How 15 Celebrities Modernized the Timeless Canadian Tuxedo

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Plenty of funny-sounding fashion terms—I'm looking at you, Coastal Grandmas—come and go, depending on the season. However, one peculiarly dubbed fashion style has withstood the test of time to become a style go-to for many celebrities, and that is, of course, the Canadian Tuxedo. The colloquial term originated after crooner Bing Crosby was reportedly refused entry to a hotel in 1951 because he was wearing a denim top and denim pants, which prompted Levi Strauss & Co. to design a custom tuxedo made of head-to-toe denim in response to the news for Crosby to wear as a cheeky publicity stunt.

Bing Crosby in denim outfit

Levi Strauss & Co.

The Crosby conundrum has been credited as denim's evolutionary catalyst going from blue-collar utilitarian wear into a fashion staple; however, the popularity of the full "Canadian tuxedo" trend has always been polarizing, being accepted as effortlessly chic by some, and an uninspired faux pas by others. In 2021, Canadian Tuxedos gained red carpet notoriety when Britney Spears wore a denim patchwork gown from Kurt and Burt to the American Music Awards and was accompanied by Justin Timberlake, who matched the pop diva in a light-wash Canadian tuxedo and denim cowboy hat. To this day, the duo remains at the forefront of historical red carpet moments for daring to be decked out in head-to-toe denim.

Britney Spears & Justin Timberlake in denim outfits

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While naysayers may wag their fingers at denim-on-denim ensembles, the fact that stylish stars, such as Rihanna, Bella Hadid, and Julia Fox, have found new and exciting ways to update the Canadian tuxedo, from swapping out jeans with maxi skirts or cinched-in corsets for button-downs, proves not only its versatility but longevity as well.

Ahead, see how some of our favorite celebrities have modernized the Canadian tuxedo throughout recent years.

01 of 15

Yara Shahidi

Yara Shahidi in denim outfit

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Shahidi hits the streets to promote her film Peter Pan & Wendy in a three-piece Canadian tuxedo from the brand EB Denim. The look was a deceptive feast for the eyes, from the shrunken cropped jacket and fitted corset to the statement-making pants.

Easily take your Canadian tuxedo from day to night by simply choosing an ensemble in one shade of blue. This monochromatic color pairing instantly elevates your outfit without any fuss and is perfect for any occasion.

02 of 15

Dua Lipa

Dua Lipa in denim outfit

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The singer's fashion-forward approach to the Canadian tuxedo look has us singing her sartorial praises for its impossibly cool. Designed by Glenn Martens of Diesel, the songstress rocked a denim bralette topstitched with the brand's signature red and baggy patchwork jeans that featured built-in boots.

03 of 15

Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway in denim outfit

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The Queen of Genovia borrowed from the book of Britney and took everyone's collective breath away at the 2023 CFDA Fashion Awards when she donned a two-piece look from Ralph Lauren. The look featured a denim corset and a dramatic floor-sweeping denim skirt printed with faded watercolor florals.

04 of 15

Julia Fox

Julia Fox in Schiaparelli

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The Uncut Gems star set the internet ablaze when she stepped out in a Schiaparelli denim jacket with conical breasts worn with a personal pair of jeans Fox allegedly took right off the body of the brand's designer, Daniel Roseberry. "He was very kind to let me wear them,” she told reporters.

05 of 15

Camila Cabello

Camila Cabello in denim outfit

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Cabello took to the stage in all things denim, donning a patchwork corset, jeans, and a floor-length coat detailed with a diamond pattern embellished with crystals. Cabello's gloves and heels were even made of denim, demonstrating how much of a style statement a Canadian tuxedo can be.

06 of 15

Rihanna

Rihanna seen out and about in Manhattan

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Miss RiRi schooled us in the art of dressing up the denim-on-denim trend by swapping the usual shirt for a voluminous shift dress. The unexpected styling proves the multi-hyphenate mogul's style prowess.

07 of 15

Emily Ratajkowski

Emily Ratajkowski

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The model and actress wore a more straightforward take on the Canadian tuxedo, pairing a chambray button-down and wide-leg flair jeans. Ratajkowski 's simple styling still feels hip and chic, serving a 70s Charlie's Angels vibe.

08 of 15

Megan Fox

 Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox

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Mixing and matching was the name of the style game for Fox as she took an oversized denim jacket (borrowed from her on-again and off-again beau, Machine Gun Kelly, perhaps?) sparkly Y2K top, and shredded jeans.

09 of 15

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez in denim outfit

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Lopez turned heads at a screening of her film "Hustlers" when she showed up in a faded bustier top with over-the-top faded black jeans that folded at the waistline, a dropped crotch, and cargo straps. If there's anyone who can convince us of the Canadian tuxedos' versatility, it’s going to be Lopez.

10 of 15

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian in Givenchy

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Kim attended the WSJ. Innovator Awards with former Burberry designer Ricardo Tisci, who designed the Skims founder an off-the-shoulder dark denim corset with poet pouf sleeves along with matching denim pants with built-in leather chaps for the award's red carpet.

11 of 15

Winne Harlow

Winnie Harlow in denim outfit

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The supermodel played with proportions with her Canadian tuxedo, wearing a cropped jean jacket with a micro-mini skirt from Tommy Hilfiger. Harlow broke up the look with a beige silk top adding a bit of softness to the outfit.

12 of 15

Bella Hadid

Bella Hadid in denim outfit

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Hadid shows that sometimes more is more, especially when it comes to the Canadian tuxedo. The supermodel turned up the volume when she wore an oversized overcoat, button-down shirt, and cargo jeans to the Balenciaga show.

13 of 15

Zoë Kravitz

Zoe Kravitz in a denim outfit

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Need the perfect off-duty outfit for a day of running errands and catching up on your favorite podcast? Look no further than Zoe Kravitz's laid-back approach to the Canadian Tuxedo, which consisted of straight-leg jeans worn with a roomy denim shacket.

14 of 15

Katie Holmes

Katie Holmes in denim

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The Dawson's Creek actress and queen of street style wore a clever take on the Canadian tuxedo, opting for a one-piece denim jumpsuit as opposed to separates. Holmes layered her tuxedo look with a grey blazer for an extra touch of formality.

15 of 15

Amandla Stenberg

Amandla Stenberg in denim outfit

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Stenberg showed off artsy side in a paint-splattered Canadian tuxedo from Calvin Klein. The DIY-esque treatment of the denim outfit transforms the looks to a level where it could've either walked straight from the runway or from the painting studio.

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