Dynamic denim

WORN BY LABOURERS in 19th century America's Gold Rush era, denim jeans as created by Jacob Davis have since attained iconic status. But Levi's 501 original button fly aside, denim has since been embraced by designers who have elevated its dressed down status into more formal territory.

For the transitional pre-fall collections, designers have used denim as a platform to create stylish looks with practicality in mind. Which is why the reiterations of denim this season are not only purposeful, they're imbued with a quiet s…