Pure Jeanius! 30 Ways to Style Your Denim
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.
Instant Tip
Get inspired to wear your old jeans news ways with @InStyle’s 30 Days of Denim.
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.
—Styled by Ali Pew
This feature originally appeared in our April issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to InStyle now.
1 of 31
Day 1: Faded Jeans
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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2 of 31
Day 2: Jean Skirt
Alexander Wang silk-cotton pullover, $425; alexanderwang.com
Magaschoni cashmere top, $258; magaschoni.com
Rag & Bone/Jean denim skirt, $198; shopbop.com
A Peace Treaty Silk crêpe scarf, $205; apeacetreaty.com
Stella & Dot glass, acrylic, epoxy, and gold plate necklace, $198; stelladot.com
Fossil rose gold plate watch with leather strap, $115; fossil.com
Candy Shop Vintage Swarovski crystal pearl and gold plate, $95; candyshopvintage.com
Calvin Klein Saffiano leather, $298; macys.com
Louise et Cie leather sandals, $139; louiseetcie.com
2 of 31
3 of 31
Day 3: Neutral Palette
Sandro leather jacket, $1,140; sandro-paris.com
Noon by Noor silk and wool blouse, $865; noonbynoor.com
Chimala at Madewell denim jeans, $386; madewell.com
Tarina Tarantino Swarovski crystal and silver plate bracelet, $45; tarinatarantino.com
Lele Sadoughi Stone and rhodium plate bracelet, $240; lelesadoughi.com
Fossil rose gold plate watch with leather strap, $115; fossil.com
Kate Spade New York leather bag, $398; katespade.com
Nubuck Schutz pumps, $150; nastygal.com
3 of 31
4 of 31
Day 4: Parisian Chic
Tommy Hilfiger cotton sleeveless trenchcoat, $249; tommy.com
Hye Park and Lune polyester-rayon shirt, $79; hye-park-and-lune.myshopify.com
Calvin Klein Jeans denim jeans, $80; calvinklein.com
Kendall Conrad leather cuff ($210) and brass rings ($90 each); kendallconraddesign.com
Rachel Comey leather tote, $633; rachelcomey.com
Dries Van Noten by Linda Farrow Gallery acetate sunglasses, $377; lindafarrow.com
Ancient Greek Sandals Vachetta leather sandals, $235; ancient-greek-sandals.com
4 of 31
5 of 31
Day 5: Embellished Jeans
DKNY cotton blazer, $495; dkny.com
Helmut Lang cotton-polyester shell, $295; helmutlang.com
Paige Denim embroidered denim jeans, $339; paigeusa.com
Fossil rose gold plate watch with leather strap, $115; fossil.com
Annelise Michelson gold plated rings, $230?$370; annelisemichelson.com
Tory Burch straw clutch, $325; toryburch.com
Aldo faux leather heels, $80; aldoshoes.com
5 of 31
6 of 31
Day 6: Pretty Pastel Jeans
Rachel Antonoff cotton-polyester fleece sweatshirt, $85; rachelantonoff.com
Creatures of Comfort cotton-nylon tank, $350; shop.creaturesofcomfort.us
NYDJ denim jeans, $120; nydj.com
Tracy Watts cotton canvas cap, $150; tracywatts.com
Hare + Hart leather and cowhide clutch, $120; hareandhart.com
The Row for Superga linen sneakers, $325; barneys.com
6 of 31
7 of 31
Day 7: Boyfriend Jeans
Crippen cotton sweater, $425; shopbop.com
Equipment silk sleeveless shirt, $178; equipmentfr.com
Lucky Brand denim jeans, $99; luckybrand.com
Wanderluster crystal, silver plate, and gold plate necklace, $160; wanderlusternewyork.com
Lizzie Fortunato semiprecious stones and gold plate bracelet, $195; hampdenclothing.com
Lizzie Fortunato leather ($170) and semiprecious stones and gold plate bracelet ($195); lizziefortunatojewels.com
Time?s Arrow leather bag, $625; bergdorfgoodman.com
G.H. Bass & Co. leather loafers, $98; ghbass.com
7 of 31
8 of 31
Day 8: White Jeans
Sea NY cotton-polyester jacket, $565; thedreslyn.com
10 Crosby Derek Lam cotton shirtdress, $325; shopbop.com
