When supermodel Gigi Hadid steps out, she does it in denim and with style. As part of the stylish model-meets-influencer tribe that rose to fame in the mid-2010s, which includes sister younger sister Bella Hadid and friend Kendall Jenner, Hadid personifies California’s laidback style and penchant for denim.
Hadid stepped into the scene in 2015—often by the side of famous friends like Joe Jonas and Cody Simpson—with a casual “girl-next-door” look. Her destroyed skinny jeans, cuffed jean shorts, midriff-baring shirts and tank tops mirrored the everyday style of 20-somethings around the world. That year she walked for designers including Marc Jacobs, Chanel, Michael Kors and Max Mara. She also appeared in friend Taylor Swift’s music video for “Bad Blood,” officially becoming part of Swift’s unofficial girl gang.
As her star power grew, Hadid’s off-duty denim style evolved.
In 2016, a year when she walked the runway for Versace, Balmain, Isabel Marant and more, Hadid opted for more unique items like a custom jean jacket by Frame and tartan skinny jeans. Hadid also began to blend genres of fashion, pairing joggers with long denim coats, blazers with short-shorts and wide-leg jeans with designer details like Hermes belts.
For Fall ’16, Hadid inked a deal with Tommy Hilfiger to develop Tommy x Gigi, a multi-season collection that combined the model’s accessible style—sneakers, distressed jeans and tanks—with the designer’s signature nods to nautical and military fashion. As brand ambassador, Hadid helped raise the profile of the heritage brand’s signature flag logo.
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The next year, Hadid’s denim wardrobe became more global. The model began experimenting with avant-garde designs by A Cold Wall and Y/Project. Leather jeans were mixed with denim jackets. Bustier tops were mixed with ’90s-inspired straight fit jeans.
Hadid began to favor deconstructed jean jackets—worn belted or loose over a bodysuit—jeans with step hems, contrasted denim and cropped wide-leg jeans. The wider silhouettes were often paired with colorful Dr. Marten boots. Crystal-embellished jeans were paired with a sugary pink sweater. A Victoria Beckham printed set was paired with a vintage rock tee. And red became Hadid’s signature color to wear with denim, serving as an accent color on shoes, bags or lips.
In 2018, Hadid continued to play with silhouettes. Flare jeans, Mom jeans and cropped jeans were often worn by the model, along with ironic long-sleeve T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies or tank tops. A denim suit, updated with denim bike shorts, and a ’70s-inspired orange denim set were among her bolder denim looks.
Hadid’s experimentation with fits carried in 2019, when she stepped up her game in utility and streetwear fashion, and was voted into the Rivet 50. Jumpsuits, cargo pants and uniform-inspired denim shackets complemented Hadid’s growing collection of military footwear and chunky Dad sneakers.
Hadid also embraced ’90s supermodel styling, sporting sliced jeans with feminine tops, embroidered Mom jeans with oversized blazers and pairing denim shirts with bike shorts. And if anyone doubted Hadid’s love for denim, 2019 was also the year she feted her 24th birthday with a denim-themed bash in New York City.
As for what 2020 brings, Hadid is showing a preference tried-and-true button-fly straight fits and black denim.