Make the most of a pair of jeans

Some simple but effective ways to style the most reached-fors of your wardrobe

Jeans are very reliable. They go with everything (except other pants). You can dress them up, you can tone them down. They’re like the bread between a sandwich — slap in something savory, slap in something sweet and it will absorb the flavor you’re hungry for. And they are universal in that with so many different cuts and washes and fits, there is at least one pair that can become the security blanket of any wardrobe.

By Malene Birger cape (gone in black, but she is still an option; I also offer this. Alternatively, it looks like this is forthcoming), Linea Pelle belt styled over Ruadh jacket and Moussy jeans (I love the shape of these too — if you size up x 1 like I did, the fit is very relaxed); the tee is Khaite

They are also a no brainer choice when you don’t want to use your brain, a best bud when you want to feel good. Your mom when you’re after a dose of comfort, a hot date when you want to flirt.

Gaultier jeans, Mark Henry bracelets, Arielle Ratner rings

But can they be there for you when you’re feeling stale? When you’re after a risk, want to look a bit freaky? Can they help you exit the comfort zone and find new ground on uncharted terrain?

Let’s dig into the simplest uniforms that employ jeans — a t-shirt, a button down, more denim up-top — and try to find out. To make the very most of them without putting in too much effort.

When you’re wearing denim on denim —

Your two options are: denim shirt, denim jacket. If you’re going the denim shirt route, I recommend keeping the wash akin to that of the pants you’re wearing. You want the two garments to fade into the same color (most denim either fades into a sepia tone, which makes them look kind of green, or white, which is how they retain the true blue-ness. It’s subtle, but do you see the difference here/here?).

If your denim shirt is a lighter weight, more like chambray, it’s best served tucked into a pair of jeans, like this —

Miu Miu sunglasses, Indress jacket (I see these as interesting alt options), Polo button down (or this), Moussy jeans (if you are going for the Citizens alt, size up 1-2x for a baggier fit; these from Agolde make a good case too but I haven’t tried them. They look better here but are cheaper here), K. Jacques x Doen sandals

As far as fit and in particular rise: You know your best cut but I maintain that mid is most flattering on most women because of how it packs us in and holds us up. It’s the emotional support rise.

Levi’s 501’s are a great example of this. One pair with a longer inseam that I’ve been turning to often is Aflalo’s ‘Bronte.’

If the weight of the shirt is heavier and you prefer to leave it out, you can get more creative about the jeans that you’ll wear —

Pilosoule trench (I like this for a shape alt), Skall Studios denim shirt, Still Here bootcut jeans (for a local shirt alt, I also offer this)

Cordera wood bead hat (have a ball with this bucket), Rabanne silver chain bracelet (but a cuff could work too)

Phoebe Philo sandals, I’d get these as their alt

So maybe instead of your tried and true mid-rise straighties, you go for a low rise boot cut. I also added the second-most reliable material (and color) out there: trench-coat khaki to drive the dependability home without sacrificing the freak-effect (see: accessories).

Rules are pretty much the same for a jacket. I focus more on the shapes I am making when I’m wearing one though, so the boxier (more rigid) the denim, the better —

Here’s the Ruadh jacket again (the bomber hem on this Dries one makes a cool dynamic with jeans), styled with a Frances de Lourdes featherweight tank, Vertigo’s silver necklace, Moussy jeans (the new cut is lower rise, and the fit is more relaxed; I am into them) and Manolo Blahnik’s ‘Susa’ flats. The belt is from Shannon Bond

For a dressier sandwich that employs the same base, maybe you try something like this:

Same base with By Malene Birger’s fringe cape, Linea Pelle’s belt and satin flat mules

A perfect segue because the next how to category is on:

Sleeking the jeans up (or how to wear them fancy) —

An even easier way to sleek them up is with the simple inclusion of a black top. Could be tube, could be halter, could be cut out. Whatever. I have this tube top from Aritzia and she is my most dependable sleekification factor so I’m using it for this —

Aritzia tube top (for more structure and suction, I do also have this one from Esse; it’s more formal, and a heavier weight, which might appeal to you if you have a bigger chest), Aflalo jeans. Here’s a comparable collar, some earrings, a cuff bracelet and these are the sunglasses

Chanel mocassins; these could be the alt; patent leather and satin do the same thing to such a simple outfit but where one adds a dose of cool the other brings in glamour; these are more subtle, but a similarly elegant alt

You’re really focusing around the jeans here. It’s about the top and the shoes. If you’re going somewhere fancy or just want to feel hot, a sculpted black tube top is anobvious choice. I like a closed toe shoe to balance out the naked top and the patent leather on these is sleek so that brings in some cool factor. If it weren’t the pictured shoes, I’d go more elegant with a pair of satin slides like this or flats like this.

