Putting together outfits with jeans should be easy, right? After all, if you close your eyes, and pick a top from your closet, it should, in theory, match perfectly with your favorite pair of jeans.
Well, yes. And no.
In theory, this is true. But, and isn’t there always a but?
Just because jeans go with everything doesn’t mean that they don’t go better with some things than with other things.
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There are no rules to this, unfortunately. Just best practices. And personal preferences. Today, I look into what colors to wear with all your favorite denim washes.
White & Black
White and black jeans are possibly the most versatile denim washes you can own. They are seasonless, neutral, and go with everything. Use the same color top to create a sleek monochromatic look, or go for a contrasting, all-year-round black and white look. I do have a couple of personal preferences. I prefer black jeans with most subtly colored tops, for example, although I’ve broken this “rule” many times.
Black jeans and a black top create a chic monochromatic look. Black jeans also work well with colors, although my preference is to pair them with softer colors and not brights. And I break this rule all the time. Black pairs beautifully with chambray. Black looks great with any other neutral. Black and white is a classic combo. White jeans look timeless with a black top. White pairs beautifully with brights. I prefer white jeans with bright tops over black jeans with bright tops. White and chambray is a timeless combination. White looks beautiful with any neutral. White on white is chic and timeless and glam.
Dark Blue Jeans
Dark blue jeans are one of the most versatile washes, because they can be dressed up and down so easily. They are also the most flattering and leg-lengthening. What you pair with dark denim largely comes down to your personal style. I prefer them with light-to-medium shades, but they work well with dark-colored tops as well, especially at night.
Dark blue jeans with a black top creates an evening-ready look. Dark blue jeans work well with bright tops. The denim tuxedo, with monochromatic denim shades, works if you love it, but a light chambray with dark denim is easier to pull off. Dark jeans look classic wiith any neutral. Dark jeans and a white button-down top is a classic timeless outfit. Dark jeans can dress up casual basics.
Medium Wash Jeans
This is possibly the wash of the moment, and is maybe the most versatile of the blue washes, as it pairs equally well with dark and light tops. It’s also a great transitional shade that works in warm and cool weather.
A monochromatic denim look can be chic if you like it, but going for a bigger difference between the washes is easier. Another denim on denim look. No rules anymore about pairing denim with denim. I love the crisp look of white with these medium denim jeans. Stripes seem to go especially well with this wash. A neutral top pairs well with medium denim. Medium blue that is not denim is one of my least favorite ways to pair tops with jeans, but this is a preference not a rule, so if you love it, go for it. Medium wash denim works best with bright tops, out of all the blue washes. Medium wash denim looks great with black.
Light Wash Denim
Light wash denim is the most casual, and therefore the least versatile. These are the jeans that tend to look destroyed or shredded. They are also the least seasonless, although that is changing. I love light denim paired with dark or bright tops as well as white, but I’m not a fan of the combination of light jeans and light-colored tops. Again, these rules are all made to be broken, so if you love that combo, go for it.
I love the contrast between light denim and a black or navy top. Light denim looks fresh and crisp with a white shirt. Light denim and a light colored top is my least favorite combination. I love contrasting denims, like this dark denim top and light denim jeans. These very light jeans look chic and fall-friendly with a dark neutral top. Light jeans and a bright top are a great combo.
How do you pair tops with your jeans? What are your rules? And what did you think of these examples? Let me know in the comments!
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