One Pair, Three Ways: Styling Colored Denim Jeans

I hope you had a lovely Christmas, if you celebrate. Ours was quiet. My sister is visiting, and thanks to a break in the rain we enjoyed some nice walks with Bella, and later watched old episodes of “Call My Agent.” I’ll be sharing a few “best of” roundups in coming days to close out the year, but in the meantime I wanted to show you how I’ve been styling one surprisingly versatile pair of colored denim jeans.

Why Colored Denim Works So Well

Colored denim can be one of those quiet workhorses in a wardrobe. It bridges the gap between classic blue jeans and tailored trousers: just as easy to wear as denim, but with a slightly more refined feel. Neutral shades like brown, white, ivory, black, and grey tend to be the most versatile, while brighter hues can be a simple way to introduce color into otherwise understated outfits.

I picked up this wide-leg pair from AG a few weeks ago and they’ve quickly earned a regular spot in my rotation. They come with an unfinished hem, which I shortened by about an inch for a better break. What I love most is how easily they shift from relaxed to polished, depending on what I pair them with, proof that one good pair can do a lot of work in a wardrobe. I previously showed them paired with a Fair Isle cardigan, and below are a few more of the ways I’ve been styling them. (For more style and color options, scroll to the bottom of the post.)

(Note: you can click on any text in red to go to product page and shop.)

Outfit 1: Bright & Comfortable

These “Hattie” wide barrel jeans from AG are available in several colors and washes, many on sale. I love the ease of the slouchy-not-sloppy fit, and of course that warm camel color. I wore this out to do some errands and holiday shopping.

Outfit 2: Classic With Stripes

We had an unusual warm spell earlier this month, so I ditched the sweaters and wore these colored denim jeans with a favorite tee from a few seasons back. (Similar from Vince, on sale, or Lands’ End, also in Petites, Plus, and Tall, or try this perennial from Sézane.) The scarf was my grandmother’s, and the mules are by Tibi, from several seasons back.

Outfit 3: Festive Casual

I’m planning to wear this to meet a friend for lunch early next week. (In typical California fashion, we’re expecting some sunny, mild days before the next rainstorm moves in.) But this look could also work for a casual New Year’s Eve party.

The short-sleeve cashmere sweater is from Theory, and currently on sale. I LOVE this green, and it’s available in several other colors. The necklace (c/o) is the same one I wore doubled here, and I love how it looks as a longer piece too! I finished the look with a pair of high vamp ballet flats from Loeffler Randall. These are SO comfortable and have a modern, slightly funky appeal. (They run true-to-size.)

Having pieces that can be styled multiple ways is key to getting more mileage out of your wardrobe (and it’s especially helpful when packing for travel). In the coming months, I’ll be focusing more on styling and showing how to create a variety of looks from a few well-chosen pieces. If there’s an item in your wardrobe you’d like help reimagining, let me know. I’m always happy to build a few outfits around a good foundation piece.

More Colored Denim Jeans

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