Old Navy denim jeans, $40; oldnavy.com
Candy Shop Vintage Swarovski crystal pearl and gold plate, $95; candyshopvintage.com
Gold Philosophy cultured pearl and gold vermeil ring, $160; goldphilosophy.com
Fallon Swarovski pearl and silver plate ring, Fallon, $160; fallonjewelry.com
Nubuck Schutz pumps, $150; nastygal.com
8 of 31
9 of 31
Day 9: Faded Wash
Rebecca Minkoff cotton jacket, $298; saks.com
Equipment silk sleeveless shirt, $178; equipmentfr.com
J Brand denim jeans, $198; jbrandjeans.com
Meredith Wendell calfskin belt, $175; meredithwendell.com
Candy Shop Vintage Swarovski crystal pearl and gold plate, $95; candyshopvintage.com
Nubuck Schutz pumps, $150; nastygal.com
9 of 31
10 of 31
Day 10: Stay Comfy
DKNY cotton blazer, $495; dkny.com
Vince denim vest, $220; saksfifthavenue.com
Massimo Dutti cotton with leather trim top, $56; massimodutti.com
G-Star Raw denim jeans, $300; g-star.com
Lacoste rose gold plate with leather strap watch, $225; lacoste.com
Furla saffiano leather and nylon backpack, $448; furla.com
New Balance suede sneakers, $160; newbalance.com
10 of 31
11 of 31
Day 11: Roughed-Up Cool
Trademark cotton top, $138; trade-mark.com
Equipment silk sleeveless shirt, $178; equipmentfr.com
3x1 denim jeans, $265; 3x1.us
Masonharlie diamond and sterling silver cuffs, $150?$230; masonharlie.com
Candy Shop Vintage Swarovski crystal pearl and gold plate, $95; candyshopvintage.com
Coach leather heels, $428; coach.com
11 of 31
12 of 31
Day 12: Sunny Yellow
Add a jolt to graphic black-and-white separates by mixing in sunshine yellow.
Tommy Hilfiger cotton sleeveless trenchcoat, $249; tommy.com
Dolan T-Shirt nylon cropped top, $99; penelopetboutique.com
Ann Taylor polyester blouse, $79; anntaylor.com
Hudson Jeans denim jeans, $176; hudsonjeans.com
Wanderluster crystal, silver plate, and gold plate necklace, $160; wanderlusternewyork.com
Shira Melody faux snakeskin and gold plate cuff, $32; shiramelodyjewelry.com
ZAC Zac Posen calf hair clutch, $325; bloomingdales.com
Zara leather pumps, $100; zara.com
12 of 31
13 of 31
Day 13: Updated Classic
Kule cotton blazer, $310; kule.com
Equipment silk sleeveless shirt, $178; equipmentfr.com
Big Star Jeans denim jeans, $108; bloomingdales.com
Two A by Ayana Fishman & Anat Shapira cotton rope and gold tone necklace, $162; twoajewelry.com
Mansur Gavriel leather tote with detachable wallet, $485, mansurgavriel.com
Timex gold tone watch with patent leather strap, $70; timex.com
Chloe + Isabel sterling silver rings ($50/2) and stone, 12kt gold, and matte hematite plate ring ($42); chloeandisabel.com
Simply Vera Vera Wang faux suede pumps, $70; kohls.com
13 of 31
14 of 31
Day 14: A Stripe of Color
Tommy Hilfiger cotton sleeveless trenchcoat, $249; tommy.com
DKNY cotton blazer, $495; dkny.com
BCBG Max Azria silk tunic, $228; bcbg.com
7 for All Mankind denim jeans, $255; 7forallmankind.com
Fossil rose gold plate watch with leather strap, $115; fossil.com
Calvin Klein Saffiano leather, $298; macys.com
Nubuck Schutz pumps, $150; nastygal.com
14 of 31
15 of 31
Day 15: Stripes on Stripes
Ace & Jig denim jacket, $298; aceandjig.com
Wren cotton-linen top, $178; shop.wrenstudio.com
AG denim jeans, $178; agjeans.com
Melinda Maria silver plate bracelets, $65 each; melindamaria.com
Elie Tahari Lucite sunglasses, $158; nordstrom.com
Ancient Greek Sandals Vachetta leather sandals, $235; ancient-greek-sandals.com
15 of 31
16 of 31
Day 16: Dark Skinnies
Topshop polyester, $76; topshop.com
Lauren Ralph Lauren cotton shirt, $70; ralphlauren.com
Denizen from Levi?s denim jeans, $28; target.com
Rag & Bone leather bag, $895; rag-bone.com
Kenneth Cole New York metallic leather flats, $150; kennethcole.com
