I Dream of Jean Things — 30 Denim Style Essentials To Give You A Major Blue Crush
For spring and summer, your denim decisions won’t be restricted to whether to opt for brightly colored, white, gray, or indigo jeans — or, for that matter, whether to add a pair of ’70s-inspired high-waisted or flared pants to your denim rotation. The world of fashion has been transformed into a blue heaven for denim devotees, as the classic workwear fabric appears on both trendy slip-on shoes and dainty strappy sandals, on Western-inspired shirt dresses as well as flirtatious A-line numbers, on sporty backpacks along with dressy clutches. Below, check out 30 denim pieces that will liven up any wardrobe!
Soludos Popsicle Smoking Slipper Denim Espadrilles, $65. Available at Soludos.com
Talk about cool for the summer! These slip-on espadrille shoes feature embroidered popsicles on each foot: a lemon-y yellow treat on the right slipper and an orange-flavored goodie on the left
Rebecca Taylor Washed Denim Jacket, $325. Available at RebeccaTaylor.com
No wardrobe would be complete without a denim jacket. This season, Rebecca Taylor gave the closet staple a fresh makeover by reinventing it as a motorcycle jacket with asymmetrical zippers, and frayed edges along the collar, sleeve ends, and hemline.
DVF Denim Inlay Bangle, $68.60. Available at DVF.com
Even jewelry gets a jean-ius touch this season: this gold-plated brass bangle features a denim cloth inlay for a novel textural juxtaposition.
SUNO Sleeveless Pleated Denim Mini Dress, $495. Available at Sunony.com
This adorable drop-waist sleeveless dress features a pleated skirt that flares out at the hips, while contrast stitching elongates the figure.
Rebecca Minkoff Love Crossbody in Denim Patchwork, $295. Available at RebeccaMinkoff.com
As versatile as your favorite LBC (little black clutch), this charming denim bag features a patchwork effect on the front flap that juxtaposes dark and light washes, as well as rectangular and angular shapes, adding frayed edges for even more dimension and texture. These, in turn, are paired with tough-as-can-be silver-toned hardware for a look that’s all attitude and spunk. Measuring 9.5″ in width, 6″ in height, and 3.5″ in depth, this rectangular beauty can be worn as a cross-body bag or as a clutch (once the shoulder strap is removed, of course!).
T by Alexander Wang Cropped Denim Top with Stripes, $175. Available at Stylebop.com
Do you typically associate striped denim with railroad overalls and engineer caps? Well, rethink the concept with this short-sleeved crop top featuring perky pink stripes.
Self Portrait Flounced Denim Shorts, $350. Available at IntermixOnline.com
The high-waisted shorts associated with 1940s and 1950s pin-up girls have been given a fresh new twist via flounced hemlines that accentuate the thighs and add a playful femininity. The two gold-toned buttons at the waist and the front patch pockets, meanwhile, work to make your midsection appear slimmer and more tucked-in.
Charles David Zoo Bow Sandals, $99. Available at LordandTaylor.com
These nude strappy sandals still help to elongate legs and streamline your silhouette, while the knotted denim band at the front gives the classic silhouette a youthful and funky makeover.
Down for Denim Baseball Cap, $12.50. Available at GoJane.com
You’ll be batting a thousand when you accessorize with this denim snapback hat, featuring a 3″ brim.
Banana Republic Essential Denim Shirt, $79.50. Available at BananaRepublic.com
Just like a white button-down blouse, a denim shirt belongs in every girl’s closet. After all, you can wear it with white skinny jeans and tailored printed shorts for a laid-back, off-duty look or pair it with a pencil skirt or pleated A-line skirt (roll the sleeves up and tie it at the waist for an even cheekier vibe).
J. Crew Denim Knotted Fabric Slides, $118. Available at JCrew.com
Slide into summer with these slip-on shoes, featuring denim uppers adorned with bows, an open toe, and a 3/8″ heel.
Tory Burch Fleming Denim Medium Bag, $450. Available at ToryBurch.com
A quilting technique creating tonal diamond shapes along the purse’s front surface, a top-stitched logo, a gold-toned chain strap with an interwoven navy blue leather strap, and a rounded flap with ombré fringe all work to make this denim purse feel undeniably prim and proper — and perfect for everything from tea time to happy hour.
