the most significant innovation in fashion. “Jeans are an American invention but a global uniform, worn every day by young and old, rich and poor, man and woman, cool and … not. Unlike most fashion, they suit everyone and get better with age.”

Whether you opt for the neo-classic skinny, a soft chambray, or the boyfriend jean this fall {this Nasty Gal pair was my summer love affair!}, you’ll never look more iconic than you do rocking denim. Here are some pieces and brands we couldn’t live without:

Get Your Shop On:

> Current Elliott Stiletto
> J. Crew Denim Jacket
Nasty Gal All Torn Up Boyfriend Jeans
> Madewell Perfect Chambray Shirt

What are your favorite pair of jeans? Could you ever see yourself living without denim? We wouldn’t know what to do with ourselves!  — Victor

art direction + styling by Victor Verdugo // original photography for apartment 34 by Aubrie Pick 

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