16 of 31
17 of 31
Day 17: Frayed Details
DKNY cotton blazer, $495; dkny.com
Augden cotton blend and silk sleeveless shirt, $198; jennawhitemiami.com
Joe Fresh denim jeans, $99; joefresh.com
AllSaints silver plate and calfskin inlay bracelet, $178; us.allsaints.com
Shiraleah metallic faux-leather cross-body bag, $58; nordstrom.com
L.L. Bean Signature leather clutch, $79; llbeansignature.com
Isaac Mizrahi New York suede pumps, $130; zappos.com
17 of 31
18 of 31
Day 18: Dip-Dyed Hems
BLK DNM denim jacket, $245; shopbop.com
Karen Walker cotton blend top, $405; karenwalker.com
Gap denim jeans, $70; gap.com
Skagen Denmark stainless steel watch with leather strap, $145; available in April at skagen.com
Kayu raffia clutch with shell clasp, $185; kayudesign.com
Ancient Greek Sandals Vachetta leather sandals, $235; ancient-greek-sandals.com
18 of 31
19 of 31
Day 19: Olive is Your New Neutral
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; vitafede.com
ZAC Zac Posen calf hair clutch, $325; bloomingdales.com
Loeffler Randall embossed leather sandals, $395; shopbop.com
19 of 31
20 of 31
Day 20: Go Casual
Tommy Hilfiger cotton sleeveless trenchcoat, $249; tommy.com
Boss wool t-shirt, $185; hugoboss.com
Håndværk pima cotton sweatshirt, $225; handvaerk.com
American Eagle Outfitters denim jeans, $50; ae.com
Valentina Kova sterling silver watch with lizard strap, $590; valentinakova.com
Jennifer Fisher gold plate ring, $175; jenniferfisherjewelry.com
Tignanello saffiano leather bag, $119; macys.com
The Blonde Salad x Steve Madden calf hair slip-on sneakers, $139; nordstrom.com
20 of 31
21 of 31
Day 21: Denim Midi
Kate Spade Saturday cotton cropped shell, $80; saturday.com
Equipment silk sleeveless shirt, $178; equipmentfr.com
Jill Stuart skirt chambray, $348; jillstuart.com
Candy Shop Vintage Swarovski crystal pearl and gold plate, $95; candyshopvintage.com
Margaret Elizabeth onyx and gold vermeil bracelet, $88–$98; margaretelizabeth.com
Calvin Klein Saffiano leather, $298; macys.com
Coye Nokes embossed calfskin sandals, $350; coyenokes.com
21 of 31
22 of 31
Day 22: Denim on Denim
AYR wool coat, $485; ayr.com
JOA polyester top, $48; shopbop.com
Jag Jeans denim shirt, $70; jagjeans.com
True Religion denim jeans, $228; truereligionbrandjeans.com
Elk Accessories leather belt, $59; elkaccessories.com
Alisa Michelle Designs crystal and gold plate necklace, $88; alisamichelle.com
Kevia cubic zirconia and gold plate cuff, $138; kevia.biz
ZAC Zac Posen calf hair clutch, $325; bloomingdales.com
Nubuck Schutz pumps, $150; nastygal.com
22 of 31
23 of 31
Day 23: Dark Wash
TSE cotton top, $595; tsecashmere.com
DKNY Jeans denim jeans, $70; dkny.com
Michael Kors gold tone watch, $275; michaelkors.com
C. Wonder faux leather bag with chain, $78; cwonder.com
Elisabeth Bell Jewelry diamond and 14kt gold ring, $475 each; ebelljewelry.com
Alicia Marilyn Designs gold vermeil ring, $60 each; aliciamarilyndesigns.com
L.K. Bennett woven rope and kid leather sandals, $345; us.lkbennett.com
23 of 31
24 of 31
Day 24: Embrace Candy Colors
Tommy Hilfiger cotton sleeveless trenchcoat, $249; tommy.com
J. Crew cotton shell, $188; jcrew.com
Jenni Kayne Merino wool sweater, $495; shopbop.com
Current/Elliott denim jeans, $208; nordstrom.com
Candy Shop Vintage Swarovski crystal pearl and gold plate, $95; candyshopvintage.com
Fossil rose gold plate watch with leather strap, $115; fossil.com
ASOS polyester clutch, $34; asos.com
Charlie by Matthew Zink Vachetta leather sandals, $295; charliebymz.com
24 of 31
25 of 31
Day 25: Try Patchwork
Comfy and stylish can coexist when you team a slouchy knit with slim jeans.