As long as you’re not trying to cover what’s going on with your clothes, you don’t have to go so hard on accessories. The aim for me is to have them work with the pieces not blanket them completely. So I went with a vintage collar that still leaves most of my chest out in the open, and clip on earrings that further fancify. A hanging pair like this could do all the leg work in a similar look. (And if the tube top is not your thing, any number of tanks or halters like this and this would be great substitutes).

Adding flair

Keep the base very simple so you can focus on one piece and then build around it without having to worry about your base. It’s how you restore your style’s nervous system before you pursue risk.

Studio Valerie Name bolero (hit up Merci C’est Vintage for more!), All Three tank, Aflalo jeans, Co lace up loafers

Ray-ban sunglasses, Jujuvera necklace

This top hits two birds with one stone

I see this cape top as a fine option too; Gaultier jeans. Into these too

Maragua cape, another pair of Aflalo jeans, Marsell clogs and the bag is camouflaging, but it’s a lovely little silver net J. Crew number; the internet also just served this and this for us

Greetings from Vegas in a shiny button down shirt (Indress), the same ripped knee jeans, a Hunting Season tote and simple black sandals

The brooch is Indress too; here’s another option

Or throw throw throw and then systemically remove until it feels cohesive to you. This is usually when it sticks

CH Carolina Herrera dress styled over Aflalo white jeans with Etro sandals

Jujuvera silver cuffs (here’s your one-and-done alt), B-low silver buckle belt. Re shoes, Larroude makes these

Frances de Lourdes tank, Aflalo jeans, The Row ‘Canal’ loafers

The jade ring is from Baar baar, the perfume pedant is from Studio Deve. Here’s a collar/collar/collar /hanging necklace combo for you and some heavy link chain bracelets

The other thing you can do: let it rip with multi belts (Row, Dehanche, Sable). A good foil for a blank slate like a sleeveless t-neck and black jeans

Leset t-neck, would do this with the these (1) three (2) belts (3) too. The range from Nancy Gonzalez (TRR) is p good too

Can always rip the other two off. I will warn you these are very long, but work when they puddle with a low heel, and look pretty good rolled up. (The pictured sandies are Manolo Blahnik)

What to consider when you’re just wearing them with a tee —

• Shape of shirt: is it shrunken? Cropped? How short are the sleeves? Do they flute out or hug your arms? My best bet for tee these days is this one from Kallmeyer (lighterweight and more boxy than Leset’s Margo; a bit more ‘baby’ than Kule’s Wynn but comparable). The weight of this one from Nili Lotan is also great for summer. Current white tee MVP is def this one from Everybody.world. It’s like an intentioal Hanes tee, if that makes sense —

  

  Has good weight or something. Styled here with raw jeans (Toteme has a pair, they’re a bit longer), Havaianas x Gimaguas flppers (coming soon!)

• I do also continue to champion Khaite’s Emmylou (great shape but very expensive) for the specific reason that its washed black hue is ideal. Speaking of —

• Color of tee: keep it neutral — black, white, grey, maybe red. I don’t usually recommend a blue tee for jeans unless it’s like a washed navy.

Nili Lotan t-shirt, Dehanche belt, some raw denim jeans (Uniqlo’s look great), Ancient Greek Sandals slides (are any of us going to try these or what?) and here is a striped silk scarf for your head

Soeur bucket hat, Everybody.world t-shirt, raw jeans (dropping in the Totemes once more, and the Gaultiers from up earlier are not a no), Ancient Greek Sandals

Raw jeans will make the looks feel more complete and black in particular can make it feel a bit dressier. This pairing makes for the easiest way to look put together and appropriate for a big range of scenarios, like a string of rainy-ass days such as the one we have in New York right now.

You can bring your freak into the fore by styling in the lurex from earlier —

Indress jacket and feather brooch, Ruadh ripped jeans, Ancient Greek Sandals clear jelly sandals. So many good ones over there right now

How to wear white jeans *and a button down shirt* without looking preppy —

LMND khaki shirt (the linked is a bit more saturated in color), Re/done white jeans (p sure these are them), Havaianas flip flops, Le Sundial necklace; and sometimes all you need is a solid black bag to anchor you

Basically, you add Havaianas and one more contrast. I chose 1920’s opulence.

Okay, that’s it from me for today. Next time we will tackle different shapes of denim. Varying shapes of shorts notwithstanding —

Belle the Label top (SSENSE has a great range), Jeanerica shorts styled over black leggings and Le Monde Beryl mules (they’re quite sleek in the patent leather, and I love the lime satin but these could be the greatest bang for your buck for summer). Here’s a shockingly good tassel bag, plus another and lest I omit…

Hope this was helpful. If you’re after something specific, let me know in the comments. And as always, feel free to use them for any advice you may need. You don’t pay for the subscription for nothing!!

Signing off yours,

Leandra