Distressed jeans: How torn is too torn when it comes to making a fashion statement?

Tattered denims continue to be a favourite among youngsters and Bollywood stars such as Alia Bhatt, Sonam Kapoor and Kiara Advani. But has the style gone too far? Here’s what designers think.

What started with a few blemishes and cuts here and there has blown up into torn off and frayed versions — that’s distressed jeans for you! A rage back in the grunge era in mid-1980s, the style made a comeback in 2015. And, it has only been growing ever since, often raising the question: How much is too much? Is there no line to be crossed in the name of being adventurous?

Alia Bhatt and Kiara Advani spotted in ripped denims.

We get fashion designers to weigh in on the debate. Ragini Ahuja says it’s a personal choice. “Denim is a street fashion fabric great for a comfy, casual look. But how torn you want your jeans is all about your personal style.” Anupama Dayal agrees. Although she likes her jeans cut around the knees or thighs, she adds, “It’s healthy to experiment. Distressed can be shown in different forms depending on one’s distressed level.”

However, many believe that the essence of the style is lost in the name of experimentation. Nida Mahmood says, “Denim is a major trend in the fashion charts and techniques like sand blasting, lazer, stone wash, and acid wash are over used... Certain sections of the fashion chain have butchered denims beyond belief, making them look grotesque and unpardonable.”

Rina Dhaka is a fan of distressed denims, but echoes the sentiment. “In the ’90s, while I was a teenager, I used to spend a lot to get these tattered jeans. Now, people are wearing it so often. However, its elegance is lost. Some pieces are so torn and shabby, that it looks like one cut the jeans at home,” says Dhaka.