Madewell Caron Callahan Hadley Dress, $446. Available at Madewell.com
Tie-front garments are all the rage this season, with dresses, pants, skirts, and even tops featuring loose ties that can be fastened and tightened at the waist or hips. In some cases, these garments feature knotted details meant to replicate the haphazard feel of a sweater tied at the waist. This dark blue denim frock, designed by Brooklynite Carol Callahan, nods to the tie-me-up, tie-me-down trend while exuding a breezy ease.
Diesel DM0139 Sunglasses, $185. Available at Shop.Diesel.com
These brown acetate frames feature denim detailing along the front, circling the lenses, as well as on the bride, brow bar, and temples, yielding a pair of cat-eye sunglasses that are as all-American as Garfield himself!
Zara “I Am Denim” Collection Dungarees with Patches, $69.90. Available at Zara.com
Rihanna, Alessandra Ambrosio, Rita Ora, and Kate Bosworth are among the celebrities who have showed us that you can, in fact, look cool in overalls past the age of 7 (and without the need for an excuse such as “I’m painting the house over the weekend”). These Zara ones feature all the classic elements (shoulder straps , side snaps, banded waist, etc.) but they’re also adorned with kitschy embroidered patches like one that spells out “The End,” one that warns “No Bad Vibes,” and one depicting a movie theater popcorn bag. Now that’s a headliner!
Nine West Hotstuff Denim Sandal, $69.95. Available at DSW.com
If there’s one fashion lesson the Marlboro Man taught us, it’s that denim and leather are a match made in country heaven. These saucy lace-up sandals feature a 4 1/2″ stacked heel, dark denim uppers with brown leather whipstitching, a round peep toe, and a sexy cut-out along the vamp.
River Island Denim Crop Top, $50. Available at US.RiverIsland.com
The era of the midriff rages on so, if you’re part of the belly-baring brigade, try adding some denim to your assortment of ab-flaunting tops. This sleeveless River Island crop top even features a chest pocket to lend it more of a utilitarian vibe.
Michael Kors Dillon Denim Satchel, $298. Available at MichaelKors.com
Think denim can’t look boardroom-ready? Challenge that notion with this polished, professional-looking satchel, which features camel-colored leather accents that create the perfect refined frame for the denim at the masterpiece’s heart. Measuring 12.5″ in width, 9.5″ in height, and 4.5″ in depth, this elegant tote is equipped with one zippered center compartment and one open center compartment, a cell phone pocket, three open pockets, and a key fob.
Warehouse Button Through Denim Pinafore Dress, $98. Available at Warehouse.co.uk
You don’t need to be in the kitchen to cook up some magic in an apron-like frock! This Warehouse denim dress, designed to be worn over a tee or blouse, features a button-front placket, two wide shoulder straps, a high neckline, a nipped-in waist, and contrast stitching throughout to accentuate the female form.
Joe Fresh Belted Denim Short, $29. Available at JoeFresh.com
Instead of distressed, shredded, bleached, and patched jean shorts, opt for a slightly more streamlined silhouette. These lightweight denim shorts feature two front slash pockets and two rear patch pockets, a self-tie belt, and cuffed hems for a neater overall design.
VC Signature Blaker D Wooden Platform Sandals, $179.99. Available at VinceCamuto.com
Give your feet the proper platform through which to express themselves — literally! These VC Singature sandals pay tribute to 1970s style with their chunky 4.5″ wooden heel, 1″ platform, double denim straps, and studded leather reinforcements.
Acne Studios Kady Asymmetric Denim Midi Skirt, $330. Available at Net-a-Porter.com
Don’t be so quick to dismiss denim maxi skirts as evocative of Little House On The Prairie. The latest generation of long jean skirts comes in unexpected washes (in this case, a faded sky blue hue for a worn-in, vintage feel), and features novel cuts (such as this piece’s asymmetric hemline) that breathe new life into more classic details like button fastenings along the front.
Stella McCartney Falabella Denim Clutch, $456. Available at Farfetch.com
Aquazurra Belgravia Denim Espadrilles, $475. Available at Shopbop.com
Transport your feet to the French Riviera with these summery, lace-up, denim espadrilles, which feature angled cut-outs that accentuate ankles, charming jute sidewalls, and polished agelets that punctuate the lace-up ties.
Mango Panama Crop Jeans, $79.99. Available at Shop.Mango.com
As ’70s-inspired fashions continue making a comeback, we’re seeing higher waists and roomier pant cuts (from wide trousers and palazzo pants to bootcut and bell bottom jeans). These cropped jeans feature a roomier fit along the hips and thighs, a high waistline with a paper bag-like ruched silhouette, a self-tie belt positioned at the waist, and roomy side pockets.
