This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s senior fall editorial intern Dalal Daher. Find her on Instagram at @dalalllldaher. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
It’s time to accept it. The Canadian tuxedo is back and thriving. While it was a 1990s staple, denim on denim is a trend that toes the line between timeless and tacky. Celebrities have always had a penchant for the Canadian tuxedo, such as when Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake arrived at the 2001 American Music Awards in a denim maxi dress and denim suit (including a denim blazer!) respectively. While denim overload is a look you either love or hate, it seems the controversial style might be back, alongside the revival of y2k fashion in the past few years. Read on to find out more about the modern iteration of the Canadian tuxedo and how you can incorporate it into your wardrobe!
So what is the Canadian tuxedo, and how does it fit into your closet? Generally construed as any denim on denim look, in its most popular form it would be jeans and a jean jacket. However, there are plenty of denim-based articles of clothing you can use to put a twist on the Canadian tuxedo, from denim shoes to denim purses, making it quite a versatile look to achieve.
The eye-catching quality of the Canadian tuxedo has made it a favorite among celebrities, from Bella Hadid to Billie Eilish. These celebrities’ interpretations of the denim-on-denim look is definitely good styling inspiration. Grey denim, denim puffer vests, even a denim corset- the possibilities are endless. When most people think of the Canadian tuxedo- if they know what it is- it has an impression of clunkiness, a wave of denim in the form of a jean jacket and pants. For some reason, while it’s a logical pairing of clothing items, similar to any monochromatic look and the actual tuxedo it’s named after, the idea of pairing denim with itself holds worries of looking a bit too… Western. Yet when styled well and innovatively, the Canadian tuxedo is always a show-stopper.
What are some ways you can style the Canadian tuxedo? Beyond wearing a denim jacket with matching pants, or a denim jumpsuit, a more summer-friendly way to dress it is to pair a denim corset with either a denim mini skirt or shorts. If you feel like a more subtle way of incorporating denim-on-denim into your wardrobe, you could even buy a denim belt, such as this one whose distressed look and hardware has a y2k feel. Looking for a more elegant way to dress the Canadian tuxedo? Pair a denim mini dress with a matching bag or shoes. Given the array of denim clothing on the market, you can also play around with the cut of the denim and overall silhouette. Items like this asymmetric high-low skirt could be paired with anything from a corset for a nighttime look to a more modest jacket to change the overall effect of the outfit.
The best part of the Canadian tuxedo is its versatility and sustainability. The articles of clothing incorporated in this look are not part of a micro-trend and destined to go out of style within a few months, or even weeks—they’re pieces that can last you forever! Denim skirts, tops, and even bags can be mixed and matched with other items in your closet, so if you do decide to try out the look.
Another way to turn the Canadian Tuxedo into a fun, eye-catching look is by adding accessories. Styling it with accessories such as boots and statement jewelry, or incorporating clothing with other textures such as mesh, lace, or chiffon, can put an innovative spin on the outfit and transform it from a monochromatic denim look into a visually complex one. Take for example Britney Spears’ iconic denim maxi dress from the 2001 AMAs- despite the sheer amount of denim in her look, she offset it by accessorizing with a bejeweled silver belt and thick rhinestone choker, adding an extra layer of bling to her Canadian tuxedo.
The popularity of the Canadian tuxedo has also seeped into haute couture, from Copenhagen Fashion Week in August 2024 to being spotted on New York Fashion Week attendees, another indicator of its continued success. The beauty of the Canadian tuxedo is despite its unassuming description, it’s quite an expressive form of fashion with a whimsical flair. You can turn it grunge with distressed and ripped denim, experiment with mixing denim washes, and elevate it from day-to-night look depending on the color and evenness of the wash (arguably, a monochromatic dark wash would be the most elegant). While the Canadian tuxedo is quite underrated in our fashion culture, its versatility underscores its quiet staying power. So the next time you’re hunting through your wardrobe, at a loss of what to wear—try the Canadian tuxedo!
So, what do you think? Did we answer: what is Canadian tuxedo? Do you like them? Let us know in the comments below!
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