While the Canadian Tuxedo is widely considered to be an unconventional look, its popularity has seen a massive increase in recent months, earning it a more timeless reputation as it’s taken to the streets of major fashion capitols like Paris and New York. Not to mention its appearances in multiple fashion weeks and haute couture collections, where the style saw its highest peak yet in late 2022.
But few know where the style originated, and what makes it so groundbreaking.
PHOTO: AKM-GSI
The man to thank? Bing Crosby. The American jazz singer was the first to bring attention to the style in the early 1950s when we was denied entry to a hotel in Vancouver, British Columbia, because he was wearing a denim top and denim bottoms. The incident soon became the most prominent in fashion, and it wasn't long before Levi Strauss & Co. heard the news and took matters into their own hands by designing a tuxedo made entirely of denim for Crosby as a publicity stunt.
Now, the tokened Canadian Tuxedo is a favorite among many, and it doesn't look like it’s going away any time soon.
Day-to-Day Wear
Of course, everyone loves and owns what can probably be considered a good amount of denim. Given trends over the recent decades, what else could the fashion scene expect after Diana Vreeland stated that "Blue jeans are the most beautiful things since the gondola."? But it’s how to make the style work that's the question.
PHOTO: ALEXANDRE VAUTHIER
It’s not what you wear. It’s how you wear it. Anyone can take a look at some of the wildest trends we’ve seen over the years and confidently say that some people genuinely just wear them better than others. And despite what most would imagine, the key there isn't having loads of options or a Black Amex to take on your next shopping date, but confidence and an eye for what works for you.
The Canadian Tuxedo is the perfect example of a look that can be easily styled for almost any occasion- whether that be a coffee date or a runway show. Take a look at model Emily Ratajkowski sporting the style in Paris during the SS23 season:
PHOTO: BACKGRID
Nothing says effortless like her two-toned look: a mid wash unbuttoned jacket paired with oversized jeans and a simple black sandal (not pictured). Notably, this isn’t the first time Ratajkowski has made her denim look like loungewear, as she’s been a fan of the style for years now, but that’s not to say it can’t be taken up a notch.
On the Runway
It’s not just the streets of these major cities that have gotten their fair share of double denim looks in the past months. Designers on runways across the globe have brought the look to life in a higher fashion, taking the Canadian Tuxedo to a whole new level.
PHOTO: ALASÏA
From Alexandre Vauthier to Alaïa, some of the biggest names in fashion have made a point not to miss the rising trend in their recent collections, where we’ve seen a surplus of denim jackets, corsets, skirts, and even dresses. And to the excitement of many fashion and style experts and enthusiasts, it’s no doubt that many of these looks are ready to wear, and when dressed up, might even be easy to replicate.
How Long Will it Last?
From celebrities like Zöe Kravitz and Rihanna to models like the Jenner and Hadid sisters, the Tux has seen its fair share of faces through the eras, and it’s no doubt that it’s made a massive impact on the fashion industry.
But even though a good pair of jeans has been deemed the most essential wardrobe staple of the twenty-first century, the full Canadian Tux is still more of an acquired style in the eyes of many, and the SS23 season wouldn’t be the first time it’s regained a lost popularity.
With constantly changing and elevating style trends, there’s no guarantee that the look is here to stay for long, if at all. But we can always hope it makes another comeback as the fashion world continues to evolve.
By: Mackenzie Ostrowski
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