Perfect the art of pairing your best kicks with Hollister jeans
Denim and sneakers have long been a match made in fashion heaven, and now that you’ve made your comeback on the social scene, your jeans are ready to make theirs. To achieve the perfect combination of coveted kicks and iconic jeans, HYPEBEAST tapped stylist Ian McCrae to pair the season's most exciting footwear releases with Hollister's core line of denim products. Providing a canvas for statement tops and bold sneaker shapes, the assortment of pants and silhouettes from the retailer serves as the foundation for the season's best in casual wear. Check out the below style guide to earn the superlative for best dressed.
While the Hollister Slim Straight jeans are offered in an array of finishes like destroy, bleach or paint splatters, McRae selected the dark wash of this silhouette to pair with brightly colored tops from Helmut Lang and Marc Jacobs. The Air Jordan 3 "A Ma Maniére," a clean collaboration from the Atlanta-based retailer, creates contrast within the outfit. "To really stand out with style, sometimes it's about playing the subtle card," says McRae. "Adding a pop of color draws attention to the whole picture." Servicing this notion, the Slim Straight jean style is a true basic, with a neutral silhouette that can be paired with a variety of footwear options.
When showing off your best kicks, special attention should be given to the way the jeans fall over the sneakers you're wearing. The Straight jean's wider 16.5" leg opening is great for pairing with fashion-forward shoes like the Mihara Yasuhiro “PETERSON” or the sacai x Nike Blazer Low. Made of Epic Flex denim, the Straight jean style from Hollister is an everyday favorite that McRae has paired with bold printed tops. Combined with the distorted, melting look of the sneakers, the outfit "leaves you in a trance" while creating a balanced combination of color.
For the light wash of the Straight Jean, McRae was inspired by the normcore trend. “It lives in all of our closets — minimal dressing for the everyday,” he says. The high quality composition of Hollister’s jeans make this pair a go-to for this simplified style of dressing. According to McRae, pairing unassuming, everyday staples with more pricey items, like a Balenciaga top, makes for a good uniform. Finish the outfit off with sneakers like the Todd Snyder x New Balance 992 or the Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance 550.
Designed to have a lowkey, ’90s inspired shape, the Relaxed jean style from Hollister has the widest fit with a 17” leg opening. The Advanced Stretch denim material of the jeans truly make this pair comfortable for all-day wear. To create contrast with the looser jean, McRae recommends blending the casual vibe of the pants with a sportier top. Whether you’re actually playing on the PS5 at home or if you’re hanging out with friends, the stylist says that “it’s all about dressing like a gamer these days.” Another way to cool off denim looks this summer is pairing the Relaxed fit with a tropical top like an open button up shirt from Marni. The wide opening of the bottom of this style is best matched with chunkier, statement sneakers like the Mihara Yasuhiro “PETERSON” or the sacai x Nike Blazer Low.
To shop these styles and other offerings from Hollister denim, head to the brand’s website.