How to Wear a Denim Jacket With Jeans: 4 Tips

Wearing denim-on-denim—or when you pair a denim jacket or shirt with denim jeans—is a polarizing look. Some consider it a major fashion faux pas, while others embrace the casual look’s playfulness. Despite where you stand, the denim is a mainstay in the fashion cycle, with people having worn all-denim looks for decades.

Here are a few outfit ideas to create a chic denim-on-denim look using items you may already own:

1. 1. Play with colors. In addition to different shades of denim, look for black denim or white denim pieces to incorporate into your double-denim look. Try wearing dark-wash denim jeans with a lighter denim jacket, as this will elongate your frame and draw attention to your face. Also, consider including pops of color in other parts of your outfit to break up the double denim. Denim is usually blue; however, it is a neutral and pairs well with almost any color. For example, wear red lipstick and a red T-shirt with your denim jacket and blue jeans to create a cohesive, bold look. If you don’t want to match, read up on color theory to help you find complementary colors.
   
2. 2. Explore different silhouettes. Experiment with different silhouettes. For your top, you can try anything from a shrunken denim jacket to a flowy black denim blazer. For your bottoms, consider loose-fitting or wide-leg jeans. Or do the opposite and pair skinny jeans with an oversized denim jacket. If you want to foray outside the world of separates, denim overalls or a denim jumpsuit are a fresh take on traditional blue jeans and also pair well with a denim jacket.
3. 3. Try a monochromatic look. Though the typical rule of thumb is to avoid matching the pieces in your denim-on-denim outfit, pairing a black denim jacket with black jeans creates a sleek look you can dress up with accessories. White jeans with a white denim jacket creates a fresh, casual look perfect for spring or summer. Complete the look with your favorite white T-shirt.
4. 4. Swap jeans for denim shorts or a denim skirt. You don’t have to limit yourself to jeans to achieve a fashionable denim-on-denim outfit. Pair some distressed, light-wash denim shorts with an oversized blue denim jacket for a retro look. Or wear a high-waisted denim skirt or mini shirt with a cropped jean jacket to get a flatting, leg-elongating effect. To add another element of denim to either of these outfit ideas, pair with a denim top like a chambray shirt: a lightweight, button-down denim shirt that usually comes in a light blue or gray color.

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