Denim on the dancefloor

Denim on the dancefloor

21 February 2024

Brits admit to donning denim at weddings, job interviews and funerals according to research from Tu Clothing

Tu Denim
  • Almost half of Brits (49%) think it’s acceptable to wear denim to formal events like weddings, with 42% agreeing that people are more likely to wear the wardrobe staple now than 10 years ago 
  • When it comes to the workplace, almost half (45%) say they wear denim to the office, and one in 10 (13%) confessed to wearing it to a job interview 
  • The research from Tu Clothing has found that over two thirds (71%) are more likely to wear jeans to special occasions than formalwear 

Move over Sophie Ellis-Bextor - it’s denim on the dancefloor! Findings from Tu Clothing’s new survey have revealed that denim is now seen as a go-to outfit for all occasions, with 1 in 10 Brits admitting they’ve even worn denim to a wedding. Respondents shared other social occasions where they have been known to don denim, including parties (80%), whilst clubbing (54%), in the office (45%) and even playing sports (15%).

With over a quarter (28%) admitting to not wearing a suit in the past five years and 27% only wearing heels a few times a year, casual and formal dressing are more blended than ever before. Brits are ditching black tie and are instead elevating their everyday wear for a variety of social occasions. Jeans are being worn in a more formal way, with over two thirds (71%) saying they are more likely to wear jeans and trainers than formalwear such as heels and smart jackets when it comes to formal events. It seems that younger generations are leading this approach, with 35% of under 30s saying they wear denim to events ‘all the time’ compared with just 14% of over 60s.

As a nation, we are more divided when it comes to wearing denim to work. Nearly half (45%) have worn denim in the workplace, with those aged 30-44 being more likely to wear denim to work (39%), compared to a third (33%) of younger people (18-29).

However, there may be a denim dress code when it comes to office attire, with almost a third of respondents (30%) believing that only certain types of denim are acceptable for work. Some are pushing the boundaries with denim, with 8% deeming that ripped jeans are suitable in the workplace and 13% of respondents even admitting to wearing denim to a job interview.

Top occasions where Brits have worn denim:

  1. A party (80%)
  2. Out clubbing (54%)
  3. The office (45%)
  4. At the races (18%)
  5. While playing sports (15%)
  6. To a job interview (13%)
  7. A wedding (10%)
  8. A funeral (9%)

Victoria Stead, Head of Buying at Tu commented on the research, saying:Denim is a non-negotiable when it comes to our customer’s seasonal essentials. As we head towards Spring, we’re proud to be offering our customers even more choice with a versatile and great value collection of denim styles that can easily slot into customer’s existing wardrobes and be pulled out season after season, whatever the occasion.

We want our customers to have the confidence to elevate their denim looks while wearing what makes them feel great. You can expect to see new updates across our denim range; from our best-selling £16 straight and skinny jeans to new emerging fits such as the barrel leg. We’ll also have some other denim pieces outside of jeans, such as boiler suits, midaxi skirts, worker jackets and more. This range has got you covered, whatever your personal style.”

Tu has partnered with celebrity stylist Rachael Hughes to share advice and tips on how to style its new 2024 denim collection, whatever the occasion.

On the research, Hughes said: “By experimenting with styles and adding pops of colour, you can easily give your wardrobe a seasonal refresh using denim. Bright bags and accessories give a burst of energy to a full denim look whilst also allowing you to imprint your own personal style. Try adding a heel to a slouchy wide jean or pairing a trench with a denim jumpsuit to create an effortlessly chic look.

I am so excited to be working with Tu Clothing on its denim campaign. They have an incredible range of denim staples that can work for a myriad of occasions and can really raise your fashion game. I will definitely be trying them on all my clients!”

Tu Clothing launches its new Spring denim collection this February with a variety of timeless denim styles that will make wardrobes work hard no matter the occasion. The range features jeans in classic shapes such as straight leg and mom to newer fits like the barrel leg, as well as new staples such as denim midi skits, oversized shirts, boilersuits and more.

To find denim styles in the aisles, head to selected Sainsbury’s stores or check out the full denim collection online at tu.co.uk. The Tu Spring Denim collection is available now while stocks last.

ENDS

Notes to Editors
This research of 2,000 Britons was conducted by Perspectus Global during January 2024.

Media enquiries
For further information please contact Alfred at [email protected]

About Tu
Tu has been inspiring fashion confidence since its launch in 2004, offering design-led, excellent quality and great value fashion across womenswear, menswear and childrenswear.

The sixth largest clothing retailer in the UK by volume, Tu helps customers fulfil their clothing missions everyday by offering everything from a broad range of lingerie, lounge and nightwear, the latest denim fits alongside key fashion pieces, everyday essentials and school wear. Tu also offers a range of specialist sizes with its own brand Petites and Maternity offers, as well as working with selected partners to keeps the whole family’s wardrobe updated with fashion that makes you feel good. Tu is aware of its impact on the world around it and has stretching sustainability targets to achieve, from key raw materials usage to greater transparency in its supply chain – all measured using the Higg Index. Tu clothing is available to buy online at Tu and Argos as well as in over 400 selected Sainsbury’s stores.

About Rachael Hughes
Rachael Hughes is a 36 year old Fashion Stylist who has been in the Fashion/ TV industry for 16 years. Based in London, she has worked on a wide range of TV shows and has a host of celebrity clients here in the UK and America, dressing for everything from red carpet events to live TV.
Instagram - @rachaelhughesstyle