Collegiettes, let’s be honest: You’ve got two or three pairs of jeans that you wear all the time, while the rest sit in your drawer, taking up space and filling you with buyer’s remorse. Well, all that is about to change, because the solution to your denim despair is here. Meet Denim Refinery, the website that allows you to shop for vintage denim—or customize your once-forgotten denim jeans and jackets into something you’ll actually want to wear.
Denim Refinery specializes in customizing your denim pieces and adding a unique touch. “The aesthetic is classic and cool,” says founder and creative director (and ultimate denim-ista) Janet Sung. The website features a section full of vintage, one-of-a-kind denim you can order right off the website. “Pieces with natural wear always find their way into the shop,” Sung says, citing “heavy whiskers, decade old stitch repairs, natural distressing and dirty washes” as the things she looks for most when curating the shop’s selection.
If you’re looking to upgrade rather than replace the denim in your wardrobe, Denim Refinery can also give your denim shorts, jeans, overalls or jackets a fashion-forward facelift. All you have to do is send in your denim and choose from a variety of crazy-cool refinements. Whether you’re looking to soften or distress your jeans or add a wax or foil effect, Denim Refinery has you covered. Looking for something a little more on the wild side? Denim Refinery even offers a laser treatment that leaves your denim covered in a signature leopard print design (seriously). “Every pair of jeans has its own character,” Sung says. “I like to revolve around that—preserving the garment’s existing aesthetic while enhancing it through a refinement.”
This preservation of character and personality is evident in Sung’s own approach to style, which she says is influenced by “a random mix of things: my mother, R&B culture, the ’60s, and always wanting to feel good in what I wear.” And just when you though she couldn’t get any cooler, Sung says she is most excited about rocking “baggier boyfriend jeans” this winter—the kind that are “a bit larger and wider” in the legs. Basically, they’re the perfect cool-girl alternative to your traditional boyfriend jeans.
With such a creative vision and a unique personal style, we were itching to know what Sung’s go-to style pieces are, and her classic-with-an-edge selections didn’t let us down! Check out her five style must-haves for some winter inspiration of your own.
1. Vintage jeans
“A worn-in wash always gives your outfit an elevated look.”
2. Black blazer
“[A black blazer] provides structure and an element of maturity.”
3. White crewneck tee
“Layered or alone, it’s a classic staple that goes with everything.”
4. Black or white sneakers
“When you’re on the go, comfortable shoes are a must — being monochrome in color keeps things sophisticated.”
5. Button-up shirt
“[A button-up shirt] can easily go from day to night, with a simple change of shoes.”
Sung’s style is the ultimate definition of cool, and we’ll definitely be taking some inspiration for our own winter outfits this season. Plus, with all the possibilities Denim Refinery offers, you can guarantee we’re making some last-minute holiday wish list additions (and rifling through our abandoned denim for the perfect pair to refine!). Oh—and be sure to follow DR on Instagram for cool behind-the-scenes snaps, before and after photos and more!