As temperatures soared across the UK and Europe this week, many people reached for shorts and light fabrics. Yet a notable number of men, including politicians and fashion figures, remained loyal to denim. Andy Burnham, the newly sworn-in MP for Makerfield, was seen at Manchester Piccadilly station in his signature dark jeans and dark blue T-shirt, a look he has defended against criticism from Kemi Badenoch. Similarly, at Paris men's fashion week, where brands distributed umbrellas and iced towels to combat the heat, jeans were a common sight on front rows and runways.
Jeans on the Runway and High Street
Jonathan Anderson, designer for Dior, took his post-show bow on France's hottest day on record wearing vintage Levi's jeans and Salomon trainers. Dior had moved its show to an early morning slot to avoid peak heat, but Anderson's outfit remained unchanged. This devotion to denim is reflected in sales data: John Lewis reported a 3% increase in sales of Burnham-esque indigo jeans from Nudie, while searches for Carhartt jeans rose 100% week on week, and straight-fit Edwin jeans were up 200% compared to the previous, cooler week.
Why Men Choose Jeans Over Shorts
Henrik Lischke, fashion news and features director at Grazia, suggests that men's reluctance to wear shorts drives the preference for jeans. "Shorts have become such a sticky topic fashion-wise that a lot of men haven't quite figured them out. Jeans with a T-shirt or shirt is just an easier way to crack summer dressing," he says. Andrew Groves, professor of menswear systems at Westminster University, interprets the trend as a comment on masculinity: "Wearing jeans in a heatwave is not really about comfort. It is about how menswear trains men to dress within systems of utility, restraint and masculine control, even when those systems stop making practical sense."
Practical Arguments for Denim
Many jeans wearers argue that cotton denim is naturally breathable and does not cause overheating. Zak Maoui, style director at UK Esquire, has been wearing Levi's 501s at Paris fashion week despite the heatwave, noting that jeans also protect legs from sunburn. On the high street, an untucked shirt over jeans is popular for ventilation, while in offices, dark indigo denim is preferred over stonewash or distressed styles. Lischke recommends loafers with jeans for most occasions, and smart leather sandals or flip-flops for weekends. Andy Burnham himself often pairs jeans with Birkenstocks or Adidas trainers.
A Backlash to Short Shorts?
Lischke dismisses the idea that jeans signal a backlash to fashion's obsession with short shorts. "Shorts can be incredibly chic at any age but maybe they are best kept for the garden or beach," he says. "Everyone loves to see Harry Styles in a pair of short shorts. But there is a time and place for them." Ultimately, the persistence of jeans in a heatwave reflects a blend of practicality, style norms, and masculine identity.