Tibi cotton blend pullover, $250; tibi.com
Guess denim jeans, $128; guess.com
Clare V., leather clutch, $125; clarevivier.com
Virginie Millefiori enamel and sterling silver plate bangles, $118?$140; virginiemillefiori.com
My Jewel Candy stone and gold tone ring, $30; myjewelcandy.com
Ancient Greek Sandals Vachetta leather sandals, $235; ancient-greek-sandals.com
25 of 31
26 of 31
Day 26: Toughen Up With a Motorcycle Vest
Cut25 by Yigal Azrouël lambskin vest, $750; yigal-azrouel.com
Otte New York silk top, $285; otteny.com
A/X Armani Exchange denim jeans, $98; armaniexchange.com
Milly leather cross-body bag, Milly, $225; neimanmarcus.com
Kelly Wearstler crystal and gold plate double ring, $250; kellywearstler.com
Christina Jervey Jewelry gold plate cuff, $425; christinajervey.com
B Brian Atwood suede and metallic leather sandals, $350; bloomingdales.com
26 of 31
27 of 31
Day 27: Contrasting Denim on Denim
Silver Jeans Co. denim jacket, $88; silverjeans.com
ALC cotton-silk top, $295; saksfifthavenue.com
Equipment silk sleeveless shirt, $178; equipmentfr.com
Diesel denim jeans, $378; shop.diesel.com
Veronika Borchers for Pearl Collective Black freshwater pearl and sterling silver earrings, $250; pearlcollective.com
Joomi Lim titanium plate and rose gold plate necklace, $198; joomilim.com
Jennifer Zeuner Jewelry Sterling silver cuff, $308; jenniferzeuner.com
Pour la Victoire calfskin satchel, $495; pourlavictoire.com
Nina Originals kid suede pumps, $135; ninashoes.com
27 of 31
28 of 31
Day 28: Red is the New Blue (Jean)
Veronica Beard viscose blend vest, $595; neimanmarcus.com
Baldwin denim shirt, $172; baldwindenim.com
DL1961 Premium Denim jeans, $178; DL1961.com
Wanderluster crystal, silver plate, and gold plate necklace, $160; wanderlusternewyork.com
Matt Bernson leather belt, $57; mattbernson.com
Fossil rose gold plate watch with leather strap, $115; fossil.com
Elizabeth and James lambskin bag, $445; neimanmarcus.com
Nubuck Schutz pumps, $150; nastygal.com
28 of 31
29 of 31
Day 29: Denim Pencil Skirt
Clover Canyon polyester shantung top, $237; clovercanyon.com
Walter Baker silk blouse, $198; walterbaker.com
Citizens of Humanity denim skirt, $188; citizensofhumanity.com
House of Harlow 1960 gold-toned necklace with faux onyx and howlite ($58) and gold- and rose gold?toned bracelet with onyx and faux howlite ($55); bloomingdales.com
Fossil rose gold plate watch with leather strap, $115; fossil.com
Fantas-Eyes plastic sunglasses, $18; fantas-eyes.com
Calvin Klein Saffiano leather, $298; macys.com
Marc Fisher leather heels, $89; macys.com
29 of 31
30 of 31
Day 30: Get Ready to Clash
Tocca cotton trenchcoat, $575; tocca.com
Loft cotton shirt, $55; loft.com
Joe?s denim jeans, $165; joesjeans.com
Fossil rose gold plate watch with leather strap, $115; fossil.com
Forever 21 faux leather bag, $20; forever21.com
Nubuck Schutz pumps, $150; nastygal.com
30 of 31
31 of 31
Bonus Day: Into the Fray
Rebecca Taylor silk voile top, $275; rebeccataylor.com
Equipment silk sleeveless shirt, $178; equipmentfr.com
Levi?s denim jeans, $128; levi.com
Wanderluster crystal, silver plate, and gold plate necklace, $160; wanderlusternewyork.com
Fossil rose gold plate watch with leather strap, $115; fossil.com
Candy Shop Vintage Swarovski crystal pearl and gold plate, $95; candyshopvintage.com
Ivy Kirzhner sea snake T-strap heels, $395; ivykirzhner.com