Fashion 17 Spring-Ready Ways to Wear a Denim Dress Americana at its finest. By Amber Rambharose Published on April 18, 2023 @ 11:09AM Pin Share Tweet Email In This Article View All In This Article With a Blazer With Socks and Sandals Add a Statement Belt Go Beyond Blue Play Up Princess Styling With Barbiecore Boots Add Statement Sneakers With a Metallic Bomber Jacket Wear Over Sheer Sleeves Double Down on Denim Add Lightweight Gloves Mix and Match Washes Add Western Accessories Coordinate Lightweight Leathers Go Monochromatic Under an Oversized Leather Jacket Over a Collared Shirt Proof denim is the most versatile fabric: From maxi to mini dresses, shredded and distressed to pleated and pressed, denim dresses can be worn any number of ways. This particular style also has early aughts vibes, and though there's no shortage of Y2K denim trends resurfacing this spring — for better or for low-rise — that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of fresh ways to style your most tried-and-true denim dress from seasons past. Because denim can feel a bit heavy, many of our top picks for denim dress outfits to wear for spring feature shorter hemlines, but if you prefer a denim maxi or midi moment, you'll still find plenty to love. Another pro tip: You can swap out any of the 17 denim dress looks below for a denim skirt of your choosing and a shirt in a denim-esque fabric like chambray or linen to create a similar effect. Getty Images Because denim is such a ubiquitous fabric, you should feel not only free, but empowered to, mix up our styling recommendations with your own personal flair. Whether that means you style each of these looks with a chunky platform sandal or add tights and combat boots to every outfit, you simply cannot go wrong with denim. The sky (blue denim wash) is the limit. With a Blazer Getty Images Adding a blazer to a casual outfit is a surefire way to add a layer of sophistication, which is probably why we all love a jeans-and-blazer moment. That same business caszh vibe can be carried over to your favorite denim dress. We recommend adding a pair of chunky platforms to create some contrast with the menswear-inspired blazer of your choice as well as experimenting with oversized fits.Shop Similar: Frank & Eileen Mary Classic Shirtdress in Classic Blue Tattered Wash, $328, and Bardot Maison Split Back Blazer, $139, and Steve Madden Emery Heeled Sandals, $60 (Originally $100). With Socks and Sandals Getty Images There's something all-American about a denim dress, which makes it an ideal centerpiece for a 'fit that explores and subverts other aesthetics, like this updated Y2K take on the socks and sandals normcore combo. It's an ideal denim dress outfit idea for when you want to look put-together in a flash.Shop Similar: Paige Denim Mayslie Denim Minidress, $229, and Sock Candy Sunflower Butterfly Sheer Sock, $18, and Melissa Kick-Off Sandal Platform, $109. Add a Statement Belt Getty Images Move over, charm bracelets. Charm belts are back and make the perfect accessory to pair with a denim mini dress. You can create a more cohesive, elevated look by adding jewelry in a similar finish to your belt, or let it stand on its own by toning the down the rest of your look with neutral accessories.Shop Similar: MIAOU Blue Anya Minidress, $265, and YSL Charm Chain Belt, $825. How to Transition the Platform Shoe Trend into Spring Go Beyond Blue Getty Images Many of us assume the vibe is blue jean baby when it comes to denim. That said, one way to make an impact with a denim dress for spring is to go for an unexpected hue. Sunny shades like yellow and pink are perfect for spring, while floral and pattern prints also make a major fashion statement.Shop Similar: Isabel Marant Vona Denim Mini Dress, $890. Play Up Princess Styling Getty Images One of our favorite approaches to styling denim dresses for spring is to take a princess-like approach. Mary Jane platform pumps and a sweet satin clutch add both elevation and edge to a denim dress, especially one that features crystal embellishments or a classically feminine and flirty fit-and-flare or curve-hugging silhouette.Shop Similar: Bronx and Banco Maraya Denim Diamond Mini Dress, $850, and Larroudé Ari Pumps In Ivory Leather, $350. With Barbiecore Boots Getty Images Barbiecore is inescapable, and we aren't complaining. But if you're wary about going full Barbie dreamhouse, we recommend dipping your toes into the Barbie pink waters, literally, with a pair of bubblegum statement boots and a casual denim dress.Shop Similar: Azalea Wang Pink Heartout Thigh High Boots, $45 (Originally $90), and True Religion Big T Denim Dress, $96 (Originally $160). Add Statement Sneakers Getty Images For the ultimate comfy denim 'fit that still serves main character energy, you can't go wrong with a pair of platform statement sneakers and an oversized denim shirt dress. Don't fear a boxy fit with this look; the looseness of a denim shirtdress contrasts beautifully with the structure of the sneakers.Shop Similar: Club Monaco Denim Shirt Dress, $139 (Originally $190) and Naked Wolfe Strike Pink