How to Style Denim: Easy Outfit Ideas I Wear on Repeat

Denim has always been one of the biggest staples in my closet. No matter what the fashion gurus of the world say is in style for a season, I am donning my denim on repeat because it’s comfortable, versatile, and easy to style, and it feels like me. Each of us has a unique way of dressing ourselves, and for me, denim is often my go-to.

I'm not someone who goes out and buys whatever the latest fashion trend is. I prefer pieces that work no matter what year it is, and can be styled for everyday life, dressed up for dinner, or packed for my travels without much effort. Denim is that for me. Whether it’s a pair of jeans that fits like a glove, a cute denim dress, a denim jacket (obsessed), or even a matching denim-on-denim outfit, I love how timeless it is and adaptive to different styles and seasons.

If you’re wondering how to style denim without overthinking it, these are some outfit ideas and styling combinations I wear most often.

There’s a reason denim has stayed relevant and in style for decades: it works with mostly everything. I wear denim while traveling, walking around a city, going to dinner, running errands, or watching football (soccer) matches in Paris. It works with sneakers, sandals, heels, boots, and flats. You can dress it down, elevate it with some sexy heels, make it more feminine, edgy, or classic depending on how you rock it.

I also love that denim ages well. It never fails that when someone compliments me on a piece, I've owned it for half a century. Unless I've grown out of something (thanks, perimenopause) it remains in my closet until it's worn to shreds. Denim, to me, is the most amazing material and look a gal could ask for.

What Makes Denim So Easy to Style?

Denim easily pairs well with:

• neutrals
• basics (tees)
• structured layers (jackets/blazers)
• casual shoes
• statement accessories

That’s part of why it remains one of the easiest materials to build outfits around.

It's likely rather obvious for most of these, but I'll give a few ideas as to how styling denim can ease the pain of getting dressed everyday. A few staple denim pieces can carry you for weeks, and with a little mixing and matching, you're going to look straight out of a magazine. I'm excited to share how to style each piece of denim.

I've found great pairs of jeans at all different price ranges. From brands like Quince to 7 for All Mankind to Madewell, I've got the gamut of brands because they all serve their purpose. Each pair has a few different parts to play, and they each get their day in the sun. Jeans help me feel put together and structured in a very un-fussy way, and I appreciate that about them. Here are some ways I style my jeans.

Pair Denim Jeans with Simple Basics

One of the easiest ways to style denim jeans is with:

• white t-shirts
• striped tops (think the Breton style)
• fitted tanks
• button-down shirts
• lightweight sweaters

I typically keep the styling simple and let the denim jeans create the foundation of the outfit.

My Favorite Shoes to Wear with Jeans

Shoes completely change the look of denim jeans. I'll go from fashion sneaks to high heels with the same pair, and you wouldn't know I was the same person. Watch out! Those shoes are the key to how you want to dress up or down.

I usually wear mine with:

• white fashion sneakers
• loafers (love this look)
• ankle boots
• ballet flats or Mary Janes
• heeled sandals

Add Layers to Elevate the Outfit

If I want denim jeans to feel slightly more elevated, I add:

• a blazer
• trench coat
• structured handbag
• gold jewelry

These pieces instantly make the outfit feel more intentional without losing comfort.

I've come to love a one piece suit, particularly if it's of the denim fabric. I now have a couple of them, and I would get more if I only let myself. They are snazzy and good looking, and I'll share how I style mine.

My denim jumpsuit has come with my on my travels because it's comfortable while still looking polished. Win-win.

Keep Accessories Minimal

With a denim jumpsuit, I usually keep the styling fairly simple. The outfit speaks for itself, and it's a relatively bold move to wear, so KISS (keep it simple stupid).

I typically pair mine with:

• simple sandals
• white sneakers
• metallic platform oxfords

Add Structure with a Belt or Jacket

If I want a little more shape or layering, I’ll add:

• a belt
• coat if it's chilly
• oversized cardigan

There's no need to overdo it. The entire outfit is amazing as is and you will get some eyes on you if you wear it.

My favorite newer denim trend is wearing a denim vest as an actual top instead of simply layering it. It feels modern, structured, and versatile. Most importantly, I feel cute and I like that.

Pair a Denim Vest with Softer Pieces

Because denim vests can feel like the main event, I usually pair mine with:

• linen pants
• mid skirts
• regular jeans
• wide leg trousers

This keeps the outfit balanced. You don't want to get too crazy with the bottoms.

