Words Huw Bennett
Photography Trevor King

Until recently, I thought nothing could surpass my tailored ‘white’ 501’s – broken yet beautiful, my Levi’s have stood the test of time and have rode every drunken, bumpy, dirty road along the way. The white jean swings on a mighty wide spectrum: impractical/practically unavoidable to wear daily, hard to match/impossible to not match, and look at this guy – I’ve taken many stare down’s along the white jean road and have even been labeled an unofficial ambassador by past work colleagues (a badge worn with honour) of the white jean posse – whatever that is.

A couple of weeks back, a new pair of white jeans came to me – metaphysically speaking, I came to them and now the love affair has taken on a new chapter.

My new AMI slim fit jeans are a language unto themselves… so smitten am I that I’ve taken to laundering them and even hanging them in my cupboard to avoid other not so pleasant jeans forgotten in my wardrobe.

Cut neat at the waist and with just the right amount of give through the seat and leg, the jeans run down to a near perfect short length, maybe somewhere between a 30/31 leg length and feel like a piece of clothing that has garnered a lot more wear – credit to the make finish of the garment and ability to retain a crisp, somewhat angelic white tone. Do yourself a favour and believe that denim is more than indigo and black.

I’ve taken many stare-down’s along the white jean road and have even been labeled an unofficial ambassador by past work colleagues (a badge worn with honour) of the white jean posse – whatever that is.

Matching a white jean as discussed, can sometimes be hard business, especially when the weather starts to run a little cold or as my leather skin beach-going friend would say – winter lays her cold white lonely hand on my sunny sunned behind. White on white, navy, olive and tonal neutrals all do the trick but my pick is chambray.

I have a problem with blue shirts; I buy them before considering other colours. This shirt from Remi Relief (a brand I have adored for some time) is a new take on all my shirts in one: slim proportions in light denim that wouldn’t be out of place on a warm day washed with a patchwork effect seemingly achieved by adding panels before a wash and then removing.

I have a problem with blue shirts; I buy them before considering other colours.

Remi Relief look to recreate and capture a California that may only have ever lived on film or in print with easy pieces that value comfort but also offer peaked interest. Their smart detailing matched with the Japanese sensibility for making good great, means their products continue to capture my attention for their timeless charm and casual ease.

Up top, I’m adding a light jacket, and a little experiment with colour. FOLK are one of my all time favourite labels; and a constant source of inspiration and frustration (how did they do that so well?). Folk have the ability to revive and reinvent shapes, silhouettes and detailing inspired by vintage pieces, in my opinion like no other. My cotton coach jacket, with it’s playful tonal alpine crest is a nod to a 50’s style varsity or as the name intends, an American football coach. Cut short on the waist to allow my denim shirt to run it’s tail out the jacket’s soft almost crunchy texture, is warm whilst offering nice room in the arms for layering and movement.

The maroon colour is confident and bold but works so well against the soft blue denim and clean white. I like being simple and understated and whilst all three pieces have a loud appeal, I feel relaxed, even loose in this outfit.

Huw wears AMI slim fit white jeans, Remi Relief patchwork-effect denim shirt and the Folk cotton-blend Coach Jacket

By Oliver Grand