Sneakers, $300. With a Metallic Bomber Jacket Getty Images Bomber jackets are a springtime staple and there's no better way to show off your fave than by wearing it over a dark wash denim dress. While oversized outerwear continues to draw celebrity attention this year, you don't need a voluminous silhouette to make this look stand out.Shop Similar: PROJECT GAP Denim Mini Dress with Washwell, $60, and LaMarque Chapin Reversible Leather Bomber Jacket, $515. Wear Over Sheer Sleeves Getty Images Styling strapless denim dresses can be tricky, which is why we're so happy that sheer clothing is everywhere this spring. Layering a strapless denim dress over a sheer long-sleeve shirt doesn't just add a light layer for those surprisingly chilly evenings. It also offers some bust line security and can bring your whole denim dress look together.Shop Similar: Lovers and Friends Alexis Bustier Mini Dress, $168, and Marcella New York Eloise Sheer Turtleneck, $65. Double Down on Denim Getty Images Before you ask, yes, an incredibly chic all-denim look isn't just possible, it's deceptively simple to pull off. To get yourself started, we recommend choosing a textured denim dress with distressed or patchwork detailing, and then adding the rest of your favorite denim pieces, from jackets to shoes to button-downs.Shop Similar: EB Denim Polka Dress, $480, and SCHUTZ Keefa High Casual Sandal, $158. 13 Outfits to Wear With a Jean Jacket You Haven't Tried Yet Add Lightweight Gloves Getty Images From incredibly extra to relatively low-key, gloves are continuing to have their moment as warmer months wear on. They're an opulent celebrity fave, but they also happen to be an eye-catching way to break up large swathes of similarly colored and textured fabric, making them a great accessory to pair with a denim dress.Shop Similar: Corenelia James Lucrezia Tulle Opera Glove with Mousquetaire, $260, and AllSaints Osa Puff Sleeve Denim Mini Shirtdress, $199. Mix and Match Washes Getty Images Attention anyone a little bit extra: If you want to serve a lot of look, while still technically adhering to a casual dress code, you're going to want to get in on this all -denim-everything 'fit. The trick to making head-to-toe denim looking fresh is to play with a variety of washes. Combining light, dark, and patchwork denim outerwear and shoes with your spring denim dress will keep things unexpected instead of monotonous.Shop Similar: Azalea Wang Rheya Chunky Sandal in Mixed Denim, $60. Add Western Accessories It's coastal cowgirl season and nothing says giddy up like a denim dress worn with Western accessories. You can go rugged with a pair of worn-in and well-loved cowboy boots, or give things a more elevated vibe with whipstitched accessories featuring bold brass buckles.Shop Similar: MPAZ Studio Waves Denim Dress, $185, and Banana Republic Llano Whipstitch Belt, $150. Your Guide to the Coastal Cowgirl Trend TikTok Is Obsessed With Coordinate Lightweight Leathers Spring is, in our opinion, prime leather weather. Whether you prefer vegan, faux, or the real deal, a denim dress outfit is a great way to show off multiple leather pieces in a single look. Layering is key and we consider a sleek over-the-knee boot, a form-fitting denim dress, and a cropped or close-fitting leather jacket to be essential layers. From there, you can play with a second denim layer, a heavier longer jacket, or a button-down shirt.Shop Similar: Quince 100% Leather Motorcycle Jacket, $150, Stuart Weitzman Ultrastuart 100 Stretch Pointed Toe Over the Knee Boot, $713 (Originally $950), and Madewell Denim Seamed Long-Sleeve Mini Dress, $128. 13 Outfits to Wear With a Jean Jacket You Haven't Tried Yet Go Monochromatic Getty Images Monochromatic dressing can be overwhelming in hues of blue denim, but white and cream denim accented with metallics is an entirely different story. A white denim dress is, in and of itself, a great statement piece that needs little to no accessorizing, but when paired with silver cowboy boots or platform booties, the It Girl points triple.Shop Similar: SCHUTZ Cicera Metallic Leather Bootie, $218, and Reformation Nikki Bustier Denim Mini Dress in Vintage White, $178. Under an Oversized Leather Jacket Getty Images We've said it before: Hailey Bieber rarely goes a week without being photographed in an oversized leather jacket. To incorporate an oversized leather jacket into a denim dress 'fit, try adding a denim boot to balance out the jacket and ensure the bring the focus of the look back to the fabric of choice.Shop Similar: The Arrivals Vader IV Jacket, $795, and Amina Muaddi Jahleel Denim Thigh-High Boots, $1.765. Over a Collared Shirt Getty Images For a look that's cohesive without being monotonous, we love a chambray button-down worn under a strapless denim dress. Remember, you don't need a mini dress to pull this look off. Any hemline will do here, but we do recommend a more fitted button-down, because you don't want to feel too restricted once you add your denim dress on top.Shop Similar: Faherty Tried and True Chambray Shirt, $138, and Retrofête Simi Denim Dress, $475.