Keep Jewelry Simple

A denim vest already draws attention, so I usually stick with:

• small gold or silver jewelry
• simple handbags
• neutral shoes (fashion sneaks for daytime, clogs at night)

Denim skirts are one of my favorite items when planning denim outfit ideas for myself. I have both shorter and midi skirts, and I love wearing both during the summer months. A favorite pairing for the short skirt is a striped shirt, normally navy and white, and I look like a little French girl. It also gives a more feminine touch to the denim, since denim can sometimes be considered a bit casual and even rugged (depending on how you’re wearing it). I’m always on the hunt for another style denim skirt, but the ones I own I’m a huge fan of.

Love a denim shirt. I’ve been sporting denim shirts for such a long time. Many of my denim outfit ideas start with a denim shirt. I’ve got several long sleeve ones, both in blue denim and white, and I tend to wear them on repeat. Whether I’m rolling up the sleeves or leaving them long, they just look good with so much. Personally I love the blue denim because I have blue eyes and it makes them pop. And since black jeans and pants are part of my favorite wardrobe pieces, I can wear denim on denim without looking like a nerd. Although I have seen blue and blue denim being paired together in the recent. Not my style, but that’s part of the fun of fashion. You get to choose your own.

Owning a jumpsuit was something I resisted for a while. I thought I was too old to wear them in general, and it made me think I’d look like my two year old self in a little onesie. After literally years of not wearing them, I found a denim jumpsuit that I couldn’t’t live without and purchased it. The brand is one of my favorites, Madewell, and it’s long sleeves with shorts on the bottom. I absolutely love this jumpsuit and when I wear it, it gives others great denim outfit ideas that they may not have thought of. My second denim jumpsuit is the one in the photo, and I may like it even more. Trust me, if I can pull this style off, you can too. It’s a fun way to express myself without looking too childish.

How many denim dresses are too many? Don’t answer that! The other day, while out shopping a sale at Madewell, I picked up yet another denim dress. As I stood at the register, I sussed out with the cashier that I didn’t, in fact, need another identical denim dress. They are part of my denim outfit ideas and I regularly wear them dressed up and down. Pairing a denim dress during the winter months with a fun pair of tights is one of my all-time favorite looks. After all, denim matches everything. If you don’t own a denim dress, lucky for you they are all over the place. I have purchased from consignment, Sezane, Madewell, and various other brands. Find a fit that you like and hit the town.

An absolute staple in my closet, I wear blue denim and white denim jackets a couple of times per week. I recently purchased a new white denim one from a consignment shop that I love in New Orleans because my old white one was dunzo. It had stains all over it, and at some point white clothing cannot be revived. At least in my house. Jean jackets are on full rotation as part of my denim outfit ideas, and I often decide on outfits so I can wear one. They are the perfect weight when it’s slightly chilly at a restaurant, a play, or wherever you like to go in your life. I’ve owned so many throughout my life, and I love that they never go out of fashion.

When I purchased a denim blazer, I wondered what I would wear it with. On its debut night, I wore it with a sassy pair of pants from Sezane that I had bought in Paris, and it was perfect. The look is totally effortless, and exactly how I like to present myself in clothing. Creating different denim outfit ideas is wildly fun for me, and I love the process of assembling outfits and seeing how they look. This is not something everyone enjoys, and that's why I'm here to help you in this write-up about all the denim you could possibly want. A denim blazer and a denim jacket are very different, so keep that in mind if you are on the hunt for something new and fresh for your closet. The styles change the look of the whole outfit, so you have multiple options with each.

Vests were a thing back when I was growing up and I remember liking the look. While I can't remember if I actually rocked the look, I fully have embraced it now. In a not-so-long amount of time I purchased several vests: linen, cotton, wool. Vests for winter and summer, or both. They fit right into my denim outfit ideas and I have run with it. As I said, I own several vests, but this one is pure denim. As many of my items, it came from RueLaLa at a deeply discounted price, and that makes me love it even more. I'd like to note that the day of its debut I found out that a much younger gentleman thought I was "super good looking" and now I might never take it off. Keep the compliments coming, my dears. I will eat them up in my denim vest.

So, with all of these denim options, are you feeling like you are in my shoes? Do you have plenty of denim, or do you need more of it in your life? I’d love to know your favorite pieces, and give me some ideas if I am missing anything. Denim is truly one of my favorite materials on earth because of its versatility. The world has become a much more casual place, so you can fit into to most spaces with some type of denim outfit. It’s easy to mix and match, and there are hundreds of companies to choose from for your best fit. Now, I’m off to get dressed, and you know I’ll be wearing my denim.

If you liked this blog, you might also like the one I wrote on what to pack for a weekend trip.

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