Corrosive Couture

When I think of acid wash, I think of this:

It ain’t pretty. So when I caught wind of the resurgence of this trend, I was highly skeptical. All I could think of was Def Leppard, gigantic feathered hair, too much makeup, and how happy I was when this trend died its timely death shortly after it came into style. Good riddance!

Thankfully, twenty years have passed, and those years have apparently provided designers with 20-20 hindsight because the excesses of the 80’s are gone from these acid wash jeans. The fabric is still made in the same manner, by washing denim with bleach, rocks, and heaven knows what else they put in those gigantic washing machines to fade and soften the fabric. But the cuts are much more flattering, and a minimalist approach has taken hold. Whew… (I really don’t need to see acid wash AND white fringe EVER AGAIN.)

I must admit that I really like some of the new styles. Skinny jeans are still going strong, and we can find plenty of acid-washed skinny jeans in every price range. Even Lindsay is wearing a pair by Jet by John Eshaya.

J Brand has gone all out with this edgy pair of bleach-spotted and destroyed stretch skinny jeans. They are a limited edition style and are available at ShopBop for $218.

Bebe has the most attention-grabbing pair for a decent $89. This acid wash looks a lot like tie-dye. I just love the pink dye and the leggings styling.

I haven’t seen anything like this fabric anywhere else, as most of the acid washes are more subtle in terms of color. Most washes are denim blue and uniformly faded.


In keeping with the recession, I must mention that Forever 21 has several styles to choose from in prices ranging from $22.80-27.80. Not bad, for a trend that I doubt will sick around for very long.

Personally, I’m not a big fan of spending a ton of money on fleeting fashion trends. I will dig deep for a good basic, but when it comes to short-lived looks, I like to spend conservatively.

As far as styling goes, it goes without saying that the jeans themselves make a very strong statement. There is no need to add more bling bling to the mix, so keep your top simple when you’re wearing them. Simple white or black works well. Understatement is key. Unless you are going to a costume party, then add studded belts, a neon top, jelly bracelets and knock yourself out!

*The views expressed in this blog are solely those of Gillian Kirkpatrick and do not necessarily reflect those of Goodwill of Greater Washington or the DCGF.

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