Pure Jeanius! 30 Ways to Style Your Denim

By Katie Donbavand
Updated Apr 01, 2014 @ 8:46 am
Credit: Justin Hollar

Forget diamonds. Denim is a girl’s best friend.

Denim is the closet gymnast: constantly bending and back-flipping to fill multiple roles in your wardrobe. It can be flirty on date night, polished in Monday morning production meetings, and model-off-duty cool on the weekends.

Not only that, there is something indefinitely right about a good pair of jeans. Who doesn’t feel more like themselves slipping on a favorite pair of worn-in, seen-it-all jeans? Nothing else in your closet can so instantly ground you like denim can.

[wrn_tweet title="Instant Tip"]Get inspired to wear your old jeans news ways with @InStyle’s 30 Days of Denim. [/wrn_tweet]

To prove that jeans are the most versatile in your closet, we challenged our InStyle team to build a calendar of no-fail, stylish outfits. 30 days: all featuring denim. We embraced denim in all its glory: frayed, cropped, dark, pastel, patchwork, torn, crisp, skinny, relaxed, and cuffed.

The results? A multifaceted tableau of perfect outfits you’re going to love.

Click through our gallery of looks and get inspired to wear your old, classic denim in new, fabulous ways.

—Styled by Ali Pew

This feature originally appeared in our April issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to InStyle now.

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Day 1: Faded Jeans

Credit: Justin Hollar
  • Faded jeans can be flirty. Try ladylike flourishes, such as a pretty patterned jacket and peplum top.
  • Jacket Polyester jacquard, Tia Cibani, $750; tiacibani.com
  • Theory cotton top, $195; theory.com
  • Jessica Simpson Collection denim jeans, $49; macys.com
  • Fossil rose gold plate watch with leather strap, $115; fossil.com
  • David Yurman aluminum bracelets, $350 each; davidyurman.com
  • Charles Jourdan leather bag, $200; dsw.com
  • Express synthetic pumps, $70; express.com
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Day 2: Jean Skirt

Credit: Justin Hollar

Skip the predictable sundress for an easy-to-wear skirt dressed up with caged sandals.

Alexander Wang silk-cotton pullover, $425;

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Day 3: Neutral Palette

Credit: Justin Hollar

Shift from the office to happy hour seamlessly by sticking to a clean and neutral palette.

Sandro leather jacket, $1,140;

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Day 4: Parisian Chic

Credit: Justin Hollar

Want to look like a chic Parisian? Layer a striped top under a sleeveless trench.

Tommy Hilfiger cotton sleeveless trenchcoat, $249;

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Day 5: Embellished Jeans

Credit: Justin Hollar

A night out calls for shiny details like holographic heels that play off embellishment.

DKNY cotton blazer, $495;

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Day 6: Pretty Pastel Jeans

Credit: Justin Hollar

Ground pretty pastel bottoms with navy accents for a lazy afternoon BBQ.

Rachel Antonoff cotton-polyester fleece sweatshirt, $85;

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Day 7: Boyfriend Jeans

Credit: Justin Hollar

Go for a boy-meets-girl look with sturdy loafers and a ladylike bag for a Sunday brunch.

Crippen cotton sweater, $425;

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Day 8: White Jeans

Credit: Justin Hollar

Think white jeans can’t be worn by everyone? Not true! Simply pick a long top in a dark hue.

Sea NY cotton-polyester jacket, $565;

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Day 9: Faded Wash

Credit: Justin Hollar

Update faded-wash jeans with a crisp shirt and a citrus-hued print jacket.

Rebecca Minkoff cotton jacket, $298;

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Day 10: Stay Comfy

Credit: Justin Hollar

For errand-filled days, a backpack and kicks are key for keeping comfy on the move.

DKNY cotton blazer, $495;

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Day 11: Roughed-Up Cool

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A sharp, short top plays against the roughed-up but cool details on this pair.

Trademark cotton top, $138;

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Day 12: Sunny Yellow

Credit: Justin Hollar
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Day 13: Updated Classic

Credit: Justin Hollar

Update the blazer-and-jeans combo with a shrunken printed jacket and cobalt heels.

Kule cotton blazer, $310;

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Day 14: A Stripe of Color

Credit: Justin Hollar

Not into full-on bright pants? Colorful bands on the waist and legs provide a little punch.

Tommy Hilfiger cotton sleeveless trenchcoat, $249;

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Day 15: Stripes on Stripes

Credit: Justin Hollar

Stripes on stripes add structure to a looser bottom. The pastel mix keeps it cohesive.

Ace & Jig denim jacket, $298;

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Day 16: Dark Skinnies

Credit: Justin Hollar

Your legs will look extra-long when you pair slim dark skinnies with pointy flats.

Topshop polyester, $76;

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Day 17: Frayed Details

Credit: Justin Hollar

Tuck in a blouse and add black pumps to make the frayed details feel a bit refined.

DKNY cotton blazer, $495;

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Day 18: Dip-Dyed Hems

Credit: Justin Hollar

Balmy sunset cocktails call for of-the-moment slides worn with an airy shell and arty jeans.

BLK DNM denim jacket, $245;

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Day 19: Olive is Your New Neutral

Credit: Justin Hollar
  • An unexpected option in place of blue? Olive - try it with animal-print trimmings. Sachin + Babi viscose-cotton-polyester top, $325; sachinandbabi.com
  • Henry amp Belle denim jeans, $158; shophenryandbelle.com
  • Mawi crystal and hematite plate earrings, $435; at Table and Top, 718-676-6070
  • Vita Fede Swarovski crystal and silver plate bracelets, $290–$350;

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Day 20: Go Casual

Credit: Justin Hollar

Casual and on trend: Wear skate-inspired sneakers with jeans and layered separates.

Tommy Hilfiger cotton sleeveless trenchcoat, $249;

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Day 21: Denim Midi

Credit: Justin Hollar

Your alternative to a mini? A midi skirt worn with spring’s trendy cropped top.

Kate Spade Saturday cotton cropped shell, $80;

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Day 22: Denim on Denim

Credit: Justin Hollar

Break up denim on denim with a printed top and a sharp graphic clutch.

AYR wool coat, $485;

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Day 23: Dark Wash

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A roomy top worn with slimming dark-wash jeans gives you a flattering silhouette.

TSE cotton top, $595;

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Day 24: Embrace Candy Colors

Credit: Justin Hollar

Sherbet hues tempered with earth-toned accessories are summery, not saccharine.

Tommy Hilfiger cotton sleeveless trenchcoat, $249;

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Day 25: Try Patchwork

Credit: Justin Hollar

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Day 26: Toughen Up With a Motorcycle Vest

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A sleeveless motorcycle vest meets flared jeans for a modern spin on the suit.

Cut25 by Yigal Azrouël lambskin vest, $750;

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Day 27: Contrasting Denim on Denim

Credit: Justin Hollar

Refresh denim on denim by choosing a jacket and jeans in contrasting colors.

Silver Jeans Co. denim jacket, $88;

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Day 28: Red is the New Blue (Jean)

Credit: Justin Hollar

If you go for fiery red, let it be the star. Partner that piece with neutrals.

Veronica Beard viscose blend vest, $595;

nastygal.com

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Day 29: Denim Pencil Skirt

Credit: Justin Hollar

Swap your crêpe pencil skirt for a denim one, and wear it to work with polished accents.

Clover Canyon polyester shantung top, $237;

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Day 30: Get Ready to Clash

Credit: Justin Hollar

Pull off clashing patterns with streamlined extras. Unify them with a navy topper and neutral heels.

Tocca cotton trenchcoat, $575;

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